Live Review: PARCELS

The last time native sons, PARCELS, graced an Australian stage was in the heady, pre-COVID days of 2020: more than two and a half years ago. They had been riding off the coattails of a stunning debut LP for two years and pushed through the trial of almost a year of gig-less days in their adopted Berlin home, coming out the other side as an international sensation.

The first proper spring day in Sydney for a long, long time signalled a rebirth and a triumphant return as an ardently expectant crowd flooded the Enmore Theatre for the first of two sold-out Sydney shows. Anyone who’s watched their live shows or recordings on YouTube knows they’re good, but the Byron five’s scintillating synchronicity wowed beyond expectation.

The opening rendition of Lightenup oozed Berlin-club-chic, bringing Berghain to Enmore with a deep house take on this uplifting and infectious track. When they transitioned to their second track, Gamesofluck, carrying on the dancy vibe with a driving bass, you question how they could break out of this high-intensity atmosphere.

Yet, they did – and seamlessly. This was truly the demonstration of a well-oiled machine as the PA burst with crystal clear sound in a place that can often come across as muddy and echoey, and a light show that was captivating in its experimental turns, providing stunning visuals to match. The boys showed their dexterity with their skilfully smooth shift in Famous which cuts mid-line from a Boney M-esque dance track to a rhythmic jam.

Bemyself brought the tempo down through Noah Hill’s blues-inspired licks and “Toto” Serret’s Spaghetti Western percussion, while the chorus – an accumulative falsetto harmony – typified PARCELS’ vocal prowess.

A unique drum solo in which the entire band gathered around the drums with various percussive instruments also showed the virtuosity and harmony of this band, while blue and white lights searched the exultant audience.

In characteristic form, the band rehashed an absolute banger in the form of the 2000 dance hit, Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love) by Spiller and Sophie Ellis-Bextor which had the whole crowd grooving and singing along.

While billed to finish at 10pm, the band played all the way up to 11pm with little to no stoppages, showing that this was a finely choreographed live experience delivered by a 5-piece in the prime of their powers. A stunning show of LIGHT and SHADOW shaped by a band that emanates warmth and joy. A show anyone would be lucky to see.

Sydney 5-piece, Velvet Trip, opened for PARCELS, led by Wiradjuri multi-instrumentalist Zeppelin Hamilton, who shone in more ways than one in glittery garb. The band, while appearing eclectic, were unified on tracks like It’s Only Human. This is a band going through transition and developing their sound, yet it’s easy listening and good to groove to.