Joshua Radin, Joe Bianco, AndyBull @ The Zoo, Brisbane(25/06/2011)

Sun 7th Aug, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Joshua Radin came to Brisbane to share with his fans his new album The Rock and The Tide, and no fan left The Zoo feeling like they didn’t get what they paid for. Through soft and sweet acoustic lullabies to the more soft-rock country affairs; Radin proved that he is on his way to being one of the great singer songwriters of his generation – and not just because of his songs, but because of his ability to bring his audience to silence.

But the first of many pleasant surprises came when the opening artists came on stage. Brisbane fans were first treated to the charming quips of Joe Bianco between his bluesy acoustic songs. Along with an impressive finger picking style, Bianco’s choices of simple (but very human) songs were a great choice for a crowd gearing up for similar tunes.

When Andy Bull graced the stage, many delighted fans cheered in approval as he sat down alone at his keyboard. Bull ran through songs from his latest (and arguably best) EP, The Phantom Pains, without the aid of a backing band. If anything this only made the night more special as the audience was treated to a more intimate showcase of Bull’s emotionally heartbreaking songs. Along with some memorable piano riffs from songs like Dog, Phantom Pains and Last Waltz, Bull sang with a yearning that most artists spend their careers trying to fake. He was also quick to make light of his girlish voice, saying, “Yes I have a high, girly voice, but I also have a very big dick.”

Trying to upshow Andy Bull is a serious challenge, but Joshua Radin was in perfect form from the minute he stepped onto the stage. The boy from Ohio launched straight into No Envy No Fear from his new album. The first thing that is plain to the audience is his voice – an unnerving match to his studio albums. Straight away the crowd screams in approval, and Radin smiles happily back.

Before he jumps into his second song, Radin embarks on one of his signature anecdotes. This turns out to be a big part of the show, as his chats with the audience usually garner a very enthusiastic response (there were countless professions of love to the flannel-clad Radin). His second song, Everything Will Be Alright, was written as a lullaby for a baby and written shortly after Hurricane Katrina. It was another peerless performance that allowed the accompanying acoustic and electric guitar to create visions of starry nights and peaceful dreams.

New songs like Bring Tomorrow, The Rock and the Tide, and One of Those Days brings pop elements to the evening, interspersed with the more folksy acoustic songs that range from songs about loss of innocence, to more obscure songs about a man searching for something dear to him. Radin remarks, “When I’m sad, I write a song. When I’m happy I go out with my friends!” He then adds, “I’ve had two ex-girlfriends, and that’s why I’ve had two albums.”

Some of the songs fail to spark however, like Brand New Day, which is a little too cheesy to swallow despite Radin being as sincere as he can. Nowhere To Go follows in the same vein, trying to push the band into a soft-rock sound similar to Sister Hazel, but Radin wasn’t giving his all on the vocals. Radin picked things up again after You Got What I Need – a song written for his best friends who were trying to have a baby that finally sees Radin really let his voice soar. Radin also showed off a song that he wrote for the Aussie tour called So Long Sunshine. Hits like Closer and I’d Rather Be With You make the crowd cheer and coo in admiration.

But it’s the encore that impresses the crowd most. Raidin comes alone, and softly moves into what he tell the audience is, “The first song I ever wrote.” Winter was as astonishing as you might imagine live, with the audience going dead silent. Radin then decides one more song is in order, and (after asking where a good bar was in Brisbane, and taking particular note of Rics) played an unplugged (no microphone either, and no guitar amplification) version of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright. The crowd held their breath as they watched, not daring to make a sound. If Radin’s performance is anything to go by, they will all be collectively holding their breath until he comes back.