Live Action Role Playing, otherwise known as LARPing is the activity of bringing a character to life physically within the context of a game. It sounds silly I know, yet thousands upon thousands of people around the globe partake in events like these. Spectator sport is dead people, long live the participatory arts! Though the question has to be asked, is this a display of artistic expression or just immaturity taken to the extreme? That is what is put forward in the clip for Adolescence, the new music video from The Murlocs.
Growing up can be pretty intimidating, so why not go LARPing with The Murlocs in their new video for Adolescence instead? Excelsior!
Perhaps it is not a question intentionally put forward but it is one that will undoubtedly cross your mind given the lyrical nature of the song, or just from the fact it is called Adolescence. The Melbourne five piece have been pretty busy as of late gearing up for their upcoming second studio album this June. Directed by Jason Galea the clip features singer Ambrose Kenny-Smith playing medieval action video games, presumably in his mother’s basement. Kenny-Smith puts on an animated performance as he becomes engrossed in his game, the centurion’s helmet adorning his head loosely flopping about as the game intensifies. The game in question is footage taken of an actual LARPing event as two opposing sides of noble swordsmen, skilful archers and wise sorcerers engage in epic, foam sword battle.
There are two ways to look at this clip. The initial reaction is one of immaturity. Kenny-Smith doesn’t miss the opportunity to play up the comedy angle. His contorted facial expressions, constant bopping on the sofa and his tendency to become distracted by nearby dinosaur and Megazord toys are worthy of a few chuckles. I’m sure there are many who would dismiss the idea of LARPing as a similarly laughable endeavour. Aussie culture and ideas of masculinity are strongly tied to sport, and a video featuring the boys at the local park playing a game of footy would seem pretty normal. But a video of grown men bashing each other with home made weapons? Not so manly. You’d most likely be inclined to just scoff at what is unfolding.
However, the video gains a little more levity once considering the lyrics of Adolescence. Kenny-Smith sings “Scared of my own independence. My only nemesis is incompetence”. Growing up is not as easy as you once thought. The reality of being an adult can be a crushing one and becoming stuck in the comfortable state of unwavering adolescence may well be the only answer for some. Heck, without that mentality most great artistic endeavours may not have been taken.
The Murlocs will soon be hitting the road. Check out on the dates below and if you feel so inclined attend as your favourite LARPing character. Get your tickets here.
Friday April 3 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday April 4 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday April 9 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney, NSW
Friday 10 April – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast
Saturday 11 April – Wooly Mammoth, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 18 April- FOUR5NINE, Perth, WA
Sunday 19 April – MOJOS, Fremantle, WA
Saturday 24 April – Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC
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