Live Review: Vance Joy, The Falls

Melinda Kirwin and Simon Rudston-Brown of The Falls hit the stage with an acoustic set of folk duets sung in perfect harmony. Their fixed performance could have done with more oomph but the quirky melodica solo and endearing Neil Young cover were top notch.

Starting off with Emmylou, Vance Joy glanced at his sold-out crowd from beneath a fringe of tight curls, wearing a baggy denim shirt and a bashful smile. His name is James Keogh, a Melburnian singer-songwriter who's still wet behind the ears, but wins brownie points for his adorable planned stage banter and unassuming demeanour. His live show was structured around a slow building crescendo of textures and instruments, transforming acoustic folk pop tunes into full-blown rock songs with crashing cymbals, three-piece harmonies and piercing organ chords. Celebrating his God Loves You When You're Dancing EP, this was the first time the “band of lovely gentlemen” have toured and the extra instruments add dynamic to Keogh's mesmerising solo work without drowning his delicate vocals.

Snaggletooth was a standout track with crackling percussion, military snare beats and a gravelly passionate edge added to Keogh's vocals, while a soulful rendition of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark showcased his sweeping control from a low register up into sensual falsetto. The highlight of the night was the final song; an energetic performance of the upbeat single Riptide. The whole crowd sang along to the line “I swear she's destined for the screen/Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen!” as Keogh hopped from foot to foot playing a hillbilly ukulele solo that had everyone dancing.

Vance Joy has an intensity to his voice and a whimsical heartbreak to his lyrics that reaches out and stops listeners in their tracks. He captivated his intimate audience, promised he'd be back soon and left us spellbound with his biggest smile yet.