Live Review: Guy Sebastian

Guy Sebastian kicks off the intimate show with Black & Blue and we immediately realise that this set is going to be very different from any of his previous live performances. He taps away at the drum pads to deliver his reinvigorated style with an electronic touch.

Tonight, Sebastian gives us a preview of his upcoming album. "The Part 1 EP was the first half and what you'll hear tonight is the back half. It's really fresh; four of these songs were only written in the last week-and-a-half," he tells. Some of the material is so fresh that Sebastian isn't even exactly sure how it will be recorded yet, so he does a test run in front of us to see how it feels. He forgets to press a few buttons here and there, but it's all part of the process as Sebastian and his band bring the album to life in a very different way. They trigger a range of new-fangled samples, drums and keys on the various musical toys that haven't typically been used in his production before.

"I think when it's done, this album will be called Subconscious,' he reveals, before saying this title idea stems from a new song called Conscious, which he then performs. This intensely personal track delves into an artist who's navigating his way through life and expanding his vision. "I've realised how important it is to love and to know the power of music," he says. This theme is representative of Sebastian's new perspective on life and exploration into a different sonic direction, and flows right through these songs including Candle. His triple j Like A Version cover (with Paces) of LDRU's Keeping Score shows Sebastian in a completely different light.

Beneath all the shiny production is the incredible power of Sebastian's voice, which is fundamental and the reason why he's where he is today. Sebastian reminds us of his jaw-dropping vocal range during a few emotional, heartfelt ballads where he sings about relationships and the challenges of being away from loved ones. After a flawless falsetto, Sebastian lowers his voice back down as we shake off the ballads and dance. In particular, an upbeat new tune — produced by M-Phazes — is undeniably catchy. The energy continues to increase with another track that's inspired by a volcano, a metaphor for sexual tension that could explode at any minute. "I thought about calling it Pompeii but Bastille already took that so I'm going with Vesuvius," he teases.

He's been working with a neo-soul urban producer for many of his new tracks, and the band do an incredible job delivering the material live. By his side, Carmen Smith serves up a slick rap and Gary Pinto gives us some freestyle vocal runs. Sebastian flips his cap backwards and picks up his guitar for a couple of fun covers including Sam Sparro's Black & Gold and a medley of gritty, Memphis soul classics. He brings it home with his current single, Mind On You, and Sebastian and Pinto try and show each other up with a vocal gymnastics battle during the final notes of Like It Like That.

Despite a great response to his new material, the audience begs for more of Sebastian's back-catalogue, so we're treated to an acoustic version of Battle Scars, which the audience carries on singing long after the music fades out. "I'm pumped to release the album and see what you think of it!" Sebastian exclaims, before assuring us that next time he plays these songs they'll actually be recorded and he'll know every word.