The Mountain Goats

The Mountain Goats at the Sydney Metro on Saturday January 6 drew an almost capacity crowd – something I haven’t seen in some time. I missed John Vanderslice who supported, unfortunately, and I later learnt that he has produced a lot of the Mountain Goats records, so it would have been good to see where his musical roots lie.

The crowd was buzzing and ready to get into some toe tapping by the time the boys (John Darnielle, vocals/guitar and Peter Hughes, bass) unassumingly took to the stage. John approached the mic with a calm, serene manner and launched into a haunting version of ‘Wild Sage’ off their most recent album, Get Lonely. It was beautiful.
The set that followed was just brilliant. I think seeing a band when the crowd knows every word and every pause that is to come shows this great sense of hero worship that is usually left for movie stars and sporting greats. There were people screaming out words like they were their own personal mission statements. There were people almost moved to tears. It’s hard to describe the vibe that all this love creates, but it was really something special.

The main set included some new songs, some recent album tracks like ‘Dance Music’ and oldies from previous albums like ‘Gameshows Touch Our Lives’ (great to see the words “come on down!” have earned a place in indie folklore). John Vanderslice joined the boys onstage for three songs: “Half Dead”, “See America Right” (I forgot they sang this, so it was a great surprise), and a new track. He also stuck around for a set-ending version of ‘This Year’ – and given its proximity to New Years, the entire crowd sang it like a resolution: it was very moving.

The John and Peter returned for an encore, thanking us and telling the crowd that it was the biggest headlining show they’ve every had in Australia – so we felt special. They played a great little trio: “Palmcorder Yajna” which John Vanderslice helped out with; “Houseguest”, which I have learned was a Franklin Bruno cover; and “The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Deton” – so wonderful to hear an entire crowd of indie kids screaming out “Hail Satan”… it was a moment.

After an insatiated crowd was left screaming for more, we were treated to a second encore of two beautiful songs. ‘No Children’ was definitely a crowd favourite – and it drew a giggle from me at the line “I wish you were dead” – something to do with the sincerity on John’s face when he delivered these words. ‘California Song’ rounded out the set, and this was just quietly but forcefully sung over a very catchy bass line.

The ease with which these guys make torturous lyrics and candid revelations seem at once wry and beautiful is something to be seen. I left with a huge smile and a great feeling of contentment.

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