Rocking a killer post-Friday hangover, there was nothing more appealing than a night of mellow melodies. When it comes to acoustic arrangements, it doesn’t get much better than Melbourne’s own Vance Joy.
Kicking off an incredible showcase of Australian songwriters was Ainslie Wills. Filling us in on the tales behind a selection of her tracks, Wills captured the attention of the early arrivals. Running through the likes of Hawaii, Constellations and Never Know What To Say, the setlist included nothing fancy;just fantastic songs and a captivating vocal performance.
Holy Holy got off to a strong start with Sentimental and Monday, but it was If I Were You that made the entire room gravitate towards them. All decked out in denim attire, the band’s faultless overall sound allowed each member to shine. Drummer Ryan Strathie smashed out a dumbfounding solo, and You Cannot Call For Love Like A Dog boasted an emphatic electric guitar arrangement. To close the set, the two frontmen paid tribute to late pop legend, Prince, before breaking into Nothing Compares 2 U. They were met with twinkling lights, heavy hearts and magnanimous applause.
As a watercolour backdrop was unveiled, Vance Joy’s band took to the stage, setting the scene with a slow-building instrumental intro. Appearing ever so casually, the hometown heartthrob began with Mess Is Mine. Looking right at home in an arena setting, it was as though his voice became a part of the air as it danced around our excitable, tapping feet.
With Red Eye, Joy spoke of lovers separated by Australian land and their ultimate reunion. Holding the room with every word, the singer/songwriter epitomised charm and charisma. He revealed that Winds Have Changed was the first song of his to pass the family test and to reach an open mic night. Afterwards, All I Ever Wanted had everyone singing “Da da da da” in unison. Beneath subtle spotlights, Joy sang Straight Into Your Arms, a song about “coming home to the person you love and everything is perfect and simple, as it should be.”
After countless guitar changes, it was time for From Afar; an exploration of unrequited and forbidden love. The singer’s name was soon illuminated above him, bolstering the impressive light show. Serenading us with a stripped back version of Wasting Time, Joy erased the surroundings with the clarity of his fingerpicking and the depth of his lyrical content.
Grabbing his ukulele, it was time for Play With Fire, Snaggletooth and Georgia. With the familiar and comforting sound of Riptide filling the arena, it was hard to differentiate Joy’s vocals from the sound of audience. After thanking the support acts, his band and his fans, he cracked out a cover of Paul Simon’s You Can Call Me Al mashed-up with Omi’s Cheerleader.
Returning quickly for his encore, Joy sang My Kind Of Man before finishing with last year’s massive single, Fire And The Flood.
BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON
Loved: Ryan Strathie’s drum solo.
Hated: That Emmylou was left off the set list.
Drank: Water.
