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MOVEMENTS
+ Softcult + Peace Ritual
@ Stay Gold, Melbourne,
12th March 2024
(Live Review)Review by Tristan Skell
Photos by Drew Hill (@drewhillphotos)
To precede the events of the upcoming “New Bloom” festival, Movements brought the ethereal Softcult, and Sydney’s own Peace Ritual to Melbourne to perform a side show at the Stay Gold venue in Brunswick.
To start the night off was Peace Ritual, their second ever performance in Melbourne. As the band began to play their first track, it was almost as if you were grabbed by the arm and pulled into a starry-eyed, nostalgic daydream. With captivating guitars and sweet harmonised vocals filling the room, the audience was in pure bliss. Lyrics, brimming with wistful hope and desire, intertwined with the ethereal haze of the smoke machine casting the venue in a layer of grey mystique.
Joel, the lead vocalist, thanked the crowd for their time, urging them that; “There’s a real refuge in this, and I hope you all feel it too,” alluding to the supportive and inclusive atmosphere created by everyone in the venue.
Toward the end of the set, they slammed into a charismatic chord progression, debuting their single released that day, “Seconds.” The bridge was fantastic, it made me feel like I was running down a dirt path on a summer’s day, chasing down an old, sentimental feeling that you can’t quite put your finger on. It’s a refreshing sight to see smaller-sized bands sharing the stage with more established acts, as it provides them with a platform to showcase their talent to a wider audience. Their performance personified the essence of a stellar opening act, demonstrating their skill and leaving the crowd with good reason to support them, whether it was checking out their socials, or purchasing some of their merchandise.
Softcult are a sibling duo from Canada. Producing predominantly grunge shoegaze tunes, they also take the time to create a zine called “SCripture.” It features artwork, poetry and political think pieces submitted by fans, artists, and the band themselves, imploring their fans to understand that art is empowerment. Since their emergence onto the music scene, Softcult has garnered attention for their introspective lyrics, lush harmonies, and intimate live performances.
The crowd erupted with thundering applause as Softcult took the stage, a very warm welcome as it was their first time performing in Australia. Without hesitation, the band slowly whirred into the start of their set, and almost instantaneously an esoteric haze seemed to settle over the crowd. Soft, melancholic chords drift and weave their way around you, enveloping you in haunting, yet angelic words of broken-down lust and guttural wanting.
Mercedes commanded the stage with an irresistible magnetism, her voice weaving a spell that drew every gaze towards her. With each note, she leans into the microphone, her movements fluid yet fierce, as she swayed gracefully in her combat boots, pouring raw emotion into every wail. In addition to Mercedes, Phoenix’s astonishing talent to provide the drums and supporting vocals was remarkable! It was an unforgettable sight, one that captivated the audience and left them transfixed, unable to tear their eyes away. The room slows down around them, the crowd collectively feeling those claws drag through them, and by the end, everyone was in universal awe.
To conclude their set, Softcult performed “Uzumaki,” off their 2022 EP “Year Of The Snake,” an entrancing song about the existentialism and dread of trying to survive an abusive relationship. Toward the final 30 seconds of the song, each member hefted their instrument in the air, with Phoenix elevating themself and standing up on the drum kit. The sight of this had goose bumps running up and down my body, up until the last note rang out, bringing an end to their debut Australian performance.
With both support acts concluded, Movements took the stage. The venue, despite being a near sell-out, was packed to the brim with fans. The Californian band kicked off with “You’re One Of Us Now,” a dynamic track off their most recent album “RUCKUS!” which has the energy and liveliness to get the crowd off their feet, with the help of Patrick’s commanding presence on vocals. Providing back-to-back tracks off “RUCKUS!” movements transitioned into “Lead Pipe.” Austin brought in the earth-shaking bass, while Patrick urged the crowd to sing along with the chorus. It was a phenomenal display of crowd control from Patrick and enthusiasm from the fans, as the words of the chorus resonated throughout the entire venue. Throughout the set, the crowd kept the energy up, even catching a few crowd surfers for tracks like “I Hope You Choke!” and “Deep Red,” displaying Melbourne’s spirit and passion for live music, leaving an impression on Movements.
What was beautiful to see was Patrick engaging with a crowd member after spotting a sign, requesting the band to play “Nineteen” off their EP “Outgrown Things” as it was their 19th birthday. As much as Movements would have loved to have dedicated a song to a fan, they humorously admitted that they “may or may not” have forgotten how to play “Nineteen.” To redeem themselves however, they took the time to perform “Happy Birthday” for their fan’s birthday! With Patrick taking the lead, followed by Spencer, Ira, and Austin on their respective instruments, the entire venue joined in to wish this fan a very wholesome happy 19th birthday. A wonderful display of dedication to their fan base!
To wrap up the night, Movements performed their highest streamed song, “Daylily,” taken from their album “Feel Something.” The crowd screamed and sang in unison; the atmosphere elevated as the attendees and band alike put everything into the last few minutes of the set.
The Stay Gold side show went off without a hitch, highlighted by unforgettable performances and a diverse display of musical talent. It also happened to be revealed later, that Spencer powered through the entire set on the drums despite a sprained wrist! His performance, despite his injury, was nothing short of remarkable, mirroring the excellence displayed by Peace Ritual, Softcult, and Movements.
Check out Drew Hill’s (@drewhillphotos) full gallery of this event HERE
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.AMNPLIFY – DB
