Friday Night in the City, pt.2

Momenta

The Hunt for Red Shoes is not what had ultimately brought us into the city. But first, a moment for a little Aussie clarification:
"Into the the city?" you may ask, "I thought you were in Melbourne."

I am. Let me explain:

I'm staying in East St. Kilda, which is referred to as a suburb, even though it's more in line with what we'd call a district, neighborhood, or borough.
"The city" is downtown.
Referencing "downtown" in Australia will elicit blank expressions or a rousing chorus of Petula Clark's 1964 hit.

And don't bother with cell phone (mobile), subway/metro (train), or streetcar (tram). You put groceries in a trolley and hire movies, not rent them.
That's not even touching on Aussie slang, which could be the subject of an year-long university course.

Sorry, I mean uni.

***

Sally and I had gone into the city because Tristan and his band, Momenta, were busking. They released their EP last Friday and had been out busking the two prior weekends to promote it and the show, with much success.
And when Tristan said they were busking, I thought he meant, you know... busking.
No, no.

We met the boys down on Swanston Street and they were fully set up with amps and everything. Turns out, before their first attempt at this, they had searched all around the city for some sort of battery system. It took them ages to find something suitable because, as they were told again and again, no one really does what they were looking to do. Which was essentially a full two-set show on the sidewalk in the downtown -- sorry, in the city -- of Melbourne.

By the time we arrived, they had already moved everything down a little because a shop owner didn't want them playing in front of his store. And what was his shop? Yup, a music store.
[He was clearly a bit of a dink: As I'm over looking at an of Montreal poster on the door -- they're playing in Melbourne! -- he bustles passed me and snarks, "What?" I tell him I'm checking out their concert dates. Audible huff. "You have to call early; it's probably sold out." Another huff, turn on heel, storms down street. "Have a good weekend...?"]

And then they start playing. And oh man, are they fantastic! They describe their music as stadium dance pop anthems -- how could you not love it?!
Check them out!

As they're playing, a crowd gradually starts to form. Friends and acquaintances come up and give them hugs and high-fives mid-song (ah, the difference lights, stage, and a roof make in terms of formality). One man stands between the keyboard and drums to have his picture taken... while they're playing! Hilarious.

People start dancing. I get to witness the Melbourne Shuffle first-hand. So rad.
They brought 100 CDs and end up selling them all two thirds of the way through the second set. 30-40 more could have gone, no question.
Last time they were busking, a taxi pulled up and after a minute or two, someone jumped out to buy 3 CDs: one for each of the passengers, and one for the driver.