FANNING DEMPSEY NATIONAL PARK – FORUM THEATRE – MELBOURNE – 20.10.2024
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Right from the very first note, the majestic Forum Theatre transformed into an 80’s nightclub with flashing neon lights and heavy analogue synth loops creating a spectacular opening to what became an incredibly fun, exciting and enjoyable evening with Fanning Dempsey National Park (FDNP).
This collaboration between two of Australia’s most iconic frontmen, Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger and Paul Dempsey from Something for Kate (SFK) is a match made in heaven the way they blend their distinctive voices together.
I first saw Powderfinger and SFK live back in the mid-90s and have been an avid fan of both bands over the past 30 years having seen them multiple times and owning all of their albums. I’ve also seen Fanning and Dempsey perform solo several times each over the past 10-15 years. So to say I’m excited about this collaboration would be an understatement.
In a recent interview, they both talked about their love for catchy upbeat 80s tunes and synth rock by the likes of Duran Duran, A-Ha, Robert Palmer, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Prince, Eurythmics, Hall & Oates, Bowie, Gary Numan. During Covid in 2021, they performed a cover of the Queen/Bowie song ‘Under Pressure’, streamed from their separate homes. It’s an amazing cover which had tongues wagging about how incredible they sounded together. This planted the seed for what was about to come.
Recognising the connection they shared and how well they sounded together, they decided to collaborate on an album. They didn’t want to create music that sounded like a Powderfinger/SFK album, instead they wanted to create music that was sonically influenced by the synth rock era between 1977-1985.
The debut album is called The Deluge by Fanning Dempsey National Park (FDNP). Apparently they added NP onto their band name to create a sense of an organisation that was bigger than just the two of them. The album certainly has captured the upbeat slice of electro-rock vibe they were looking for with its electronic sound mixed with classic rock, catchy 80s pop and 2020’s fusion.
Greg Phillips from Australian Musician had the opportunity to interview Fanning Dempsey back on 1 August 2024 about their collaboration
Melbourne singer-songwriter, Merpire was the support and was a welcoming start to the evening. Merpire stood alone on stage playing an electric guitar and captivated the crowd with her stripped-back layered vocals. In between songs she was witty and delivered some friendly banter to all of the people talking during her set.
Tonight was only FDNP’s 5th show since forming and they showcased this truly incredible album so well, leaving punters completely spellbound. They played all 10 songs from the album as well as a few covers and songs from their solo and band catalogues.
The FDNP band consisted of:
Adrian Stoyles – Guitar & synthesiser
Dave Williams – Drums
Caroline Schofield – Synthesiser
Matt Engelbrecht – Bass Guitar
Caroline really stood out and provided lush, melodic riffs and loops on her 3-stack synth (truly amazing and very cool). Adrian who regularly plays with Dempsey provided chordal harmonies and accompanied Caroline for most part on his 2-stack synth. Having dual synth/keys players resulted in a powerful synth vibe, adding fabulous melodic riffs, loops and textures throughout most of the songs on the album. Dave on drums (from Augie March) and Matt on bass (Fanning’s regular touring bassist) kept the upbeat tempo going with Dempsey on lead guitar and Fanning on electric and acoustic guitar. Dempsey executes a few short guitar solos throughout the show too.
I was immediately taken by how tight the band played together, which was most impressive and amazing for such a recently formed group of musicians. The musical arrangements were sophisticated and masterfully crafted. They opened with the album title track THE DELUGE, featuring heavy synths and drums. The stage lighting was wonderful, creating a black and white backdrop contrasting with Fanning and Dempsey standing out front in full colour. The strobe and neon lights flashed along to the beat offering a disco/nightclub ambience.
Four more songs (STRANGERS, DISCONNECT, PAST TOMORROW & BLOOD) followed from The Deluge album with Dempsey and Fanning alternating and sharing lead vocals throughout each song with neither voice demanding control over the other. We were standing up close the stage and were surprised how many people around us knew all the words to the songs, considering the album was only released a short time ago.
In between songs, Fanning and Dempsey laughed, gave friendly banter and told stories about how the project came together. You could feel the chemistry and mutual respect they have for each other.
The next two songs were from Fanning/Dempseys solo albums.
RAMONA WAS A WAITRESS – Paul Dempsey’s Everything Is True (2009) album. It was great to hear Fanning join in and share/alternate vocals on this song. This was then reciprocated when Fanning sang WISH YOU WELL from his Tea & Sympathy (2005) album with Dempsey sharing vocals. It was an effective approach as they added their own unique style to these songs.
BORN EXPECTING was next with its catchy Robert Palmer ‘Looking For Clues’ sound.
Fanning/Dempsey then invited Merpire to join them on stage to sing a cover of Tears for Fears song, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD. The crowd sang along to this popular 80s song and it created a harmonious vibe in the room.
NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN was next from The Deluge album.
The show was a well-structured smorgasbord of songs, ensuring everyone in attendance was getting a taste of the new, old and something in between. The new songs still manage to have a Powderfinger/SFK flavour to them but with with an 80s synth rock vibe.
Dempsey led into SFK’s song MONSTERS from the Echolalia (2001) album and then Fanning followed with Powderfinger’s PICK YOU UP from Double Allergic (1996). The jovial crowd erupted and sang with gusto to both of these crowd favourites.
A few more songs from The Deluge followed with DUNNING KRUGER NATIONAL PARK and KING OF NOWHERE.
The encore consisted of the Queen/Bowie cover UNDER PRESSURE which gave me goosebumps. Dempsey singing the Freddie Mercury vocals and Fanning the Bowie. A truly remarkable cover and this was one of the standouts for the evening, when you thought the night couldn’t get any better. The show concluded with EYES WIDE OPEN leaving everyone open-mouthed and content, with what could only be described as an ‘epic’ show.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
THU 31 OCT • Astor Theatre • Perth
Fri 01 Nov • Astor Theatre • Perth
SAT 09 Nov • The Tivoli • BRISBANE
https://www.fanningdempseynationalpark.com/
