Live Review: Gang Of Youths

In a month where they've graced magazine covers, debuted their second album Go Farther In Lightness at the top of the ARIA charts and been the buzz of the scene, it's only fitting that The Tivoli is absolutely packed for the first show of Gang Of Youths' latest national tour.

The alt-rock quintet explode out of the gates with a one-two punch from the new album with What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out? and Atlas Drowned, evoking a frenzy in the mosh pit and a flurry of shoulder-length hair on stage. A stunning lighting display only heightens the crashing crescendos and frantic tremolo picking, and guitarist Joji Malani and frontman David Le'aupepe triumphantly raise their guitars before each movement of the glorious rock arrangements - while drummer Donnie Borzestowski is like a musical octopus as his blurring arms glide across his kit and array of cymbals, crafting infectious pounding rhythms.

The epic Sjamboksa is our first taste of the band's acclaimed debut album, but the crowd strangely greet the track's striking riff and steady beat with raised fist-bumps. Malani steals the show with an intricate slide-guitar passage before each member joins in and plays the chaotic breakdown in various animalistic ways.

Le'aupepe - if he hasn't already - steals the hearts of everyone here with impassioned and honest renditions of Kansas and Knuckles White Dry, in the latter addressing the narrative of their first album, which reflected on Le'aupepe's experiences caring for his now deceased ex-wife. Rarely is a sold-out crowd silenced, but as he dedicates the song to her everyone locks onto Le'aupepe's hunched figure at the keyboard and sways in time with the poignant ballad.

The mood instantly lightens with the chugging Let Me Down Easy, and Le'aupepe tries to shake the shackles of the more emotional songs with some charming dance moves and lyrical charades. Their biggest hit to date, Magnolia, receives an expected deafening singalong, but it's heartening to see humble smiles plastered across the band's faces as hundreds adoringly yell the underdog-themed lyrics.

After explaining how one of the band's worst live reviews was a show they played years ago at this very venue, Le'aupepe introduces The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows by summing up his approach to life - "You don't need to be cool, just be courageous." The latest single from the new album is obviously one of the band's favourite to play, and the stirring performance combines with the chaotic arrangement to deliver the most perfect and absorbing of rock soundscapes.

Taking the vibe down a notch, Persevere features warm harmonies from bassist Max Dunn and a perfectly built climax by keyboardist Jung Kim.

In contrast, The Heart Is A Muscle is a rollercoaster of a track lead by an irresistible driving beat, Le'aupepe's soaring vocals and charismatic wiggles, and equally euphoric and explosive rock refrains. All this means the anthem, normally five-minutes in length, creates an enjoyable run for at least double its usual duration.

The encore, with the help of glistening lights, sees an intriguingly melancholic and heavenly rendition of Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane and a rollicking performance of Say Yes To Life - the latter featuring intricate guitar phrasing from Malani between Le'aupepe's spirited vocals and ironically throwing up his middle finger with the crowd.

The release of their second studio album Go Farther In Lightness has seen a groundswell of praise for the Sydney five-piece, experiencing the band live makes it pretty darn easy to see why. Fronted by one of the nation's most talented, charming, powerful and honest songwriters, not even the country's stadiums are the limit for Gang Of Youths.