The idea was triggered by a perceived lack of young, indie bands performing in Poznań and in its first edition Poznań Alternative Fest is running a series of such gigs scattered all over autumn. This Wednesday, the fest featured the Australian rising stars, the Drones, supported by Orchid, Polish newcomers who, dominated by women musicians and with a female vocalist, reminded me of Gaba Kulka, The Corrs or Tori Amos.
Before the performance I duly went over the Drones' discography, hyped up by the organisers as representing a compelling mix of modern Australian psychodelia and lots of nearly classic rock influences, like Neil Young or Nick Cave. It did catch on with me, leaving the impression of decent, well-produced Anglo-Saxon hard rock, a little too sombre for mainstream festivals or music televisions, but with some tunes just an inch from a hit quality, melodic, easy to remember or hum along.
A bit reserved and aloof, except for the smiling guitarist, they pulled out a good gig, alternating between their better known songs and less palatable noise in reasonanble proportions and leaving quite a bit of energy on stage. It was the frontman, a skinny, absent-minded bloke, entirely preoccupied with music, who made an impression of somebody in deep trance, burning himself out as he yelps out the lyrics. For me, this jerkiness and unrestrained involvement on stage is practically synonymous with being authentic and his presence on stage brought to my mind how the vocalists of Handsome Furs or Muse, both amazing artists, look and vibrate live, fragile, vulnerable, desperate.
The performance was far from immaculate, with lots of pauses and technical glitches, and some boredom staring from musicians' faces at times, but I managed to wind down nicely and this is what I went there for.
Their latest album reviewed on Pitchfork here.
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