Live Review

Vera Blue @ The Triffid

Since the release of her EP Fingertips back in 2016 Vera Blue (Celia Pavey) has rebranded herself and risen from reality show folk singer into top electronic indie breakthrough musician. Her unique songwriting which combines raw lyrics, folk melodies and captivating electronica has captured audiences around Australia and with her debut album Perennial released recently Vera Blue is touring the country yet again to showcase her new music.

The Triffid is one of Brisbane’s best music venues - from 7.00pm the outside bar and dining area was filling up and upon entering the main stage area at 7.30pm it was already packed with people keen to catch the opening acts Thandi Phoenix and LAKYN. Both artists have recently released tracks, Standing Too Close (Thandi) and West (LAKYN), and will be performing at Brisbane’s BIGSOUND so it was a treat getting to preview their new music live. Thandi performed her pop beats with attitude bringing power and energy onto the stage with her, and her vocals were strong but very different fromt Vera Blue; a good contrast for the night. LAKYN sat on a stool centre stage and gracefully strummed at his guitar playing his latest track West with ease and even performed a few covers including Frank Ocean's Thinkin’ Bout You.

It was around 10.00pm before Vera Blue took to the stage, but the main stage area was now completely filled (both of the two stories) and the crowd looked more than eager to hear the first song. As usual Vera Blue looked absolutely stunning in a long black dress with gold tassels that fell sheer around her feet showing off her Doc Martens and long golden hair that fell free moving around her. She opened with First Week, the first track on her album Perennial; a strong ballad about the first week out of her last relationship. With lyrics such as: “I am on the very first week away from you. Not a lot to say or do. I see you in the places where I once held your skin.” the song was an appropriate way to start and highlighted the vulnerability and emotion she has put into the album.

She then played Regular Touch and Private both singles that were released prior to the album so most of the crowd broke out singing throughout, which created that moment at live gigs where the artist has made a room full of strangers feel connected through music. She did not disappoint fans when she played older favourites like Fingertips and Hold and her new song Lady Powers was a fun chance to have a dance.

She made sure to come back for an encore and closed the night with the the track Mended which Vera Blue has described as “a very special song,” and says “It was about a relationship that I had a few years ago. It had been a little while since we’d ended it and we hadn’t made amends, said we were sorry. It’s funny because you think the song is going to be about resolution, but we haven’t quite made it there yet.” For this song you can see she was completely captured by what she created - her own healing song that she gets to share with thousands of people. Once again Vera Blue provided a stellar performance nothing short of amazing, and the support acts made it feel like I got more than I was expecting out of the night. A brilliant gig!

Brianna Denmeade

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