Review by Nadia Hall
Billboard the Venue was full to the brim with Billy Talent fans on Sunday night, all eager to catch the Canadian quartet after an agonizing three and a half year wait between shows.
Guitarist Ian D’Sa (and his trademark quiff) was first to appear on stage, and he was soon joined by bassist Jon Gallant, and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk. The band opened the set with the electrifying riffs of ‘Devil in a Midnight Mass’, and shortly after, frontman Ben Kowalewicz appeared and greeted the adoring crowd. The band continued to belt out hard and fast tracks from their last three albums, with just a taste of their new material thrown in between. In no time the venue was filled with the unmistakable sweaty smell of a happy crowd.
The brilliant set continued to please with ‘Turn Your Back’ and ‘Living in the Shadows’, then Kowalewicz addressed what everyone was thinking and apologized for a promise he made to return to Melbourne “soon” after their February 2009 tour. It was clear that all was forgiven, particularly when he mentioned Solowoniuk’s open-heart surgery.
The set was tight, fast and relentlessly energetic, with a varied setlist, highlights including ‘Line and Sinker’, ‘The Suffering’, ‘Line and Sinker’, ‘Saint Veronika’ and ‘Cut the Curtains’.
There didn’t appear to be a single person in the entire venue not singing along to every word of every song, and if Billy Talent ever doubted Melbourne’s love for them, it was established at this gig that they will be welcomed with open arms any time.
The band’s encore included ‘Devil On My Shoulder’, ‘Fallen Leaves’ and ‘Red Flag’, then before leaving the stage Kowalewicz revealed the band’s plans to return to our shores in early 2013.
Artist: Billy Talent
Venue: Billboard, Melbourne
Date: 12 August 2012
Photographer: Serena Ho