Josh Pyke, Emma Louise, The Paper Kites @ The Hifi, Brisbane (24/09/11)
Turning up the Brisbane’s HiFi fifteen minutes after doors, I was
surprised when I was met with a large crowd snaking its way along the roadside.
Luckily we managed to make our way inside just as Melbourne’s The Paper
Kites took to the stage. They came across
as a mix of The Decemberists and Boy and Bear, and their calming indie folk was
a pleasant way to start the show. They even included a great cover of Laura
Marling’s Rambling Man.
Emma Louise walked onstage, backed by a three piece acoustic band. After having a massive breakthrough the year with Triple J’s Unearthed, the crowd was packed to capacity as Emma treated us to a selection of songs from her debut EP Full Hearts and Empty Room. Her wonderful voice came across as strong and full of emotions. The highlight of the set was, of course, the hit single Jungle, resulting in the first crowd sing-along of the night.
As the lights dimmed and Josh Pyke and his band walked on stage to some of the biggest cheers I’ve ever heard at a Brisbane gig. Launching into the opener, Clovis’ Son, from his new album Only Sparrows, it was clear from the first notes that Josh was on top form. The drummer, bassist and guitarist, along with Josh strumming away on his acoustic, provided a strong backbone to the soaring vocals.
Fan favourites such as Make You Happy, The Lighthouse Song and Memories and Dust all got an early showing and were performed with vigour and passion as Josh showed how he has become a world class performer. Crowd interaction was full of sly jokes and stories reminiscing on writing certain songs and their meanings. About halfway through the set Josh invited Emma Louise up on stage for a fantastic version of Punch in the Heart. Finishing up with new single The World is a Picture, Josh left the stage to thunderous applause that kept on going for at least 2 minutes before he finally made his way back onstage.
A great rendition of Kids Don’t Sell Their Hopes So Fast led into the closer, where Josh played solo, Love Lies, walking off stage to a reverb of just his vocals. All in all, it was a fantastic show, running for 1 hour and 40 minutes and well over his allotted set time, not that anyone was dismayed by this. This only gripe I had was the fact that the majority of his well-known songs were played in the first hour of the gig, causing more than a few punters to leave the venue early. However, for long time Josh Pyke fans it was a reminder of how many great songs he has crafted and how brilliant a performer he has become.
Sebastian Betten
Emma Louise walked onstage, backed by a three piece acoustic band. After having a massive breakthrough the year with Triple J’s Unearthed, the crowd was packed to capacity as Emma treated us to a selection of songs from her debut EP Full Hearts and Empty Room. Her wonderful voice came across as strong and full of emotions. The highlight of the set was, of course, the hit single Jungle, resulting in the first crowd sing-along of the night.
As the lights dimmed and Josh Pyke and his band walked on stage to some of the biggest cheers I’ve ever heard at a Brisbane gig. Launching into the opener, Clovis’ Son, from his new album Only Sparrows, it was clear from the first notes that Josh was on top form. The drummer, bassist and guitarist, along with Josh strumming away on his acoustic, provided a strong backbone to the soaring vocals.
Fan favourites such as Make You Happy, The Lighthouse Song and Memories and Dust all got an early showing and were performed with vigour and passion as Josh showed how he has become a world class performer. Crowd interaction was full of sly jokes and stories reminiscing on writing certain songs and their meanings. About halfway through the set Josh invited Emma Louise up on stage for a fantastic version of Punch in the Heart. Finishing up with new single The World is a Picture, Josh left the stage to thunderous applause that kept on going for at least 2 minutes before he finally made his way back onstage.
A great rendition of Kids Don’t Sell Their Hopes So Fast led into the closer, where Josh played solo, Love Lies, walking off stage to a reverb of just his vocals. All in all, it was a fantastic show, running for 1 hour and 40 minutes and well over his allotted set time, not that anyone was dismayed by this. This only gripe I had was the fact that the majority of his well-known songs were played in the first hour of the gig, causing more than a few punters to leave the venue early. However, for long time Josh Pyke fans it was a reminder of how many great songs he has crafted and how brilliant a performer he has become.
Sebastian Betten