When Tegan & Sara released their 80s pop-inspired Hearthrob earlier this, you could instantly predict the reaction from long term fans. With an obvious deviation from their previous indie-rock roots, their more dedicated followers complained their new sound had become too commercial.
Yet, it’s a record that grows on you with each listen and proves that despite their different style of electro-pop, they’ve maintained their hyper-emotional lyrics and pop themes that fans have adored for years. It is a sound that translates effortlessly into a live setting at the Palais Theatre.
Melbourne based, Clubfeet take to the stage as the support act as the audience grows. Beginning with ‘Last Words’, an electro-pop song with rhythmic dance beats, they maintain an energetic stage presence.
Despite a tame audience who remain seated, most people can’t help but bop their heads to their tropical beats. ‘Heartbreak’ sees them invite indie songstress Chlea to the stage, where they perform a call and response style love song with impressive harmonies.
After a short break, Tegan & Sara enter the stage to a large sound of screams and cheers, looking particularly petite under the grand architecture of the theatre. They launch into ‘You Drove Me Wild’ from Hearthrob, an emotionally charged pop number, with the sister’s harmonies in perfect sync following it up with ‘I’m Not Your Hero’.
In between songs, the banter between the two girls is endearing, part of the reason why they are so adored. They joke about the oddness of playing dancey pop tunes to a seated audience, teasing that Melbourne crowds are “too cool” to stand.
‘I Couldn’t Be Your Friend’ offers a more intimate moment, with Tegan singing the main melody and Sara backing up vocals complimenting the tune. As she sings ‘I couldn’t be your friend even if I tried again’, there’s a palpable sense of the raw emotion.
The duo play a series of older tracks from their 2007 album The Con and 2004’s So Jealous which the crowd have been clearly hanging out for. Tegan asks the audience to stand before launching into the bouncing piano notes of ‘Back In Your Head’. Clearly a favourite, the audience sway from side to side with others jumping up and down in a blue lighting haze. The sister’s flawless harmonies and cries of ‘I just want back in your head’ are shouted back at them word for word.
The classics continue with ‘Living Room’ and the ‘The Con’, showcasing their indie pop-rock roots. Tegan and Sara’s modesty and humor is charming, as they thank the long term fans, joking that they’ve stuck with them though many bad haircuts.
With a return to their seats, the girls weave their news songs fluently with the older tracks. The latter end of their set sees them experiment with the newer tunes from ‘Shock To The System’ and the pop ballad of ‘Now I’m All Messed Up’.
Single ‘Closers’, a synth-heavy dance tune momentarily transforms the theater into a nightclub as flashing strobe lights arouse dancing from the crowd.
Returning for an encore, they offer fans a real treat, playing two acoustic version of ‘Call It Off’ and the emotionally raw ‘Nineteen’ from The Con. With just the two of them on the stage and an acoustic guitarist, it’s a pleasantly intimate moment in contrast to the previous upbeat tracks.
The biggest surprise of the night through is kept to the very end, as they deliver a medley of even more of their older tracks. They sing through their lengthy repertoire, with snippets of ‘My Number’, ‘Monday Monday Monday’ and ‘I Was Married’.
Following an impressive string of popular songs, they close the show with an unusual choice, ‘Feel It In My Bones’, a collaboration of theirs with Dutch DJ, Tiesto. Nevertheless, they’ve shown that despite their evolving sound, they’ve maintained their appeal. They thank the crowd before leaving, saying, “You are superstars,” showing that even with their success, they’ve maintained their humbleness too.
