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COG
+ Yomi Ship + Kodiak Empire
@ Northcote Theatre, Melbourne,
1st March 2024
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Hailing from Sydney, prog rockers COG has embarked on a national tour in support of their vinyl releases. The first stop on the tour is in Melbourne at the famed Northcote Theatre, which, since its reopening, has hosted some amazing bands, and COG is now one of them. Like many other huge COG fans, I was eagerly awaiting this tour and what it would bring. Being in the music industry since 1998, they have many songs they could cover tonight, and for us, it was a mix between songs from “The New Normal” and “Sharing Space.”

COG came out to huge applause from a full crowd at Northcote Theatre. First up for their set was the song we have all come to love, “Real Life,” and you could hear by how loudly the crowd was singing along that Flynn’s vocals soared high through the venue. Following “Real Life” was the song “Are You Interested,” about government control and how we should read the warning signs we’ve been given. It’s funny how the song, released back in 2008 on the album “Sharing Space,” has become so relevant in the last few years. Believe it or not, the lyrics from the song do make you wonder.

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Following “Are You Interested” were tracks like “Anarchy OK” about causing and executing anarchy, and “Swamp” about not listening to the government at all. This resistance was evident during the government’s push for the COVID vaccination drive, as the band is totally against it. Therefore, due to the requirement to show vaccination status during the first few years of the pandemic, they refused to play unless they could do so without being vaccinated. Whether you’re on the side of being vaccinated or not, you should stop and think when governments are trying to push people to do so, especially when they may have reasons not to be vaccinated. They followed these with more tracks from both of their albums. It was a shame we didn’t get one of their newer songs in an encore, which didn’t even take place tonight as they stuck to their setlist. Northcote Theatre is a perfect choice for the concert, both in its design and the space of the venue felt perfect for what we witnessed.

Flynn’s vocals are still as amazing as ever, and Luke & Lucias’ backing vocals were also on point. At one point, Flynn & Luke came close together in front of Lucias, and it looked as though they were admiring each other’s guitar or bass playing. At the end of the fantastic song “What If,” we got a mini jam session from Luke & Lucius before the band paused for a moment before going into the great song “The Spine” off “The New Normal.” During “The Spine,” the crowd sang the lyrics back at the band very loudly, showing that the band still has it after all these years.

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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One thing that was instantly noticed at the start of the set was Lucius having Julian Assange’s face on his kick drum. The time had come in their set to refer to Julian Assange, where Flynn dedicated the song “The Town of Lincoln” to him. Following “The Town of Lincoln” was the song “Run,” which is a huge fan favorite, as evidenced by how the audience sang every lyric perfectly back at the band in unison.

During “My Enemy,” all three members of the band played while they let the crowd sing the lyrics on their own. As a huge fan of the song, I loved seeing this moment take place, as it was magical. The final two songs on the set were the biggest hit off “Sharing Space,” the song “Bird of a Feather,” followed by the second-longest song off the album, “Problem Reaction Solution.” Once the song was over, the band clapped for the audience, then walked off stage. We, the audience, were all eager for an encore, but it wasn’t to happen, even with the huge crowd response of “One More Song, One More Song,” before the lights went up. Though they briefly came back down to huge applause from the audience as they were leaving, thinking maybe there would be an encore, but sadly there wasn’t to be one.

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KODIAK EMPIRE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The night started off with Brisbane alt-rock band Kodiak Empire. It was my first-time hearing or seeing the band, so I didn’t know what to expect, and judging by the small crowd that showed up for their performance, many felt the same way, as they were keener for COG, as was obvious by showing up later in the night. Not that it took anything away from the amazing performance Kodiak Empire put on to open the night. Their music may be slow and mellow at times, but it had moments of heaviness and groove in places. They are a 5-piece band consisting of a Singer, Guitarist, Bassist, Keyboardist, and Drummer. Their set was very hazy and backlit, which detracted from what was a great performance from a largely unknown band to the Melbourne audience. Though I hadn’t heard this band before, after their performance, I’m keen for more, and I suggest anyone who sees they are supporting a band show up at the start of the night to see what those who were there tonight at Northcote Theatre saw.

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YOMI SHIP / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Following Kodiak Empire was a band I’m familiar with, Yomi Ship from Perth, whom I saw at Monolith festival, headlined by fellow West Aussie band Karnivool, whom I’m sure many who read this are most likely familiar with. For those who didn’t go and don’t know who Yomi Ship are, they are a 3-piece Instrumental band. Some of their songs could easily be part of movie soundtracks, like one song which could easily be heard on movie soundtracks for such films as “World War Z” & “28 Days Later,” both of which are Zombie films. While other tracks of theirs, like “Seamonkey,” could easily be heard on a Western film or some Mexican-style film like “Desperado.” Even though the music is devoid of vocals, it still makes for an interesting live listening experience. Even though there was a microphone set up in front of the guitarist, maybe for him to say something to the audience, it was the drummer who spoke the most in between songs throughout their amazing set. He even thanked COG for the opportunity and those behind the scenes who do a great job.

The night was an overall amazing experience, and even though it’s over, I’m keen for more. So, we’ll see what happens next in the COG camp.

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The setlist from the night is as follows:

Real Life
Are You Interested
Anarchy OK
Swamp
Sharing Space
What If
The Spine
Charades
The Town of Lincoln
Run
My Enemy
Bird of Feather
Problem Reaction Solution

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of this event HERE

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Follow COG
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Youtube

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COG / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 7th March 2023 (below) HERE

PROLIFIC PROGRESSIVE ROCKERS
announce
‘THE VINYL TOUR 2024’

+ Touring
THE EAST COAST
next February + March
featuring special guests
YOMI SHIP + KODIAK EMPIRE

+ COG
set to release
THE NEW NORMAL + SHARING SPACE
on vinyl for the very first time

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Nobody Presents

COG
THE VINYL TOUR 2024

With Special Guests
YOMI SHIP + KODIAK EMPIRE

FRIDAY 1 MARCH
Northcote Theatre, Naarm VIC

SATURDAY 2 MARCH
Hindley St Music Hall, Tarndanya SA

FRIDAY 8 MARCH
Princess Theatre, Meanjin QLD

SATURDAY 9 MARCH
King Street, Mulubinba NSW

FRIDAY 15 MARCH
The Basement, Ngunnawal ACT

SATURDAY 16 MARCH
Manning Bar, Gadigal NSW

FOR GENERAL TICKET INFO & MORE, VISIT: HERE

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AMNPLIFY – DB