On Thursday night, LANKS’ highly anticipated album tour arrived at Brisbane’s Black Bear Lodge. I was ecstatic to see LANKS live after reviewing and thoroughly enjoying his debut album, twentythree.

Earlier in the evening, electropop sensation Essie Holt left the crowd in awe through her charismatic performance. Performing her singles, ‘Underwater’, ‘Magnetise’, ‘Better For You’ and an array of exciting unreleased songs, including one that features LANKS kept the audience entertained. Essie Holt’s set was transient and exciting! I can’t wait to see how this outstanding act develops in the future.

Following, was folk-pop singer Tyne James-Organ. The Melbourne singer played a variety of songs, including ‘Watch You Go’, a moving tribute to his late father; as well as a Michael Jackson cover.

The entire Black Bear Lodge was packed to see LANKS perform on stage. The accomplished artist kicked off his vivacious set with ‘twentyseven’, the title track from LANKS’ LP. Passionate fans were delighted to hear ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Bitter Leaf’ as LANKS ascended his set into a bass-infused party. With plenty of euphonic energy to share, LANKS revamped the vibe with an exquisite cover of Hayden James’ ‘NUMB’. The Melbourne vocalist invited special guest, Tia Gostelow to the stage. The pair held the crowd in awe as they performed ‘Strangers’. As LANKS closed his set, he invited his elated audience to help in him sing ‘Icarus’, twentythree’s closing track. Punters transformed Black Bear Lodge into a choir session, a perfect conclusion to a magnificent evening.

Essie Holt’s sensuous electro pop, Tyne James-Organ’s soulful folk, and LANKS’ crisp compositions transformed Black Bear Lodge into a euphoric dream. The twentyseven tour was lofty and moving, and a beautiful reminder of the joys of live music.

Photography by Katy Roubin