For those that saw You Am I play their seminal long-players Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily start-to-finish and back-to-back at the UC Refectory last Saturday, emotions were mixed. While the show took many of those in attendance back to their hey-day in the mid-90s, You Am I’s performance was of such quality – the band so polished – that a new set of memories were created for the years to come.
It’s been a while between visits for You Am I. This only fuelled the crowd’s enthusiasm as they fell straight into the swing of things, with Converse Allstars shuffling across the floor from the first drumbeats of Hi Fi Way’s Ain’t Gone and Open. In the breaks, Tim Rogers gave some loving memories of his previous visits to Canberra – it’s always a treat when visiting performers remember our city.
A long way from the brashness of his youth, front man Tim Rogers is now the consummate, polished raconteur. The opening set saw him engage quickly and easily, giving the crowd a glimpse of the life of an Aussie rock with a few insights into those post-gig activities that Canberra provides in abundance.
It was amusing stuff from the lanky leader, but once the music restarted, the conversational style was gone and the rock star was back front-and-centre. Rogers was wonderfully arrogant and boisterous with the rock star persona he has rightfully earned. The adoring fans as enjoyed embracing his arrogance as he did providing it.
You Am I delivered track after track that the crowd sung along to with joy. As the albums were released in 1995 and 1996 – and replayed ad-infinitum during the intervening years – the crowd was well prepared to rock out. Cathy’s Clown from Hi Fi Way was a crowd favourite, with those gathered singing and dancing with all their heart.
Tim worked the stage in chequered green golf pants and scarf (which he acknowledged he borrowed from his mum!) before changing into blue jeans for the second set. His always-flamboyant style was worn with swagger and loved by the audience, and Rogers still has the energy to jump around on stage like a younger version of Mick Jagger. It was impressive stuff.
Hey, doing windmills and rocking out is hard work.
The second set (1996’s Hourly Daily) felt a lot more relaxed and went off with the crowd, which ended with a bunch moshing up the front and drawing a final-song dedication from Tim.
You Am I blew the crowd away with their Aussie rock expertise and style. His interaction with the crowd made everyone feel an important part of the show – especially when he asked which of us would be leaving with the band members…
What would the husbands at home with the kids have made of that?
