By Nick Corr.
The Delines ‘The Imperial’ Cassette Party, Merri Creek Tavern 15 June 2023
On their second Australian tour, Portland’s The Delines brought their soul country sounds to Melbourne’s intimate Merri Creek Tavern for a special show celebrating their 2019 album The Imperial.
The fifty or so punters lucky enough to attend received a copy of the ‘The Imperial’, issued on cassette for the very first time, and were treated to a mesmerising performance of the entire album in order.
The Imperial was the second album from The Delines and a highwater mark for the band, bringing together songwriter Willy Vlautins wrong-side of the tracks narratives with singer Amy Boone’s sultry croon. The pairing works so well, I think The Delines make a superior outlet for Vlautin’s songs than his highly regarded alt-country group Richmond Fontaine that he fronted for over two decades.
Stand-outs tonight include the opening “Cheer Up Charlie” a slinky “Holly the Hustle” and torch song “He Don’t Burn For Me”.
Vlautin seemed to be relishing his band leader role, leaning against the side of the stage and enjoying singer Amy Boone’s commanding voice and entertaining between song banter as much as the crowd.
Following The Imperial, the band performed a short encore of songs from their broader back catalogue including a riveting “The Oil Rigs At Night” from their 2014 debut Colfax. A new pro-marijanua song “Don’t Miss Your Bus Lorraine”. The twisted mariachi duet “My Blood Bleeds Darkest Blue” before closing with “Drowning in Plain Sight” from their most recent album, last years The Sea Drift.
SET LIST
1. Cheer Up Charlie
2. The Imperial
3. Where are you Sonny?
4. Let’s Be Us Again
5. Roll Back My Life
6. Eddie and Polly
7. Holly the Hustle
8. That Old Haunted Place
9. He Don’t Burn For me
10. Waiting On The Blue
11. The Oil Rigs at Night
12. Don’t Miss Your Bus Loraine (new song)
13. My Blood Bleeds Darkest Blue
14. Drowning in Plain Sight