The packed venue is optimistic but also tinged with sadness at what is meant to be one of Karova’s final nights. By the time of this review printing hopefully, there is some good news about Ballarat’s much-loved venue.
Arriving early to get a taste of Ballarat’s own Odd Taste, was worthwhile if not only for their cover of ‘Killing in the name of’.
Three very talented young musicians, complete with smashed guitar, set the stage for a great night of music.
Those following the events of Will Wagner over recent years will understand just how much thought and pain is going into some of the new material, and the crowd knows that tonight will have a broad mix of new and old favourites alike.
Starting the night with an epic slow build of new song ‘I am nothing’ and then ‘I don’t wanna die anymore’, Will talks to the crowd about the sadness of saying goodbye to things in life; such as Karova. A massive sing-along for ‘Surrender’ is followed by the strong female harmonies of Jess and Lucy in ‘Shine’. Next Will offers further insight into his state of mind for the evening ‘…I don’t normally smoke pot before a gig… but I do when it’s going to be a wild night… we’ve played this place 800 times… just start your own Karova Ballarat…all you need is kindness and people’.
Most recently the band have begun recording at their bush studio, and one of the pearlers to come out of these sessions is the already anthemic ‘Chips and Gravy’, a song that this writer certainly relates to. The band continues their storytelling through established hits such as ‘Don’t fuck with our dreams’, ‘Sigourney Weaver’ and finish the set with ‘Young drunk’. This fake end lasts for all of a couple of words and is followed with Rest in Peace messages to Karova between ‘Passiona’ and ‘Death to the Lads’. Will makes my night by commenting on my t-shirt of mate’s band (Japan For).
Speaking to others, this was certainly an incredible effort put in by a band that we hopefully see again in Ballarat.
When: October 17
Where: Karova Lounge
Reviewed by Blake Pitman