Angus and Julia Stone, Vancouver Sleep Clinic @ The Palais Theatre, Melbourne (26/09/2014)
Vancouver Sleep Clinic warmed up a sold-out Palais with their ethereal electro-indie that has garnered lots of attention from the good peeps at Triple J Unearthed.
Tim Bettinson, with his live band in tow, filled the glorious Palais theatre with a richly emotive palette that shows shades of the ever-influential Bon Iver. A Brisbane outfit, Vancouver Sleep Clinic undoubtedly have taken inspiration from the aforementioned world-class creators of luscious, mood-altering and brooding downtempo music ideal for emo Sunday comedowns. We were treated to a guest appearance from fellow Brisbane artist Wafia, who performed with Bettinson a song they composed together. A delicate, moving piano intro paved the way for Wafia's angelic vocals and the truly haunting and powerful falsetto of Bettinson. This was a special support act, as Vancouver Sleep Clinic are clearly worthy of holding their own on a headline tour. Nonetheless, they were basking in the joy gleaned playing a breathtaking venue such as The Palais, and bringing their beautifully sad sounds to a wider audience. Noteworthy here, the swoon factor of Bettinson and his Vancouver Sleep Clinic – indeed, a smattering of girls on Friday night were going fangirl-cray. |
Before graciously bowing out to make way for the headline artist, Vancouver Sleep Clinic held a beguiled audience captive with a final burst of driving percussion and open ambient space in which that magical voice and reverbed electrics ring out.
The much-loved Australian treasures Angus & Julia Stone took the stage with little fanfare, but plenty of noise from an adoring fanbase who had packed out the theatre.
The kids who nabbed the top spot in that mammoth annual countdown and have held a special place in Australia music's heart ever since are back on the road, and backed by an all-star band of musicians from every corner of the globe (or at least every corner of the United States and one local lad from Dandenong). Hailing from the likes of Brooklyn, NYC, Houston, Texas and Bloomingdon, Indiana, these are world-class musicians who are effortlessly a part of the well-oiled machine by now.
They opened with Main Street, off 2014's self-titled album, which struck a much heavier chord than what we're accustomed to from Angus & Julia Stone. A busier and fuller rock sound was on show here, which is perhaps unsurprising from an outfit who worked in the studio with legend Rick Rubin to create their latest masterpiece.
For You was penned as a last-ditch attempt of Julia's to reach out to a lamented ex while touring Bluesfest in Perth. The external influence of blues 'n roots are on display in its bluegrass sound, including a banjo part.
The pair cut a striking and distinctive figure onstage – Julia perfectly plays the part of long-haired, flowing-dress beauty, and Angus upholds his slightly slouched, but nonetheless tall, dark and handsome swagger. He seems happy to stand in his sister's shadow, which is just as well because her charm is all-consuming, bewitching from the first to the last.
At times, a starry night sky was imitated in the on-stage lighting, and as always with Angus & Julia Stone, the elegant stage setup proves simplicity does not negate magic but indeed, often heightens it.
A rendition of that Hottest 100 chart-topper Big Jet Plane coincided with Julia making an impromptu and unscheduled dash backstage for a quick costume change due to a wardrobe malfunction.
While Julia's popped blouse buttons led to a moment of onstage embarrassment, if there were any in the crowd who needed assurance that the globally successful Stones are still down-to-earth home-grown kids, this moment provided it.
Angus put the final nail in the coffin for any accusations of pretension when he mumbled, comic timing spot on, "you can't take her anywhere".
Julia's spellbinding performance of Grease classic You're The One That I Want didn't fail to impress (just as it did the last time The Palais was graced by the Stones presence), but it wasn't the only cover to cop a sweet headnod on Friday night.
Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun took on the form of an atmospheric, tripped-out electric-guitar, somewhat improvised cover that bled from a rendition of Other Things off their self-titled LP.
A clear highlight of this night's setlist was Julia's performance of a love song penned for two best friends who asked her to sing at their wedding, which came in as a request from the crowd. She graciously allowed Angus to participate from the backline with a whistle solo, which he reckons he 'totally blew'. Angus is delightfully self-deprecating in that affably scruffy-haired hobo way.
These precious unscripted moments of audience interaction and natural banter between brother and sister are what make Angus & Julia Stone such a treat to behold live.
Alongside plenty of new tracks off their most recent release that do betray the handiwork of industry heavyweight producer Rubin, the Stone siblings still treated us to a handful of oldies. They recalled an old gem from an impressive back catalogue with Yellow Brick Road winding the show's arc down to a fittingly nostalgic end.
The Palais was treated to a truly spectacular encore in the form of a spine-tingling cover of The National's Bloodbuzz Ohio, replete with other-worldly banjo playing and a group singalong. Julia began alone before she was joined by her merry ensemble of band brothers who gathered around one microphone, singing in harmony.
In case Melbourne was not already putty in her hands, Julia Stone declared her love of the city and her recent relocation here as testament to it. We're pretty sure Melbourne will welcome her lovingly and with open arms, and Angus can come too.
Rebecca McCann
The much-loved Australian treasures Angus & Julia Stone took the stage with little fanfare, but plenty of noise from an adoring fanbase who had packed out the theatre.
The kids who nabbed the top spot in that mammoth annual countdown and have held a special place in Australia music's heart ever since are back on the road, and backed by an all-star band of musicians from every corner of the globe (or at least every corner of the United States and one local lad from Dandenong). Hailing from the likes of Brooklyn, NYC, Houston, Texas and Bloomingdon, Indiana, these are world-class musicians who are effortlessly a part of the well-oiled machine by now.
They opened with Main Street, off 2014's self-titled album, which struck a much heavier chord than what we're accustomed to from Angus & Julia Stone. A busier and fuller rock sound was on show here, which is perhaps unsurprising from an outfit who worked in the studio with legend Rick Rubin to create their latest masterpiece.
For You was penned as a last-ditch attempt of Julia's to reach out to a lamented ex while touring Bluesfest in Perth. The external influence of blues 'n roots are on display in its bluegrass sound, including a banjo part.
The pair cut a striking and distinctive figure onstage – Julia perfectly plays the part of long-haired, flowing-dress beauty, and Angus upholds his slightly slouched, but nonetheless tall, dark and handsome swagger. He seems happy to stand in his sister's shadow, which is just as well because her charm is all-consuming, bewitching from the first to the last.
At times, a starry night sky was imitated in the on-stage lighting, and as always with Angus & Julia Stone, the elegant stage setup proves simplicity does not negate magic but indeed, often heightens it.
A rendition of that Hottest 100 chart-topper Big Jet Plane coincided with Julia making an impromptu and unscheduled dash backstage for a quick costume change due to a wardrobe malfunction.
While Julia's popped blouse buttons led to a moment of onstage embarrassment, if there were any in the crowd who needed assurance that the globally successful Stones are still down-to-earth home-grown kids, this moment provided it.
Angus put the final nail in the coffin for any accusations of pretension when he mumbled, comic timing spot on, "you can't take her anywhere".
Julia's spellbinding performance of Grease classic You're The One That I Want didn't fail to impress (just as it did the last time The Palais was graced by the Stones presence), but it wasn't the only cover to cop a sweet headnod on Friday night.
Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun took on the form of an atmospheric, tripped-out electric-guitar, somewhat improvised cover that bled from a rendition of Other Things off their self-titled LP.
A clear highlight of this night's setlist was Julia's performance of a love song penned for two best friends who asked her to sing at their wedding, which came in as a request from the crowd. She graciously allowed Angus to participate from the backline with a whistle solo, which he reckons he 'totally blew'. Angus is delightfully self-deprecating in that affably scruffy-haired hobo way.
These precious unscripted moments of audience interaction and natural banter between brother and sister are what make Angus & Julia Stone such a treat to behold live.
Alongside plenty of new tracks off their most recent release that do betray the handiwork of industry heavyweight producer Rubin, the Stone siblings still treated us to a handful of oldies. They recalled an old gem from an impressive back catalogue with Yellow Brick Road winding the show's arc down to a fittingly nostalgic end.
The Palais was treated to a truly spectacular encore in the form of a spine-tingling cover of The National's Bloodbuzz Ohio, replete with other-worldly banjo playing and a group singalong. Julia began alone before she was joined by her merry ensemble of band brothers who gathered around one microphone, singing in harmony.
In case Melbourne was not already putty in her hands, Julia Stone declared her love of the city and her recent relocation here as testament to it. We're pretty sure Melbourne will welcome her lovingly and with open arms, and Angus can come too.
Rebecca McCann