A sold-out show at Sydney's iconic Hordern Pavilion, which has seen many a musician light up its stage over the decades, last Friday (9 May) it belonged to one: Myles Smith.
The show was part of his world tour aptly named We Were Never Really Strangers; this is also his first-ever visit to Australia.As the crowd was waved in by security, some fans darted to the merch stand in hopes of snagging the hoodie with that hidden polaroid photo Myles teased on his stories. Others grabbed pizza or gozleme from the food trucks outside, while a good lot of us headed for the Toohey's stand to toast the night ahead.
Inside, the Pavilion still felt like an open canvas. Kids did cartwheels and handstands in the mosh, soaking up the anticipation. That wouldn't last long – 5,000 people would soon pack the space, the DJ spinning old-school bangers as the room buzzed louder.
Opening the night was Jack Botts, barefoot and beaming, joined by fellow muso Ben Camden. Jack's set was like a coastal breeze: Laidback, sun-kissed, and perfectly at home in Australia's surf-busking soundscape.
His rhythm was infectious, and by the time Dusty Boots joined them on sax, it was a jam session in full swing. A cheeky cover of 'Pumped Up Kicks' had the crowd echoing back every word. Feet tapping, shoulders loose, Jack left us smiling.
Then we waited for the stage to be reset by the trusty tech crew. They never get enough of a shout out – here it is. Nice one kids.
Right back to the concert. Suddenly, the lights go down. Oh, we know what this means; and with that the crowd erupts. The band take their places, and Myles bursts into view, straight into 'Wait For You', met with full-throated sing-alongs from the crowd.
The energy? Immediate. The bassist dancing with pure joy. Myles matched them move for move, beaming with every note. After the opener, towel in hand and breath caught, he greets us: "How we feeling, Sydney?!" The answer: pretty damn groovy.
He tells us there's no place he'd rather be. He asks us to leave our egos at the door, and invites us to laugh, cry, sing, dance – all of it. It's a big ask, sure, but the little girl behind me screamed with joy at the invitation.
Myles doesn't just sing to the crowd – he plays with them. He breaks script, performing songs he wasn't supposed to. He giggles. He thanks us, again and again. I can't even go into the set list but just know it was a night to really be there for Myles Smith's first time playing in Sydney.
By the time we hit the final song, we know exactly what it'll be. 'Stargazing'. His promise fulfilled – to let us get to know him. The crowd belts it out like they've known every word their whole lives.
Time stood still, just like a photograph; and somewhere in all that chorus and light, we realised: Myles Smith just had one of the best gigs of his life in Sydney – and we had it with him.
