Live Review: Middle Kids, Tyne-James Organ, Dominic Breen

The broody crooning of Dominic Breen teased the early crowd at Metro Theatre. His band - consisting of new recruit Sarah Jullienne (Suixx) along with members of Why We Run - looked comfortable on probably the biggest stage they’ve played while Breen and his guitar weaved in and out with his eclectic stories. The biographical Sydney Kids was a suitable theme for the night, given the youngsters (including under-age) that arrived to see him and whipped out their phones to create some memories. A new song, identified as the 'The Pits', was moody and edgy and a highlight of the set. With a swathe of well-constructed personal melodic tales, seemingly about local Sydney locales, soon to be released, hopefully this was the first of many shows for everyone in the room.

With the confidence to start the show solo, Tyne-James Organ’s voice filled the room easily. It felt warm - unseasonably warm - and somehow familiar. Watch You Go is a tender track that captured the attention of the growing crowd. The trio of musicians that joined Organ on stage were patient and solid without ever taking the spotlight away from the vocalist. You could tell that this was his stage.

Dedicating a song to his mother in the crowd and singing a new unreleased track, 'Hold Me Back', Organ’s set felt like one that you needed to be up close and personal to appreciate, but there was a lot to like. Graceful closed out the set with its familiar refrain of love gone bad. Despite the topic, it was the most upbeat moment of the set and gave us a reason to smile.

Sure, Middle Kids are treading a path that has been walked before, but rest assured, they’re scampering over the edges, collecting flowers, ornaments and artefacts that have been overlooked and delivering a sound that we’ve not quite heard before in this country. Melodic pop-rock that feels that little bit alternative but familiar at the same time – with an absolutely killer live show to go along with it.

The chorus of opener, Never Start, gave the crowd the chance to get vocal straight away and they accepted the challenge with gusto – Hannah Joy’s voice being drowned out by the sold-out Metro. Whipping through a few tracks from their excellent debut album, Lost Friends, neither the crowd nor the band cared that it was a Tuesday night. “Don’t be afraid!“ declared Joy, a mantra that rang true for the group on this, their return home after big tours of the US and Europe. 

Energetic bassist Tim Fitz admits the last time they played the Metro, there were 20 people in the audience before diving into the song that broke them, and which is still a huge highlight, Edge Of Town. A new mini-album, New Songs For Old Problems, is out next month and Beliefs & Prayers was a taster. 

Joy’s voice is so engaging, country-style twang and all, and even with minimal stage movement, we were enthralled. She has a cool nonchalance that could be construed as dismissive, but more likely portrays the confidence she has in her performance.

The sound and lighting crew get props for their efforts. The red lighting, as well as handing out of roses, during Fire In Your Eyes was a great effect and the sensitivity of Joy on piano for Old River was perfectly balanced. New single Real Thing already feels like it nestles perfectly into their catalogue and the build-up to the finale of the main set was triumphant with Lost Friends opener, Bought It.

Middle Kids @ Metro Theatre. Photo by Simone Fisher.

Middle Kids are already staking their claim as one of the best bands in the country, but you get the feeling they’ve got so much more to offer. It’s a treasure to watch a band traverse that well-worn course, combining memories of the past on the way to creating something that will inspire music of the future.