Its hard to believe its been just two years since Liam Finn’s critically acclaimed debut I’ll Be Lightning. Its also nice to see New Zealand’s favorite son (of its favorite son) has kept fairly busy since then, scoring a little success in the ‘States, supporting the likes of Eddie Vedder and The Black Keys, and finding the time to team up with EJ Barnes for a brand new EP, Champagne In Seashells. This release, of course, cued a sold-out launch at Richmond’s Corner Hotel.

The opening support act of the evening was Matt Walters, with only an acoustic guitar and a trusty harmonica to kick off proceedings. His stripped-back, folk-infused stylings often fell short of capturing a crowd all-too-determined to turn their attentions elsewhere. To have an artist bear their soul on stage through their lyrical craft, whilst stubborn punters head to the bar and engage in conversation is always strange and unfortunate. Nevertheless, Walters produced a heartfelt set, the ballad Sleeping In New York among its highlights. My general feeling is that an acoustic performer needs to be simply outstanding at what they do, otherwise they’re in danger of running with the pack. This particular set stirred little in those in attendance, but Walters is clearly a talented individual that deserves an audience. And probably a band, for that matter.

Next were Adelaide’s Leader Cheetah, and a distinctly darker tone descended on the evening. Vocalist Dan Crattich wielded a sombre kind of poetry, accompanied by gritty rock melodies, as the four-piece instilled a certain attitude and spirit previously lacking in the room. The band often take cues from swinging rock and roll to country, and pulled out all stops to turn heads, with single Bloodlines leading the charge. I find their music is a little like putting The Dears, The Panics and Augie March in a blender. Unlike most blender experiments, however, the result was delicious. The only fault with them is that, after a while, it becomes obvious that they’re a band with one album. By the end of the set, things were becoming a bit monotonous, but no doubt this will change with shows and songwriting sessions to come.

There was pushing and shoving aplenty even before Liam Finn took to the stage, as if punters already knew something special was in store. Soon the man himself and EJ Barnes appeared and launched into Plane Crash, a subdued affair exploding two-minutes in, with Finn thrashing about on the drums with the enthusiasm and energy for which he is best known. Next was the funky, rocking Long Way To Go, in which Finn and Barnes matched vocals to create a delightful falsetto-laden chorus.

They’re a multi-talented duo, and the entertainment throughout the set was very much derived in picking where they were going to take things next – whether it was Barnes looping and distorting her vocals beyond comprehension, an outro laced with only the most piping-hot guitar licks, or Finn going just a little crazy with his theramin. As a result, Finn’s songwriting merits are perhaps a little understated: though his songs seem to stray from the basic verse-chorus formula, bits and pieces of songs reel you in with ease. Songs such as Better To Be, and Honest Face were memorable, and there was a surprise inclusion in Red Wine Bottle – a track from the recent 7 Worlds Collide sessions requested by an eager ‘Finnatic’. Finn, however, is at his best when he’s given the chance to cut loose and ‘rock out’, to pull a cliche. Fortunately for all of us at the Corner, these moments were plentiful and surely welcomed.

Unsurprisingly, an encore ensued, which also prompted the introduction of brother Elroy Finn to the stage for an astounding rendition of The Beatles’ I’m Only Sleeping. The Finn family affair proved a masterstroke and capped off a wonderful set.

As much as I enjoyed the support acts, this night really belonged to Liam Finn and Eliza Jane. The fact that this was simply to commemorate an EP augurs well for the pair, and I for one certainly look forward to an album (and another tour) sometime soon.

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