“It’s hard to describe the subtle power and happy-sad magic of Mess Esque.
A month ago, a small but devoted audience at the Petersham Bowling Club in Sydney found themselves in their eerie and warm embrace, one of those nights where you are honoured to have stumbled into the company of one of the finest bands in the world.
This kind of thing can happen in small and odd places when you are lucky, a karmic gathering of sound and spirit where every single thing – even the mistakes, the simple turn of a face sideways, the right amount of feedback – collects into something flaw-fully perfect.
I was there.
I saw Mess Esque up close at the Petersham Bowling Club.
As good as anything I have ever seen in my life
Casually intense and unexpectedly beautiful, the music takes you on a journey towards the underworld, then up and through into the warm light of living where you stand.
Go see them. Make sure you stand as close as you can. Warm yourself on their rock ‘n’ roll sorrow-joys and slow-burn melodies; the intimate way they’re amused, hurt and inspired: a pagan people of great devotion on stage.” – Mark Mordue