Live Review: The Trouble With Templeton, Little Scout, Stephen Smith

The line-up in the Old Museum tonight represents some of Brisbane's best and brightest, both established and emerging. Leading the charge is Stephen Smith of folk/roots act Old Pines. He is a songwriter's songwriter, a sturdy blend of the likes of Wilco, Passenger and Boy & Bear. He is unassuming and soothing, playing to a small yet attentive crowd. I Awoke is a highlight, with great hooks and chords just a little different to the standard tunings of similar folk acts. Bright Eyes drifts along, hypnotic and winding like a river.

Dreamy indie-popsters Little Scout are putting in a rare performance as a duo and the voice of frontwoman Mel Tickle is wonderfully front and centre. High and clear as a bell, her vocals are effortlessly magical, and the songs themselves breathe a little more in this stripped-down set-up. What would usually build to a dramatic band moment is brought down to its haunting basics. The curling verses of Are You Life and beautiful lyrics of Don't Teach Me To Sing tug on the heartstrings; even stomper March Over To Me is reworked in an intimate style. Eels cover That Look You Give That Guy suits them perfectly, and We Used To Know closes a beautiful set.

This is the last home show for a while for The Trouble With Templeton before they head overseas, having just been signed to UK indie label Bella Union (Beach House, Fleet Foxes). There's a sizeable and friendly crowd here to see them off, with chairs full and a standing pack at the back of the room, but although the venue and sound suit the proceedings it's a shame there isn't instead room to dance and really feed off the energy mustered by the five-piece.

Much like Little Scout before them, what strikes us first is the lead vocal. Frontman Thomas Calder has a power and raw emotion to his voice beyond his 23 years. He's well-matched by the band, each member bringing their own vitality to the stage, but the overall effect is mesmerising. From the intricate bass lines, the tinkling piano, the weaving guitar work, the solid drum beat and the vocals themselves, everything is beautifully woven together. The songs are extensive and expansive, full of melody but with structures unfolding in waves. Like A Kid makes great use of dynamics, and Flowers is a slow burn to a joyously chaotic climax. Calder plays a few folkier numbers solo – Stars (“Which is a terrible name,” he concedes) and the hypnotically lopsided Secret Pastures. Glue gets the toes tapping, and Lint is the cathartic finish before encore Bleeders. Easy enough to see why this group is making waves overseas with such an impressive live show.