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TISM
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
with The Mavis’s
Ben Lee
Eskimo Joe
Machine Gun Fellatio
Walking into the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, feels like being transported back to late 90s Homebake with the line up for this evening’s show.
First up on the agenda are 90s sensation The Mavis’s. The popular duo gives crowds a nostalgic feel as they power through their hits. Performing favourites “ Box” to open the set, they power through with tracks “ Moon Drone Gold” and “Thunder” before finishing with “Naughty Boy”. It’s over too quickly, but it certainly is a lot of fun.
Next up is Ben Lee, opening with “ Cigarettes Will Kill You”, Ben reflects on why he wasn’t on festival billings more, putting it down to the fact that his music just isn’t the type that people do drugs to. While he dons a TISM- style ski mask he gives the crowd a beautiful guitar riff for anyone that is interested in drug taking. Looking around though, most people are probably just glad that the weather is perfect and we’re all here seeing some amazing music. Ending on a high note with crowd favourite “ Catch my Disease”, Ben Lee doesn’t disappoint.
Following Ben is Eskimo Joe. A very serious and sombre Kav Temperly leads the band through the set list, not stopping to engage the crowd. There is a feeling that the band just wants to get things over with. Guitarist Joel Quartermain at least seems to be having a good time.
Before the arrival of Machine Gun Fellatio, a warning flashes up on the big screen- warning the crowd that nudity, sexual references, strong course language and drug references are part of the show. A second disclaimer reads: You’ve Been Warned, It’s Machine Gun Kelly For Fuck’s Sake. What ensues is a hectic set of what can only be described as a circus. Swearing, dildos, nudity- it’s all there, and it’s all good fun.
Unfortunately it’s over too quickly, and the audience can only hope that Machine Gun Fellatio will return to stages to shock and enthral us once more.
Finally it’s time for the main act. This Is Serious Mum. As the crowd ceremoniously BOO the band on stage ( a joke that the antsy security team doesn’t seem to be in on) TISM waste no time turning things into a shambles. Band members running around on stage, body slamming each other, singers barely surviving as they throw themselves into the crowd. It’s bonkers, it’s high energy and it’s fun. TISM are a bunch of absolute nutters and the crowd absolutely love it. This is what people came for, and TISM sure knows how to deliver.
To be able to throw together a show like this and entertain a crowd for a solid five or so hours is no mean feat. We have been transported back in time, taken on a nostalgic journey and had a fucking good time doing so. It’s been a night of raucous good fun, and as the crowd returns to the street, smiles are wide as we all have witnessed something incredible.
Words by Amanda Lee Starkey
