Live Review: David Duchovny, Winterbourne

The Eatons Hill Hotel ballroom is cut in half for tonight's entertainment. A thick, grey wall herds a couple of hundred people close to the stage, more than half of them with VIP lanyards hanging around their neck that signify they've forked out $250 for a meet-and-greet ticket. "I Want To Believe" shirts are abundant and, perhaps most offputtingly, so are old-school digital cameras.

Tonight's openers Winterbourne glide into sight. Having not seen them since they slayed their 2015 BIGSOUND showcase, it is absolutely delightful to see how they have evolved over the last couple of years. Winterbourne are excellent. Armed with only a couple of guitars and a kick drum, the pair dazzle with their flawless harmonies and overflowing musical talent.

In between endlessly adorable banter from the duo, they reveal a song from their upcoming debut album that is a bit dirtier than their previous fare and it goes off. Just to prove their heartthrob status, they then launch into an a cappella cover of The Everly Brothers' Bye Bye Love, which is just about spot-on and succeeds in charming the pants off most of the audience. If there was ever an outfit that could bring back earnest folk rock, Winterbourne are the ones to do it. 

Much has been made of the actor-turned-rock star trend over the years. It can either turn out to be a pleasant surprise or a terrible car crash. In the case of The X-Files and Californication star David Duchovny, he lands about halfway.

It's almost surreal to see Duchovny nonchalantly sidle into view. The 57-year-old is instantly recognisable, even in his light-pink rockstar threads. The man of the night is anchored by a supremely talented backing band, all of whom Duchovny would easily have two decades on age-wise.

It's the last show of the tour so Duchovny promises the "loudest and longest show yet", which almost comes off as a threat but the audience is ecstatic. The actor-cum-musician takes us through a smattering of songs from his debut album Hell Or Highwater and latest release Every Third Thought. While everything looks like it should, there's something missing. Like prop food, that bowl of fruit might look shiny and delicious but dare to take a bite and you'll quickly realise that it's stuffed with Styrofoam.

Duchnovy, in his revered acting talent, is clearly playing the role of a rockstar. From the Jagger-esque dance moves to the stylised stage banter, it's like a Californication B-plot caused Hank Moody to have to fill-in as a frontman. He even indulges an over-enthusiastic fan in Moody's signature "motherfuuuucckkerrrr".

After the stellar harmonies of Winterbourne, it's easy to be a little disillusioned when Duchovny and co's harmonies fall flat. In recorded form, this is not as obvious but live it's hard to escape the fact that the actor doesn't have the best singing voice, especially when he attempts to take it above a low growl.

That being said, the energy on stage is fantastic and the banter is top-notch, which combines for an enjoyable experience. A late-set cover of Crowded House's Don't Dream Its Over, thankfully sung by Duchovny's stronger-voiced keys player, creates a lovely atmosphere in the crowd. It's almost worth the price of admission just to see Duchnovy mug.

Those expecting musical prowess from Duchnovy's rock turn should probably look elsewhere but, if you're looking for an entertaining time and a unique experience, then this one's for you.