Live Review: Amy Shark

Evie Irie embraces the title of “slick chaos” that’s she’s been labelled with as she often gets a little crazy and breaks things during her performance. She delivers a confident and supercharged, energetic set to rock the audience with her angsty punk-pop sound.

A call-and-response is expected from us during her high-energy track Idea Of You, which reveals her habit of falling for bachelors very easily. A cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn turns the classic into a gritty grungy punk-pop vibe with low-fi electric guitars.

Irie is full of adrenaline and does a great job of working the stage to amp-up the crowd with her fun and infectious attitude. “If we all need anything, we all need more love and optimism. I hope I leave you with that,” she says before finishing on a positive note with her track The Optimist.

The sound of howling wolves and drumming fills the arena as Amy Shark appears on stage, her name is lit up in neon lights. “My name is Amy Shark and I want to finally welcome you to the Cry Forever tour!” She screams. Everybody Rise gets the crowd up on their feet and out of their seats.

It’s a very big night for Shark, who is still in shock that she’s playing this arena. It was only about five years ago when she hit the scene with her first EP Night Thinker, playing shows at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. Ever since she’s been building up to this moment, now playing her own headline show in front of one of the biggest audiences of her career. It’s also been a long build-up, having announced the tour in 2020 but being pushed back due to the pandemic but tonight it’s finally a reality.

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

“Is it too early to play a sexy song? You let me know if I’m moving too fast,” she jokes as she continues to play Miss You, followed by a song that features Travis Barker on drums (C’MON). Barker isn’t here tonight but her very talented band supports with drums, guitars and keyboards behind her. “I wrote this song when I was doing a lot of reflecting and the one word she kept saying over and over again was C’MON, believe me, C’MON, trust me. You can get caught up in the industry and now I just wanna be happy in my own life, nothing else really matters,” Shark reveals.

Shark powers through, playing hit after hit and keeps the audience engaged with her emotive, relatable and honest lyrics. “I think for one song we should break the rules and go a little crazy,” she says before launching into an explosive cover of The Killers’ hit Mr Brightside. The crowd goes wild and gets up out of their seats to rock out with her as she gives it every bit of energy she’s got to do the song justice.

The ominous theme from the movie Jaws strikes up for a quick interlude as she takes a quick break and changes into her trademark Adidas tracksuit for the encore, starting with Baby Steps. We’re then taken back to where it all began with her breakout hit Adore You to wins fans over again. The room lights up with swaying phone torches for Love Songs Ain’t For Us. It’s a proud moment for Shark who reminisces about collaborating with Ed Sheeran and Keith Urban on the track.

“Melbourne has always been such a huge support for me. People who understand and are fans of my music are unique and special but for anyone who doesn’t like me music, I would like you tell those people I said hi,” fittingly, she concludes with I Said Hi.

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe

Pic by Andrew Briscoe