THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT - 20 Years of Begins Here - Sydney
Written by: Jimmy Wah & RA - Sense Music Media | Saturday 3rd February 2024
Photos by: RA >> FULL GALLERY
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT have been indulging the hearts and minds of those lucky enough to experience their magic for over 20 years. This year they began their most anticipated tour to mark the 20th Anniversary of their seminal album Begins Here in 2003. For many of us, this album transformed not only our listening palate, but our lyrical mindset and what it means to be cool. On Saturday, a SOLD OUT Enmore Theatre watched Clint Boge, Kurt Goedhart, Glenn Esmond and Ben Hall play through the full album live in one of the most recognisable and satisfying venues to watch live music in Sydney.
The Review
Setting the tone for the night was the alternative rock duo from Melbourne, WAYSIDE joined by a bassist and drummer to complete their sound... and what a tone! Thomas Davenport on vocals sang soothing verses accented by evocative lyrics and powerful choruses, while Josh Ehmer on guitar set a crushing groove where every hit with the drums and bass gave the vocals an even more persuasive drive.
Seeing baggy pants, t-shirts and sneakers on stage, I was taken back to the turn of the century when bands like DEFTONES, PLACEBO and of course TBE dominated my playlist. The music had elements of each, with a very chilled out vibe that became more energetic as they moved through their 45 minute set. The atmospheric yet powerful shoe gaze style got the audience into the perfect mood for the unbelievable experience that we knew was coming.
The vibe during the interim before TBE was electric. Friends and followers gathered in what was, for many, a highly anticipated trip of nostalgia. No one was missing this show! The room filled to capacity and the crowd stood shoulder to shoulder moving as close to the stage as possible.
The lights went down as the audience turned their attention to an LED screen at the back of the stage, flashing through pivotal moments from 2003 transporting us back in time to the album's release. Turning to TV static, the panel was wiped clean by the iconic TBE butterfly logo. In darkness, figures moved silently on stage while the crowd roared in excitement. Two familiar sweet notes played kicking off the 'Intro' song of the Begins Here album, a completely new live experience as never before played to a crowd, with keys and cello accompanying TBE on stage. The extended pause after the opening line of 'Perception Twin' had us all on edge before leading into the explosive sound we all know and love, treating us to a flawless performance. Both the first two songs, ‘Perception Twin’ and ‘Consequence’ were played with frontman Clint upon a platform at the back of the stage, silhouetted by the light and texture of the LED panel as though the screen had come to life before taking front centre stage to launch into the heavy energy of 'One Second of Insanity'. The fast paced vigour of this track was changed up with a half time rhythm section, bringing into focus the cohesive mastery of Glenn, Kurt and Ben, bringing the power of the music to a whole new level.
The unrivalled presence of Clint could be felt as his hauntingly beautiful operatic voice filled every corner of the room. The fan favourite, 'Crave', injected the crowd with an evocative energy leading to a chorus of passionate voices from the crowd turning this monolithic masterpiece into a melting pot of memories, before the musicians left the stage leaving only Clint and a backdrop of luminescent bokeh.
Instead of the guitar and bass leading the way to 'Beautiful Mine' as heard on the recorded version, the progression was led by cello and keys with Clint's strong yet vulnerable voice taking us, leading us, to a place we've never been before. We were being treated to a darker rendition of the song that pulled at the heart strings as hard as we were being pulled into the moment. The band members came back onto the stage just in time for the guitar, bass and drums to rip a hole in the airwaves and play the final stages of the song as the audience joined in singing the hardest we could to match the sheer strength of Clint.
When 'Filling Silence Intro' began I realised we were already half-way through the album. Familiar favourites 'Filling Silence' and 'Always' set the Enmore Theatre alight as the audience continued the two way interaction with the music. Having made my way to the centre of the crowd, I took a look behind me to see as many hands in the air as there were in front. There was a standing audience on the mezzanine, some even removing their shirts to pay homage to Clint's usual live antics, I mean it gets pretty hot up there on stage! These songs lifted an elated crowd even higher and it took a significant pause to allow the roaring crowd to come to a simmer.
Clint reminded us that the next song had never been played live until the Brisbane show 2 days prior. I don't know if it was hearing it live for the first time, or the hours of practise put into rehearsing... but 'Without Wings' sounded absolutely phenomenal. The music and vocals were played and sung with the passion and energy of 25 year olds touring their first album but with all the experience, and it was easily the highlight of my night. An acoustic version of 'Overwhelmed' continued the theme of unplayed TBE classics until the inner whispers and jagged delay of A.D. bounced around the room.
The album playthrough came to a close with 'Outro', an instrumental track as provocative as the set began. TBE threw everything at this momentous anniversary giving us an unbelievable performance, proving that the emotionally distorted rollercoaster of 'Begins Here' is a masterpiece that stands the test of time. Its live execution left a sold out Enmore crowd chanting for more when the band left the stage.
Clint returned on his own flanked at the rear of stage by cello and keys, announcing the next song as a dedication to friends and loved ones who are no longer with us. I noticed tears in the eyes of crowd members as a stripped back acoustic version of 'Gone' from the sophomore album Imago flooded the theatre with emotion. The mood soon shifted as the band returned to the stage for a final three songs that had the audience rocking out and bleeding their lungs dry. 'Window and the Watcher', 'Take It Away' and 'Reach', fulfilled the promise of a song from each album decided by a fan poll.
I'm quietly jealous of those still to experience the incredible 20 Years of Begins Here set, as I already want to see it again. The queue at the merch desk said it all, trailing back around the corner and down the stairs, we all wanted to take home the memories of this night as it is one of the best live performances with all the feels, and music of our youth but with all the meaning of our life experiences expressed through the genius and timeless TBE. Thank you for an amazing performance, thank you for the words when I can't think of how to express myself and thank you for the music the backing track to our lives. Nailed it boys!
Photos by: RA
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