Tag: Allen Stone

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Allen Stone @ Enmore Theatre, Eora/Newtown – 15 November 2022

It takes a lot to get me to a midweek gig. And I’m not just talking about the two trains that I need to catch to get to venues like the Enmore. I always know I’m going to be sluggish the next morning, so it’d better be worth my while. Having seen Allen Stone play The Metro back in 2019, I knew he would be. So last night I put on my best dress, dragged myself out of the house on a Tuesday (!), and prepared myself for the party.

Since we couldn’t leave Darkinjung Country/Central Coast until after my husband had finished work, I had to make the choice between getting a decent dinner or seeing the support act. Sorry WILSN, but my stomach won. We arrived with just enough time to settle ourselves in for Allen and admire the theatre. It was my first trip to the Enmore since its renovations. Gee the old girl scrubs up beautifully.

“Uncle Al” always brings the party. He’s such a natural on stage, dancing up a storm and playing off his band. His voice is so rich, warm and textured, perhaps even better in person than on the albums. He had us in raptures with upbeat singles like “Brown Eyed Lover” and “Taste of You.” I’m not sure if everyone was across the new single “5 Minutes”, but they were certainly happy to take Allen’s lead and engage in a little call-and-response. While we love grooving along with him, we’re also happy to swoon at his romantic ballads. Al knows how to write a real love song, ballads that speak from the heart and avoid the cliches. I found myself squeezing my husband’s hand tightly listening to “Consider Me” and “Bring You Blue”. Choice covers like Stevie Wonder’s “A Place in the Sun” and an epic version of Farnsy’s “Two Strong Hearts” had us in raptures.

I’ve got to take a moment to shout out to the audience. There’s often something really special about the crowds who go to see shows from artists who haven’t made an impact on the Australian charts. There are no casual fans, like when you see the latest big thing or an artist who’s been a radio mainstay for decades. They go because they really go. They also tend to be pretty passionate about great music, because they’ve sought this artist out rather than just waiting for radio to deliver them. I love being part of crowds like this. They cheered rapturously, but you could hear a pin drop in those quiet moments. Everyone was in the moment, lapping up every second. Allen praised the audience several times, and even declared we were the best crowd of the tour. Sure, he might say that in every city, but I’ll take it.

When crowds are that good, you can’t leave without an encore. I’m sure I read once that the Enmore’s residential neighbourhood restricts shows from going on too long, but Al insisted he wanted to play two more. I finally got my chance to see the support act WILSN when she joined Al on stage for “Naturally”. She was brilliant. I promise I’ll try to see her next time. Most artists would prefer to end with their own material, but on a night when there were such good vibes in the room, a singalong cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” was the perfect closer.
I didn’t get home until close to 1:30 a.m. Since there are fewer trains and everyone needs to get home, they stop at all stations on the way back home. We can also count on a long wait between connections. I’m very sluggish today, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Uncle Al is just that good.

Allen Stone’s The New Normal tour continues tonight in Naarm/Melbourne. I know midweek gigs are tough, but if you’re ever going to do it, make it for one of these shows:

16 November 2022 – Northcote Theatre/Naarm/Melbourne
19 November 2022 – Harvest Rock Festival, Tartanya/Adelaide
20 November 2022 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
22 November 2022 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Allen Stone @ The Metro, Sydney – 17 April 2019

I see so many shows these days that I rarely get the adrenaline rush of anticipation that I did when I was younger. However, this year I felt that familiar buzz as I counted down for one show: Allen Stone. I’m a relative newcomer to his music, discovering him last year when he partnered up with some hopefuls on American Idol. However, in the last year I’ve made up for lost time, making him my number one streamed artist on Spotify according to those end-of-year rankings. While I adore the recordings, I had an inkling that he’d be even better live. It’s hard for an artist to match your expectations when they’re so sky high, but this talented soul artist from Washington nailed it in Sydney last week.

New Zealand’s Louis Baker had a tough job winning me over when I was so keen for the headliner, but he rose to the challenge admirably. What a voice, what a vibe. I was so captivated by his music that I didn’t once wonder how many songs he had left. In fact, as his soulful set drew to a close, I was disappointed. Such was the strength of his originals. While I hung on them, I got just a little nervous when he announced he wanted to play tribute to Prince. That’s hallowed ground, and I’ll judge you harshly if you mess up. Despite my reservations, he wowed me with his performance of “Purple Rain.” It was delicate, restrained, respectful, a masterclass in the “less is more” approach. It was really something special. I entered Louis’ set wishing we were skipping onto the main act, but finished it a real fan. Job done young man.

The crowd were into Louis, but their excitement kicked up a notch when Allen and his band graced the stage. The energy was electric. You could feel the love the audience had for what Allen Stone does, and that set the scene for one of the most fun nights of music I’ve ever had.

Allen certainly doesn’t look like the soul singers of old. A gangly white guy with flowing blond locks, tinted John Lennon-esque glasses, and hipster attire. But he channels the greats of the Stax stable, a little edgier and funkier than the Motown crowd. He feels the music and encourages us to do the same, leading us in hand claps and call and response. He danced with wild abandon to those up-tempo favourites, but showed he’s just as capable of delivering a tender ballad with a solo passage. Without the support of his band mates, you could really appreciate just how stratospheric his voice is.

Allen might be the front man with his name on the posters, but he took great pains to stress how important the band were to the show. That speaks to his endearing, humble character and also just how good those musicians are. Many of these guys have played with Allen for years. They’re tight together, but so talented in their own right. Major props to them.

Allen and band delivered an exceptional set featuring so many of my favourite cuts from his albums and a few choice covers. A little “Killing Me Softly” and “I Can’t Feel My Face” mashed up so well with “Love.” A frenetic take on “Message in a Bottle” was a real delight in the encore. But it was those album tracks that the enthusiastic crowd really lapped up. Those albums didn’t have songs that charted here. In fact, I’ve had to scour the internet to find Australian retailers selling them at all. But this crowd was switched on. They knew this music and clearly relished being in the company of others who understood just how good it was.

Last Wednesday was one of those shows where everything just comes together. I set myself up to be disappointed with lofty expectations, but this gig delivered. I might have been late to the Allen Stone party, but now I’ve attended I’m sure it won’t be my last. It’s only April, but I won’t be surprised if this is my favourite concert of the year.

Image source: own photos