Anticipation tingles the air surrounding Sydney's Metro Theatre where Ladyhawke is set to unfurl her wings.
The 15th anniversary of her epochal self-titled album calls for a full play-through, and the diverse crowd (2 August) waits baited to hear their favourites.Bec Sandridge warms up the crowd with her groovy guitar and memorable licks. Her stage presence is commanding, and it's a good introduction.
The moment arrives Ladyhawke's band take to the stage. It is magical, as triangle lights pulse green. Ladyhawke enters to rapturous applause, asking "how is everyone tonight?"
She claps her drumsticks together in time with the beat, as the intro builds. She takes to the electric drum pad, with precision, thudding out heavy tom hits that shake the ground. It's quite an entrance.
Ladyhawe then dons a yellow guitar, strumming like the rocker she is. Lyrics 'one moment with you and it's magic,' have the crowd singing their lungs out. The synths take the song into the stratosphere under purple lights, as the crowd scream deafeningly at the song's end.
The band flow straight into 'Manipulating Woman', the bass pluck synth bopping along. The crowd also bop furiously, and it's clear everyone came here to party.
Keeping to the album order, Ladyhawke surprisingly brings out big gun 'My Delirium', as the crowd lose their mind. What a stunning song it is. Ladyhawke flows through a delicious guitar solo in the breakdown. "Are you ready?" she demands before the final chorus delivery, and the crowd are off their feet.
Ladyhawke takes a moment for banter, and sound tech Paul arrives to restore a falling microphone stand. The crowd cheer for him as well. "I love how into it you guys are," Ladyhawke says, and the crowd get even more excited.
'Better Than Sunday' follows and boy this is some good songwriting. The second guitarist joins Ladyhawke as they shred through the second solo to end the song. 'Another Runaway' plays with a sweet sadness that instantly takes you back, sentimental guitar pouring out under the red lights.
'Love Don't Live Here' is an ephemeral moment of bliss, as the red lights pump. It sits so delicately in the balance between dreamy and danceable, a real highlight. 'Back Of The Van' simmers under pink spirals, as Ladyhawke bellows: "You set me on fire." It proves a crowd favourite.
Sound tech Paul reenters for a guitar exchange, as one punter yells: "We love you Paul." "Are you guys having fun?" Ladyhawke asks, we can only assume tongue in cheek. "You have no idea how much this means, thanks for showing up."
She thumps out another drum solo to introduce 'Paris Is Burning', which is infectiously danceable. "Ha!" Ladyhawke declares, kicking her heel as the beat kicks. It characteristically ends in a full-crowd sing-along.
"It's tambourine time!" Ladyhawke declares for 'Professional Suicide', shaking along. Fat synths ply through memorable licks, as the equally memorable vocal melody drives.
Just when you wonder how many memorable tracks you can fit on one album, Ladyhawke throws another one out with 'Dusk Till Dawn', and we're transported to a dark nightclub at 4am, but in the best way.
Ladyhawke asks the crowd whether they would prefer the encore charade or her to play straight through. The crowd want the dancing to never stop. "Good to know, glad we discussed that," Ladyhawke responds.
'Crazy World' is warm and quick under sunset glow lights, before 'Morning Dreams' closes the album with grace and beauty. A touching song.
'Guilty Love' commences the encore alongside 'My Love', 'Think About You' and 'Mixed Emotions'. It's clear the great songwriting was not contained only to her first album.
Ladyhawke discusses her origins in Teenager with Nick Littlemore of PNAU and hints at new music coming out, which of course starts another frenzy. 'Embrace' closes the show with the danceability we've come to know and love, the crowd giving their all one last time.
Sweaty, sweet and oh so nostalgic, the Ladyhawke show feels like the best kind of night with an old friend.
