Music can be fun
February 28, 2010
By
Les Everett
Enjoing Calexico and Dan Sultan at the Perth Festival of the Arts...
SOMETHING funny happened during Calexico’s third song at Beck’s Music Box in Perth on Friday. It struck me that this was group of musicians who enjoy what they do unlike some of the acts I saw in the 80s. Suddenly the song morphed into Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart and it took me back to a performance by a pissed off New Order at the Canterbury Ballroom some time in the early 80s. I wondered at the time why they were so unhappy and why they didn’t get another job.
Anyway Calexico were wonderful with a big sound at times reminiscent of Ennio Morricone. They loved it so much they came back for a couple of encores.
The previous evening we stood in the well-mannered mosh pit for Dan Sultan. He is even better looking in real life and his band play rock ‘n country really well. Like Calexico there’s a bit of brass and that’s something for aspiring bands to consider. Like Calexico, Sultan and his band enjoyed themselves.
When Sultan asked for a beer late in the night he got two – bought by women in the crowd. Another female fan finished up with Sultan’s sweat soaked towel. Outside the venue she skipped away saying something about what were next husband will need to measure up to in terms of looks. And she said something about now having Dan’s DNA. She’d enjoyed herself.
There’s talk that Beck’s Music Box will change for next year’s Perth International Arts Festival. The new idea better be good because the Box is just about perfect for those who enjoy music.
• Calexico in action at the Beck’s Music Box at the Perth International Arts Festival.
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