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Fanning Dempsey National Park
The Forum.
For many of us, almost five years ago during the endless lock downs, we exercised our way through the bleak days and nights of boredom. This wasn’t the case for Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey. They took the opportunity to begin a project together, and from that primordial soup, Fanning Dempsey National Park was born.
Having released their debut album ‘ The Deluge’ to rave reviews earlier this year the duo hit the stage for their fourth ever show on their national tour. Sauntering out onto the stage as Robert Palmer’s ‘ Looking For Clues’ plays over the PA, the two get straight down to business opening with title track ‘ The Deluge’, then straight into ‘ Strangers’ quickly followed by ‘ Disconnect’ and ‘ Past Tomorrow’.
Both artists have distinctive voices, yet they harmonize perfectly together blending a sound that is unique, neither voice demanding control, they work together in unison to create an amalgamation of the two. With Paul leaning into the guitar solos, they both bring their individual personalities to the sound, to create sonic excellence.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the evening is getting to witness them sing songs from both bands back catalogue, as they treat the audience to ‘ Ramona Was a Waitress’, ‘ Monsters’, and Powderfinger’s ‘ Pick You Up’ and ‘ Wish you Well” from Bernard’s debut album ” Tea and Sympathy” which all ensue a lot of excitement from the crowd.
The most enjoyable thing about watching the two perform together is their absolute ease on stage. While Paul comes across as the more reserved of the duo, Bernard proves that he certainly is the larrikin, and he plays up for the crowd. What is evident is that these two have a solid friendship which translates well to their performance. Each artist is unique and individual in their own right, but when you put the two together they put on a bloody good show.
Words and images by Amanda Lee Starkey
