Reviewed on Sunday May 3 (photo by Matt Beecher)
The Newtown Social Club band room is many things. It’s spacious, comes with a bar, and has one of the best sound systems in Sydney. It also, turns out, transforms into a Louisianan swamp when the moon is full. Many made the mistake of taking a seat on the carpeted ground only to discover the sodden mess they were now committed to, and throughout the night terrifying smells would seep up from the depths like pioneering explorers, invading noses and planting tiny flags on behalf of their king. Yet not even that could compromise the night’s entertainment.
Georgia Mooney opened the evening, swinging between piano and mandolin (not literally, though that would be incredible). Her songs are delicate, not in the sense they are fragile but in that there is such intricacy and immersion here. The contemplative lyrics of ‘Darling Come Home’ are beautifully bittersweet, while ‘Birthday Song’ leaves you simply reeling. Though there was the occasional amusing stumble, Mooney’s humour is so gregarious that I suspect the audience would have forgiven her almost anything, even big crimes like arson, or throwing cats at the Pope.
Perhaps most outstanding was the strength of Mooney’s voice, which was a hallmark of each performer tonight. Jody were the entertaining odd-ones-out, with their set of energetic pop-rock numbers and chimeric influences; at times, it seemed they were channelling Faith No More, only to suddenly swing into Good Charlotte via The Velvet Underground. Lead singer Dom O’Connor has one of those voices whose strength is in their imperfection – a voice that cracks and tears – and the force behind his delivery was impressive. Though you get the impression they’ve yet to fully find their form, Jody are certainly ones to keep an eye on.
I’ve caught Elana Stone several times now, and each gig confounds you afresh; she really is that outstanding. From opening song ‘Panic Attack’ you are riveted by the hurricane of her voice. Her vocals have such extraordinary strength and colour, and the songs themselves are wonderfully crafted landscapes, each a vivid set piece in a story just for you. The crowd-favourite cover of Mariah Carey’s ‘Emotions’ and ‘Gravity’ were highlights of anyone’s night, though for my money ‘Sleep Doesn’t Come’ is so good someone should erect a statue of it. Stone’s voice is matched only by her personality, and this combined with great drums and keys/synth made for a wildly entertaining show.
