It’s a balmy, Maundy Thursday night (29 March) beside the Brisbane River; a grand setting for a cinematic, aural encounter.
The Riverstage hosts Lana Del Rey’s first of three Australian shows, touring her latest album ‘Lust for Life’ (2017) and she opens with ‘13 Beaches’ from that release.
Lana stalks the platform casually in a suit of white, brocade lace-up shorts and jacket, flesh-toned singlet and brown, thigh-high boots. All the biggest hits and songs from movies are played: ‘Young & Beautiful’, ‘Video Games’, and ‘Summertime Sadness’.
Lana laments the absence of Canadian R&B artist The Weeknd before playing the title track from ‘Lust For Life’, which they recorded together.
The four-piece band accompanying Lana makes a pristine execution, incorporating multiple guitars, keys, a double bass and gold, baby grand piano into the soundscape.
But for me, the highlight is Lana’s solo rendition of 'Yayo'. She stands alone on a rise, plucking a white Flying V guitar, left leg forward, heel lifted tentatively, and here the versatility of her vocals shines.
Now THIS is the voice I came for – the magic of her trill dancing and floating across registers and pitches, deftly curating textures to project through the gentle rain.
Instrumental fills between songs are extensive while the dream-pop queen indulges in her traditional exchange of selfies and gifts with dedicated followers in the front row.
Songs are often melded into one another, the way slides overlap on a PowerPoint presentation. I prefer mine quarantined on my plate, like Major Payne’s peas, but for atmosphere maintenance I concede its allowance.
Two dancers, who double up as back-up singers, are dressed in long-sleeved, very short, backless sequins dresses, to catch all the contours. I guess Lana’s music is built that way - the switching of timing and pace moods acting like a director pointing you to the pointy bits.
What’s the point? It’s an experience: if we’re really ‘Born To Die’ (played earlier in the set), we might as well experience it, right?
Cue millennials dialling each other to meet in the car park or at the organic turmeric latte stand. Ok, I may just be feeling a little left out after Lana’s preaching: “Life is only worth living if somebody is loving you.”
I quiz Zoe Davis (Cub Sport) for thoughts, who describes it as “breathtaking and emotional”. Gabby Leonard, looking like she came out of a Lana Del Rey film clip with amazing hair and fur wrap, says she learned from the show “that women are ****ing powerful beings”.
Local blues rocker Byron Short is also at the show with wife, Tina, graciously permitting his infatuation. He described it later as “a very captivating performance... Somehow she is both angelic/ mysterious and very accessible”, referring to her descents to the pit for some fan time.
I approach a young fan in a black, felt beret and Lana Del Rey shirt, for her report of opening act, BØRNS: “Amazing voice... got Lorde vibes.”
Lana Del Rey is featured on BØRNS latest single 'God Save Our Young Blood'. It's catchy and gets me nostalgic for the Comm Games about to happen.
