When rising electronic pop weapon Danny Harley – better known as The Kite String Tangle – and gifted acoustic crooner Dustin Tebbutt announced their new collaboration “Illuminate”, it was a genuine ‘a-HA’ moment for me. Both these up-and-comers have established their shared penchant for crafting measured, introspective songs with a complex musicality – either behind an acoustic guitar for Tebbutt, or an army of keyboards and synthesisers for Harley. So it makes perfect sense that they would connect, taking their talents to the nation with a sold-out show at Sydney’s iconic Metro Theatre.
Seventeen-year-old singer-songwriter JOY. (Brisbane’s Olivia McCarthy) kicked off the rainy night, adding to a list of support slots over the past year that includes ‘Strayan music heavyweights Basenji, George Maple and Peking Duk. McCarthy didn’t disappoint, bringing a mature edge beyond her years to tracks like breakout hit “Captured” and the irresistible “Stone” within a surprisingly effective one-woman-band setup.
By the time McCarthy had reached her closing song, a chatty crowd had already begun to swell, ready as Dustin Tebbutt and his band clambered out onto the stage, awash in a spectral blue glow. Leaping immediately into title tracks and hits from his last two EPs – 2013’s ‘The Breach’ and 2014’s ‘Bones’, Tebbutt and co. sailed through a solid set full of swirling, ambient guitars and folk-tinged percussion. Tebbutt’s live approach proved patient and heavily reliant on atmosphere and layering for effect, the packed-out room a sign that he has captured a following passionate about melodic, intelligent music that doesn’t resort to assaulting all the senses for effect.
It wasn’t too long until a spaceship-like light cage contraption emerged out of the darkness on the stage, carefully positioned and wired up for the eventual arrival of beat wizard The Kite String Tangle. Slowly forming through a misty filter, Harley’s silhouette appeared to rapturous applause – the eager crowd a mix of peaking young punters, loved-up older couples and hipster squads. After a steady tour-exclusive intro, Harley launched into the clicking percussion beat and morose organ intro of “What If”, eliciting a group sing-along that almost overpowered his restrained, smooth vocal and confirmed that his audience wasn’t just there to catch the ‘popular ones’ and stock up on drinks during the album tracks.
Recorded with talented up-and-comer Tiana Khasi, the feature on infectious Disclosure-esque “Stone Cold” were handled instead with another appearance from JOY. in a moment that allowed Harley to let loose a little within his enclosure – a venture followed by the bittersweet bars of inescapable Triple J-endorsed hits “Arcadia” and “Given The Chance”.
Welcoming Tebbutt and co. back on stage, Harley launched into a smooth version of José González’ iconic slow-burner “Heartbeats”. The boys fell into perfect sync, letting that arresting melody further seduce the wholly attentive crowd. If there’s one thing this show solidified, it’s that Danny Harley and Dustin Tebbutt are a combo brought together and blessed by the music gods themselves…
Here’s a little visual tour of the night to boot…