TZU @ The Corner

People who expect a band to play the same music throughout their careers are ridiculously ignorant. Not to say you have to like a new direction of a band, but to critique a group for evolving sonically is absolutely backward. Our case in point, TZU.

 

“This band has come a long way in eight years and our excitement for its next chapter is insatiable.”

 

The Melbourne group’s triumphant return to their hometown stage at the Corner Hotel on Friday night provided an intriguing exhibition of the evolution of their sound. Songs from their three album back catalogue were played loudly and proudly alongside their new, as yet unreleased material. Their last album saw the group take a step down the electronic path and if their selection of new songs from the show is anything to go by, they are now miles down the road.

Renditions of ‘We Got The Feeling’ and ‘Mondays’ from Computer Love got feet moving and their cover of You Am I’s ‘Heavy Heart’ was just as amazing as it was when they performed it for triple J’s Like A Version a few years ago. Smiling At Stranger’s ‘Coming Round’ was a wonderfully ironic way to kick off the crowd’s collective weekend and met with a truckload of enthusiasm.

This new material though, may not appease the traditional TZU fans. One punter standing near The Vulture exclaimed halfway through a rendition of one of their new tracks that the band wasn’t TZU. To some extent, he was probably right. TZU released their debut, Position Correction, in 2004. Are you the same person you were in 2004? Didn’t think so. So if you loved early TZU and fear change like black plague then hold your copies of Position Correction and Smiling at Strangers tight and never let them go because these guys are not the same band they once were.

Joelistics has been quick to point out in interviews that there is no summer time, good vibe jams on their upcoming record. From what they exhibited at the Corner, they probably won’t be missed either. It’s always tricky playing unreleased material in a live show, there’s absolutely no way of knowing how it will be received. Things were initially quite low key as they fleshed out their new tracks in the live setting, but the crowd visibly warmed to the band’s new sound. One song, it’s title either wasn’t mentioned or we missed it, commanded particular attention. It was captivating and Joelistics labelling of the track as a ballad afterwards suited perfectly.

TZU’s live shows have always been a hell of a good time and this one was no different. There was plenty of chances to jump around and dance to old favourites but the band showed that you can still go to a gig and enjoy it without just waving your hands around for an hour. Their new material was captivating and its live debut was arguably the highlight of the evening. This band has come a long way in eight years and our excitement for its next chapter is insatiable.

Tagged corner hotel, Count Bounce, electronica, hip-hop, joelistics, new sound, TZU