Live Review: James Vincent McMorrow

A lot of cosy couples with their arms around each other are in the house tonight and there's a lot happening on the stage before we even clap eyes on James Vincent McMorrow. Rhythmic lighting design throbs through pyramids of varying sizes and a textured moon backdrop proves ideal for projecting astral imagery. McMorrow's not much to look at, but those pipes are glorious! Every onstage band member is mic-ed up and the four-part harmonies bring on collective swoons. So silent are crowd members that the distant clanking of stubbies being piffed into bins can be heard during quiet moments. In a break between songs, a punter yells out: “Can the bar staff shut the fuck up and stop clearing bottles? We're here to hear James!” The audience erupts into hysterics and McMorrow acknowledges, “Yeah, that was fucking weird.”

To close out We Don't Eat, McMorrow expertly drums along on his own tom, unlike many non-drumming frontmen of late who just thwack away as if there's no need to be skillful. Arguably his most well known track Gold follows. The song is incandescent, but added brass elements (rather than just keys) would ensure absolute lift-off. We see a clarinet being played on stage at on point, but no brass.

McMorrow's between-song banter is charmingly natural, but must international touring artists always discuss our weather and the potential for swimming in Brisbane during winter? Throughout Cavalier, McMorrow sings right up in Bee Gees register. He tells us he was excited to discover his music soundtracked Sydney's last New Year's Eve fireworks (his cover of Steve Winwood's Higher Love that was synced to a Sky HD Football commercial), something that he stumbled upon by accident. Under a single spotlight and accompanying himself solo on keys, McMorrow creates an intimate atmosphere and his delivery draws us into the lyrics. However McMorrow's delivery isn't as perfect as it has been in other songs this evening and there are a few clangers. We also wonder whether he's heard Yeo's version (which rocks, by the way). And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop is also presented solo and then McMorrow's backing band return to the stage for the final song. James Vincent McMorrow needs to do a cathedral tour. What bliss!