The Jezebels, Crawdaddy Stage, Friday
You just can’t argue with Haley Mary’s voice. It’s almost disconcertingly perfect. As the Sydney four-piece stormed through Horsehead and City Girl, even her on-stage moves, one-third yoga stretches, one-third reluctant moshing and one third dancing-in-her-bedroom couldn’t distract from the leaps and bounds emitting from her lungs.
Notes soar, shrouded by killer drumming from Nik Kaloper, expertly played keys from Heather Shannon and serious guitar chops courtesy of Samuel Lockwood.
Their debut album Prisoner is a remarkable record, laden with fist-grabbing emotion and sweeping sounds. So why, you have to wonder, does that not translate to the stage? Like their fellow Aussies Temper Trap, there’s a rehearsed remoteness about this band live. With such thunderously emotional music, a connection between band and crowd should spark immediately. It doesn’t. How odd. Endless Summer is a tune and a half though.
Verdict: ***
