HEALTH– Dark Mofo – Gig Review 18th June @ The Odeon Theatre, Hobart TAS

HEALTH
The Odeon Theatre, Hobart TAS
Sunday 18th June 2023

“Live interaction with a crowd is a cathartic, spiritual kind of exchange, and it's intensified at a festival.” – Trent Reznor.

The mastermind of Nine Inch Nails and luminary of industrial music has in all likelihood captured an impeccable definition of the festival experience with this statement. For the final musical event to occur for the 2023 Dark Mofo Festival at The Odeon Theatre, the spiritual enhancement and overpowering cathartic exchange was set to reach new heights and this responsibility was left in the very safe hands of Los Angeles trio HEALTH.

If NIN are considered commanders of industrial music, then HEALTH are one of the most entrusted and respected lieutenants pushing the boundaries of the genre. Although the sound involved is generally rather abrasive and obscure, this three-piece inject light and mischief into their formula, especially in the live setting. For example: The band's "walk on" track was Hidetoshi Sato's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' a song that would fit on a Disney soundtrack in the realms of a scene for a funky disco. The three Californians soon emerged from the darkness and begun the thumping darkened disco heartbeat to 'IDENTITY' and with the simple enactment of bassist John Famiglietti raising his arms in the air and clapping once, possibly twice, the entirety of Odeon Theatre followed suit and provided deafening percussion. This performance was going to shake Hobart to the core.

'GOD BOTHERER' was almost frightening it was that frenzied and astounding; this near rage was then relieved momentarily by the more pop-dance and new wave sounds of 'Stonefist' and 'THE MESSAGE'. In all honesty, this writer has experienced possibly every mood from an audience witnessing live music, but what HEALTH transform in attitude from their devotees is otherworldly. The outfit can provoke chaotic bouncing energy that is almost vicious in full flight, then as if a click from hypnosis, the opposite end of the spectrum is discovered to some of the most loving, luscious and even seductive behaviours. Marilyn Manson may have said: "Music is the strongest form of magic" - HEALTH took that notion to the next dimension.

'Hateful' felt like Aphex Twin collaborated with Silversun Pickups and it was beyond miraculous. 'STRANGE DAYS (1999)' was simply terrorific (this scribe is aware that is not a word, but HEALTH can be acknowledged for its creation) and 'CYBERPUNK 2.0.2.0.' would have either inspired New Order to be creative again or to retire; bold words assuredly, yet this was just that industradical (industrial + radical).
'FEEL NOTHING' was ironincredible (ironic + incredible) in that it had everyone in the venue feeling something and body swaying to the dance-crunch groove. The supposed farewell in 'EXCESS' was delivered in a sense that HEALTH had actually morphed into both Robert Smith and Biosphere in impossible wonderment. The crowd did not allow for an encore, the trio were in fact unable to leave the stage due to the resounding demand for another song. The three-piece then cinematically delivered 'Crusher' featuring the thunderous marching drumming of BJ Miller that shook the Earth below.

"How long have we been here? How long can we stay?" are lyrics from this closing track; the answer to the first question for the audience of Odeon Theatre would be: One night. The answer to the second question is a little more complex, however for the spectators' minds of this event, HEALTH might just well be there for our lifetimes. Thank you for the intense, cathartic and spiritual exchange and further thanks to Dark Mofo for being the home of this experience.

Review by Will Oakeshott @TeenWolfWill