Live Review: Neko Case, Laura Jean

The very lovely Laura Jean seems a little nervous to be playing a set in the more formal splendidness of a concert hall than a pub. The touching First Love Song kicks off tonight’s set with its soft, lovelorn vibes. Without her band on hand for support, Laura Jean goes it solo using a cheap keyboard and drum machine for most songs. It’s her sax solo supported by cheesy '80s synth sounds that draws a gasp of amazement from the audience. Jean’s sweet pop hooks are always a pleasure but tonight it's her lyrical observations dealt with such sincerity that captures the audience’s heart.

It feels like a long time since we have seen Neko Case, who has made the long trip to Melbourne to showcase her latest album, Hell-On. Although Case maintains her involvement with the indie-pop outfit The New Pornographers, her solo work has always had the twang of folksy Americana and alt-country. Case walks on stage with her six-piece band with casual ease and kicks off the show with Pitch Or Honey, which is quickly followed by Last Lion Of Albion. Tonight’s show leans heavily on Hell-On, but, catering for long-term fans, Case also deals familiar tunes from her back catalogue. Cuts from Fox Confessor Brings The Flood are clear fan favourites. Reaching further back in time, Look For Me (I’ll Be Around) stuns with its dark, wistful intent. Case’s thoughts on difficult relationships continue with This Tornado Loves You. There has been a theme of darkness and desperation across Case’s last two albums, but playing them live she walks the bittersweet line - not indulging in melancholy moods, but rather working with her band to give the set a joyous vibe.

Case’s performance looks effortless. Her voice is as clear and distinctively dreamy as the last time we were afforded the pleasure of her company. Her band work together like a well-oiled machine to produce a glorious country sound. The inclusion of slide steel across many of these songs is just genius. They push through about 19 songs in quick succession, highlighting that Case has always remained somewhat true to her punk and pop origins, sticking to tried and true three-minute formats. In between songs Case indulges in amusing banter with her backing vocalists. Laughing at the cost of touring with a large band and so many guitars, Case indicates that regardless of cost she believes her fans deserve the experience a big band provides. The crowd applauds every song and as the evening gains momentum the applause gets louder and longer.

The show comes down with Man, which features four members of the band strumming guitar to spellbinding effect. The title track of Hell-On kicks off the encore, which includes a cover of Nervous Eaters' Loretta. It's an intimate show, deliberately designed to showcase everything we have come to love about Case with each successive album over the years.