You might not recognise Cameron Avery on his lonesome at first glance.
In a past life, the Perth-based musician shimmied and shook at the helm of The Growl, who primarily busied themselves in howling, bluesy rock of the indie persuasion. Of late, he's also held down the low end of the Tame Impala live ensemble playing bass in Kevin Parker's grand, kaleidoscopic visions.
Here, however, he's stripped back to simply piano and guitar; his tenor croon serving as a guiding light through choice cuts from his recent solo debut. It takes a moment to adjust to this for those with the proper context, but it's just as fulfilling for those who just see a handsome bloke playing some songs before the main event.
Avery's charm as well as his soothing vocals, easily get him across the line as a solo performer – an unexpected but very welcome progression in artistry.
Amid blinding light and warm, synth reverberation, Este Haim walks on stage with uncontrollable excitement; her limbs flailing like that of Kermit the Frog as the audience excitement hits fever pitch. As her sisters – Danielle in the centre and Alana stage right – take up positions and launch into 'Want You Back', the elation exuded from the very sold-out room is entirely palpable.
Fresh from releasing album number two, 'Something To Tell You', the timing of Haim's arrival in Australia (Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 20 July) couldn't have worked out better. We've had a couple of weeks to groove along to 'Little Of Your Love' and emote over 'Found It In Silence', both of which certifiably kill in the live setting.
Even though they're quite fresh and are very new to the band's live show, they're welcomed with just as much love as the bigger singles from 2013's 'Days Are Gone'. 'Don't Save Me' enlists the audience as a makeshift choir of sorts, while 'The Wire' feels stadium-sized with its huge clap-along parts and rousing cheers for each sister's solo verses.
Enlisting plenty of humour in their between-song banter, the siblings touch on everything from fan-made t-shirts to Hocus Pocus and back again. “I'm on a date with Sydney right now,” jokes Este at one point – and, truthfully, that connection and intimacy wasn't all that far off in her analogy.
Closing out with an extended drum circle, as is tradition at their shows, Haim ends their set exactly the same way they started it: a blur of movement, a sugar-rush of energy and an overwhelming sense of unadulterated joy.
Watch out Splendour. Sisters are doing it for themselves.
