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Image: Vasili Papathanasopoulos.
Beloved Australian band Gang Of Youths have returned home, bringing their angel in realtime. tour to stages across the country. Over the weekend, the five-piece took to the stage at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena to deliver a show-stopping set.
Supported by Melbourne-based musician Gretta Ray, the singer treated us to tracks from her acclaimed debut album, Begin To Look Around, opening her set with Happenstance. Bringing pop sensibilities to "the big rock show" as she put it, Ray's soaring vocals beamed through the arena as she played through tracks including Human, Can't Keep It Casual and Bigger Than Me. The singer also treated fans to her bewitching cover of Billy Joel's Vienna. Before closing out her set with her biggest hits, Drive and Love Me Right. Ray channelled global superstar Taylor Swift throughout her captivating performance with effortless stage presence, solidifying her place as Australia's future queen of pop.
Image: Vasili Papathanasopoulos.
Before long Gang Of Youths took to the stage, diving head first into new material with their opener the angel of 8th ave. Hypnotic guitar work and high tempo percussion swelled whilst frontman Dave Le’aupepe's booming vocals lured in the audiences attention. Playing through the man himself, What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out and Let Me Down, the frontman’s infectious charisma erupts, sauntering across the stage, interacting with their doting fans and bringing joy to the crowded arena. Joking with the audience, he repeatedly called for the band to restart Let Me Down Easy due to not enough dancing happening in the arena.
As compelling as Le’aupepe's performance was, the show finds its strength with the unity of each performer on stage. Donnie Borzestowski, Max Dunn, Tom Hobden and Jung Kim showcase their expert musicianship, revving up the crowd with their energised performance. The night served as an ode to family, a theme threaded throughout the bands latest album. Ray, who also serves as a backing vocalist for Gang Of Youths, took the reigns during The Deepest Sigh, The Frankest Shadows, breathing new energy into the fan-favourite track.
Dedicating brothers to his mother, sister and family members present, the raw and emotional shades of Le’aupepe's vocals rang through the arena atop lullaby-like piano melodies. Earlier in the set, he urged fans not to sing Happy Birthday to his wife who was celebrating that day, which obviously revved the crowd up even more into a merry rendition before performing The Heart Is a Muscle in her honour.
Bringing an elevated production to the tour, an outstanding lighting design filled the venue with lush tones and streaming glimmers of light, with aureate tones and cool hues glowing around the band. Gang Of Youths created an inviting and heart warming live experience,
GANG OF YOUTHS angel in realtime. tour
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne: Friday 12th August 2022 @ Rod Laver Arena, VIC ** SOLD OUT
Melbourne: Saturday 13th August @ Rod Laver Arena, VIC **
Sydney: Monday 22nd August 2022@ Enmore Theatre, NSW SOLD OUT
* joined by Gretta Ray** joined by Middle Kids and Gretta Ray
A MORE PERFECT UNION
SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST
REGATTA GROUND, HOBART, TAS
GANG OF YOUTHS
Plus very special guests ARLO PARKS (UK) CUB SPORT GRETTA RAY ADAM NEWLING THE LAZY EYES
SATURDAY, 20TH AUGUST
SANDSTONE POINT HOTEL, MORETON BAY, QLD
GANG OF YOUTHS
Plus very special guests MATT CORBY MIDDLE KIDS BUDJERAH BLESSED BECCA HATCH ROMERO