Due to shocking weather and torrential rain, I unfortunately missed tonight’s opener Jez Mead.
The Waif’s though were certainly welcomed by a full house at The Civic Theatre. The Waifs have played an enormous amount of shows throughout their history as a band, and it shows. They know how to make a theatre feel homey and intimate – letting us into their personal dealings with one another, light hearted banter and familiar digs at one another were peppered throughout the show. “She’s the naturally happy one and I’m the medicated one” says Donna Simpson about her sister, before singing one of the many highlights, the personal and witty, ‘Haircut’.
The unforgettable parts of tonight’s show for me were the stripped back moments – Vikki’s sultry voice backed solely by double bass or ‘Feeling Sentimental’ sung in three-part harmony around the one microphone accompanied by ukulele. Joshua Cunningham provides strong support with his array of personally built guitars and an ability to cross a broad range of styles.
Fans had been encouraged to request songs in advance online – so this saw the appearance of a couple of songs that hadn’t been played at The Waif’s shows for a long time. This is a band that holds a well deserved place in the hearts of the Australian music loving public.
Review by Mark Moldre
Photography by Robyn Moore