Alera - Gig Review & Photo Gallery Dec 16th @ The Workers Club, Melb VIC
Alera
The Workers Club, Melb VIC
December 16, 2021
Supports: The Motion Below, In Vanity and Some Heard Trouble
In light of Alera's recent successful Beware The Snake EP release (our review here), it is no surprise that a live show was on the cards, what caught me off guard was how large this event just might be. With venues in Victoria having returned to full capacity, an eager crowd filled the venue to witness the first of many Alera performances.
The night started with the local band Some Heard Trouble kicking off the festivities. I found that frontman Cameron Brown had his back turned towards the crowd for most of the show, which lessened the experience. Ending their set with guest vocals from Ralph Brown (In Vanity, Without Belief), it was time for In Vanity to take to the stage. I'm always taken back by drummer Ollie Midson, his stage presence and face mask/make-up pull together an exciting ambience before any music is even played. Vocalist Ralph seemed disappointed with the crowd from start to finish as he taunted the punters for not moshing enough and sat on the stage's speakers in a disheartened manner. I'm intigued to see what they do next though.
It was now time for The Motion Below to take to perform. From the very first song, I was in awe of clean vocalist Ryan Matheson and his angelic voice. My connection with this band is just starting to fuse, but I can easily picture a long-lasting admiration for the group forming. Matt Ashley (Alera) joined the group on stage before their set came to an end.
Finally, it was time for Alera to demonstrate their new release and the venue was buzzing! Notable figures such as Thornhill's Jacob Charlton and Saviour's Bryant Best were seen in the crowd, being amongst the first to witness the group in action. The band walked onto the stage to a techno introduction. The dual vocalists quickly raised the room's energy and the crowd become very loud as they sang deafening singalongs, including to a cover of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' 'Face Down'. A recent knee surgery didn't stop vocalist Matt from performing as he seemed moved around with ease in a removable cast. The band played their recently released EP in full before closing out the night and for a band who just performed together for the very first time, I was left having to pick up my jaw from off the floor.
Alera seemingly impressed everyone who attended this show which simply raises anticipation as we wait for news of the bands next move. I for one will be front and centre for all the action, as should you!
Gig Review by Adam Rice
Photo Gallery by Clinton Hatfield. Insta: @ampd.agency
Please credit Wall of Sound and Clinton Hatfield if you repost photos.
Setlist:
Techno Intro
Hirudo
My Pain on Paper
Failure; an Anecdote for Expectations
Bleak
Face Down
SMS
Testament
Some Heard Trouble
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In Vanity
The Motion Below
Alera
