Walking into Collingwood’s Workers Club is like entering a mate’s garage for band practice. A small dark space with unplastered walls, a cold concrete floor and scattered milk crates.
This was the setting for Texture Like Sun’s last headlining show before heading back into the recording studio.
People filed in slowly and were yet to notice that Neda, the first of the evening’s three acts, had graced the stage. That was until she started to sing. Her sweet, crisp, angelic voice echoed through the room and commanded instant attention.
Beginning her set with an a capella version of the traditional Appalachian song “Down In The River To Pray”, the performance was quite incongruous to the setting, but worked magnificently.
Born Tenielle Neda, this country girl from Western Australia has been in Melbourne for 12 months and was a last minute addition to the evening’s lineup. On stage with an acoustic guitar and supported by a male vocalist on bass guitar, Neda performed heartfelt songs of love and loss – the vocally complex melodies executed with pitch perfect precision.
The young songstress’ folk and pop inspired tunes were heavily influenced by bluegrass and country music, drawing comparisons to American trio the Dixie Chicks.
After the sweetness of Neda came the powerful music of Tully On Tully. The Melbourne five-piece shifted the vibe instantly and singer Natalie Foster’s pained expressions were in stark contrast to what preceded. Self described as progressive folk pop, this particular set – with its heavy drums, keys and electric guitar – bordered more on rock music.
The strong rhythmic tunes, angst ridden vocals, and at times complex lyrics made for some fantastic songs, but these were occasionally overshadowed by a blurring of sounds and a lack of connection, both amongst the band and with the audience. Foster’s tormented facial expressions and writhing around on stage distracted from the solid songwriting.
The highlight was the band’s performance of their latest track ‘Stay’, and despite the notable absence of Hayden Calnin (who contributes supporting vocals on the recorded track), the audience was appreciative.
As the room continued to fill, the crowd stood from their cross-legged positions and jostled to the front of the stage for headliners, Texture Like Sun. The concrete floor was now filled with eager fans who stood in silence as lead vocalist, Mark Pearl began to sing.
The haunting, aching vocals of the opening song “Ever Wanted More” left a transfixed audience with mouths agape. The light accompaniment built to a dramatic, emotionally charged finale with all musicians adding to the intensity – and that was just the first song!
The six-piece Melbourne lineup slowed the tempo for an older track, “Opportunity”; this broody, rock ballad showcasing an impressive electric guitar solo. Pearl then took a seat and picked up his acoustic guitar for the sentimental and romantic “Weekend”. His gravelly vocals are both powerful yet subdued, a perfect mix of raw talent executed with honesty and emotion.
The crowd interaction is infrequent, yet there is an insight into the personalities of these musicians and their cohesiveness is obvious.
The young musicians launch into their version of the Gorillaz hit “Feel Good Inc”. This normally upbeat, alternative song is performed with pained, drawn out vocals, heavy instrumentation, and passionate cries into the microphone.
The indie folk band, who debuted their self-titled EP last year, finished their set with crowd favourites “Rubber Man” and “Bottle”. Pearl’s performance is flawless – his body still, head bowed and eyes shut as he almost whispers into the microphone, as if telling the audience something they didn’t want hear. The song, which examines internal struggle and addiction, slowed the tempo and filled the room with a reflective sadness.
For a band whose catalogue of songs are of a similar sound and style, Texture Like Sun managed to create great diversity in their set and their emotive performance was faultless.
