Live Review: Bonjah

In 2011 the name Bonjah was everywhere. Nominated for APRA, AIR and Rolling Stone awards, they'd released a kick-arse album, supported some mega internationals and locals, and then seemed to drop off the face of the planet.

A few weeks back their track, Evolution, hit radio and suddenly Bonjah were back! Whatever they did in that two-year break it worked for them. Having grown up and moved on from their Beautiful Girlsstyle regatta de swoon, Evolution is a straight-up rock number that will win them a thousand new fans without alienating the old. Even their new track, Inner Voice, which holds the familiar bass groove, takes on a new Vampire Weekend-style Calypso post-punk twist.

Colours was a highlight, and while singer Glenn Mossop's bribery offers for table top dancers went unclaimed, the crowd enjoyed the warmth radiating off the stage on a stormy night. This was the second-last show on an 11-date national tour and to be honest the lads looked more than a little relieved to be on the home stretch. That's not to take anything away from the amazing two sets they put on.

The jam into Fleetwood Mac raised the question of why guitarist Regan Lethbridge's Eddie Vedder-style pipes aren't used more within their tracks. The contrast with Mossop's raspy power whisper is lovely on the ear. The other cover for the night, Lorde's Royals went down a treat, but older tracks Brother and Bring Back The Fire were loved by the die-hard audience.

The new rockier sound sits well with the sex bomb stage presence and reveals a level of talent previously obscured by the party reggae country ballads.