LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: New Empire - Symmetry Tour

I’m still grinning from the amazing night that I had on Saturday! It was so much fun from start to finish! But before I go on with my review for the night, kudos to Stephanie, Jacqui and Bridget for getting there super early – you girls are really dedicated! Big thank you to Jacqui who handed out the rest of those invites to VOTE FOR NEW EMPIRE for Channel V’s ‘Oz Artist 2011’ (voting ends this Friday!) – I just decided to recruit her on the spot! And big CONGRATULATIONS to those of you won a photo taken by my lovely sister, Andrea.

Without further ado, let’s talk about the night!

***

Jake Nauta

For those of you who read my previous review, you’ll know that it was a bonus to have seen Mr Nauta share the stage with New Empire on Saturday. And guess what?! He stated his set with In Your Eyes! I was pretty much like, “My night can only get better!” From the last time I saw Jake live, I recall him being a really great crowd pleaser and Saturday was no different.

Getting the crowd to join in with the clapping and clicking and every now and then asking, “Do you guys know it?” which was happily answered, “Yes!” by a few of us in the crowd, Nauta set up the mood for the night. Taking the positive energy that was already in the room, he happily spoke to the crowd about his new album (which was available for $15 instead of $20 that night – bonus for Kale!) and his own tour coming up – gaining a new fan, which put the biggest grin on his face mid-way through his set.

A few more of my personal favourites (Here With You and Nothing Left To Lose), an oldie, a cover and a big thank you for supporting independent music later, Jake was packing up and off stage – but promised he was going to stay around for a chat afterwards.

To purchase From These Hands click: http://www.jakenauta.com/

The Jefferson

I’m going to be honest – I have never heard of this band before, but I’m not complaining with what I did hear. Picking up where Jake left off, these guys built on the high energy that came with the anticipation that New Empire were almost coming on.

Through the week, I thought it would only be fair to check out their music to get a feel for what they’d be like on stage; rockish with a dab of techno – sweet! I have tremendous respect for their performativity (yes, this is a word!); their stage presence as a band was well lead by their front man, Geoff, and there sound was not short of a head-banger or a hand in the air from the crowd.

It was lots of fun listening to these guys and it was a nice transition into the night’s special guest, For Our Hero.

To listen to The Jefferson: http://www.facebook.com/thejeffersonband

For Our Hero

Another band I had heard of but not really listen to, but enjoyed watching on Saturday. From start to end, these guys had the biggest grins on their faces, you could tell they were genuinely excited to be in Sydney (which helped for the amazing atmosphere that was already hanging over The Factory Theatre).

Listening to these guys I was thinking: Short Stack + Son of Dork/Busted = For Our Hero. They’ve have the same feel to their music as Short Stack and Son of Dork but Jay’s vocals resonate with that of Busted’s front man, James Bourne. There was a real sense of fun with every song that they played and the crowd loved it! Jumping up and down, waving their hands in the air and “Woohooing” at the end of every song.

To think, the night was still far from over!

For more on For Our Hero: http://www.facebook.com/forourheroband?sk=info

***

With the night still young and excitement in the air, I was surprised no one started a chorus of, “New Em-pire!” As the lights dimed and a roar of voices welcomed the boys as they entered they stage, we all prepared ourselves for what was going to be one of the best shows of 2011.

Starting the set with Across the Oceans, the crowd was entertained by the sound of a metallic bin being banged on by Jeremy along with the enthusiastic array of the electric guitar, bass, drums and percussion that accompanied the foreign instrument. With every song on SYMMETRY well embedded on the lips of every single person in the crowd, the night had only just begun.

Song after song (I was going to say all the songs in order, but then I thought, “Let’s keep it as a surprise for Adelaide!), there was not one mouth in that room that was not singing along. The crowd was only too eager to join Jeremy with every word he was singing. It was such a delight to be part of it; singing along with fellow fans was definitely a highlight!

Eight songs into the show and the lights changed from the blues and purples into floods and yellows to aid the acoustic set. As Hero filled the theatre you could tell that the crowd was nowhere near ready to go home. With Kale joining Jeremy, Pete and Kyle down the front, you could say they were symmetrically prepared to enter the next section of the set list. I have to say that this was my favourite section of the night, and yes it’s because it’s the part of the night where I finally got to hear Long Way Home live. Not only that, but they also did a beautiful cover of The Killers’, Mr Brightside in this section. One of my sister’s favourite songs, I stood their wishing she was beside me instead of studying for the HSC (I recorded it for her, so don’t worry guys, she did get to see it).

With five songs left off the new album and one more from Come With Me Tonight, the crowd was still willing to sing along and “Woooo!” the night away. There was a moment between Take Me Back and the final section of the set where people thought that the night was over, which started a chorus of, “One more song!” But New Empire did the crowd one better by playing TWO more songs rather than one, finishing the night with the beloved, One Heart / Million Voices.

And with that, the night closed with satisfaction in the air. We all knew we had just witnessed something great and were glad to have been part of it – together.

Overall

What can I say? From start to finish I was blessed to have been in a room with so many people who were willing to sing every song loud and proud. There was not one song that the boys played that was more loved than the other – every song had us all singing at the top of our lungs. When one jumped, we all jumped; when one ‘wooohood’, we all backed them up; when one raised their hand; we all raised our hands. After the show I heard a man behind me say, “I really enjoyed that!” which his friend replied with, “Oh, I’m glad you did!” As am I sir! As am I. I have to say, there was a lot of love and appreciation in the room; new and old fans alike were not just happy to share the night with New Empire, but also with each other. Like I told Pete, it’s one of the best shows I’ve been to.

sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

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