Alex Lahey’s debut album “I Love You Like A Brother” is an impressive collection of quirky alternative rock songs with crunching guitar riffs and pop injected hooks. It may have only just got released but it’s bound to have a massive effect with it’s honest and emotional lyrics. To celebrate the release of the record Lahey has just kicked off her massive headlining world tour which sees her playing across Australia in October before heading to the UK, Europe and America in November and December. A massive feat for an Australian artist who has only just released her debut album so it didn’t really come as a surprise when her Brisbane show sold out.
Walking onstage to Powderfinger’s “My Happiness” blearing through the PA system the packed crowd at The Zoo welcomed her with piercing screams. She launched straight into the albums lead single “Every Day’s The Weekend” followed by fan favourite “Wes Anderson” which quickly had the crowd jumping and getting sweaty. Thanking the sold out crowd for coming out she explained that even though some of the album tracks have been in her live set for years that this would be the first time some songs will have been played live which made the long term fans extremely excited. Album highlights “Perth Traumatic Stress Disorder”, “Awkward Exchange” and “I Want You” were early set favourites in-between the old EP tunes “Leave Me Alone” and “Ivy League”. Her balance of old and new material was really good and saw her play every single song off the new record which is low key what you expect (and want) from a debut record tour. She was gracious and repeatedly kept thanking the crowd for coming along and they just responded with never ending screams and massive sing-alongs. “Let’s Call It A Day”, “I Love You Like A Brother”, “Lotto in Reverse” and the emotional “Backpack” continued the new new album vibes. After performing her cover of Triple J Like A Version of Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” she said goodnight to the crowd with a massive performance of the anthem“I Have Been Taking Care Of Myself”. Returning to the stage for an acoustic encore performance of “I Got Money” she officially closed her set with the big tracks “Let’s Go Out” and “You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me”. Somehow the crowd managed to create a circle pit in the packed venue during this portion of the show and I was massively impressed. Alex Lahey is one of the countries most exciting newcomers and while this record proves that statement her new live show is a perfect reconfirmation.
You can catch Alex Lahey this October on her national “I Love You Like A Brother Tour”. Check out the remaining tour dates here;
Wednesday 11 October – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Thursday 12 October – Workers Club, Geelong
Friday 13 October – Fat Controller, Adelaide
Saturday 14 October – Republic Bar, Hobart
Wednesday 18 October – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday 19 October – The Rosemount Hotel, Perth
Friday 20 October – Mojo’s, Fremantle
Ticket info available at www.alexlahey.com.au as well as international dates.