Gig Review: Nothing But Thieves @ The Factory Theatre, Sydney 26th July 2018

Wow, what a year it has been for Brit alt-rockers Nothing But Thieves. It was just over a year ago I first witnessed the band in Germany at Hurricane fest, then six months later I was standing in this exact same spot at The Factory Theatre seeing them again in a show I described as “a powerhouse performance to tell your kids about”. Someone must have read my review as for tonight’s sold out all ages show may be the first show on the tour but was a late addition, added due to an overwhelming demand from the fans. The band has quite literally flown 22 hrs to be here and give the fans what they want and believe me the band did not disappoint.

Nothing But Thieves take to the stage and the crowd just roar as they get things cracking straight away with Wake Up Call. The guitar work and drumbeat of this song is a driving force in making you want to move, it is so toe-tapping you can’t stop and the acoustics of the Factory Theatre just aid to front-man Conor Mason’s dynamic vocals, so ear shattering yet so harmonious, it just captivates me every time I hear it and hearing it tonight in this room it’s just so surreal.

Nothing But Thieves rollicking 2017 album Broken Machine was an album we here at SCENEzine grew to love with every listen and it came in at number 5 on our top ten albums of 2017. Piece by piece tonight they played nearly every song of the album and the audience just loved it, mass applause after every song, hands held high and clapping along to the rocking rhythm. The band themselves were all smiles and energetic, it was infectious. Every song tonight just felt like a banger, from the electric Live Like Animals to the big sing along and sway moment that came in If I Get High. However, it was in main set closer Sorry that I felt the band absolutely stole the show. It felt like such a touching moment as we listened and sang the lyrics out loud I felt the music touch me deep inside and take us to a place we had longed to go.

The encore wouldn’t be a drawn-out affair, the crowd cheering for one more song, the band wouldn’t keep us waiting too long and would answer the call for more with Itch off their first album and then leave us with the huge hit Amsterdam. The stage lightning which had been hypnotizing and effective all night became even more effective as a red washed over the stage and strobes flickered thru it, it just reminded me of a place where I once left my heart.

Nothing But Thieves are garnering attention everywhere they perform, their fan base exploding here and abroad, both Sydney shows sold out so you better get in quick if you hope to see them in other states and watch one of the best shows of the year.

Review – Chad

Photo Gallery – Christian Ross