After so many months without live music, nobody takes it for granted. Not the audience and not the musicians who are so excited to reconnect with fans again. I’m not sure how long this wonder will last, but it’s beautiful to witness. I felt genuine excitement as I took my seat at The Art House in Wyong for 1927’s show on Saturday night.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen a band’s lead singer doing double-duty as support act. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Eric Weideman’s set. Stripped back versions of the 1927 songs we’d hear later? Covers? It turns out he has some stellar solo material that I was so thrilled to hear. He told us he’d much rather come out and play for us than keep sitting backstage, adding that these were the songs he plays in his bedroom. With just an acoustic guitar and minimal staging, we were transported there. It was a short but intimate set. Without the other members on stage, Eric was free to chat a little more about the songs and the people who inspired them.
I’ve seen 1927 at pubs and festivals, but never quite like this. While I loved being smashed against a barrier back in the day, this more sedate sit-down theatre show feels much safer in these pandemic times. The band certainly didn’t take it easy, delivering tracks like “You’ll Never Know” and “Propaganda Machine” with as much energy as they ever did. That’s especially impressive when you remember the band released their acclaimed debut album …Ish 30 years ago. I know. I don’t like that fact either.
This show wasn’t just about nostalgia though. While tracks from that beloved album dominated, 1927 also showcased some new material. I particularly loved a track called “Shine” which Eric dedicated to all of the fans who’d been there since the beginning. The appreciation this band has for us was evident through the show, from the generous set featuring all the hits and fan favourites to the way Eric spoke to us. He gave thanks to us and reminded us that we are the reason for their success and longevity. Watching him sit on the edge of the stage during “Compulsory Hero” to get just a little closer to us all was beautiful. Even the band’s decision to return quickly to the stage rather than milking us for an encore showed respect. “If I Could” is always the encore. If the band is tired of it though, they don’t show it. Instead, Eric encouraged us to sing along and it was beautiful. And after so many months when we couldn’t do that, I think we all appreciated it just that little bit more.
1927 will be on tour for many more months yet. Catch them at one of the following venues near you.
8 April 2022 – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
9 April 2022 – Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour
10 April 2022 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree
22 April 2022 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool
23 April 2022 – The Cube, Wodonga
27 May 2022 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
28 May 2022 – Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
3 June 2022 – Norwood Concert Hall, Norwood
4 June 2022 – Northern Festival Centre, Port Pirie
10 June 2022 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
11 June 2022 – Barossa Arts Centre, Tanunda
17 June 2022 – Montreal Theatre, Tumut
18 June 2022 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange
1 July 2022 – Capitol Theatre, Tamworth
2 July 2022 – Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, Dubbo
22 July 2022 – Karralyka Theatre, Ringwood
23 July 2022 – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
12 August 2022 – The J Theatre, Noosa
13 August 2022 – Moncrieff Entertainment Cente, Bundaberg
20 August 2022 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane
26 August 2022 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
27 August 2022 – Wrest Point Showroom, Hobart
2 September 2022 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
3 September 2022 – Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock
9 September 2022 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
10 September 2022 – Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga
16 & 17 September 2022 – Opera House Studio, Sydney
23 September 2022 – Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
24 September 2022 – Blue Mountains Theatre, Springwood
Image source: own photo