Live Review: Gabriella Cohen, Broads, Bonnie Love

Ex-Rapskallion singer, Bonnie Love, hasn't lost any of the sexy, sultry cabaret tones of her vocals in her solo career. Clearly influenced by the jazz and blues masters of old, Love's vocals are perfectly matched with singing partner Elizabeth Gosford-Smith's as the two share a natural chemistry. The lyrics are drenched with humanity as feelings of yearning, vulnerability and heartbreak are all wrapped in poetic metaphors. 

Described as "indie-noir crooners", Melbourne duo Broads continue the melancholy theme, with songs of self-delusion, longing and regret. Their haunting melodies and beautiful harmonies encapsulate the crowd. Once again, it is the vocals that take the focus as the guitars are pushed to the background to set-up the moody atmosphere. Kelly Day and Jane Hendry's quirky stage presence combines neatly with an art-student appearance and clever but subtle banter.

Gabriella Cohen comes out nonchalantly with an intimate opening before introducing partner-in-crime, Kate "Babyshakes" Dillon for backing vocals on Miserable Baby.

Engineering Cohen's latest album, Pink Is The Colour Of Unconditional Love, which was half written and recorded in Seymour, Victoria and half on tour in the US and around Europe, Dillon is Cohen's right-hand woman.

A fuller sound opens up as the double bass player and drummer are introduced to complete the band. From here we are treated to jangly, '60s pop harmonies (Mercy), sprawling rock 'n' roll (Neil Young Goes Crazy) and sometimes just Cohen, stripped-back and solo (Recognise My Fate).

All the while Cohen proves a nimble guitarist and clearly influenced by Neil Young's signature playing style. There are plenty of time signature mix-ups and tempo changes within songs as Cohen and co clearly show how comfortable they are moving around standard genre conventions and abnormal musical arrangements.

Cohen's backing band are not to be outdone either, particularly Dillon, who proves a woman of many talents herself, playing guitar, keys and violin in addition to her sturdy backing vocals. 

Living up to her "Australia's sweetheart" tag, Cohen is treated to a full Gasometer crowd singalong during the chorus of the introspective, I Feel So Lonely. It might be largely out of tune but it's a glorious thing to behold.

Love, Gosford-Smith and Day are all brought back on as doo-wop-style back-up singers on Music Machine, adding another dimension to the music, before building into an extended jam on the psychedelic Hi Fidelity, which receives an extended ovation from the adoring audience.

Ending as intimately as she had begun, Cohen leaves us with a touching sentiment, "We will all be together soon," giving us all a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.