It’s all about sex, drugs and rock’n’roll at a Sticky Fingers gig. The Sydney band, who performed a run of four consecutive shows at The Metro Theatre, gave it their all on their Land of Pleasures tour, sending the crowd into a frenzy with their powerful stage presence, wicked tunes and killer personalities.
Opening the night was young Sydney band Callithump, who busted out a spectacular set that was full of their carefree, youthful and psychedelic tunes. Their performance was tight and energetic, proving that although still small, this band has a stack of potential and if the good work is kept up, they’re sure to go places.
Another local act, The Lulu Raes, were next to jump up and entertain the rapidly growing audience. Like Callithump, they were a perfect fit to support Sticky Fingers, their joyous and untroubled tunes getting the audience dancing like wild things and prepping them for what was to come.
When Sticky Fingers finally took to the stage (after extensive chants from the audience and a hell of a lot of suspense), the crowd went just about as wild as a crowd could possibly go. In that moment, as the band stepped out, raising their beers to the world in an almost religious gesture, all rules and social expectations were thrown out the window and it was made clear that everyone in for a wickedly good time.
The set was hectic from head to toe, the band busting out track after crazy track, each filled with enough energy and personality from each band member to set the room on fire. There was a good selection of songs from both Caress Your Soul and Land of Pleasure, the majority of the set being understandably focussed on the latter release.
“Land of Pleasure”, “Just For You” and “Gold Snafu” all had the audience thrashing around with their hands in the air, while chilled tracks such as “Liqourlip Loaded Gun” and “How To Fly” mellowed out the atmosphere, before it was inevitably blown up in a flurry of frantic energy. “Dreamland” was a particular highlight, its loud and classically Aussie chorus echoing through the room as the audience shouted the celebratory “take me to the place la fiesta friend/don't leave me here where this town don't end”.
The Land of Pleasure heavy night concluded with a Sticky Fingers classic, “Australia Street”, which of course had the audience screaming along in what can only be described as a celebration of endless freedom in the epitome of youth culture.
If anything can be said about Sticky Fingers’ ability as a live band, it would be this: Sticky Fingers don’t perform. They celebrate. They don’t put on a show. They throw a party. And what a fantastic party it was.
