REVIEW: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
21 YEARS OF BEGINS HERE - BY DEMAND REGIONAL TOUR
Supported by HANDS LIKE HOUSES
DEE WHY RSL, DEE WHY, NSW
SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2025
Author: RA
The Butterfly Effect have been a staple in my music catalogue for as long as they have existed. Early morning waking up to watch RAGE, hearing their first single, I was blown away. This is going back now over 20 years ago. Showing my age, but also a testament to the ageless, timeless classics The Butterfly Effect produced back then and how they still hold so much meaning, maybe even more so, now we’ve all grown up a little. I know I’m not the only one that fell in love many years ago with the smooth raw vocals of Clint Boge, or the heart throbbing drums of Ben Hall, Kurt Goedhart’s ridiculously talented fingers strumming those dark riffs or the deep, sometimes cheeky bass played by Glenn Esmond, as I can see around the room, we are all getting on a bit. But, we are lucky to be here to celebrate the 21 years of ‘Begins Here’.
Over the last two nights, I’ve been stuck behind a camera lens, but that didn’t alter my perception of the nights performances, in fact, it forced me to hone in on everything surrounding me, taking it all in, not just on stage but the fans reception, their excitement and their total engrossment in the music. On entry, tonight’s audience seems a little flatter than the last two shows but the venue is a decent size, with a great stage and lighting. It’s funny how a venue can change the atmosphere quite a bit. Hands Like Houses being up first, had a hard job on their hands. The crowds at the previous two gigs were lively, excited, chatting and getting pretty pumped up arriving early they were ready to do some some heavy screaming (singing). This crowd is a little different. It’s almost like a convention function. Intermission we set our selves up and at the end of the night I overheard advice being given by an audience member (one of those, “I was previously in a band” sorts) to the new lead singer Josh, whom on the previous nights had the crowd eating out of the palms of his hands, well and truly warming the crowd up for TBE. The advice wasn’t what I was expecting, and to be fair probably wasn’t warranted. “You were a bit flat first few songs” said the crowd member. Given this is night three in a row, its not easy keeping the same energy, but I couldn’t see it after Friday and Saturday’s awesome performance.
Image: Josh, Saturday night warming up the crowd
When the interlude music volume increases, I make my way to the front of the stage and a lovely man offered me his place, now I’m standing below what would be Clint’s mic. Suddenly the music stops, as three of the boys walk out onto stage, taking to their instruments, I can see Clint, waiting in the shadows briefly before making his entrance to applause for the opening line to ‘Perception Twin’. I see familiar faces in the front row and it soon becomes apparent who the die hard fans that have likely travelled to most shows so far, are. Everyone in the audience shuffles further forward as those game enough to throw some moves into the previously still room take to the floor.
Image: Clint Boge reaching into crowd
I watched in awe as these guys sounded just as amazing live now as they ever have, it was pure perfection. I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen and know some of the most well known music artists, to partake in the concert and live performance scene for many years, and these four guys still blow me away every time. The nature on stage tonight is a little different to that of the last two, there is more jovial charisma, as Clint slaps Glenn’s buttocks, I’m almost waiting for their hand towels to become a whipping rag. I also notice there is very little smoke on stage, something as a photographer you only wish they would hold back on. Then I see the cameras the little 360’s on sticks. Maybe a video? (Sits here getting myself worked up hoping for a video release…)
Image: Clint Boge, Glenn Esmond
Image: Kurt Goedhart, Glenn Esmond
Image: Clint Boge, Crowd
Image: Clint Boge, Glenn Esmond
As they play through the Begins Here album, more people fill the floor, and we’ve begun involuntary moving to the music, fast or slow, to match the pace. When they change up the arrangement, strip it right back, linger on notes longer, I get to see the person behind the music, one of the reasons I’ll always love live music. You get a unique performance of that song, a one off, a special moment. It’s all the nuances that appeal to me. Clint as always dedicates ‘Gone’, and although this is the third time just this week, the emotion felt is immense. You know when you get that felling in your chest, yeah… it gets me too! Beside me is a couple of gentlemen belting out the lyrics, off key, out of tune, but with their whole heart, and while such an emotional song is played I can’t control the giggles, the endearing moment of people totally letting their inner selves out with such passion. The Butterfly Effect carries on.
Image: Clint Boge
To see these guys play live is an experience I encourage everyone to be a part of, and if you haven’t already bought a ticket to an upcoming regional tour performance, treat yourself, its well worth it. Also check out the previous Sense reviews and pics for the complete run downs.
With thanks to, foremost - The Butterfly Effect for giving us all this experience, Hands Like Houses, Nobody Presents, On the Map PR and Dee Why RSL.
Photos Supplied by: James Thompson
Banner: RA
