It is Saturday night in Sydney and the town is abuzz with excitement as things are happening all over the city, but none of that interests me as for Dashboard Confessional have returned down-under for the first time in 5 years.
Yes, these alternative rockers who have a sound that defined a generation, are touring the country and tonight it is Sydney’s’ turn. The Metro is tight as we stand shoulder to shoulder filling up the floor. Opening things up are local lads Far Away Stables, who were well received by the awaiting crowd. Once Dashboard take to the stage a loud scream rings out inside the metro and they waste no time in kicking things off with Don’t Wait then, The Sharp Hint of New Tears.
Musically the whole band sounded awesome tonight, so tight, and front man Chris Carrabba’s vocals were ‘amazing’. Some songs though, just hit you right in the heart and provide some awesome crowd sing-alongs. The Good Fight and Saints and Sailors being just two of these. Before playing the song, We Fight, Chris made his views known on marriage equality by saying ‘people should be able to marry who they want’ to which the crowd responded with a cheer. One of the very things you come to see live music for are the experiences you just can’t get from the album at home and that came tonight when they played two cover songs back-to-back. First up was Remember to Breathe / Love Yourself by Justin Bieber, then Chris opened-up about his love for The Cure and the music they have made over the years, and with that he played a truly beautiful cover of Just Like Heaven, hands down my favourite musical moment of the night.
After what had been an enormous set list covering everything the band had released throughout their career (except oddly enough Belle of The Boulevard which I really wanted to hear) they saved the biggest and best moments for last. First we got Screaming Infidelities, which had an augmented ending as Chris decided to throw in a bit of Coldplay’s Fix You on the tracks end, and if that moment wasn’t enough they bring the show to a close with Vindicated. Man, there wasn’t a person in the place not singing and clapping along as we swayed, it just made for one captivating magical performance. The encore was only short lived with one song but a fine song it was, Hands Down.
Dashboard isn’t the sort of gig you rock and mosh out too, no it is the sort of gig where you romanticise and become emerged in the lyrics. You have your mood affected by the sound and tempo of the music being played for your hearing pleasure as you eagerly wait for more. You don’t get wasted, you pay attention and feel you let the music consume you and have it pour all over you. If you’re alone out there in the crowd, it just makes you want to grab a beautiful stranger, hold her, kiss her, and let the emotion you both feel for the music take over. That is what a Dashboard Confessional gig is like and that is why you must be there and feel all of them feels, go through those emotions, and love every second of it. A special thank you to Dashboard and a thank you to live music.
Review – Chad
Photo gallery – Christian ross