Live Review: Handsome, Sam Bluer, Kid Heron

A gorgeous night of love, acceptance and queerness engulfed The Red Rattler for the launch of Handsome’s debut EP, No Hat No Play.

A cosy group gathered at the front of the long room as Kid Heron, an artist that has been seen supporting other talents around the east coast, set-up for his solo show. After dabbling with some chords on his keyboard, he settled on a key and then, from the very first moment, nailed a perfectly pure falsetto note. From that point, his performance entranced and drew the audience in to watch a hugely talented musician. Switching between keyboard and guitar, the artist’s warm voice danced over a minimal backing, letting his vocals work the room along with pinpoint timing and syncopation.

You wouldn’t know he was playing some songs for the very first time in front of a crowd. It was a low-key but beautiful start to the evening.

It’s always a special moment to watch the first performance from an artist and that’s precisely what the crowd got watching Sam Bluer take the Rattler stage. The up-and-coming Melbourne pop star may have seemed nervous at the start, but he quickly warmed into the performance delivering a deliciously pop-infused set. Accompanied by Oh Boy on the beats, Bluer bounced with growing confidence, sharing his debut single, Shift, a cover of Robyn’s Call Your Girlfriend, and Body High which really got the crowd bouncing at the end. It was a short, but very sweet set and will no doubt give the young talent a springboard to pop stardom.

Judging by the crowd inside The Rattler, the debut EP from Handsome had really touched a lot of people. In another life, the artist formerly known as Caitlin Park would have played to quieter, more intimate crowds rather than the buzzing and excited group that filled the space. Writing songs that inspire people to be themselves is something exceptional and that’s what she has done. Watching Handsome perform these tracks live is akin to releasing all of the angst and stress that resides within, letting the crowd be who they want to be, just as the artist has done herself.

The feeling of connection in the room was especially present when Handsome addressed the crowd. Whether we were queer or allies, we were all there together to appreciate the music and to fight against the political powers that try to stifle freedom of thought and body. No Cowards showed off the perfect timing of Handsome’s particularly poignant lyrics, spiked in between the beats provided by Kid Heron and the bass and keys from Shanna Watson. Choosing Dream Wife’s Somebody to cover was an inspired choice, given the room, but it was the debut performance of a song that we are told is titled "Too Easy", written in the last week, which highlights the over-arching talents of Handsome.

Save Some Love wrapped up a beautiful moment in time. A moment where music, love, queerness and good people provide the tonic to enjoy and tackle the world around us. It was suitable the night would round out with music curated by Stereogamous, giving us a perfect soundtrack to dance into the wee hours.