We're Gonna Die

If only more bands had the guts to step beyond the stock-standard presentation of rock music and into a cabaret-style storytelling performance. I've seen this done occasionally by rock bands stepping into cabaret and cabaret artists stepping into rock music, and it highlights the meaning and worth of the lyrics in a way not really appreciated otherwise. Young Jean Lee proves it doesn't take a great actor, or even a modicum of stage presence, to provide a fascinating framework for music and lyrics. That sounds bitchy, but it's not intended to be – Young Jean Lee is not a performer, she is a writer. The heavily existential subject matter is magnified by celebrating her discomfort on stage and the audience is attracted to her extreme ordinariness. More importantly, the deliberate lack of performative style made us focus on the subject matter instead of being drawn into the story. However, Young Jean Lee's habit of punctuating every sentence with “ummmm” and replacing every conjunction with “annnnd, um” was frustrating after about 300 repetitions, while her toned-down charisma isn't what I look for in a lead singer. Nonetheless, the effortless stage presence of the band contrasted beautifully with Young Jean Lee, the music and the story arc were impeccably written and our mortality was gently explored with warmth and humour.

At the Arts Centre: Fairfax Studio until Saturday 27 October