The WaifsMia Dyson offered up some truly beautiful and evocative tunes with her signature rough-cut strumming and husky tones on Thursday night. Backed by driving drums, Dyson showed us what it's like to let go and step confidently into the dark, exploring hard truths and diving into the mess of life with simple-yet-provocative lyrics in songs like When The Moment Comes. Dyson held her own in the spotlight, and it is this presence that fills her music and sticks with you.
Harlan Howard described country music as "three chords and the truth", and The Waifs are the complete embodiment of that sentiment. With a backdrop of coloured drapes and huge bunches of Australian natives, evocatively lit, these soulful Western Australians brought the country to the city in a big way. Surrounded by a dedicated band of followers, the front of the Enmore was standing room only as people danced, sang and maybe even shed a tear or two during songs like London Still and Bridal Train.
The Waifs always draw an interesting crowd of all-sorts; bringing together the people who love their twanging and simple yet lyrically loaded style felt more like a country town meeting than a gig in the big smoke. With righteous mouth organs and heart-melting harmonies, the trio created huge sounds and a real sense of place.
New additions to the setlist — including Beautiful You and Black Dirt Track — echoed home for fans who are in it for the long haul, while old familiar songs like Without You were welcomed with open arms and lungs.
After almost finishing their second decade of playing together, The Waifs still have something incredibly unique: whether it's soul, fire, dirt or honesty, let's hope that these seasoned country icons aren't going to leave us anytime soon.
