Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness @ The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane – 8 February 2023

I don’t often travel interstate for gigs. But when Andrew McMahon announced his current Australian tour and the Sydney date clashed with previously made plans, I knew I had to head to Meeanjin/Brisbane. I’m a relative newcomer to Andrew’s music, discovering it through a friend in the early days of the pandemic. In a dark time, sinking my teeth into his exhaustive back catalogue brought colour into my world. I listened to little else for months. When I was at my angstiest, there was Something Corporate. When I needed hope, there was the lighter indie-pop of his Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness material. I thought Everything in Transit, from his Jack’s Mannequin days, was one of the most exciting albums I’d ever heard. I’ve always been of the belief that it doesn’t matter when you get into an artist’s music. It’s there when you need it. And if you’re lucky, you get to join long-term fans in a gig like Wednesday night’s show at The Triffid in Brisbane and feel like part of a community.

I must admit I didn’t twig when Heavenshe was announced as Andrew’s support, but I got pretty excited when I realised this was the new moniker of Tonight Alive vocalist Jenna McDougall. What a brilliant reintroduction to this artist. We got to catch up on her new material and take a trip down Memory Lane with a couple of Tonight Alive classics. With just an acoustic guitar they sounded a little different to the way they did way back then, but I’ve always appreciated hearing songs stripped back to their purest forms. Speaking of appreciation, I’ve got to give a shout-out to the punters at the Triffid. They probably didn’t know most of this material, but they listened captivated and applauded enthusiastically. What an incredible bunch of humans. After hearing so many crowds talk over support acts, it was so refreshing to be amongst people who were so receptive to new music. Needless to say, I’ll be checking out Hevenshe’s music after this beautiful set.

Often when you get into an artist late in their career, you miss out on intimate gigs like Andrew’s set at The Triffid. So many years in they’ve already graduated to the big arenas or stadiums. I am so thankful that he remains underground here in Australia, at least for now. While he was up on stage, there was no barrier so he could easily chat to those of us in the front few rows between songs. He could hear the people who’d get excited when they heard the first few bars of their favourite tracks and acknowledge their joy. We felt like friends gathering around a piano to hear some tunes rather than punters at a gig.

I’ve always been a sucker for an acoustic show, so I really appreciated the simplicity of this gig. Just a man and a piano sharing songs and stories with us all. The set was incredible, a celebration of his entire career, although he joked that he probably should have played more than one track from his forthcoming album. Perhaps that’s for another tour. From my position in the second row, it seemed like we were all singing along with every word, although we joined in the woah-ohs of “Fire Escape” and the fuck yeahs of “Holiday from Real” with extra gusto. I saw people wiping away tears in “Swim,” a song that’s helped so many of us, including myself, through hard times. Hearing heavier tracks like “Straw Dog” and “Punk Rock Princess” broken down was a revelation. It all was.

And because we were good, because Andrew assured us it would only happen if we were, we got “Konstantine,” the nearly 10-minute epic from the Something Corporate days. Always requested but rarely played, it was so special. Closing out with the joyous “La La Lie,” I struggled to think how the show could have been better. You can never hear anything you want when an artist has such an exhaustive back catalogue, but this show certainly came close.

I mentioned before that I feel it doesn’t matter when you come to an artist’s music, it’ll be there for you when the time is right. I saw this gig with my best friend in the world, Lisa. She’d heard a couple of Andrew’s tracks but was pretty unfamiliar with his back catalogue. But she decided to go to the show anyway, trusting my judgement. She came out a fan. While she didn’t know the majority of the songs, she found herself so engaged by them. I am so thrilled that like my friend introduced me to Andrew’s music a couple of years ago, I could do the same for her. I am so grateful that she’s open-minded enough to just go and see what it’s all about. And that she’s selfless enough to give me the set list she caught, because she knows it’ll mean so much to me. Experiencing this show with her made it even more special.

When you travel for a gig, you want a show like this. When you stand up for a gig, even though you’re past 40 and feel too old for standing floor gigs, you want a show like this. I might have been late to the party, but you can bet I won’t miss another Andrew McMahon tour. If you’re in Eora/Sydney, you can catch him tonight at The Factory.

Images: Lauren Katulka and Lisa Mayer

Tonight Alive Lay Heart Bare With Sensational New Single

Never one to take a backwards step, Tonight Alive have released a powerful new single “Crack My Heart.” With emotional lyrics and a killer vocal performance from Jenna McDougall, this is one track that knows how to leave an impression.

“The concept of cracking the heart is to allow the precious, vulnerable self to come through and be free. The painful, yet liberating experience involves the emotional and energetic decalcification of the hardened heart,” Jenna explained. “The lyrics follow my conversation with a ‘winged man’, a conscious figure, who offers space and safety to do my healing with. In my experience, when you are seen as your authentic self by another, you come to recognise your reflection more accurately and lovingly. ‘Crack My Heart’ is a tribute to the way that love from the divine masculine elevates and holds space for the divine feminine to flourish.”

“Crack My Heart” comes from Tonight Alive’s new album Underworld, which will drop on January 12.

Image used with permission from the Unified Music Group

Illy Releases Summery Video for “Oh My”

Illy’s album Two Degrees was one of my unexpected favourites last year. I loved the way he blended urban influences with straight up pop in tracks like the latest single “Oh My,” The track features guest vocals from Tonight Alive frontwoman Jenna McDougall, who was thrilled to work with the platinum-selling hip hop act.

“I really admire Illy’s artistry. Collaborating with him on the track was super natural and we had a great time on set together!” she said. “I loved singing on a song that praises women but has nothing to do with love. That’s bad ass to me. It was actually freezing the day we shot the video in LA but ‘Oh My’ brings the Aussie summer vibes.”

The LA clip saw Illy reteaming with Mark Staubach, who shot the “Catch 22” clip and has also made videos for Charlie Puth, Simple Plan, Lupe Fiasco, and heaps more.

If your day needs some brightening, this song and music video should do the trick!

Tonight Alive Show Softer Side

I just love hearing a rock band strip things back. So while I appreciate Tonight Alive’s rebellious, rocking studio version of their single “Drive,” I actually prefer this acoustic version recorded for Triple M.

I think this take brings those lyrics about breaking away from society’s expectations and expressing your own truth. It also really lets you appreciate Jenna McDougall’s stellar voice. You can hear that in person when Tonight Alive embark on their single tour next year. After that Tonight Alive are heading to Europe, the UK, and the US, so these might be our last local shows for a while. Don’t say you haven’t been warned fans!

16 January 2016 – Unify Festival, Gippsland
17 January 2016 – Max Watts, Melbourne
21 January 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
29 January 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Tonight Alive One to Watch

You might not know the name Tonight Alive yet, but just wait for it. The Sydney pop-punk quintet are generating some major buzz around the world for their energetic riffs and melodic sensibilities.

Their self-funded debut EP All Shapes and Disguises earned rave reviews last year, and they’re set to continue the trend with the release of their first long player. Tonight Alive have definitely stepped up to the big leagues now, having enlisted Mark Trombino (Blink 182, Jimmy World) to serve as producer.

You can get a taste of that disc with “Breaking & Entering.” If you like what you see here make sure you head to the band’s website, as the track is currently available for free download.