The best day of the year arrives as Mia Wray takes Sydney's Oxford Art Factory in the grip of her powerful vocals, fresh off the back of supporting Ed Sheeran's tour.
New Delica kick off the night (24 April) with a smooth soul feel. The keys player screams out impressively on his Hammond and it's splendid. "The more you have the more you lose," frontman Pat Coyle sings as the band stab in unison with the flashing yellow lights.
We put out an album in September called 'Stonewater'," Coyle introduces the next track as the lights gently drape the backdrop in gold, Coyle singing accompanied only by guitar. The band suddenly kick in fast gospel style as Coyle shakes his tambourine viciously. It's a standout moment.
"This is about meeting a very strange woman in the hills of country Victoria," Coyle shares before blasting on his harmonica. He gets the audience to hold hands for 'Down To The River' and it's beautiful under purple lights.
'Don't Forget Me' is the boppiest number as Coyle blasts a sweet tune on his harmonica. The next track features a great build as the band transition seamlessly into the next track. A harmonica solo is another highlight as the crowd clap along, and it's a perfect opening act.
Mia Wray enters under red lights, commencing with a vocal enshrouded by thick sounds of affected bass and single guitar strums. Wray's vocals are truly indescribable and utterly spine-tingling. Power and composure meet perfectly.
The hypnotised crowd erupt at the song's conclusion, and that track alone was worth the price of admission. "Are you ready Sydney?" Wray asks for 'Tell Her', leading the crowd under sweet pink flashing lights.
"You guys feeling good," Mia asks to roars before 'Ghost In My Machine', another expertly crafted song. Wray then takes her acoustic guitar, as her voice flows out somewhere between the power of Adele and the grit of Linda Perry. Every song is perfectly sentimental.
Wray drops it right back for the last chorus before building into sonic euphoria. The red Gretsch chugs along to introduce 'One You Want', Mia belting with power and charisma.
'Rerun' is a boppy sing-along under gold lights that has the packed room moving, before Wray moves to the keyboard. "Oh look, drama," she jokes as a spotlight shoots down on her. "I hope this looks good. It feels good," she remarks.
"All I thought of just then was Ed Sheeran and I can't sing this about Ed," Mia confesses before 'What If'. It's an emotional highpoint, Wray giving her vocal all.
"My band's gunna take a little break while I serenade you gently," she smiles. "The only story I have about Ed is, I've loved him forever and I met him at The Riverstage in Brisbane years ago.
"I practiced meeting him on his tour, I rehearsed it, and then I saw him in the corridor. I was awkwardly waiting for a pause in his conversation, and he just says, 'we're gunna go to the sauna later if you want to come'." The crowd laugh together at the awkward absurdity.
'Where I Stand' is gentle and a nice reprieve from the fast pace, before 'Monster Brain' features some impressive long notes.
"Do you know who followed me?" Wray shares proudly. "Jennifer Coolidge! So if there's musicians in the room, doing your thing on social media, you never know who's watching. Jennifer was on her white couch watching my video just going, 'yeah!'," Mia mimics Coolidge's famous voice.
'Not The Same As Yesterday' has nice high notes, while 'Not Enough' has a sentimental edge, as the reverbed guitar provides a lush backdrop. 'When We Were Young' launches in with fat synths and a whole lot of energy under orange lights, before 'The Way She Moves' is thick and moody under blue lights, Wray giving her characteristic all, before the obligatory stage exit.
'Down In The Valley' opens the encore with a soothing splash of hope, before 'Evidence' ends the show on a mysterious note.
Mia Wray is a charming raconteur, a damn fine songwriter and one heck of a voice. Catch her while you still can, because it's likely this songbird is going global.
