Pond
Vic Theater
November 22, 2024
Performance review: Cindy Ochoa
Photos: Roman Sobus
The Aussie rockers Pond returned to Chicago this past Friday evening and delivered to their fans a wildly energetic set! The band walked on the dimly lit stage to a cheering audience and opened their evening with “Daisy”, one of my personal favorites! Melodic and laid back, this song soothes my soul.
Frontman Nick Allbrook is an excellent performer with a solid stage presence and is backed by equally talented musicians. Since their formation in 2008, they have issued ten studio albums, the latest “Stung” released in June of this year. If you are a Tame Impala fan, some of their music may have a familiarity about it, and that would be no coincidence. They have a sound all their own, but there are times where the Tame Impala influence shines through. Not at all unusual since Pond drummer Jay Watson is a member of both bands. Bassist Joe Ryan, multi-instrumentalist Jamie Terry and James Ireland round out the band.
Allbrook rules the stage! He moves around, front to back, side to side and it was not long before he was standing on the barricade interacting with the fans, the first of several such intimate exchanges. He exudes an aura through his movements reminiscent of a Young Mick Jagger!
They tore through a sixteen selection set featuring “(I’m) Stung”, ”Neon River”, “So Lo”, and “Black Lung,” from their latest release. The balance were selections from previous issues, “Paint Me Silver” and “Human Touch” among them.
New Zealand singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Fazerdaze did great warming up the crowd.
There are only a handful of dates remaining on this tour – all West Coast, ranging from Vancouver on November 28 and concluding in Los Angeles on December 5. I’m feeling confident that they will return to the States in the not so distant future so definitely keep them on your radar.
