Horrorshow Road Diary: A Visual Guide To The 'Listen Close' Acoustic Tour

Esteemed rap vets Horrorshow have recently been out and about on a stripped-back acoustic tour, fittingly titled 'Listen Close', and theMusic.com.au was fortunate enough to be invited to take a peek behind the curtain at what went on when the band hit the road…

These photos depict two early snapshots of the Listen Close Tour. First, our maiden voyage – a sold-out show in Bulli, band members charged up on nerves and excitement from the weeks of preparation and rehearsal leading up to tonight.

It’s a show of firsts, crew sussing out each others’ approaches to this unique format. Tom Thum blows the crowd away, people sit on the floor blissing out during Tuka’s set, they stand spellbound during ours. We finish up, bundle in the van knowing we’ll repeat the same procedure for the next four nights in a row… and we’re off.

Bulli pics by Cole Bennetts (click to enlarge).

Second is our sold-out show at Ormond Hall in Melbourne. This ritzy old venue is amazing, one of the nicest we’ve ever played in. A staff member tells us the building was constructed in 1860 and that some believe the place is haunted, and I think of the chorus I will sing on stage a few hours later – “And on a still night, if you listen close… you can still hear the whispers of the ghosts."

Tonight is awesome, the crowd is singing along to every word with highlights including guest appearances by Jane Tyrrell and Joyride and a surprise cake brought out on stage for Tuka while the whole room belts out Happy Birthday.

We pile into the bandroom for a big posse shot. With only two weekends left to go, we’re savouring the moment, buzzing off the electricity of performing our songs in this reimagined and stripped-back setting.

Melbourne (group one) pics by Cole Bennetts (click to enlarge).

Melbourne (group two) pics by Michelle Grace Hunder (click to enlarge).

If the extravagant visuals above aren't quite enough to satiate your Horrorshow lust, you can hear a live recording taken from the Listen Close tour below. Get amongst it, close your eyes and whisk yourself away to somewhere in that sea of outstretched arms above.