Darren Hanlon @ The FactoryTheatre, Sydney (13/8/10)

Mon 16th Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Georgia Fair are two young guys who play the most chilled, laid back summer tunes. The kind of music you could listen to in a beer garden on a Sunday afternoon, ideally over looking the beach. You may also recognize the song Picture Frame from the Moove ad. The duo did a great job of setting up the vibe in the room and made a lot of people pay attention. Their short set certainly impressed.

I’ve always been impressed by Darren Hanlon’s songs. There’s a real creative story telling in his lyrics and he can take the simplest of situations and turn them into a fascinating song (like missing a bus in Los Angeles and then getting wrong directions back). With his new album I Will Love You At All, he stood a solemn figure on stage for the first few tracks before bringing out his new band featuring opening act Shelley Short on drums. With band in tow, Hanlon displayed a variety in his songs. Part country, part folk part alternative pop all mixed with his subtle humour.

Hanlon told tales about growing up in Gympie QLD, having a crush on an emo girl in high school who was three years older than him and having his love note to her pasted all over school and why Armidale in country NSW is just a weird place to play. He pulled out the ukulele for a track, the banjo got a run and despite telling us he wasn’t going to play it, crowd favourite Punks Not Dead also got a run.

Darren Hanlon puts on an enjoyable live show. He interacts with the crowd and is appreciative. The new album is great and the songs are best in a live format. If you want a cruisy show with good songs and good yarns, check out Darren Hanlon.