Live Review: The Jezabels, Ali Barter

Although 2016 was destined for greatness for The Jezabels, it became a year overwhelmed with adversity. Keyboardist Heather Shannon was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago and she became too unwell to commit to the band's world tour plans earlier this year. However, as famed former UK prime minister John Major said: "Recovery begins from the darkest moment." 

Melbourne's Ali Barter had the honour of support role for the entire tour. Crammed onto a scaled-down stage, Barter and co swayed and enticed the growing audience. Channelling Fleetwood Mac, Blondie and The Doors, the entire arrangement charmed Adelaide, who hung onto their every note. Hypercolour, Run You Down and Far Away were elegant victories.

Considering that it had been an absurd amount of time since adored Sydney quartet The Jezebels headlined in South Australia, the anticipation for their return was unmistakable. Quickly, this became more than a musical performance. It was theatrical, so animated in fact that it bordered on hysteria. To begin, Stand And Deliver silenced the eager crowd with an incomparable aura, although this was just the warning before the show hit its veracious momentum. My Love Is My Disease, Mace Spray, Long Highway, Smile, Look Of Love, Unnatural, Rosebud, Easy To Love, Come Alive, Pleasure Drive, Disco Biscuit Love, Hurt Me, Endless Summer, If Ya Want Me, Stamina and then an encore of A Little Piece and The End made up the enormous setlist; honestly though, the whole production was a haze of rapture for all the senses. Vocalist Hayley Mary was graceful to the point of indignant in her presence and her vocal gymnastics were beyond human; this was accentuated perfectly by the chemistry emitted from remaining members Nik Kaloper, Sam Lockwood and the real star of the show, Heather Shannon.

Adelaide was hypnotised simply because The Jezebels work above an organic beauty in their performance. They are a flawless, mathematical machine in a live setting. Was this their recovery? Was this their return? Truthfully, it was a requirement and an outstanding reinstatement.