Live Review: The John Steel Singers, Alex Lahey

There’s a reason Alex Lahey has had such a quick rise to fame this year, and it was plain to see once she stepped on stage.

Lahey had a charming and honest presence, taking the time to set the scene for each of her songs, with relationships and exes becoming a recurring theme. L-L-L-Leave Me Alone was dedicated to all the exes that just won’t fuck off, brand new track Perth Traumatic Stress Disorder was your standard break-up tune (and could probably win title of the year), while Wes Anderson detailed the kind of relationship you don't want to end. Ivy League lightened the mood and was dedicated to all the arts and science graduates who are inevitably fucked, while what was described as a "menace" of a tune, Let’s Go Out, got everyone dancing. You Don't Think You Like People Like Me ended a confident and accomplished set — it was the right move quitting your job, Alex!

The John Steel Singers had a lot to live up to if their set was to surpass Lahey’s heights, but thankfully they had the element of nostalgia on their side. Long-time fans came out to see what was dubbed to be their last-ever show in Sydney and it was a doozy.

It was a groovy jam session that featured a saxophone, trombone and chimes, emitting a Bee Gees kind of vibe with the addition of falsetto harmonies. The set got a bit repetitive in the middle, but recovered towards the end with lively tunes Weekend Lover and Overpass. The band set the record straight, stating that they don't hate each other and still like playing together. They praised their manager, Maggie Collins, for keeping them together this long, before seeing us off in the most John Steel Singers way possible — a jam session to end all jam sessions.