Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are one of the few bands that I’m reluctant to recommend to friends based on their name alone. When word of mouth fails, last Monday’s mind-melting performance at Theatre Beanfield convinced me that the easiest way to fall in love with this band is simply to see them live.
Having released a phenomenal record late last year, their third since 2021, the Australian 5-piece was dead set on proving that you don’t have to choose between delivering quality or quantity.
Portland, Oregon’s Spoon Benders were the first and only opener at Beanfield that night. A band I haven’t heard prior, but one that the Aussie headliners were so excited to share the road with, and I can see why.
Tastefully dissonant guitar riffs and harmonies, coupled with such a powerful rock and roll energy on stage, made them a joy to watch. Shared vocal duties between guitarists were further elevated when done together, and their well-written songs often grooved so tastefully in their back halves, à la Black Sabbath.
Spoon Benders served as a reminder of how good classic rock was in its heyday, while staying fresh and modern enough to properly hype the young crowd for what was coming next.
Kicking their set off with an iconic operatic vocal solo by unofficial 6th member Rodney The Turtle, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets immediately blasted into Tally-Ho. Despite the crowd initially being reluctant to move, it only took a couple more songs for a respectable pit to gradually take shape. By the time the band ripped into the infectiously danceable Mundungus, the shallow Beanfield floor was comfortably moving in all directions.
The energy never slowed down from there, staying consistent across the Aussie band’s career-spanning setlist. New songs, old songs, it didn’t matter, the audience was constantly locked into the moment and loving it.
Though the show’s visual component didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had for a band with “psychedelic” in the name, it was an afterthought in the heat of the moment. The crowd passed the vibe check with flying colours, joyfully dancing through the psych-rockers’ 90-minute set, which was filled with songs that were as groovy as they were heavy. Slowing down only to pack a harder punch once the instrumentals swung back into the mix.
Although their lizardy, wizardy contemporaries may forever hold the title of “World’s busiest Australian band”, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are a clear second in my eyes. To embark on three headlining North American tours in three years is no small feat, and to see them filling increasingly large venues while supporting a new record every time is a beautiful sight to see.
Their live show was a constant shot of adrenaline to everyone in the nearly sold-out theatre that Monday night, and it just may have been my favourite concert of the year so far.
Review – Mathieu Perrier
Photos – David Machado
