Reviewed on Friday November 11 (photo by Ashley Mar)
The second week of November 2016 has gone down as a big one for the history books. Whether it was the most contentious presidential election in history or the death of a musical legend that consumed your interest, Dope Lemon’s debut Sydney performance was the right slice of escape from the mad world outside. With Angus Stone echoing his final words of the night – “We gon’ be alright” – as the band jammed languidly, the lyrical sentiment felt like an intuitive reassurance.
The Mid North Coast’s Jack River, AKA Holly Rankin, was also in town to play her first Sydney show “of many”, she quietly yet confidently told the room. It also happened to be the first gig she’d played with her band – not that you could tell. The tight crew of four supported Rankin with skilful balance as she belted out vocals sounding like a mix of Gwen Stefani and The Jezabels’ Hayley Mary. The set only lacked an energy that ultimately arrived after an acoustic dedication to the late Leonard Cohen in ‘Head To Stars’, written by Rankin when she was 17 years old.
As a crystallised prism pendant and a string of outdoor lights slowly illuminated the stage, Dope Lemon instantly created an intimate, cosy air. It lasted only a few seconds before an illustrated lion flashed behind the band and Stone’s own ‘River Love’ struck its crescendo. The musicians remained shrouded in a moody darkness, creating ample peaks and lulls as they worked through numerous guitars and song selections.
Communication was minimal until Stone introduced the big single ‘Marinade’, while other non-Dope Lemon tunes ‘Crash And Burn’ and ‘Little Whiskey’ proved to be real highlights.
During a trio of final tunes, Stone casually collected an item of clothing from an audience member (which he proceeded to twirl around his finger and hold between his teeth), before the prism above the stage was spun back and forth for the concluding moments. As symbolic as his last words, the pendant mirrored the energy of the show itself – unwinding and reflective, transparent yet full of light.
