Tegan and Sara @ ThebartonTheatre, Adelaide (13/05/10)

Fri 14th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

I walked into the Thebarton Theatre on Thursday night just as The Jezabels took to the stage. This indie pop four-piece band from Sydney instantly won the crowd over. With *Haley Mary*’s ethereal and haunting vocals dominating the stage, the audience was captivated. Their latest single, Hurt Me, which is getting airplay on national radio, is reminiscent of early Sinead O’Connor. It was a truly captivating performance. Their popularity can be measured by the fact that all that was left at the merch tent later in the night was a solitary t-shirt.

Suddenly, as the predominately female audience were mingling and talking amongst themselves, Seattle rapper Astronautalis hit the stage. Dressed in white shirt, black tie, tight black jeans and cropped blonde hair he immediately wooed the audience with his lyrics about economic recovery. “Who here is working at a job they hate? And who here is studying hard to get a job they hate?” The solution, it seems, is stealing from people with more money than you. For example, use the office photocopier to print band flyers. An intimate interchange with one audience member, “Hi, I’m Andy, Hi Jessica,” served as an example of the slow striptease act that is Astronautalis. Andy Bothwell moves easily from street fighter to womaniser. As he physically strips layers of white clothing during his performance, he exposes deeper, darker and more intense emotions.

Again, the audience waited and the feeling of expectation grew. “Sunshine Lollipop” plays over the PA system and to rapturous applause Tegan and Sara arrive on stage. Blue lights enhance the wondrous feeling as they launch straight into the first song. Mobile phones held high looked like birthday candles in a sea of light. It was if we had all been invited to special party in a magical country village. Tegan spoke to us after only the second song. She normally likes to talk later in the evening but was so overwhelmed by the response that she had to thank us for our enthusiasm. This conversation continued throughout the night and they played a mixture of new and old songs to equal appreciation. Sara doesn’t speak, we learn. This only serves to increase her mystique.

No one wanted the night to end. “Like running down the stairs too fast and hoping not to stub your toe” Tegan described it. The Adelaide audience was described as the best of the tour and Tegan promised to return soon. The night closed as yellow and purple lights gave the feeling of being in a circus tent. It was certainly a night to remember.
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CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.