Review: Amy Lee Freshwater

[Photo Credit: Amy Lee Freshwater]

It’s not surprising The Getaway Plan sold out two shows in one day at the Metro Theatre, they were at the height of their career when the announcement was made that they were breaking up, and the anticipation to see whether they still rock built up a big response to this reformation tour. Joining them on tour were Melbourne friends Secrets In Scale and Sydney band Tonight Alive.

Managing to catch the end of Secrets In Scale, general consensus from the crowd was that they played a decent set and really got everyone pumped for the remainder of the night.

Tonight Alive took to the stage to a loud and excited audience. Rarely do I witness such enthusiasm for a support band, but Tonight Alive took it right in their stride and used that energy to their advantage pushing the same amount of energy, if not more, right back out at the audience in order to create an incredibly impressive set. They played something to please everyone, old song, new song, love song, heavy song, sing-a-long song. Tracks included My Favourite Thing, Revenge and its Thrills and closed out with Wasting Away, but the highlight for many was a cover song ‘In My Eyes’, the original by band Rufio. A notable set from this fitting support act who in no time will be headlining venues such as the Metro I’m sure.

Seeing the audience during the changeover time between bands reminded me of being a little mosh teenager sweating it out at the front just to be in a good spot for my favourite band. Even though this was the over 18’s show, people were going nuts pushing and shoving during the whole half hour trying to be front and centre for The Getaway Plan. Expecting them to come out and smash us with a hit, the set began with the melodic ‘Move Along’, a new song, that somehow super-fans already knew the words to. Soon enough they did break out into songs ‘Streetlight’, ‘Sleep Spindles’ and ‘New Medicine’ from their album Other Voices, Other Rooms. Four tracks in and the stage backdrop lit up with fairy lights, it was a bit of an ‘aww’ moment.

It was clear by now that The Getaway Plan were enjoying playing together again, and that their time apart doing other projects has massively improved their dynamic as a band. Noticeable improvements both musically and performance wise from guitarist Clint, who has been playing with The Amity Affliction whilst being on a break from TGP. The announcement from singer Matthew Wright that the band are in the process of recording a new album received an overwhelming response from the crowd, only fueling the fact that their popularity is going to increase second time round. The set built in intensity throughout the show, ‘Red Flag’ was a definite highlight with Wright getting his scream on and the band breaking down that song and just ripping like I’ve never heard them before. Another new song made it into the setlist and Wrights voice may have been tiring from the former song, as he introduced back onto the stage the singer from Tonight Alive to lend her killer vocals to this one. The band closed out the set with an old favourite ‘Where The City Meets The Sea’ which triggered a loud sing-a-long, to the point where Wrights voice was almost unheard. Inspired by the ever-waiting audience, TGP returned to the stage for a two song encore comprising of two more from their debut album, ended the night perfectly.

This band has reaffirmed their place in the Australian music scene, and no doubt their next record will take off as their first one did, lets hope they stick together for the long run this time round.