Review – Josh Pyke

The Paradiso Spiegeltent was packed tonight for a sell-out show from singer-songwriter Josh Pyke. This ‘Lone Wolf’ tour has everything from old favourites in “Memories and Dust” to this year’s Triple J Hottest 100 placeholder “Leeward Side”. Pyke also took the opportunity to record some live sound and video for an upcoming CD and DVD.

Pyke started on a bit of an off-note, saying that he wasn’t going to talk much because he had so many songs to cram in. The crowd soon warmed up, though, and Pyke’s lyrical storytelling made up for the lack of chit chat. By the time he performed “Lines on Palms”, followed by “The Middle of the Hill”, the mixed crowd was putty in Pyke’s dexterous hands.

Looping and layering his guitar, harmonica and banjo along with his silken, nasal voice, Pyke creates a much fuller sound than the typical one man show. His looped vocal is particularly lovely, creating lush and complex harmonies.

Comparing him to R.E.M., my guest and I debated how to pigeonhole Pyke’s musical genre. According to one interview, Pyke reckons his style “transcends trends”. That sounds like a bit of a wank, though, and doesn’t tell you much about the music. Let’s try ‘acoustic poetry’.

This is the kind of music that keeps you warm in winter. Or on a chilly February night in Adelaide.

Thanks Josh, Radelaide loves you too.