There was a definite party atmosphere at the Planet Multi-Arts Venue in Brunswick Street for the debut Melbourne performance from former WA singer-songwriter David Thomas and his band, the Far Flung Friends.

Word of mouth and the newly minted EP 'Fly' had obviously both worked a treat in unfamiliar territory, with a large crowd already on hand by the time support act Andrew Wallace came out to welcome us with his set of self-penned acoustic numbers. He was then joined on

Photography by JET
stage by singer/songwriter Charisse to perform a sample of her newest material.

Songs such as "Down Again" and "Take it and Run" translated beautifully from dance to acoustic groove and the crowd warmed as the voices of the two melded in sweet harmony.

Then we got to the man of the moment as Thomas joined the Far Flung Friends on stage.

The opening track 'Just Me' alerted the crowd to what we were in for: tight and catchy pop songs. Difficult to put this pigeon in a hole, but think Crowded House for harmony and summer melody, Beck for electro-pop grooves, and you might be somewhere near.


The opener was closely followed by the vibrant 'Live by your rules' at first drop, co-written, I'm told, by the enigma wrapped inside a drummer, Crash Crothers. Then came the soaring "Fly", the single and title track off the new EP.

The Friends were briefly flung for the next two tunes, the acoustic 'Paradox' and a great cover of the delightful 'One perfect day' - an eighties classic by the Little Heroes.


The Friends came back in all their 8-piece glory for the next two songs, both from the EP: 'Stranger' (a brooding and driven sing-along chorus made this song the pick of the night for me and worth getting the EP for alone) and the bass laden 'The Moon'.

Then backing vocalist Amy Wagner shimmied onto centre stage to sing 'The sense of safety', a song written, "shortly after hearing her sing for the first time" says Thomas… and boy can she sing it!

The final full band rock out was provided by the walloping 'Live Forever'.

"More anything?" said Mr Thomas. "More everything!!" said the crowd, bringing him back for two encores. Paul Kelly's 'Careless' was accompanied by enthusiastic singing from the audience, and then the curtain was lowered with 'Speak to me', featuring a harmonica solo by bass player Ralph Bender.

Altogether a strong debut and a memorable evening. Let's hope there is more to come.
Keir Delaney ............................................................................................................