As promised, Dallas Green – who performs under the moniker City And Colour – returned to Australia in support of his most recent album The Hurry And The Harm. Kicking off the tour at the luxurious State Theatre in Sydney, the sold out show provided an impeccable night of intimacy amplified by the venue and the genuine vocals of Green.
Husky opened the night and demonstrated a simplistic set of enthralling harmonies, soft ballads, and effortless rhythms to the punters who were lucky enough to experience the Melbourne indie outfit. The quartet graced the audience with their folk-induced performance and honest vocals from lead singer Husky Gawenda, who even gave the crowd a chance to listen to their new song ‘Gold In Our Pockets’.
City And Colour commenced the night with ‘Of Space And Time’ from the newest album, filling the packed theatre with Green’s raw and honest vocals indistinguishable to the studio version. Green and his band gained momentum with favourable tracks ‘The Lonely Life’ and ‘The Grand Optimist’, hypnotising the audience into a state of relaxation and serenity.
Green and his band generously played songs from across all four albums during the enduring two-hour set, collectively demonstrating the sultry and sorrowful beauty of his songwriting. Despite the woeful eminence of the frontman’s oeuvre, the lively band played with such enthrallment and energy that was illuminated by a spectacular light show. As a result, the entire theatre was entranced.
Each song was well received by the audience. Green switched back and forth between his electric and acoustic guitar, demonstrating his diversity, particularly in tunes ‘Silver And Gold’ and ‘Weightless’, that were lined with the soulful sounds of an organ. But there was no doubt that his voice was the star of the show. The faultless vocals were angelic, raw, and honest, and hearing it in the live setting created a whole new dimension to the songs.
Green was left alone halfway through the night to play a solo acoustic set consisting of ‘Body In A Box’, ‘Comin’ Home’, ‘Northern Wind’, and ‘Paradise’, showcasing the bellowing power and simplicity of his vocals along with his own special lingering kind of falsetto. Despite being covered in tattoos and disguised in a tough exterior, the singer-songwriter was humble and personable, bantering with members of the audience and responding to the shoutings of the crowd. “Do you usually open your Christmas presents the night before?” he said, before laughing with a punter who requested Green’s number one single, ‘The Girl’.
The frontman took time to acknowledge the beauty of the State Theatre, revealing how grateful he was to be playing at such a venue. The unconventional location was very much a reflection of the band – breathtaking. However, there was a sense of restriction due to the seated setting. It did, to an extent, limit fans from gaining a full concert experience and expressing their admiration freely. Some fans challenged the boundaries of the venue by racing to the front before dancing along to the chugging drumbeat and subtle strums of the guitars, as encouraged by Green to get “loose”.
The band members came back on stage to finish the delightful set with well-loved songs including ‘We Found Each Other In The Dark’, ‘Sleeping Sickness’, and the drum heavy track, ‘Thirst’.
After being called back on stage by the appreciative crowd, City And Colour serenaded the awaiting congregation with a rendition of ‘The Girl’, highlighting the entire night and showcasing the powerhouse of incredible talent. While being prompted by Green to sing along to the soft tones, poignant lyrics, and acoustic melodies, the crowd enjoyed the last songs, ‘Two Coins’ and ‘Death’s Song’, totally savouring the final moments of tranquillity.
The driving force of endurance and bluesy-folk rock evoked by the band, in addition to Green’s honeyed tone and organically crafted melodies, both soothed and rustled the audience, creating a magnificent night.
