Laneway aptly marked it’s humble beginnings in a Melbourne laneway in 2005. It has since built a reputation as a festival with it’s finger firmly on the pulse of the music industry, despite canning one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming artists from the bill this year (cc: Kirin J Callinan).
Nevertheless, we savour the release of each lineup with intense anticipation because the event delivers a solid slew of talent from around the world every single year; from artists who we don’t usually see in this neck of the woods, to absolute crowd favourites we can’t get enough of.For the Sydney leg of the tour, the weather was cool, clear and decidely perfect. We tipped in just in time for UK boys Shame who have received nods from the likes of Fat White Family, which might offer some indication of what we walked in on. Unwinding, The Babe Rainbow lulled us into a flowery frenzy right before we caught a highly anticipated set from Alex Cameron straight off the back of about two years of touring everywhere but Oz, including opening for The Killers (yes, they did Madison Square Garden). Roy Molloy’s stool review was an authentic delight.
Billie Eilish rolled out in a red tracksuit with a Louis Vuitton purse strapped to her back and she belted out her first song into a bung mic which somehow went completely unnoticed by the sound guy. We snuck in some quick muzzing courtesy of Kllo at the Red Bull stage before blissing out to (Sandy) Alex G over at Spinning Top. Sylvan Esso followed shortly after and systematically blew our minds with perhaps the most high-energy set of the day before we landed firmly back on the ground in time for Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Then, back over to the Garden Stage for big favourites The Internet who always receive the warmest reception. Guitarist Steve Lacy also played a bit from his solo EP to the glee of literally everyone present.
Photos: Dani Hansen
Shame
The Babe Rainbow
Alex Cameron
Billie Eilish
Kllo
Sandy Alex G
Sylvan Esso
Rolling Blackouts CF
The Internet
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
Country soul finally made it to Australia. The laid-back and enigmatic Whitney experienced a blow-out year in 2016, with the release of their first singles and full-length LP Light Upon The Lake, and a long run of tour dates around the world. Hailed on high by rightfully everyone, their debut album and the band themselves are characteristically something else. Songwriters Max Kakacek and Julian Ehrlich semi-famously holed up in their apartment during one of Chicago’s harshest winters and emerged on the other side with a tape recorder full of no-nonsense, organic, emotionally charged songs, sans any reverb, delay or other effects – honest, open and human, Julien maintains they “wanted to be vulnerable and be honest.”
Whitney’s sound and personality are simply delightful. Their music has been self-described as “country soul” and by others as “russet Americana pop”, but really it’s like some kind of memory, like riding your bike around your grandparent’s farm with the golden light of dusk glowing through the sugar cane. It’s a road trip with your most favourite people, salty ocean air soaking your skin, a fond passing moment. It’s a comforting warmth. Truthfully, the buoyant confluence of dallying guitar, keys, drums, bass and soulful horns accompany lyrics weighted with conflict, heartbreak and happier times, a reference to Ehrlich and Kakacek’s preceding romantic breakups. At its core, their music expresses an honesty mirrored individually by everyone listening.
Finally seeing Whitney live was just as intimate. Their first Australian shows saw them touring the country with Laneway Festival and playing some additional sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney, which is where we caught them. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever were on support duties, and these guys never fail to impress. Whitney shortly followed, opening with Julien bent down on the edge of the stage serenading the silent crowd with his winsome falsetto. “This show sold out, what the fuck. That’s really cool. It feels really good,” he flashes a mischievous grin. During their LP’s title track, the crowd was completely speechless, utterly mesmerised, and after Julien joyfully revealed the encore’s proceedings (four more songs with a repeat of their intro), every single person was singing along to the finale No Woman. What a profoundly charming experience. Life is simply better with Whitney in it.
Rolling Blackouts CF
Whitney
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
2017 is already off to a huge bang, with new music, new videos, new tour dates and album announcements coming out of our ears. Here’s some of our favourite Australian news and new releases from the past week!
New video: Cloves, Better Now
Cloves has one of the most stunning voices I’ve heard in a long time, and I highly encourage everyone to take notice. This week, she released the video for recent single (and the first taste of her upcoming debut album) Better Now, adding a gorgeous visual accompaniment to the melodically captivating track.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mepUaXoo8wc]
New video: Cameron Avery, Wasted on Fidelity
The Tame Impala and POND luminary has been busy promoting his new solo album, Pipe Dreams, out March 10. Sandwiched in between a solo tour and Tame’s headlining slot at Laneway, Cameron has somehow found the time to also release this lovely new video.
Oh, and you can check out our exclusive photo shoot with the Perth-bred artist right here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdN7bhUIOQw]
New album & single: Methyl Ethel, Ubu
What is it with all the references to cutting hair in songs right now? (We’re looking at you, Camp Cope). Methyl Ethel have a new album out – Everything is Forgotten, out March 3, and lead single Ubu is honestly my personal favourite that they’ve released in their career so far, so here’s hoping that the album follows suit.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P56OpE_qDo8]
New EP & single: Rolling Blackouts C.F, French Press
Everyone who has had a friend who has travelled the world will identify with the words of French Press, which tells the story of a Skype call between two brothers in wildly different circumstances. Rolling Blackouts C.F. are set to release their sophomore EP The French Press on March 10 through Ivy League Records.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEZm7BGvryg]
New single: Winston Surfshirt, Be About You
Blending delightful dream-pop with Aussie Hip-Hop, Winston Surfshirt is a new name on the scene, and one we’re really keen to keep an eye on. Don’t miss the Be About You single launch at Newtown Social Club on March 25.
New single: Vincent Sole, The Game
Setting up a huge 2017, Vincent Sole has blasted out of the gates with new single The Game. Another new artist with quite a unique and exciting sound, 2017 is looking pretty damn promising already in terms of upcoming talent. Keep an eye on him too, he’s sure to be working his way into your ears over the coming year.
https://soundcloud.com/vincent-sole/the-game-1
New single: Fractures, Lowcast
The third single we’ve heard from his upcoming debut album, Lowcast is a mellow but engaging offering from Melbourne-based Fractures. His sound has certainly progressed and expanded in the years since his formative early releases releases, and he’s clearly spent a great deal of time moulding and crafting the sound that we’ll be hearing on Still Here come February 10.
Image: Fractures, Supplied