Live Review: James Vincent McMorrow, Airling

The duo of performers and slew of effects on keys and guitar that comprise Airling are tasked with warming the senses of the crowd. Delicate and breathless off the mark, singer Hannah Shepherd gains control, her soft and feminine style not losing traction nor the attention of the audience, intrigued by what is unfolding before them. Particularly in the opening tracks of the set, Airling's songs seem to stumble off the mark, halting before proceeding and second-guessing their most suitable path; this is all an illusion, perhaps a subtle way to keep the audience on its toes, as often complacency in a performance is what dulls its impact.

As the stage dims, there is a scattering of pyramids amongst the instruments, illuminating the path for the four members of the James Vincent McMorrow outfit as they grace the stage. With a cursory wave and humbled smiles they launch straight into the set. From his 2011 album Early In The Morning, he chooses Hear The Noise That Moves So Soft And Low, the first delicate treat, McMorrow's accompanying trio joining in with harmonies and percussions. Glacier brings an ironic warmth to the stage, precise vocals meeting an enveloping combination of claps, brass and elated keys. An animated moon in the background works in unison with the illuminated pyramids and spotlights above to draw the large audience into a series of very intimate moments, while colours and strobe lighting burst from within, shooting the falsettos straight through the back of your seat. The stage is both staggeringly too big yet unable to contain the talent that claims and transforms it.

The to-ing and fro-ing of time-stamped releases continues through Down The Burning Ropes, with its stomping beats, while Follow Me Down To The Red Oak Tree brings audiences face to face with one of the particularly tender moments of the set. McMorrow takes a moment to recognise the journey his Brisbane fans have taken with him – from the understated Black Bear Lodge to the grandeur of QPAC, he's grateful to have such enthusiastic fans accompanying him on what he admits to being a fast rise to fame. Exemplary of the beautiful sounds of the night is From The Woods!! with the mandolin adding a sense of urgency; McMorrow sings each chorus louder than the last, those exclamation marks in the title gaining an insistency that otherwise cannot be understood.

Perhaps one of the moments most heavily anticipated is the performance of Cavalier, the opening track and lead single from his New Year release, Post Tropical. The final notes bring a roar of applause and cheers. He takes a moment to stop and give thanks before explaining that his final song is one he's known for singing but is not his own, one which he has had a break from playing because of how heavily it is demanded, yet as he loves it so much he will play it for us tonight. Stepping into the opening notes of Higher Love, his cover of the classic Steve Winwood song, the applause that follows is the loudest of all and continues when he returns to play the encore, And If My Heart Should Somehow Stop, alone, and then If I Had A Boat, with the band.