Author: Lauren Katulka

Do you remember the excitement you felt at your first concert? The electricity in the air, the pure joy that came from seeing favourite performers create the music you hold so dear right in front of you? Live music has become a bit of a drug for me over the decades, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get the same high I did back in the early days. Now I choose the seats over general admission. While I try to make the support acts, and mostly do, I’ve been known to linger too long over a meal or drinks. Since I typically attend gigs with crowds around my age or much older, the way I experience concerts has mellowed. I didn’t realise how much I missed that “lose your mind” concert excitement until I saw LANY recently at The Enmore.

I’ve never felt so old at a concert. I’m not sure I was the oldest person there, but I’m sure I was the oldest person without a teenage child in tow. I marvelled at the way the young crowd packed out the floor area before Los Leo, the first support act, graced the stage and the way they screamed for the Adelaide opener. I’m not sure they were familiar with his music, but they were more than receptive to his synth-pop tunes. While he’s still a little green, his ‘80s influenced tunes are stellar. With a little more experience, I think he could be a real force.

My inner old fart grumbled at the thought of another support act. It was Sunday night, after all, and while the young audience might have been on school holidays some of us had to get to work the next day. I quickly forgot my reservations watching Robinson perform though. This talented Kiwi is an absolute superstar. Her voice is incredible and she has such a magnetic presence on stage. This woman can move! The room loved her, singing along enthusiastically to songs I didn’t know but quickly warmed to.

I thought the crowd was loud for the support act, but they showed they could reach 11 when LANY graced the stage. Deafening cheers gave way to an enthusiastic singalong of “Thick and Thin,” one of the biggest hits from their 2018 album Malibu Nights. That album was what brought me to the show. It was my favourite release of last year. I think it’s one of the greatest break-up albums ever recorded, so I was thrilled to hear so many of its songs make the set list. Long-time fans weren’t forgotten though, with just as many tracks from their self-titled debut also making an appearance along with a handful from earlier EPs.

Lead singer Paul Klein told the crowd this was the band’s 78th show of the year, an amazing feat considering we’re only just past the halfway point. You might expect a little fatigue to set in, especially with jetlag in the mix, but LANY’s set was one of the most explosive I’ve seen. Paul is such a charismatic front man, whether he’s jumping around during an upbeat number or taking a quiet moment behind the keys. I was absolutely mesmerised. This is no one-man operation though. LANY are one of the tightest bands I’ve ever heard, and that’s because of every person on that stage.

I once read music is the universal language. It crosses cultures and generations. I felt a bit like a fish out of water amongst the young things at LANY, but once the lights went down and we all started singing at the top of our lungs I realised I haven’t left my teenage self too far behind. Paul gushed about how much they love Australia and assured us they’ll be back soon. I will be too, perhaps the oldest in the room but happy to be so.

Image source: Stephen Katulka