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Live Reviews : Devin Townsend Project & Periphery @ Max Watts, Brisbane 22/10/2015

By on October 23, 2015

Images: Rebecca Reid
Words: Jake Patton

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I am always a bit sceptical to see how effective a show is when it is held the night after another massive show in Brisbane. The Brisbane scene and crowds can be a fickle bunch, with attendance able to go either way, either limiting numbers at a show, or having an attendance that rivals that of the night beforehand. Given that over this past month there has also been a very large amount of concerts to pick from, I went into tonight with mixed feelings about how the crowd would be. You can imagine my surprise to see that there was a small line halfway up the side of Max Watts an hour and a half before doors officially opened for tonight’s proceedings.

After finally getting inside, and getting a position close to the front, it sunk in that I would finally get to see Periphery. Having been a long-time fan, yet not getting around to seeing them before, Periphery for me was everything that I had hoped for. Whilst the band was relegated to a smaller area at the front of stage, their performance still had the impact of something I would expect from them if they were given a festival sized stage to perform on. Vocalist Spencer Sotelo sounds as amazing live as he does on any of the recorded releases he has been a part of, and uses his stage space to maximum effect, and the playing of guitarists Misha Mansoor, Mark Holcomb and Jake Bowen is simply amazing.

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Visually, there isn’t much that can be said about Periphery, their musical prowess isn’t so much in their visual performance than it is in their audible performance. That’s not to say that they didn’t put on a good show visually, but the novelty for me was finally being able to witness live some of the guitar wizardry that I have admired and loved for so long on CD.

Doing their best to fit a choice selection of older and newer tracks, and obviously, playing a setlist weighted with the majority of songs from the latest Juggernaut split, the band managed to not only hold the crowd from start to finish, but also got 90% of them moving during that time. Their greatest reception came during penultimate song ‘Alpha’ of their 10 song set, which could quite have easily gone for 20 songs due to the reaction and intensity of the crowd. Hopefully it isn’t too long until they come back again and perform their own headlining set.

As the curtains drew on stage to begin the changeover I got talking to some of the guys standing next to me, and after I managed to peel myself away and turn around to see the crowd amassed behind me I was shocked. I don’t think I’ve seen Max Watts that packed in a very long time, especially since the top level was open (which I personally haven’t seen open since 2013). This was a phenomenal crowd outing, and with four other events being held on the same night (just off the top of my head), it really showcases the music scene that Australia is cultivating at the moment.

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Probably my only negative experience of the night was how the introduction for Devin was handled. About 15 minutes before the expected commencement time, the curtains opened and a poorly introduced video of Ziltoid the Omniscient started, with lights fully up and sound crew still on stage checking guitars (which went over the noise of the video). The lights eventually lowered and the crew left the stage halfway through the video, but it sort of detracted from that initial introduction. Once the video finished and The Devin Townsend Project took the stage, Devin proclaimed in his first sentence “Hello Brisbane, we are the Devin Townsend Project, and we are not jetlagged at all”, which softened the mood with the humour that he is known for, and provided the perfect atmosphere for the band to dive into ‘Rejoice’ to start their set.

Devin Townsend’s shows are always a visceral experience. I don’t think I have met a person yet that has come out of one of his shows without feeling something. I guess that really is one of the things that sets him apart compared to many other artists, because not only are you being audibly engaged, but you are also being immersed in the mood of the room, the visual projections behind Devin, and the atmosphere of the moment. Tonight was no exception, and I don’t think there was anyone in the room that didn’t go along for a journey with the band.

Quite often we are told that music is about ‘having fun’ and ‘enjoying the moment’, and I don’t think there is an artist alive, that epitomises those sentiments more than Devin himself. Throughout the set it was hard not to wipe the smile off his face, whether he was segueing between his harsh and cleaner singing style, engaging the crowd, either mid song, or with constant rebuttals to interjections in the down moments; however the highlight of the night for me would definitely have to be his discussions about the ‘obligatory encore’. Rather than just leaving the stage after performing ‘Grace’, he gave the crowd a wonderful spiel on how they ‘all need to make noise, like we are not coming back, even though we are, but you know, it’s one of those things we have to do’. The man didn’t even make it completely off stage, instead danced in the doorway at the back of stage as the crowd cheered, at which point he turned around and came back with the band to perform his ‘obligatory encore’.

After playing two stellar final songs (I’m not going to ruin the surprise for those yet to go see him, but you will enjoy it), the band graciously thanked the crowd and exited stage – however Devin lingered, taking the time to thank all the fans at the front for coming and shaking their hands, individually and with purpose. Humility is the trademark of any exceptional artist – and the appreciation that Devin has towards his fans is really what sets him at a level that very few will ever reach.

Make sure to catch the remaining shows in Australia. Tickets from Soundwave Touring.

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER SYDNEY, ROUNDHOUSE – Licensed All ages
www.ticketek.com.au

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER MELBOURNE, 170 RUSSELL – 18+ SOLD OUT

SECOND AND FINAL SHOW IN MELBOURNE
MONDAY 26 OCTOBER MELBOURNE, 170 RUSSELL – 18+
www.eventopia.co / www.oztix.com.au / www.170russell.com

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