Josh PykeCrowds of fans huddled out of the cold and into the Enmore Theatre on Friday night, eagerly awaiting a night of music from one of Australia's poster boys of folk.
Emerging Melbourne artist, Olympia, opened the show, complete with blonde wig and white jumpsuit, and quickly submerged the crowd in a lullaby of haunting guitar loops and melodic vocals.
One of Sydney's finest up-and-coming musicians, Patrick James, was next on the bill, and proved from the first notes that he and his band were a force to reckon with. Gaining a number of fans and no doubt breaking a few hearts as they effortlessly moved through both older songs like Bugs and newer tracks like Kings And Queens, the boys put on a stellar show, arguably giving Mr Pyke a run for his money for performance of the night. Their beautiful cover of James Taylor's Carolina On My Mind was undoubtedly the highlight of the night.
Last but not least, Josh Pyke emerged to a packed house of excited, cheering fans. Well-versed in the art of bantering with the crowd, Pyke smiled and joked with the eager audience throughout his set. Starting off with an old favourite Memories And Dust, Pyke naturally moved through a mixed catalogue of both older songs and tracks from his new album, The Beginning And The End Of Everything. Newer songs, Haunt Your Love and Bug-Eyed Beauty, were well received but it was Pyke's older tracks that really set off the crowd, with singalongs happening throughout the venue for goldies Make You Happy and Middle Of The Hill.
As seasoned a musician as Pyke is, at times his polished, seamless set seemed a little lacklustre. Not to discount his ability as a performer, but Pyke's two support acts, both young and emerging, managed to capture more energy and passion in both their sets than he did in his. Despite this, the night was an enjoyable evening of great quality music.
