Eaglemont delivered a gripping performance for her adoring Melbourne fans
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19.06.2019

Eaglemont delivered a gripping performance for her adoring Melbourne fans

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Words and photos by Katerina Paltoglou

Eaglemont’s set exuded a growing confidence, in artistry and performance, storytelling and authenticity – the kind of qualities that can only be derived from a musician who wears their heart on their sleeve.

A generous amount of people flooded into Fitzroy’s iconic Old Bar on Friday night to witness an evening filled with authenticity, vulnerability and community. Patrons swarmed in with the sweet sounds of Sydney artist Elizabeth Fader’s cruisey and euphoric indie-rock – she was the perfect kickstart to the night.

Main support of the night Quivers were equally as affecting, setting the crowd at ease with a very potent and wonderful musical arrangement. The talented bandmembers graced the stage with an aura of complete joy which made their performance feel refreshing and totally effortless.

With the evening now teetering on the edge of a sellout, fans eagerly awaited what would be a mammoth set. Eaglemont and her backing band began the set with ambient mood setter ‘Edi Gardens’ and the whole venue seemed to sway slowly in wistful awe, held attentive by lyrics that reference popular inner-north Melbourne hotspots.

Eaglemont turned it up with a new tune ‘Bad Temper, Bad Habits’, a rocky, distorted hot take into all the little things that make her who she is. The band were certainly not afraid to sink their teeth into the crunchy alternative rock arrangements, especially in new track called, “‘Untitled’… because I’m lazy”.

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As Eaglemont worked her way through new, old and surprise tracks that welcomed some special guests, she was gentle and vulnerable in one song and dominating and blistering in the next. Eaglemont seemed in awe about the amount of people in the room. “I can’t believe how many of you there are.” And that there were. Looking around the room during her set – mouths were grinning, heads shaking and bodies dancing. There was certainly a strong sense of community in the air.

Eaglemont then proposed an oldie, the definite crowd favourite ‘Texas’. She came through with beautifully warm vocals singing a story of heart and feelings that are so eloquently rolled into a four-minute song. She put a striking spin on the song, originally recorded on an acoustic, turning the ballad into a roaring rock cut with throbbing drums and strong reverberating guitar goodness. The audience sang with her “Texas, I breathe. Nobody knew what you meant to me”, making it hard not feel the goosebumps.

“Now for the reason we’re all here,” Eaglemont grins as the drums kick in for her new single ‘Hound’. “This is a song about mental health, love and acknowledging everyone is fighting their own battles.” Eaglemont and her band belt out the energetic and powerful song with the crowd enthusiastically singing along to lines “Try not to be a dick” – an apt reminder.

After a cheering crowd scream for an encore, Eaglemont decides to end her set alone with a beautiful and haunting rendition of Phoebe Bridger’s ‘Smoke Signals’ and then brings her band back on stage for a final dance to old favourite ‘Samuel’.

Eaglemont’s set exudes a growing confidence, in artistry and performance, storytelling and authenticity – the kind of qualities that can only be derived from a musician who wears their heart on their sleeve. If you haven’t got around to seeing this local Melbourne powerhouse, definitely invest the time to do so.

Highlight: Eaglemont sharing her coming out story with the crowd.

Lowlight: Nothing.

Crowd favourite: ‘Hound’.