Live Review: Aurora Jane

The dim lights and candles accompanying each table at Mojo's bar in Fremantle set a charming vibe for Aurora Jane's first show of the Lazy Monday tour, and their debut show in Perth. 

The show kicked off with a set from Simon Marks Duo, which deceivingly involved up to four musicians on stage during some songs, with harmonica and an extra guitar only enhancing the already blissful mix of genres that make up Simon Marks' set. From folk to rock to blues, Simon Marks and his band captivated the crowd with their sincerity, passion and talent. 

Fresh-faced Fremantle singer-songwriter and guitarist with a big voice Elli Schoen took the stage with an unwarranted nervous look on her face. Schoen's voice blew me away with its polished and seductive tones. Her confidence grew, and Schoen managed to steal the crowd away with her natural wit and charm, her knack for writing catchy lyrics and a voice that cannot be likened to anything. Sundae initiated some impromptu ballroom infused psychedelic dancing in the middle of the floor, and Swooned showcased Schoen's impressive soulful vocal range. 

The fiery Aurora Jane finally hit the stage, opening with psychedelic track Til I Die. Front woman Jane Hole pulls cheeky faces at the crowd as she sings, and smiles knowingly to her two band mates during moments of songs that reminisce their travels and lives as musicians (Burn, Lazy Monday). The fascinating thing about the Aurora Jane experience is the intimate and captivating manner in which they perform their globally inspired songs. Songs such as Parallel Skin, which was written while the band were crossing the US border, smoking things of the illegal sort, are so beautifully crafted that you feel like the band are casually retelling their anecdotes just for you – in a beautifully funk-laden way. 

Finishing their set in '70s disco style with The Way It Is, the funk infused pop-rock band left everyone in the crowd a little more upbeat, and unable to wipe the smiles off their faces.