Architecture in Helsinki at Jive

Date: Thursday, April 21st 2005
Venue: Jive
Time: 8pm door opens, 9.30pm gig start
Price: $15
Bands: Architecture In Helsinki w/ Hit The Jackpot

When I heard that Architecture In Helsinki were going to be in town for a gig at Jive, I was estatic. Anyone who has ever been to one of their shows know its one big groove dance party no one could resist. So, of course I wasn't going to miss this.


The support band for the gig was local Adelaide band, Hit The Jackpot. Formerly a two-piece but with a new member, now a trio. The band swapped instruments with one another a lot and their sound is probably best described as indie-shouty. Or something. They played a short set, though, probably for about 35 minutes max.

Before Architecture in Helsinki actually came on, the Manager of Jive (a sweet Canadian guy) went onstage and told everyone to stand up and pack the front because people were initially sitting down [my Flickr link] for the gig (as they did for the support). That was good because the biggest crime people could make at gigs is sitting down whilst a band who make music to dance to are about to go on.



Architecture In Helsinki finally came on and all 8 members had some form of leaves hanging off them (as belts, as ties, a necklaces, as "bandanas") just to keep the theme of their album cover. For the curious among you (from left to right in the first AIH photo): Cameron Bird (lead vocals), Kellie Sutherland (lead female vocals), Isobel Knowles, Jamie Mildren, Gus Franklin, Tara Shackell, James Cecil and Sam Perry. Yes, they're all permanent members who play various instruments and swap instruments with one another in every song.

They performed tracks from their new album, In Case We Die, as the gig was technically their CD launch for the sophomore release. Some of the tracks played from that album were the new hit single, It'5, opener Neverevereverdid, the title track about death, In Case We Die and the massive hit single, Do The Whirlwind. They also performed tracks from their first album, Fingers Crossed, including the infectiously catchy Attic In The Basement and the cheek-popping crowd favourite, The Owls Go.



They even did an awesome Roxy Music cover that got the crowd grooving and by the end of it, it was definitely slowly turning into a dance venue. They had an encore set performing somewhat of a megamix of their songs including a different version of Do The Whirlwind that was just brilliant. Also, at the end of the gig, James Cecil tells the crowd "as last words": "When you get old and look back, don't say you've never danced!" Truer words could not have been spoken.

I must say, I loved the fact they play random percussions in their songs like they just do this randomly even though it sounds exactly like their record. Just the way they pick up the percussion instruments on the floor and throw things and play such instruments like "cheek-popping", "woodblock clapping" and "tin fall to the ground". Such an interesting and brilliant band with unbelievebly catchy songs with clever lyrics. Just so good.


Fun. Interesting. Dance-o-rama. Melbourne's best kept secret is Architecture In Helsinki.