Lydia @ The Amplifier, Perth(19/01/12)

Sat 21st Jan, 2012 in Gig Reviews

It’s been a difficult road for Lydia; their former vocalist quit the band so they embarked on a worldwide Farewell Tour, however Leighton Antelman (who pretty much is Lydia) decided to continue making music under the very same name. Now having finally realised that a small capital city called Perth exists, unlike many other bands, Lydia performed at The Amplifier amidst the usual extreme heat.

The home-grown Sophie Joy graced the stage immediately with an acoustic guitar that pulled off a series of twangs, and a sweet innocent voice. A style between country and pop ballads Joy unleashed a series of cupid arrows from her quiver and fired one in to the hearts of the audience. With a Nashville presence, a hung-over drummer who belonged in a hard rock band, and a gospel inspired song one could think that Sophie Joy felt a bit out of place.

Right up after was the new-wave styling of TV Snow, who didn’t make the room cold but nearly caused a fire alarm. I Will Dance got many people moving their legs to the hook inspiring guitar, and the rhythmic grooving of the bass. They ended with a tribute to Tim Buckley that slowed down the pace; they asked the audience if they were excited for Lydia. They responded with a cheer.

The candlelight was snuffed out and exiting the darkness Place Of Indigo oozed an ethereal sound. Opener Samurai had the entire band instantly moving in a dream-like state, which was perfect for their shoegazing style. The next song Drowning Dream began with slow rolling drums, and the lead vocals pulled back with powerful reverb that sank deeper and deeper into the sparse blackened bass line. Finishing with the powerful Purple Ceilings their minimalist sound resonated across the room sinking into the floorboards slowly rising into everyone’s cold bones. With a distinctive sound and darkened lyrics they are bound to make some serious impressions, and perhaps take a few souls in the mean time.

With a new LP Paint It Golden and a new line-up Lydia were out to prove to their dedicated fans that nothing will effect iPod playlists. Lead vocalist Leighton Antelman grinned to his fans, and asked in a slight teenage American accent “How the hell are you guys doing?” Well we are all hot I’ll tell you that.

Containing the typical dream-pop synths Hospital from their 2008 LP Illuminate shrouded the band in a ghostly vapour before being burst with a volatile attack of guitars and clashing cymbals. Transitioning between each song the touring keyboardist held down constant chimes, after the burst of energy from A Place Near the City it got repetitive. The audience had confusion plastered onto their faces, not knowing when to clap. Antelman’s voice has a grip to it, at times he sounded as if he was overly excited and sometimes it was if he was about to sneeze but in the end it sounded like a confession all from the tip of his tongue. Emotional vulnerability was his power and his kryptonite.

Suddenly the band left Antelman performing a solo version of the already minimal All I See stripped bare and left naked in front of a vast audience who just stared. And the couples didn’t even hold hands. Feeling out of place and unnecessary, the band seemed to be rather peeved off perhaps there may be a Bono-like ego rising up slowly inside him.

Marred with slight technical problems, and constant tuning of guitars Lydia managed to create an entire new song which they played several times, The Tuning Song. The final song was This is Twice Now from the obvious fan favourite Illuminate had the audience muttering a sing-a-long and was met with a cheery applause. As some guessed Antelman returned for an encore: just himself and his guitar.

Powering with pop hooks that slowed down before firing up again and the delicateness of Leighton Antelman’s voice makes Lydia a band that ultimately appeals to its fans not its casual listeners.