“Expert in a Dying Field” - The Beths Live in Brisbane
Show Review ★ Mariyah Shahrin★ @mariyahshoots ★ 2 Minutes
Aotearoa New Zealand indie rockstars The Beths returned to Brisbane on 23rd April at The Tivoli, hot off the release of their latest album, Straight Line Was A Lie. Supported by fellow Aotearoa-grown siblings Womb, the two Kiwi acts lit up an almost-chilly Brisbane weekday night.
The dream-pop trio started our night with ‘Slip’ and ‘Only You’ from their latest album, One Is Always Heading Somewhere. True to their shoegaze inspirations, frontperson/guitarist Cello Forrester, synthesist/guitarist Haz Forrester, and drummer Georgette Brown filled the room with a captivating presence, matched with ethereal stage lighting. Cello teased that Womb will be recording their new album in June and treated the audience to a glimpse of their unreleased songs, ‘Swear’, and ‘Adore’, showcasing continuity in their emotive sound and honest storytelling. Whilst it was their first time in Brisbane, judging from the audience reception, I wouldn’t be surprised if the trio returned to this side of the Tasman soon.
Decorated with their iconic viney bedsheet-esque background and lamps scattered across the stage wall, The Beths made their way onto the stage, mugs in hand and humble waves to the crowd, opening with ‘Straight Line Was a Lie’. By the second song, ‘No Joy’, I noticed the bond between the band and the audience, as audience members simultaneously pulled out their recorders as the band’s own recorders jumped out from the stage for what I would soon learn is a tradition for this tour. The quartet led us through an impressive 18-song setlist, fusing songs from albums Jump Rope Gazers, Future Me Hates Me, Expert in a Dying Field, and Straight Line Was a Lie.
Lead singer and songwriter Liz Stokes brought us to a vulnerable moment in the evening with ‘Mother, Pray for Me’, commanding the stage alone with her acoustic guitar, raw lyrics, and longing confessions about the relationship with her mother. Guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck then returned to the stage for ‘Your Side’, followed by cheers and a loud audience sing-along as they brought us back to their familiar upbeat jangle-rock sound.
The commentary in between songs showcased their honest nature, blended in with effortless comedic timing as they joked about spending their prior days in Brisbane at the local bowls club, and Liz noting how the Brisbane River “is just one long waterfront”.
A personal standout moment was ‘Jump Rope Gazers’ as the crowd erupted at the first semblance of the opening guitar riff, and the person in front of me jumped for joy with a loud “OMG”. I suppose that encapsulates my thoughts for the night — throughout the night, I felt an all-consuming sense of pure love in the room, that the connection between The Beths and their loyal fans was unmistakable. There was something about the rug laid across the stage, the synchronised lamps, and the rustic backdrop that made you feel like you were in a friend's living room, and I wondered if this connection was reminiscent of a sense of familiarity and coziness one would only feel in the comfort of a friend.
The Beths almost ended their set with ‘Expert in a Dying Field’ but gifted fans with an encore of ‘Take’ and ‘Out of Sight’, ending the night with high energy and a longing for them to return to our shores soon.
