American rockers, Stone Temple Pilots hit Newcastle last night as part of an Australian tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their sophomore album, Purple.
The show at NEX saw the four-piece work its way through a track-by-track performance of the 1994 album, along with some of the most beloved songs from their debut offering, Core.
Back in the mid-nineties, Purple popped its head up amongst the sea of grunge, rap and euro-pop. It was a release often boxed in with the Seattle sound, but sonically offered more than its contemporaries. It debuted at number one on the Billboard chart, featured era-defining numbers like Vasoline, and spawned the band’s most commercially successful track, Interstate Love Song. In short, it’s an album well worth celebrating with a tour like this.
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After a generally well received support slot from Wolfmother, Stone Temple Pilots hit the stage with album opener Meatplow. And whether it’s the mid-week crowd, the sound guy getting hold of the mix, or the band just warming into the gig, it feels a bit sluggish out of the gate and through the first couple of numbers, which is a shame because Vasoline is one of the album’s best offerings.
Midway through Lounge Fly though, the album’s drum-heavy third track, the whole thing seemed to lift, and brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo lock in with drummer Eric Kretz to deliver the show we’d all come to see.
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Jeff Gutt, who’s been singing with the band since 2017, was all over the stage, leaping into the crowd and putting on a pretty big performance throughout the set. Vocally, he was on point most of the time – a feat in itself, given the big shoes he has to fill. Scott Weiland, the band’s original frontman until his untimely passing in 2015, was a singer’s singer able to hit big notes with a tone that was equal parts rich timber and tortured grit. If there’s any critique of Gutt’s delivery, it’s that it almost sounds too accurate. But when one of the ’90s’ most influential bands is on stage playing through an album like Purple, who’s got time to nitpick?
Highlights of the set included the hug-inducing Still Remains, the harmony-laced Pretty Penny, the massive chorus of Big Empty, and crowd favourite Army Ants. Then, with a nod to the album’s hidden track, the band launched into a run of Core classics.
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Wicked Garden, Plush, Crackerman, Dead and Bloated, and show-closer Sex Type Thing set the NEX crowd alight and then, just like that, it was over. The band took a bow, walked off stage, and the house lights came up. There’s no need for an encore – it’s all been said and done. Although if the band decide to do a lap around the country to celebrate the anniversary of their 1996 album, the ambitious Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop, I’d be there in a heart-beat.
The show reaffirmed STP’s importance in the rock music canon and served as a reminder of how good NEX can be as a live music venue—especially for the mums and dads looking to rekindle their youth. No long lines at the bar or toilets, polite staff, and an easy exit. More gigs like this at NEX, please!
The Stone Temple Pilots Purple anniversary tour heads to Queensland this weekend. To find out more visit stonetemplepilots.com.
PHOTO GALLERY: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS LIVE AT NEX
PHOTOS BY RACHELRACHEL PHOTOGRAPHY
SETLIST: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS LIVE AT NEX
Meatplow
Vasoline
Lounge Fly
Interstate Love Song
Still Remains
Pretty Penny
Silvergun Superman
Big Empty
Unglued
Army Ants
Kitchenware & Candybars
Wicked Garden
Plush
Crackerman
Dead And Bloated
Sex Type Thing
