After two sold-out Perth gigs on the Carry On tour a few months back, Motor Ace returned to WA this weekend to showcase tunes from their new album, Shoot This. The Metropolis in Fremantle was the venue of choice this time around, and a big crowd turned up to see Motor Ace and their supports put on an incredible show.

(Cartman)

First up were Perth 4-piece Cartman, who delivered one of the best support slots I have ever witnessed. Playing a set almost soley constructed of songs from their debut album "Go!", they were incredibly tight, focused and together. Unfortunately as is usually the case with the first band up, a percentage of the crowd seemed more interested in milling at the back of the room than showing vocal support, but this didn't affect the guys at all - they just kept moving forward, and flat-out rocked. Cartman's energy and charisma onstage is incredible, and the guys proved (to me at least) that they are well and truly at the forefront of local talent. Their staple cover of "Justify My Love" was at it's powerful best, and Triple J favourite "Shock (Living Without You)" completely and utterly flawless, closing off a set I feel unbelievably lucky to have seen.

(Speedstar)

Speedstar* graced the stage to rousing applause, and worked their way through a selection of songs off their "Bruises You Can Touch" LP. Singer Alister Bell is nothing short of absolutely captivating, and definitely the Brisbane band's best weapon, his voice sounding like a glorious hybrid of Coldplay's Chris Martin and Thom Yorke. Diminutive in size yet somehow eerily overwhelming in power, he has a natural ability to hold an audience and it is this which puts Speedstar* in a league not occupied by many. The band itself pulled off a strong set, which included tracks such as "Wishing Your Life Away", and a beautiful rendition of their new single, "Song For You", easily the highlight. Moody and entrancing, there was a chemistry present onstage, and Speedstar* would have secured many new fans as a result of their charming and stirring performance.

(Motor Ace)

Motor Ace appeared to a deafening welcome, and gave a nice little jam before launching into their first tune, "Keeping Secrets", which somehow managed to lose it's recorded shine and turn into an all-out rock number. It was an intense opener, and paved the way for a set that not only featured the new tracks off Shoot This, but also read like a best-of in regards to their previous releases.

Looking happy and up for it, Patrick Robertson came across the consummate frontman, leading the band through solid performances whilst seemingly unaware that he had the female quota of the audience wrapped around his little finger. Dave Ong was intense in his delivery, and drummer Damo Costin and bassist Matt Balfe backed up the two guitarists perfectly. The catchy chorus of "Feathers" prompted a massive chorus singalong, breakthrough single "American Shoes" was every bit it's usual infectious self, and stunning Five Star track "Siamese", beautiful and affecting.

(Motor Ace)

The inclusion of songs such as "Hey Driver" and "Lorenzo" kept the crowd transfixed, and sat in well between album tracks off Shoot This, which has a generally less full-rock sound than it's predecessor. Patrick asked the crowd to take care of the "oh-uh-oh's" in "Five Star Laundry", and Fremantle willingly obliged, prompting big smiles from the guys onstage. Whilst not saying much inbetween tunes, the fact that we were treated to an 18-song setlist more than made up for the lack of banter between numbers.

Introducing "Carry On" as their last song and thanking the crowd for their support and attendance, Motor Ace dived into the first Shoot This single, and with the absence of the strings featured on the recording, rocked it up a little bit, much to the enjoyment of the audience. Absolutely together, undeniably moving, the band showed us what the success of the past few months has turned them into: an energetic and intoxicating group with a solid live show. Cheers and requests started up before they had all even exited the stage, and the repeated chanting of "We want more!" filled the Metropolis until the guys re-appeared.

(Motor Ace)

Treating us to an encore that would make any fan incredibly happy, they launched into a blistering rendition of "Criminal Past", prompting yet more audience vocal participation. Although not a single (as yet) and not receiving an overly large amount of radio airplay, Shoot This album track "Pieces" was the song everybody seemed to know, with the crowd almost drowning out Pat in the first verse. "Death Defy" was absolutely amazing, and just when you thought the show was over, the guys pulled out their first-EP classic, "Chairman Of The Board" as the finale. Leaving the stage to huge applause, Motor Ace could be secure in the knowledge that they had played a truly incredible show, sometimes a tough feat in amongst a busy touring schedule. I have no doubt that everyone in attendance left the Metropolis utterly impressed and blown away.

(Motor Ace)

Setlist:
Keeping Secrets
Where Did You Go?
Feathers
Ride The Wave
For Yourself
Siamese
American Shoes
When The Feeling's Gone
Opportunity
Five Star Laundry
Shoot This
Hey Driver
Lorenzo
Carry On

(Motor Ace)

(Encore)
Criminal Past
Pieces
Death Defy
Chairman Of The Board

Reviewed by Sarah Moses

All photo's © Sarah Moses