Artist: Pseudo Echo
When: June 9th 2019
Where: Southport RSL, Gold Coast
Reviewers: Carlie Tanithskye
Photographer: Carlie Tanithskye Photography
Formed in 1982, Pseudo Echo rose to fame dominating the 80’s with their electronic sound, establishing themselves as one of the most influential Australian bands of the time. I remember as a young girl dancing to “Funky Town” in the lounge room with my mum on a Friday night. Tonight I get to relive that all again at Southport RSL club.
The Gold Coast has offered up a rather drizzly overcast evening as we make our way to the Grand Showroom at Southport. This is an amazing space with both seating and standing areas. As the lights dim and the band bound onstage, the crowd do not stay in their seats for long!
Pseudo Echo open up the set with “Ultra Violet” from the album of the same name, and follow with “Don’t Go” and “A Beat For You”. Everyone is dancing all around me and singing at the top of their lungs. It’s fantastic!!
Brian Canham is the consummate entertainer, and looks to be having the time of his life! Vocally his performance is perfection, and he sounds like the original recordings as he moves around the stage with endless energy that’s infectious. Twin Keytarist’s James Mudd and Matty Ray bring the authentic sound with Cameron Smith on drum and Canham on guitar. “Love an Adventure” and Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits” follow and really get the crowd revved up. Real Life’s ‘Send me an angel’ requires no introduction and the lady next me to is so excited she screams at Canham that she is his angel as she looks on in awe.
The band close the set with an extended version of their biggest hit “Funky Town” which is a brilliant medley including AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and Deep Purple’s “Black Night” to thunderous applause. But we all want more! After a few minutes of clapping and screaming, the lads return to the stage encoring Brian Ferry’s “Let’s Stick Together”. What I love about this band is their ability to transport you to a place of pure happiness and fun, and its visible still as we shuffle out of the venue. If you have a chance to see these guys, then definitely do it!
Pseudo Echo head to Victoria and New South Wales in June and August. Tickets are from the usual outlets.
