Spacey Jane have launched their tour for new album 'Here Comes Everybody', and boy has it taken off.
Last night (18 August), they hit Brisbane's The Fortitude Music Hall, and shook it so hard they may need to check the foundations.The crowd turns out early to let Teenage Dads warm them up nicely. Beside belting out fan favourites like 'Piano Girl' and 'Exit Sign', they cheekily rev the crowd with the 'Big Bang' theme and treat them to new song 'Hey Diego'.
Teenage Dads are irresistibly fun, and leave the crowd smiling from ear to ear.
I Know Leopard - image © Harrison Innes
Next up, I Know Leopard command the stage with keyboards blazing with red fluro lights.
There is something in the air as the first solo violin notes ring out, slicing the air and instantly raising the crowd's anticipation. Luke O'Loughlin sings out: "I can't even look at you without the burn," while the piano pumps discordantly, and you know you're headed for a good night.
Their songs move between funky synth ramblings and poignant moments. O'Loughlin showcases smooth falsettos, and the songs are a dream you don't want to wake up from. They build massively before the solo piano calls sadly.
I Know Leopard - image © Harrison Innes
"Never felt so right," O'Loughlin sings, and as the set ends, you can't help but agree. I Know Leopard are wonderful, the drumming is exceptional, and you feel like you just woke up from a great afternoon nap.
The moment we've been waiting for approaches. The crowd count down the seconds to 8:30, and obligingly the show begins at that very moment. The crowd screams rapturously.
A solo light beams down from the blackness onto Caleb Harper, as he pours out: "Don't it faze you how people change?" – "Are you okay with that?" screams the crowd back.
“What's going on Brissie," he asks as the song ends, before they acknowledge the traditional owners of the land.
Spacey Jane - image © Harrison Innes
Orange light soaks the fog laden stage, and it looks so good you want to jump into it. "Call me up just to tell me that you kissed him," Harper confesses, as the lights look like eyes peering from the back of the stage.
"We saw the queue wrapped around the block. Thanks so much," says a tender Harper, before declaring: "We're gunna play some f...in' songs."
The stage erupts in pink with floral and moon visuals, as they launch into 'Lunchtime'. The light show is incredible, oscillating between rainbow disco lights and flashing black and white, before bursting into colour again. "Alright!" Harper calls out as the song ends.
The crowd wave in unison for 'Bothers Me', and the stage turns ethereal purple. Guitarist Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu is enjoying himself, jumping around the stage during 'Sawteeth' before the entire band joins the eruption, swinging their guitars violently in unspoken unison.
Spacey Jane - image © Harrison Innes
Female vocals fly above the space in 'Weightless', and even the most stern-faced patrons (undoubtedly chaperones dragged along) are tapping their toes. Hardman-Le Cornu engages: "Everytime we come here, it is the best f...ing show of the tour. Brisbane of all places! I think you are the loudest crowd of the tour."
The band whistles the intro of 'Pulling Through', and it feels like rising and falling on ocean waves. There is a kind of contentment inside you as Harper sings: "I hope you know that I love you."
Phones are put away to enjoy the moment in 'Yet', but are quickly back out for the explosive 'Feeding The Family'. The crowd is singing every word, vibes are good, and Hardman-Le Cornu launches into a truly epic guitar solo, which regrettably is his only of the night.
They run straight into 'Thrills' and the crowd yell "hey!" in unison, the most excited they've been yet.
There is a thoughtful moment. "You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to. I won't hold you to that." The crowd feels the lyrics deeply. They are very connected.
Spacey Jane - image © Harrison Innes
The perfect time for 'Booster Seat', which the crowd nearly sings louder than Harper. Some people slow dance, and it's all touching.
Energy is high, as red, white and black visuals dominate the stage. The band members jump over each other, as Harper prophesies: "One day I'll be good for you." Spacey Jane certainly have a lot of fun onstage, and the audience responds in kind.
There is the obligatory stage exit. The crowd demands one more song. "One more song?" Harper asks. "Maybe two." The screams are deafening.
Spacey Jane - image © Harrison Innes
"I'll find time and I'll stop drinking," he promises, before pinks and purples fill the scene for 'Lots Of Nothing'. Streamers burst out, and it's a really nice finish to the show.
Harper high fives the crowd, and it's all over far too soon. The audience clamor at the sound guy handing out set lists, and you know one thing for sure – Spacey Jane have won the hearts of many, and it's not hard to see why.
More photos from the show.
