Cloud Control

Thu 24 Mar 2011 ,

Music

Critics' choice

The local favourites say farewell in style before heading overseas.

First published on 7 Feb 2011. Updated on 6 Apr 2011.

This event has finished

Review: They've come a long way from the Manning stage at the Sydney Uni Band Comp. Four years on, Cloud Control have an EP, a debut album that earned them an Australian Music Prize, and a one way ticket to London. As far as farewells go their Metro show couldn't have gone better really. Playing to a packed house the enthusiasm of the fans was undeniable, with guitarist Alistair Wright having trouble just hearing the band over the lusty singing of the crowd.

Taking over from first support, Fishing, Jinja Safari proved that they had well and truly graduated from Unearthed high and were playing with the big kids now. Their set had matured from their maiden show opening the stage at Splendour 2010. A heavy dose of smoke and some dramatic lighting helped add some gravitas, but once the sitar came out for Peter Pan it was all party, complete with foresty decorations and a sea of waving hands a la Fern Gully.

The red curtains were drawn for Cloud Control's set up but disappointingly when they opened they revealed only a standard band set up - not an acrobat or flame thrower to be seen. Kicking things off with Ghost Story they then went straight into Death Cloud. Having built up the crowd they unfortunately lost some momentum with slower tracks like Beast of Love and Just for Now.
Once the opening bars of Gold Canary were played all was forgiven. That and There's Nothing in the Water We Can't Fight were highlights and the enthusiasm of the crowd meant that the band could have easily just let them do all the work. Playing to a home crowd must be equal parts awesome and frustrating. On the one hand these are your mates, the ones who knew you when you were still a first year uni kid and supported you all the way, but on the other hand Cloud Control haven't quite managed to demand the level of respect that means people are silent during the quieter tracks.

All in all they should have walked away feeling pretty good - after all, selling the Metro is no mean feat. Look out London, Cloud Control are coming for you.