The crowd settled as Keelan Mak walked onstage, backed up by Tex Keane on drums and Tyler Jay on keyboard.
It was his first Melbourne headline show since 2022, and first time playing with a live band since 2018. The gig was at High Note (23 January), an intimate venue in the north of Melbourne. Keelan was promoting his new EP 'Boy's In Love' – a departure from his earlier works like 'Brave Face' and 'Boy Oh Boy' that kicked off the set – which balanced his thoughtful songwriting with dance-music energy.
Recalling how he used to have an iPod when he was ten years old, Keelan segued into a cover of Avril Lavigne's 'I'm With You', the lyrics echoing some of Keelan's previous work that touched on topics like heartbreak: "I'm standing on a bridge. I'm waitin' in the dark. I thought that you'd be here by now." It was a song that Keelan made thoroughly his own.
Image © Evan Lim
The latter half of the set shifted to songs from his new EP – 'Naked Eye' was a song co-written by the likes of Troye Sivan and inspired by heartbreak (again), blending a pop sensibility with introspective lyrics: "Keep it in my chest for a time and place. Even though this love's out of view. There's still more than the naked eye."
It was different to the dance beat of the other songs of the EP, being reminiscent of old '90s love songs with the chorus grounded by synths from the keyboard and a backing drum beat.
It was interesting to note Keelan has been producing songs for other artists. The supporting act was Taiwanese-Australian artist Robert Baxter, with the audience being treated to an unreleased song and his recently released tune 'Suspicious' – both of which were produced by Keelan. The latter song was especially catchy, with the rhyming hook: "Like, hey, mmmm. That bitch is suspicious."
Image © Evan Lim
For the last song 'Straight With Me', Keelan beckoned the crowd to come closer, jokingly warning them that "this is your last time to dance". The songs were certifiably danceable by the number of people grooving on the night, with Keelan later joining the crowd to dance at the end of the set.
- written by Evan Lim
More photos from the concert.
