LIVE: ELECTRIC SIX with The Midnight Mules – Perth, WA, 11 Mar 2023

LIVE: ELECTRIC SIX with The Midnight Mules – Perth, WA, 11 Mar 2023
Rosemount Hotel, Perth, Western Australia – Friday, 11th March 2023
Review & photography by Karen Lowe

One can usually tell how a night is likely going to play out through several different indicators. One – the type of music; two – the general vibe of the venue before the show begins and three – the median age of the punters. Of course, these aren’t the ‘be all and end all’, but if one was to judge the show on these three factors alone, you just knew that you were in for a fun night ahead as the electricity and excitement buzzed around Rosemount Hotel in anticipation.

If you grew up around the Perth Music Scene, The Midnight Mules will be very familiar to you. They were well known for their red/black suits that looked stunning on stage. They have been around for a long time now and; while they don’t play as much these days, it’s certainly a treat when they do get up on stage. They opened with Pop Coc, Indiana and Rental Movie – “for those out there that remember video cassettes and Blockbuster.”

Lead singer Tom Mantle is very experienced at what he does and it shows throughout his performance. The band is a well-oiled machine that runs perfectly and their joy at being on stage radiated through the venue. The only ‘disappointing’ part of their performance was that only one of them had ‘the jacket’ on. Not only do the Mules need to play more often; they need to bring the suits back.

There is something so special about music and its ability to affect those who hear it. Music is the universal language that brings people of all ages and all types together in one room and the kind of music that Electric Six brings to the table is the kind where it’s almost impossible to feel sad or alone. The energy before they even came out on stage was so strong and infectious. A quick glance around the room highlighted smiles on people’s faces and the murmur of voices reflected the joy that people were feeling.

The last time Electric Six was in Australia was way back in 2005 so it’s not surprising that they sold out both nights at Rosemount. There were people who had only just discovered the band, and those who had followed them from the beginning. It didn’t matter how one came to be at the show. It just mattered that we were there.

Electric Six came out on stage with lead singer Dick Valentine carrying a French Bread Stick and sang with it for most of Set Two (not a typo). Set Two consisted of 14 fan favourites including Formula 409, Down At McDonnelzzz, Dance Epidemic, I Buy The Drugs and Germans In Mexico. Valentine broke the bread stick in two and threw it into the audience with the caveat “if you sell that, make sure you share a cut with me”. They walked off stage for a quick break before joining us for the ‘business side’ of the gig – the reason for their tour – the 20th Anniversary of their debut studio album Fire.

If one thought the energy in the room couldn’t get any higher, they were soon proven wrong with songs like Dance Commander, Naked Pictures (Of Your Mother), Danger! High Voltage, Gay Bar and I’m The Bomb to name a few. Electric Six showed everyone there just why they have 18 albums (with one still in the oven) and that they aren’t going anywhere soon.

While there was disappointment that the show was over, no one could complain about being short-changed with a 27 song set list. Long after the music ended, the overall joy, happiness, energy and all-togetherness that Electric Six brought to the Rosemount on Saturday night will remain with those that were there to witness the spectacle.

Setlist:
After Hours
Bride of the Devil
Rock and Roll Evacuation
Roulette!
Pulling the Plug on the Party
Down at McDonnelzzz
The New Shampoo
Night Vision
Future Is in the Future
Show Me What Your Lights Mean
(Who the Hell Just) Call My Phone?
Dance Epidemic
I Buy the Drugs
Germans in Mexico

Dance Commander
Electric Demons (In Love)
Naked Pictures (Of Your Mother)
Danger! High Voltage
She’s White
I Invented the Night
Improper Dancing
Gay Bar
Nuclear War (On the Dance Floor)
Getting Into the Jam
Vengeance and Fashion
I’m the Bomb
Synthesizer

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries