The line is around the block from early afternoon to see indie-pop artist Chelsea Cutler’s first ever Australian show.
Local act Neptune starts the night (2 May) with indie tunes. The main show begins with intense music and a spoken word spruiking the benefits of nature. The drummer bashes away ferociously as Cutler enters to rapturous screams. "Sydney, if you know it, I need to hear it," she calls out and the crowd obliges, singing the first chorus without her. "Sydney, Australia. How you guys doing?" Cutler asks to loud cheers. "It's a Thursday night, I said how you guys doing?" she asked with emphasis. The crowd cheers louder.
"I need something more to than this," Cutler's voice gently cries in 'Something More', before the song ends with an instrumental. You know the words by the second chorus.
She abandons her guitar for 'I Don't Feel Alive', interacting with the front row and swaying back and forth. "I feel awake," she sings and so do we as the orange lights spray across the stage. The packed crowd erupts. The stage floods a soft aqua for 'Cold Showers', while Cutler mimes playing the synth chords. It is a tender song.
"Sydney, I need everyone here to jump as high as you can," Cutler changes up the energy. The crowd swirls like a tempestuous ocean. "Sydney, I've been media trained to say I don't drink," Cutler jokes between songs, attempting to avoid a shoey. The crowd laughs.
"Here's the deal. I spent so long gaslighting you saying 'Brent iii'? What is that?' And then Jeremy [Zucker] goes around the entire globe spouting we're working on 'Brent iii'. It's in the works," she confirms to the joy of many fans.
She enjoys extended discourse with the audience saying: "We're gunna get acquainted. People say this is relaxing like MRI music. Not in the show!" she promises, inciting a clap along for 'Loved By You'.
"If your girlfriend dragged you here, you're statistically more likely to get laid tonight if you have fun," love expert Cutler shares. "That gets a bigger laugh in America. I'll try it in Melbourne. See if it lands," she jokes.
"There's something about being unified by something as beautiful as music, so let's have an amazing night. Thank you," she speaks honestly. The stage floods purple as Cutler sings. More spoken words intertwine the songs before 'Easy'. The crowd link shoulders and dance. The band cuts out before Cutler sings the final line, giving her all.
She is a pop magician, she has you singing the chorus to songs you've never heard. The crowd sings strongly.
"Sydney, I'm gunna do a f...ing shoey," Cutler whispers, scanning the front row offers before selecting one. "Look at this shoe. I need you to shh for a second. You need to know something about this shoe. Imagine the sheer, moist warmth my hand is encountering. If you think I'm going to drink a beverage. . ." she shakes her head.
"You'll giggle? What an incentive. I'll make you a deal. Instead of drinking from your shoe, I'll sign it." The audience member declines. "I find it hard to believe there's not free weed here," Cutler muses, signing the shoe anyway.
"It's been so hard for so long," she sings for 'Hunting Season', leaning the microphone over the audience. Each song builds a sense of community.
"I dunno if you follow me on the tikityy tokkity," Cutler says. "You guys are hilarious and terrifying. I met a couple in the meet and greet, and Vanessa is gunna join me right now if that's ok."
Vanessa sing a large portion of 'Crazier Things'; it is a charming rendition. "Vanessa!" the crowd chants as she exits. "Thank you, we're honoured to share the stage with you," Cutler offers humbly.
She introduces 'Men On The Moon' as one she wrote to her mother. 'You Were Good To Me' is elongated before 'Sad Tonight' crashes in like a party. Cutler invites another fan onstage for 'The Reason', who miraculously triggers the audio cues in the right sequence. Cutler risks a lot to have fan interaction, she obviously adores her fans.
For 'You Don't Think About Me At All' she swings her guitar at the audience, while 'Stay Anything' brings clapping and furious energy.
"Well this show was about to be a storybook ending, but it never goes as planned," Cutler muses when her guitar is handed out of tune. "Might have to do a shoey. How," she asks. "Even, why?
"I touched it and it didn't feel like the one," Cutler jests, testing various shoes before deciding on her own. A cider is provided as Cutler takes a knee. The crowd cheers, finally placated.
"Everything about this [shoey] is not how I dreamed it would be," Cutler declares, before sentimentally referencing the show. "We don't take a second of this for granted. Thank you."
'Your Bones' closes the set with fine sentiment, and no encore ensues. Cutler is a brilliant songwriter and her enjoyment of her fans is evident the entire show. A class act and a sharp wit, Cutler is very enjoyable.
