Angus & Julia StoneMuch like Eran James, Ruel is this year's Sir Elton John-approved teenage soul sensation.
Just 14 years old and with only a handful songs under his belt, Ruel runs us through a short 30-minute set of his tunes. Also much like James, he has been described as having the voice of an angel and, in this instance, this is a fair call. Running us through Don't Tell Me and M-Phazes' Golden Years give Ruel ample opportunity take his vocal cords for a walk. Supported by a slick band of seasoned players, Ruel's got a bit of the whole soft, introspective, falsettoed cry-baby thing going on, which seems to be all the rage at the moment. It's just disconcerting that this lad who is apparently still in year eight can deal such adult emotions in a way that suggests he's already skipped on through his youth and landed somewhere in his late 20s or early 30s facing more adult concerns. It is reassuring that, as Ruel presents these songs, a certain naive innocence remains difficult to conceal. With a hotly tipped album on the way, Ruel seems primed for success.
Taking in the details of the recently renovated Palais Theatre, it becomes apparent that brother/sister outfit Angus & Julia Stone haven't attracted a bunch of hipsters to this evening's show. It's such a diverse crowd that it's almost impossible to pick a singular demographic. Taking their places at the very centre of the stage, the duo - backed by an amazing band - flawlessly deal much of their latest album Snow. The charm of these tunes is the smooth blend of folk and pop that tugs at the heartstrings during their intimate and honest declarations of love. The hazy surf rock of Baudelaire kicks off tonight's set in fine style. Like many of their songs, Angus & Julia Stone create a place of warmth and safety against rather bleak backgrounds of boredom and uncertainty. Weirdly, these two have a little of Donny and Marie Osmond going on. Julia is a little bit country in a Mazzy Star kind of way, while Angus shows himself to be a little bit rock'n'roll as he raises the stakes with his solo Dope Lemon track Uptown Folks. The warm, organic tones just feel like a big reassuring hug that puts smiles on the faces of fans. A massive totem makes this all feel like a bit of a reverie around the campfire. Big Jet Plane elicits a huge roar of approval from fans (of course). Snow comes with such a sweet hook that it should come with a warning for diabetics and Who Do You Think You Are rounds off the night.
