Live Review: Angie McMahon, RAT!hammock, Georgia Mulligan

Angie McMahon played a sold-out show at the Oxford Art Factory on Saturday night, supported very ably by Georgia Mulligan and RAT!hammock. 

Georgia Mulligan has an attention-grabbing voice that makes you stop and listen, which can sometimes be a challenge for the opening act. Mulligan harmonised delightfully with her guitarist, but the band's overall sound wavered a little bit without a clear sense of direction, and they lost the crowd a bit as the set progressed. They played recent release The Dark to an eager crowd; a great track that enabled Mulligan to exercise the full range of her commanding-yet-delicate vocals.

Fronted by Jackson Phelan, RAT!hammock are a '90s nostalgia-fuelled trip — it felt like you could be at The Bronze, sipping (non-alcoholic) beverages with Buffy. Phelan's vocals were unable to support the ambition of some of the songs, and when he failed to hit or hold notes, it distracted. It was bassist Micky Cooper's last gig with the RAT!s, as he leaves to focus on his other band, KILNS. They sang a song called Power, which was infectiously energetic and easy to consume — it felt like you were listening to an old favourite. The band were enthusiastic and merry, which made them a fun set to listen to, but it will be interesting to see where they go without Cooper's input.

Angie McMahon opened her show with Soon, filling the space with her trademark deep, gentle guitar and robust, mournful vocals. McMahon masterfully articulates feelings through her vocals, and supports with considered lyrics ("I don't want to meet her, she'll just give a face to the hole I dug") — which display a depth that belies her youth. McMahon was backed by Alex O'Gorman (bass) and Lachlan O'Kane (drums) with the exception of two songs that she played solo to a breathless crowd. The crowd ate up Missing Me, one of only two tracks available for online consumption, singing along and demonstrating a loyal and hungry fan base. Some of her sound is reminiscent of The Jezebels but any comparisons are swift and fleeting as McMahon firmly establishes herself as a unique and confident voice in Australian music.

Angie McMahon chatted amicably to the crowd between songs. She introduced a song about coming to the aid of a friend while also struggling yourself, and explained whistling was a metaphor for 'the call'. She encouraged the audience to whistle along with her, which they did. McMahon seamlessly wove a Fleetwood Mac cover into her set (Silver Springs), which complemented her own music. She closed with Slow Mover and her voice filled the room, leaving the audience quietly dazed when she finished. McMahon is exhilaratingly talented and a refreshing stage presence. Her deadpan yet cheerful humour coupled with a magnificent, sonic voice added me to the pile of fans who already knew.