Live Review: Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders, Alex Gow

Opening tonight's proceedings, Alex Gow (Oh Mercy) reminds us just what a talented son of a gun he is.

Performing solo and joined on stage occasionally by a trumpeter to add extra instrumental texture, the vulnerable quality in Gow's voice draws us in, particularly during Lady Eucalyptus - a song that floors us every single time. His lyrics are divine and definitely worth tuning into even though some early arrivals tend to gossip and catch up on their weeks during his set. 

Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders arrive on stage dressed in all black everything and we're treated to the full, five-piece incarnation this evening. It's an impressive ensemble that includes Laurence Pike on drums, Donny Benet on bass, Ben Hauptmann on guitar and Neal Sutherland on keys - they're absolutely perfect from the get-go. Initial concerns that we'd miss former Dreamlander Kirin J Callinan's presence and Rowland S Howard-esque guitar tone are immediately dispelled. And the adept, often curious turn of lyrical phrase that is Tim Rogers' (Jack Ladder's real name) trademark is assisted by a careful diction that never feels overcooked. 

As the melancholic opening strains of Cold Feet enter the spectrum, we can't fathom the beauty of this song and it comes to life in superb fashion in the hands of these gents this evening. Not many could get away with lyrics such as, "And now that you're here with me/I wanna make like a tree and leave," but if Rogers sang the phone book we'd listen thanks to that delicious baritone timbre. Plus, he's really funny! Rogers introduces White Flag thus: "This is the best song that I could write about a kidnapping." He also points out Benet is required on "the foot cowbell" at one point.  

Rogers channels David Sylvian during the sparse, eerie Blue Mirror. The syncopated majesty that is Tell It Like It Is presented live becomes an urgent but desperate beast of a track that's even better than on record. Come On Back This Way (presented minus Sharon Van Etten tonight) gets us swaying and swooning, instrumental flourishes serving to highlight and underscore the song's narrative. 

After briefly leaving the stage, Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders return to present their latest single - the lush, slow build of Susan - as their encore. This song's descending chorus melody devastates atop Pike's nimble drum work, Benet's sneaky bass and Sutherland's punchy keys.   

Post-show, we're once again left scratching our heads as to why this musical genius still seems to be at the beginning of his musical career trajectory despite plugging away at songwriting for 15 years. His latest album Blue Poles is an absolute masterstroke and should result in a purple patch for this exceptional talent. It's most definitely Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders' turn in the spotlight.