REVIEW: Best Coast Sideshow Sydney 25.01.12

Ever since my brother handed me BEST COAST’s debut LP, Crazy for You, I’ve been heavily infatuated with the band. This reached its pinnacle at their Sydney sideshow on Wednesday. Manning Bar quickly filled with the kind of indie girls, their boyfriends, and dudes enraptured by the charms of Beth Cosentino, that only a Best Coast show could gather together.

SURES were up first. They’re a local Sydney band, and I hate to say it, but they sound a lot like many up-and-coming young bands. First thoughts were that I would love to see something a bit more innovative. Then of course they surprised me with a sneaky and undeniably original Kylie Minogue cover of 'Can’t Get You Out of My Head.' Although it seemed like the exaggerated American accents were a bit much, the songs were tight, and at times really very catchy and enjoyable. For a relatively new band on the Sydney music scene, Sures played a solid and fun set.

DUNE RATS were the perfect pre-curser to Best Coast. They’re a Brisbane band with an established garage following. The guys were clearly enjoying themselves, and that’s always important when you’re trying to woo an audience. You can’t expect the crowd to love you if you don’t seemingly love the crowd. Dune Rats did. They played loud, and above all, they played well, sharing some common themes with the headliner- namely references to weed and even young love.

Best Coast may be the brainchild of only two people- Costentino and Bob Bruno, but their sound is anything but small. Songs reverberated around the bar, to the delighted cheers of the audience.  They played all the fan favourites- 'Boyfriend',  'Crazy For You', 'Bratty B', as well as some new tracks.

I think what’s especially notable about Best Coast is the warmth and enthusiasm of the vocals. Cosentino’s undeniable talent is the driving force behind many of the songs- songs which tap into the lovestruck female psyche. Yes, Best Coast is for the romantics, the sounds accompanying Cosentino’s declarations of love, lust and heartbreak remind one of rolling ocean waves and kissing on the beach.

What I think was best about their live set was the way they sounded a bit rougher around the edges. It felt more intimate than the album, had less of a pop tinge, delving deep into the regions of surf rock as opposed to his little sister, surf pop.  Plus watching Cosentino live, you get a chance to witness the personality and even grace of a female who both knows how to pluck the strings of a guitar and the heartstrings of the crowd.

BEST COAST SIDESHOW

MANNING THEATRE, SYDNEY

January 25, 2012

Words by Hannah Story.