Camera Obscura @ The Zoo

Camera Obscura

It isn’t often that you get a “three songs, no flash” instruction at The Zoo, the only ones I can remember were for Amanda Palmer and We Are Scientists.  It didn’t really make much difference for WAS but was very annoying for Amanda Palmer, considering all the amazing theatrics throughout the show.  I think I can remember reading somewhere that Camera Obscura’s Traceyann Campbell doesn’t like being photographed, which is fair enough and tonight the restriction doesn’t really affect being able to get a photo to be used to accompany the review.  The more annoying and slightly insulting aspect of the media accreditation was finding out that the Tour Manager needed to see my camera before they’d give me a photo pass, although in the end this didn’t happen and no physical passes were actually given out.

The photos aren’t great and with no photo pit they’re almost all from the same position; I did run around to the other side during the third song, taking the long way around the back of the mixing desk, but only had time to take two shots before the song ended.

It’s the first time back at The Zoo since got back to Brisbane from the UK and another one of those hot, sweaty summer nights at the venue that I’d forgotten about.  The conditions seemed to take it out on both band and the audience, with a lack of energy from both sides.  The band look like they are dressed for a Scottish summer, which can’t have helped.   Although there a few good songs played tonight, a lot sound samey and there are no real peaks to their performance.  From the audience-side, it feels like they’re more causal and inquisitve rather than rabid fans, and although each and every song is greeted with polite applause, they never become fully animated and energised.

A few more photos on Flickr.

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

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