August has been MASSIVE for the alternative-rock outfit Gang Of Youths. From appearing on magazine covers to debuting their second album Go Farther In Lightness with it reaching the top of the ARIA charts, it was only expected that the guys would take the new album around the country. On August 31, Gang of Youths opened their latest national tour to an absolutely jam-packed Tivoli.
The Sydney based band proved their ability to attract an insanely diverse crowds I have seen at a gig in a while with fans lining up outside the Tivoli dressed in anything from all black attire (David Le’aupepe’s favourite colour) to Hawaiian shirts, indie kids and hippies, teeny boppers and even grandparents.
Inside the venue was packed out even from more than an hour until Gang Of Youths were expected to take the stage. The Sydney indie artist Gordi was the support act for the night and she created a majestic atmosphere performing as if she were the only one in the room. Gordi’s performance created an intimate atmosphere in a large venue with hundreds of people, perfect for bringing the room together for the main act.
By 10.00pm the audience had created a moshpit towards the stage and every part of Tivoli was filled in by a body, you could not see a spare spot in the vicinity – everyone around me was trying to guess what song would be first. Patience was rewarded when David Le’aupepe the band’s frontman burst onto the stage and opens the night with an old favourite What Can I Do When The Fire Goes Out?. The entire venue exploded with applause and began to move and groove to the catchy number. The stunning lighting display was planned seamlessly with the music to heighten the crashing crescendos and erratic tremolo picking while David and guitarist Joji Malani raised their guitars together in sync to the movement of the intricate rock arrangements. Gang Of Youths drummer Donnie Borzestowski did not go unnoticed as it is infectious to watch his arms move at ludicrous speeds to glide across his drum kit creating pounding rhythms that give the song its backbone through the set.
Full of inspirational highs and crushing lows, the show was up and down like a yoyo, and yet everything seemed to fall into place. The drifting suspense of Keep Me In The Open sent hands and shoulder-riders into the air before David stole the hearts of everyone watching on with raw and vulnerable renditions of Kansas and Knuckles White Dry. During the latter David addressed the story behind their first album, which reflected on his experience caring for his now deceased ex-wife. As he dedicated the song to her, his husky, harrowing vocals reached across the audience putting hundreds of people in complete silence – it was one of the most intimate moments I have ever experienced at a live performance.
David had another moment where he spoke to the audience when he explained that one of the band’s worst live reviews was a show they played years ago at The Tivoli, the very venue they headlined that night. This was a way to introduce a song from the new album The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows which he explained sums up his approach to life – “You don’t need to be cool, just be courageous.” The latest single from the new album looked like it was one of their favourite numbers of night to perform, and around me I could see that the “f*** you!” attitude of the song was contagious as it created a mass of dancing punters.
The mood was instantly lightened when the band played Let Me Down Easy, and David gave the audience something to scream about with his eccentric yet sexy dance moves. When their most successful single to date Magnolia was performed it was expected that it was going to be the big singalong number of the night but what I didn’t expect was to look up at the band and see all of them in awe, seemingly humbled by what they were experiencing; an entire sea of people singing back at them.
