Chong Si MinIt seems that Singapore holds a fond spot in the heart of Copeland’s lead singer, Aaron Marsh, as he lists out his three favourite performances ever.
Aaron Marsh at Copeland’s performance at *SCAPE on May 5 2010! (Photo by Jotham Lian)
“These three ties for my favourite performances ever – Baybeats, Home Club, and the one at the Glass Pavilion with Anberlin.”
This declaration got cries of enthusiasm from the crowd – made up of teens and twenty-somethings – which otherwise remained relatively quiet throughout the performance.
This may be due to the reason that sparked off this tour.
Copeland announced its break up on the website on last October, amidst protests from their fans.
In response to this, the band allowed the fans to decide on the forthcoming set list.
The set for last evening was an extensive one, as it showcases a rather representative collection of Copeland’s diverse catalog.
Following a half-an-hour delay, the band entered the stage and started off with a crowd-pleaser, “Take Care”.
The next few songs like “Careful Now” and “I’m a Sucker for Kind Words” kept the mood going with its mid-tempo songs.
However, it is only when Marsh takes on the keyboard that the performance slowly morphs into a display – a display of lush, complex instrumentation coupled with Marsh’s delicate crooning.
Songs like “The Grey Man”, “Control Freak” and “On the Safest Ledge” were delivered in an achingly sincere way, as your ears detect the reluctance of the band to end the songs.
The crowd also provided the echo of the word “suitcase” in “The Day I Lost My Voice” – a beautiful song that showcases Marsh’s beautiful vocals, which can go from an alto drone to an almost effeminate high voice.
Copeland records are known for its lush sound, with layers of guitar riffs and keyboards intertwining to form a sprawling landscape that is both beautiful and ethereal.
This doesn’t usually translate into a live setting nicely, but the musicianship of the members made the transition easier. For instance, the guitar solo in “California” turned into an impromptu jam session for the band.
The highlight of the evening, however, was when Marsh and the lead guitarist, Bryan Laurenson, came out for the encore to play the band’s arguably most recognizable song, Brightest.
Lapping it up, the fans shrieked in excitement when Aaron started playing the familiar opening chords.
The emotionally raw sound that has become Copeland’s signature was also evident in the next song, “Testing the Strong Ones”.
Throughout the performance, the band was unresponsive to the cries of “Don’t break up!” from the crowd – until the end.
Ending the performance with “You Have My Attention”, the namesake suggests a sense of finality for the fans and the band – as both conclude the end of a musical journey.
There will be a secret show this evening at the new *SCAPE building. Tickets will be sold at $15 in a booth on 6.30 pm onwards. Doors open at 7 pm and the show will start at 8 pm sharp.