When I was asked my favourite thing about the Pierce Brothers, my answer was simple: "Their live performances!"
It seems the boys themselves agree. Hailing from Ringwood, the twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce bring a palpable energy to every stage, cultivated through their many years of busking.
On multiple occasions during their Northcote Theatre show they request for the house lights up for a better look at the audience, those who have supported them through ten years of making music. There was a shared excitement, appreciation and humility as they announced that particular night was their largest ever show in Melbourne.
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Throughout the evening, I tried to find one person standing still, somebody who wasn’t moved by the passion of the local indie folk duo. But, every single patron was singing, foot tapping, swaying, clapping or dancing – no mean feat considering the ages ranged from 18 to 80 years old.
Both musicians have shoulder length brown hair that flies around wildly as a combination of instruments including didgeridoo, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, djembe and guitar are mixed with smooth harmonies. They are supported by good friend Dara Munnis on keyboard.
At the heart of this eight-month tour around Australia is their new album Everything is Bigger Than Me, released in March. The album reflects the milestones in the brothers’ lives with tracks such as Wilder, named after Jack’s second child, and White Dress, an ode to Patrick’s wife on their wedding day. The entire show had a family feel, with several shoutouts to their proud parents, “If you are standing next to them, don’t worry, they’ll tell you!”, the song Genevieve inspired by their sister and Brother inspired by their older sibling Justin.
The brilliance of the Pierce Brothers is that they balance their musical evolution with their trademark call and response choruses. This imbues new songs with a sense of familiarity that makes them an instant hit with audiences.
Highlights of the night include Patrick playing Self Portrait, a conversational love letter inspired by John Butler’s Oceans, and Jack’s trademark move of leaving the stage, popping up at the back of the venue and making his way through the crowd, before arriving back on stage with a triumphant somersault. And don’t we all love it!
The interaction between the brothers and the crowd generates a unique positivity and life-affirming gratitude where we all feel part of their journey. A stranger standing next to you at a Pierce Brothers concert will soon become your best friend, if only for the night. The show intertwines more recent songs such as Studio and Bottle with a variety of classics such as Amsterdam, Trip Lovers and The Records Were Ours.
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For Flying Home, the final song of their 1.5 hour set, supporting acts Flynn Gurry and Anya Alchemy were invited back on stage, and there is a real sense that the brothers are genuine mentors for these emerging artists. Pure joy unfolded on stage, as Flynn grabbed a tambourine and Anya Alchemy jumped up and down singing at the top of their lungs.
As the song and therefore the night drew to a close, Jack Pierce encouraged everyone to crouch down as much as they were able, and he counted down from three. When he yelled “Jump!”, everyone who was physically capable launched off the floor in unison. It felt like a tidal wave charged by the magical power of shared music. This wasn’t just any gig – this was an example of how art can bring people together. Is it any wonder that the album hit Number 1 on the ARIA charts? A well-deserved accolade!
Find all of Pierce Brothers’ tour dates here.
