The Church - A Psychedelic Symphony: Live at the Sydney Opera House (2014) (DVD/2CD/Live Reviews)

Violettown.Church
May 16, 2014
2 min read

Updated: May 8, 2019

Church - A Psychedelic Symphony - Album cover — Psychedelic Symphony | Releases |Discogs

In April 2011, celebrating a 30 year Anniversary and recent ARIA Hall of Fame induction, Australian musical icons THE CHURCH played a spectacular sold out show at the Sydney Opera House. This Psychedelic Symphony was a one-off musical event and fan treat, featuring the bands' collaboration with conductor George Ellis and his specially assembled Orchestra. Filmed by XYZ, it is finally released on a single dual layer DVD - a timeless must have for fans and all music lovers alike. It is also available as a CD Audio-Only double set, including pullout artwork from the show night program.

REVIEWS:

Daily Mail Online: - Read review - "The power of Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes, Marty Willson-Piper and Tim Powles' atmospheric rock being carried by the orchestra's strings is at times exquisite: a lush violin sweep here, a 12-string guitar flourish there. This is The Church in ultra luxe mode.

The results even surprised Kilbey, who admitted in his blog: "I never thought a live album was right for us till I heard this. Accomplished yet still rocking ... maybe our definitive document."

Tone Deaf: - Read review - "Taking the safe path has never been the band’s shtick, however, so it was little surprise that the 2,000+ capacity gig sold out quickly, with fans flying in from far flung parts of the world to make it. But could they pull it off? It’s one thing to go from subtle reworkings of your songs to the potential bombast of a 67 piece orchestra backing you up"

Sydney Morning Herald: 7/10 - Read review - "But I think we can all agree that if you were to get a psychedelic symphony from any Australian band, you’d want it to be the Church. And that is what we got in 2011 as the band, seven extra players (including, incongruously for the Church, two female backing vocalists) and an orchestra bigger than Kilbey’s old dope bag played under sometimes mind-tripping lights."

Foxtel MAX: - Read review - "“A Psychedelic Symphony” will see George Ellis lead his orchestra into dynamic crescendos and sensuous odysseys. This ubiquitous conductor and musical director has worked a diverse range of projects highlights include the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games, the Athens Olympics, the Jakarta Arts Festival, and many concerts at the famous Spiegeltent."

Another Lost Shark: - Read review - "Then it’s the big one, as Steve says, the most popular Australian song of the last three million years, Under the Milky Way. And what can I say… the room is surging, every face in the room lights up. The second set closes with big rocker, Space Saviour. Tim’s drumming is frenetic, the cymbals getting more than a good workout. The crowd are on their feet, the band is waving and blowing kisses but no-one is leaving yet."