The indie girl's guide to…

The Duke Spirit

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Thursday, 26th March, 2009

British band The Duke Spirit have long been on my list of bands I must see live. I have been a big fan since their 2005 debut Cuts Across The Land and I was beginning to think I would only ever get to see them play if I went overseas, but alas they finally made it to our shores, and played here in Sydney last week at the Oxford Art Factory.

I arrived during Jack Ladder‘s set. I adore his bluesy voice and his songs always seem to me like they hark back to another era in time. He just won the AMP award for Outstanding Potential, which was well deserving.

Onto the main event – this gig was such a long time coming in my mind, but completely worth the wait. When The Duke Spirit took to the stage they were even better than I had hoped. Liela, their lead singer, was really stunning live – an impressive voice with an attitude to match. I loved all the moves she pulled, along with her little box of tricks including at least three different tambourines, maracas and a harmonica. She explained that they were very happy to finally play here in Australia, and so was I. The crowd took a while to warm up to them, they were fairly quiet at times at the start. (I do wonder what is up with people at OAF sometimes, but that’s a whole other story).

To the songs – TDS played lots of tracks off their latest album Neptune including the single The Step & The Walk, Lassoo and my current fave Send A Little Love Token. They closed the set with my all time favourite Love Is An Unfamilar Name from Cuts… and came back for an encore of Wooden Heart and the song that started it all for me Lion Rip.

Sorry to the boys in the band, even though they were all dappily dressed and rather handsome, I have to admit a major girl crush on Liela, and it was hard not to watch her every move, especially in that splendid puffy sleeved top.

Setlist
Lovetoken
Lassoo
Dog Roses
The Step & The Walk
A Wild Hope
Into The Fold
Hello to the Floor
The Ship Was Built to Last
Red Weather
Love is an Unfamiliar Name

Encore
Wooden Heart
Lion Rip

Below: Liela’s box of tricks
TDS = tedious….too funny

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footnote
Liela mentioned that they will be back here (in Sydney) on April 9. Another show perhaps…intriguing!

update

The Duke Spirit will play the Beach Road Hotel at Bondi on April 9…Wooo!