It was a sweet, bitter sweet evening at the Enmore Theatre on Saturday night, as Holy Holy said goodbye to Sydney prior them heading into a long-term hiatus. After more than a decade as a band, and with six albums released, Holy Holy has called it a day and turned in one of the best career spanning live sets you’re likely to see.
Acting as main support for the night was Rowena Wise. While I wasn’t overly familiar with Rowena’s songs or sound, there was solid sentiment and quality within all their tracks that made the 30-minute support slot one I was glad I turned up for; even if the vast majority of the crowd ended up missing it. With a sound reminiscent of Julia Jacklin, Rowena touched on themes of mental health, generational gaps and the feeling of finally accepting yourself for who you are. Set highlights came from “Bad Things Feel Good” and “Blood Ties”. If you’re headed along to any of the remaining shows on this tour, get in early for Rowena Wise. It’ll be worth your time.
Entering the stage a little after 9:30pm, Holy Holy entered in darkness and from minute one proceeded to light the night up. With all of their albums highly acclaimed and well loved by their fans, it was always going to be a tough choice when deciding on the setlist. So, in true bang-for-your-buck fashion, the band decided to include 24 songs in a set than spanned more than 2 hours and left everyone more than satisfied. Opening with “Elevator” from their second album Paint, the song gave the night a level of immediacy that was matched for the remainder of the set. Staying in Paint, they moved on to “That Message” with Oscar Dawson’s signature guitar licks coming into their own. Jumping into the underrated “Stand Where I’m Standing”, the harmonies provided by Clews on backing vocals signalled the night had already hit its straps and was going to be one for the ages.
With deeper cuts like “Gilded Age”, “I.C.U”, “Impossible Like You” and “History” all getting a run, the band acknowledged the efforts needed to compile a setlist that was not only career spanning, but also filled with songs the fans and the band alike were going to enjoy hearing/ playing. Touching on the fact that Oscar and Tim Carroll have never lived in the same state whilst being in the band, you began to realise not only how good they are as musicians but also how bloody hard it would be to be in a band with someone you hardly ever see. It speaks to the overall quality of Holy Holy.
The best run of songs in the night was the 4-strong run of “Maybe You Know”, “Faces”, “Flight” and “Sandra”; the first four songs from their My Own Pool of Light album. Noting how “Maybe You Know” and its Mariah Carey influence all came to be, the song ‘s performance reminded everyone how strong Tim’s vocals are. It’s something I’ll definitely miss hearing live.
With select touches including “Messed Up” featuring thatboykwame, “The Aftergone” and main set closer “Teach Me About Dying”, the night hit its crescendo in the closing moments with the solemn “St Petersburg” (almost ruined by the obnoxious flogs in the crowd behind me seemingly thinking everyone nearby wanted to hear them talk over the band), the song that opened many doors for the band in “Sentimental and Monday” and true fan favourite and the absolute epitome of Holy Holy, “True Lovers”.
Exiting the stage to well deserved applause, it was clear Holy Holy had just left everything out there and turned in a career defining set. I’m glad I got to see the band one last time; they’re one of the best to do it, and have hopefully left an everlasting imprint on the Australian music landscape.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
To buy tickets to the remaining dates on Holy Holy’s final tour, head here.
Header image credit: Eloise Coomber (from Melbourne Forum show)
