Angus & Julia Stone @ Beck'sVerandah, Perth (10/2/2007)

Sun 11th Feb, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Ask anyone who’s been to more than a couple of concerts and they’ll tell you the setting can make or break the performance. The Beck’s Verandah is definitely one of the ones in the ‘make’ pile when it appears for the Perth International Arts Festival every summer, bringing some of the best national and international acts to an intimate setting in Perth’s CBD.

Opening the Verandah lineup for 2007 with their first WA performance, Sydney’s Angus & Julia Stone didn’t take long to adapt to the unique venue. From the off, the chemistry between the siblings was the main attraction and, with an almost magical atmosphere starting to make its way around the open-air venue, that chemistry had no trouble captivating the wide-eyed crowd.

Throughout the early stages of the set, Angus seemed happy to step aside and let his sister take the spotlight. Julia appeared completely at home in front of the crowds, floating daintily around the stage when the spotlight shifted to her brother. Like all great singer-songwriter duos, the two personalities balanced each out to perfection; Angus’ shy, bumbling and at times surly stage presence went hand in hand with the cheerful, radiant smiles of Julia, while it goes without saying that their musical talents were just as complementary.

An early highlight came as Julia stopped the crowd as she called the duo’s aunt and manager in London to wish her a happy birthday. From the front of the stage, JS led the punters through a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday before continuing with their set.

The real show-stopper, though, was Julia’s solo performance of Black Jacket, as the entire crowd sat fixated, hanging on her every word. “Memories they stick like glue,” she sang, as she wore her heart on her sleeve, finding that weak spot in everyone’s heart with her vivid descriptions of love, loss and hurt. You could have heard a pin drop.

“It sucks playing after Julia,” Angus said, as the duo were joined by bassist Cameron Whipp and drummer Mitch Connelly for the final bracket of songs. The mood lifted as the four played a selection of tracks focusing on Angus’ talents. Instead of the honest lyrics and delicate arrangements of earlier tracks, the tempo rose as the set took on a rootsy feel with Paper Aeroplane, which drew one of the biggest cheers of the night.

After a short break, Angus and Julia returned to the stage without Connelly and Whipp to cap things off. Underneath the stars, none of the 500-or-so attendees were going anywhere until the magic had well-and-truly evaporated. A truly captivating performance in one of the best concert venues you’ll ever see.

Click here to see photos from the show.