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Nothing humbles a performer to their audience quite like an honest, yet well-recovered stuff-up. Josh Pyke did it royally. And I honestly believe that after that, not only did he sell a few more albums, he won the heart of every person in the room.
Pyke opened the show standing in the middle of the stage with nothing but his guitar and the spotlight. The first note that came out of his mouth quietened the arena instantly – nothing but total respect. His sound was blessedly bright yet pleasantly haunting.
As I peeked around the crowd, my eyes noted the most diverse mix of gig-goers I think I have ever seen. To my right were three, over-excited, Lisa Mitchell-channelling youngsters. They couldn’t have been more than 15 years old. To my left were an old Greek man and his wife, swaying and cuddling to the music. It seemed that not only were the ‘expected’ music-lovers affected by Pyke’s music, but a whole lot more than that. The way this Greek guy was dancing and carrying on, I seriously believed that this music had changed his life forever. It was fantastic!
Keeping the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne alive, the crowd was given the opportunity to sing their hearts out with the start of ‘Our House Breathing’. The contrast in his voice from high to low is truly mesmerising.
Always certain to be a hit, ‘The Lighthouse Song’ was welcomed with warm encouragement and a crowd of strangers that had now become a choir.
In between each couple of songs, Pyke engaged the audience in a bit of light conversation and banter, even pausing a few times to laugh at a funny comment from an underestimated, mouse-like 14 year old girl in the front row.
Pushing the acoustic aside, Pyke introduced his multi-talented band consisting of three guys. Watching on during ‘Don’t Want to let You Down’ showed the true essence of these talented musicians. They don’t breed them in Australia as just guitar players or drummers anymore, we’re pumping out performers who are just that, musicians. It makes me proud to be the owner of so much talent-filled, Australian music.
Throughout the entirety of the show we witnessed drums, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, a plutherer of percussion, and not to mention the very well-received mandolin. It was amazing to watch.
Visiting a few old friends along the way, Pyke introduced us to some newbies, due to be released some time in 2010 or 2011. He announced that he will be taking a little over a year off from the public scene to concentrate on his next masterpiece.
The new songs are a mixture of old school and new school Josh Pyke, with melodic ballads as well as some strong guitar riffs with catchy tunes. I even noticed my feet doing a bit of a salsa to one song which had a noticeable Spanish feel to it.
After a gorgeously smooth 2 hours, Pyke started his last song off a little shaky. Not recognising the song, the crowd seemed to just go along with it, thinking it was just his recognisable awkwardness of his mashed-together lyrics that we’ve all grown accustomed to. After about 2 verses though he just stopped dead and announced ‘well, that is just terrible’, which was welcomed with a wave a laughs and a big applause. Asking for no more distractions he just got straight back into it with a few giggles along the way. It was an awkward, brilliant, embarrassing and honest way to end the show. I have to say that I walked out that rather small venue (despite its enlarged name) feeling intoxicated by Josh Pyke. His natural talent, sense of humour and cheeky smile won my heart. I’m excited for the next masterpiece!
