Live Review: The Beards w/ The Strums @ The Triffid
Spirits were high, the beers were poured, and even the women wore beards on Saturday night at The Triffid, with the crowd buzzing loudly enough to be heard halfway down the street. While it would be followed by a casual afternoon session the next day, this was to be the final big show The Beards would ever play in Brisbane. This gave the air a bittersweet taste as the hordes of dedicated, hairy fans prepared to be thrilled for one last time.
The night began with Brisbane based punk rock outfit The Strums (one of many awesome acts to help us celebrate AAA Backstage’s 5th birthday back in April). Thrumming with sunny energy, they appeared to be enjoying themselves so much that the crowd’s enthusiasm was almost just a perk! Frontman Jai Spark’s charismatic banter led the crowd through what was, for most people attending, largely unfamiliar material.
The audience participation in Get Out was met with eagerness, swelling to an uproar when bass player Helen liberated a Bundy and Coke from an audience member in the front row. They finished the set with an explosive rendition of their latest single Bare Hands, climaxing with Helen jumping onto the bass drum to conduct the drummer Dan’s final, crashing beats.
The crowd were warmed up and ready for The Beards to appear, chanting “Beards! Beards! Beards” for a solid 10 minutes before their set began. As the lights dimmed, the unmistakable strains of Vivaldi’s Spring began to play, with “Beards” repeatedly sung operatically over the top. The room exploded into an uproar as The Beards took the stage, immaculately outfitted in top hats and tails. After being served beers from a silver tray by a duly servile stage hand, and drummer John Beardman JR giving his beard last-minute brush, it was time to begin.
A slightly rocky start didn’t detract from the excitement as The Beards leapt into their first song, Born with a Beard. The audience immediately responded, with almost everybody singing along word-perfectly. The cheering as the song finished was deafening, but a hush fell to allow lead singer Johann Beardraven to address the adoring masses, reminiscing about the last 11 years of playing songs about their favourite subject.
As part of this nostalgia trip they revisited their 2011 Like A Version cover of ZZ Top’s Sharp Dressed Man, culminating in an astoundingly impressive saxophone solo from Beardraven. However, the enthusiasm following their performance of Stroking My Beard led to an orgy of beard-stroking in the front row that lasted longer than was probably healthy. The first set was definitely centred around the folk side of The Beard’s repertoire, and ended with the promise of something much less refined to follow.
After a short intermission The Beards returned, this time in much more casual attire, and if their first set had been about folk, this one was pure rock ‘n’ roll. They jumped right into it with the unmistakable power chords of All the Bearded Ladies, and the effect on the audience was akin to a ‘Beatles concert. Hair and beards were whipped to and fro as they churned out one fan favourite after another.
It became clear what this was all building to at the end of the set when their rendition of You Should Consider Having Sex with a Bearded Man culminated in a phenomenal keytar solo. Before the band managed to completely exit the stage, the crowd was already baying for an encore. The Beards finished the night with an elaborate rendering of I Like Beards and what is arguably their most popular song If Your Dad Doesn’t Have a Beard, You’ve Got Two Mums.
Many have said the joke of The Beards grew old a while ago, but I beg to differ. Their passionate fans and consistently high quality performances never fail to entertain, and this night was no exception. They combine hilarious lyrics with genuinely astounding musical talent, and are leaving the party at its height, not its end.
The Beards will be performing their farewell shows around Australia until their final performance in their hometown of Adelaide in October.
Check out our Photo Gallery HERE and our interview with Nathaniel Beard HERE
The Beards Farewell Tour Dates
FRI 24 JUN
The Barwon Club, Geelong
SAT 25 JUN
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
SUN 26 JUN
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
WED 29 JUN
ANU BAR, Canberra
THU 30 JUN
Beachcomber Hotel, Central Coast
FRI 1 JUL
Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
SAT 2 JUL
The Metro, Sydney
SAT 16 JUL
The Gap View Hotel, Alice Springs
WED 20 JUL
Pier Hotel, Fransktone
THU 21 JUL
Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
FRI 22 JUL
The General, Mt Hotham
SAT 23 JUL
The Man, Falls Creek
SUN 24 JUL
Spirit Bar, Traralgon
THU 18 AUG
Pier on Clarence, Port Macquarie
FRI 19 AUG
Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
SAT 20 AUG
Ballina RSL, Ballina
THU 27 OCT
The Gov, Adelaide
FRI 28 OCT
The Gov Adelaide
Get Tickets HERE
