Friday 29th July, 2011 – Review by Alanna Eileen

An appreciative crowd filled Fat Shan Records on Friday, 29th July for FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE 2 – the second in a series of intimate concerts held on the last Friday of each month. Featuring SEAN O’NEILL, HEATHCOTE BLUE and SEAN POLLARD, it was an evening of beautiful music made all the more enjoyable by the unique venue.

The gentle flickering of candles created the perfect ambience for HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER’S Sean O’Neill. O’Neill played a set of soothing tunes using vocals, guitar and pedals, expertly looping the sound to make an intricate musical landscape. All in attendance were captivated by his performance and the silence attested to their respect for this skilled musician. Not needing to rely on unnecessary embellishments, O’Neill’s quiet stage presence and haunting melodies proved that less is more. He left everyone in no doubt of his talent and was met with excited applause.

Heathcote Blue followed with acoustic guitar and violin. His set was enjoyable and memorable, consisting of original songs and choice covers. His rendition of Blitzen Trapper’s ‘Furr’ was a definite highlight which showcased his strong voice and guitar playing. Blue’s setting of William Blake’s poetry to music was also exceptional and made him stand out as more than just another singer-songwriter. He closed with a lively song on the violin, the words of which were also taken from a poem. The audience responded with enthusiasm and warmth.

As the night progressed the crowd became more and more comfortable; the cosy confines of Fat Shan Records made everyone feel at home. The smell of popcorn filled the air and bags of it were shared around. The atmosphere was friendly and laidback and the focus was entirely on the music. Nobody talked during the acts but devoted all their attention to the performers. This made for a magical evening based on sharing the love of local music in a wonderfully unpretentious and likable venue.

The final act was Sean Pollard of SPLIT SECONDS who took to the microphone with a slew of engaging self-penned tunes and a small acoustic guitar. His lyrics brought the characters in his songs to life. He performed a stirring cover of Joanna Newsom’s ‘Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie’, belting out the words. He also used a loop pedal to good effect and interacted well with the audience, showing them a trick with a mobile phone. His own song ‘Bed Down’ was another high point that prompted a few people to sing along.

Friday I’m in Love was a satisfying and entertaining event, an unforgettable combination of quality music in an awesome location. It is events like this that predict a positive future for music in Perth.