Live Review: Josh Pyke

"If there was a campfire and a couple of chords, we’d be in cheeseball-kumbaya territory."

As the casualties of the Ekka Races stagger through the Valley Mall with wayward steps, skewiff ties and frocks that leave breasts aflutter, yelling obscenities and disembowelling meat pies with the decorum of rabid shitpigs, a very orderly line forms out the front of Black Bear Lodge's doors. These are Brisbane's most dedicated Josh Pyke fans, who have turned out nice and early for the ‘fans only’ show held in conjunction with the release of his new album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts. It's a fascinatingly orderly sight. Perhaps because of our man's alterna-chill juju they're powered by a geniality that we haven't seen since the extended family assembled for our nan's last birthday, but that doesn’t mean there’s not an undeniable excitement in the air as this crowd politely files up the stairs to the club.

And that sense of excitement comes to the fore when Josh Pyke takes to the stage and strikes up Memories & Dust and The Summer. Our man hasn't bothered with a support act and he's sans a backing band, but this is a group of fans that cheer because of the minimalist approach he has taken. There’s a pervasive sense of gratitude, just because an artist who could be playing a much bigger show is actually taking the time to say thank you to his core fans; it’s not something you come across every day.

The sense of gratitude is reciprocal tonight, Pyke stops three times throughout his set to reiterate his thanks to the crowd who pre-ordered his new album, and earnestly expresses how, because of the people in this audience, he has been lucky enough to be able to feed his family with a career that he loves. If there was a campfire and a couple of chords, we’d be in cheeseball-kumbaya territory but, when he’s onstage tonight, Pyke talks with an honesty that could break through the most reinforced wall of cynicism.

While he’s ostensibly here to warm up for touring proper on the back of But For All These Shrinking Hearts, Pyke is happy to let the crowd dictate this evening’s setlist and, as he goes, he shares stories about the meanings and origins of some of the hits from his back catalogue. It’s these asides that make cuts like Middle Of The Hill and Lines On Palms feel even more special than usual and the crowd hangs on his every word.

After his set, which is short but incredibly sweet because of all Pyke has done to offer something special for this select group of fans, the singer takes photos and has chats with everyone who wants them. Another incredibly orderly line forms and ecstatic fans wait patiently for their turn.