Live Review: Kings Of Convenience

The Sydney Opera House can seem like a strange place sometimes. It seems to grow or shrink depending on the artist like some living, breathing Escher sculpture that responds to mood and noise. It can feel like the belly of a great whale with a full orchestra pushing sound right up to its alien ribcage ceiling. Norwegian acoustic outfit Kings Of Convenience transformed the main concert hall into a natural cathedral.

The whisper soft harmonies and gossamer refrains seemed to hover like ghosts and the same sense of reverie found in places of worship could be felt. There was a pleasant vacuum effect that drew out all the air from our mouths, leaving us silent, while their delicate voices filled the void and remained even after the notes stopped. It was like looking at the sun and closing your eyes; the after image is still bright and your eyes are still warm.

After doing this for an hour or so, they opened up and began a dialogue with us that transformed the room again, this time into a small bar with a fire in the corner. These were old friends coming in for the evening, eager to tell you what's on their mind. They were joined by a band and, like any small bar, the mood lifted as the evening progressed, until the whole room was dancing and sweating a little and everyone (including – most importantly – the performers) felt giddy: not due to drink, but the natural high of connection and rapport. The Opera House, a sometimes conservative institution of high art, was a suddenly a place for you and me again. It was fun!