Pod August Nights is in full swing again. This year Tripod are performing five shows, on Thursday nights throughout August. The Spanish Club is a lovely, warm venue of the right size and atmosphere for these shows.
Opening night was not completely sold out which is a pity, because Tripod were in top form. Tripod are Australia’s leading musical comedy group and have been busy with many projects. Here is a chance to get back to their roots and simply do what they do best, clever comedy songs, sharp, silly banter and a bit of even sillier choreography. It’s been a while since I’ve seen them quite so playful and having as much fun as the audience. For these shows Tripod have promised not to repeat a single song during their residency. This means that every night will be a mixture of their entire catalogue, the odd new song and a few straight covers. They have also selected five of their favourite bands, performing a tribute to each as the encore of each show. The first night finale featured Queen, with two lesser-known songs from ‘A Night at the Opera’, “Death on Two Legs” and “Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon” being followed by Yon in full black leathers and big fake moustache camping up “I Want to Break Free”. The remainder of the tributes will comprise of David Bowie, Cold Chisel, Radiohead and The Beatles.
The opening night performance contained many Tripod favorites including; “Its OK”, “Snapshots”, “No Daughter of Mine”, an old R&B song about leaving the toilet seat up I’d not heard before, “Melbourne Girl” (a secret track on their new DVD), “That’s Why I’m sending you (this text message)”, “Lets Take a Walk” and an updated version of “Apparently” sadly without the glorious Millennium Bug tag. A highlight was the song “Lingering Dad” that ended with the theme from MASH and had the whole audience joining in. Yon, Gatesy and Scod perceptively lit up with joy as the crowd joined in tentatively then got louder and surer. With heavenly harmonies and lashings of laughs, I must say I can’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday night after a stressful day at work.
Pod August Nights Tripod, Spanish Club, Thursdays throughout August, 59-61 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Doors open 8pm, Show 8.30pm, Tickets: $20 ($22 on the door), Bookings: Corner Hotel Box Office – Credit Card/Phone bookings 03 9427 9198 or online www.cornerhotel.com or, in person Corner Hotel Box Office (12noon – 8pm, Mon to Sat), Polyester, Missing Link, Greville Records and The Spanish Club