The Northcote Theatre ground floor and balcony was packed to the rafters with old and new fans of Irish indie rockers Ash.
Here to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album 1977, named because it was the year two band members were born and the year the film Star Wars was released, founding members frontman, guitarist and keyboardist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray have remained friends since their high school days, much to the chagrin of bands of their vintage.
Their friendly camaraderie permeates their music and tonight the atmosphere is palpable. Their hit album 1977 is played from start to finish, so the punters have an inkling of what to expect.
Opener “Lose Control” primes the throng for what comes next. It’s the hit singles that draw the largest crowd reactions: “Goldfinger”, replete with its slow-burn intensity, the frenetic “Girl From Mars”, and fast-paced “Kung Fu”, inciting dancing and loud singalongs. “Oh Yeah” takes punters on a sentimental journey to the year of its release and teenage infatuation, Wheeler’s vocals sounding as youthful as in his heyday.
“We’re psyched to be here,” exclaims Wheeler. “Some of these songs we haven’t played for ten years. It’s like finding an old teenage diary.”
Newer material, “Zarathustra”, “Fun People” and “Ad Astra” from the latest album are well received by the punters, but it’s the older material that draws the louder screams.
Later, Wheeler holds up a sign scrawled with “Petrol” and states, with tongue firmly in cheek, “You put a lot of effort into that so I guess we have to play it. You could’ve used some colours!” The band then launch into “Petrol”, which is an unexpected addition to their setlist.
“Shining Light” sees punters of all ages sway in time to the music whilst reciting the chorus. Crowd-pleaser “Jump in the Line” sees the audience dance a jig, and “Burn Baby Burn” concludes the evening with a bang.
Ash delivered an energetic and entertaining show, proving that 30 years after the release of 1977, they still possess a youthful energy and intensity that belies their years.
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
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- ASH by Mary Boukouvalas
Ash photos by Mary Boukouvalas
Setlist
Lose Control
Goldfinger
Girl From Mars
I’d Give You Anything
Gone the Dream
Kung Fu
Oh Yeah
Let It Flow
Innocent Smile
Angel Interceptor
Lost in You
Darkside Lightside
Encore
Zarathustra
Fun People
Ad Astra
Petrol
A Life Less Ordinary
Shining Light
Orpheus
Jump in the Line
Burn Baby Burn
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