Sydney winter feels like a solid kick in the face, and it's a perfect night to be curled up somewhere warm. That looks like something Spacey Jane can provide, as they take to a packed Hordern Pavilion (13 June).
The Moving Stills get the kindling flickering, their soulfulness creeping up your spine and into your ears.Phoebe Go blows on the embers, her delicate and touching tone breathing heat into the hearts and souls of the room. '7 Up' is a well-written piece that sticks as the smoke rises, an atmosphere of intrigue shrouding the band.
Finally the lights drop, and Spacey Jane enter as a wave of light and sound beats out into the crowd.
'Through My Teeth' is the perfect amount of sentimentality that Spacey Jane achieve with ease, frontman Caleb Harper and bassist Peppa Lane dancing in time as guitarist Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu kicks his legs out, an indication that he came to play in more ways than one.
Spacey Jane - image © Ilyas Adil
Harper dons an acoustic guitar for 'Estimated Delivery', as Lane's angelic notes end the track. Lights begin flashing for 'One Bad Day', the entire backdrop turning into blue rectangles. Hardman-Le Cornu bends out notes with his whammy in the quieter moments, his technique piercing through.
The screen melts into a blazing orange, and the fire is in full flame for 'Skin', the crowd belting out every word. Vibes are high as the band playfully dance across the stage before blue and pink lights in 'Lunchtime'. The kick drum drives your heart into fight mode as the crowd yell, "I don't know!"
"Sydney, how you f...ing going?" Harper asks enthusiastically. "We're back with some new music and it feels good. We've dreamed about being on this stage for a long time." Whiney distorted guitar starts 'All The Noise', swinging between spacious choruses and tumbling verses. "That's good fun," Harper announces.
'Whateverrrr' winds upwards, Hardman-Le Cornu pretending to throw his guitar into the front row, before 'Sawteeth' draws a cheer from the crowd. It features one of the best instrumentals of the set. Light flash as the band members sprint across the stage backed by kaleidoscopic lighting that serves up a visual feast.
Spacey Jane - image © Ilyas Adil
The temperature simmers momentarily for 'How To Kill Houseplants', pastel lights matching the '80s guitar tone. "You guys wanna hear a Spacey Jane classic?" Harper asks for 'Feeding The Family', the iconic guitar whirling out.
The song merges straight into 'Thrills', the back dropping green and the crowd screaming, "woo!". The chorus lights are stunning streams of vibrant red, green and blue.
'It's Been A Long Day' starts with Harper's vocals and hits your soul like a winter punch. He finger picks and slides along the guitar, allowing the crowd to take the pre-chorus. "Someone did a shoey during that song. That's a crazy choice," Harper jokes.
'Ily The Most' starts with a roll down the piano, taking a moment for some deeper emotion, before 'Head Cold' pushes deeper under your skin. 'Good For You''s lighting appears like a backdrop of full fire, orange glows at the base bursting into thick reds at the top. It's officially the warmest place in town.
Spacey Jane - image © Ilyas Adil
'Hardlight' feels nostalgic, before 'Booster Seat' creates multiple heart explosions. The brilliant piece of songwriting brings Harper to his knees.
'So Much Taller' starts the encore with a bang under turquoise lights, while 'Lots Of Nothing' closes a set full of feeling, warmth and expression.
What Spacey Jane do, they do extremely well, and they appear to have the time of their lives doing it. The set flew by in moments, and there really is never enough Spacey Jane.
More photos from the concert.
