This probably isn’t the first – and definitely won’t be the last – comparison Hannah Blackburn’s going to get to folk singer Angel Olsen’s signature vocals, but wow did she earn it. The Melbourne artist took control of the stage with her expressive, vibrato-filled voice that helped establish a melancholic tone for her set. It’s just a thick, chugging guitar that accompanied these vocals and, like tonight’s showrunner, it was all she needed to make her presence known. 

Making his first run of Australian shows, Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk’s performance was an absolute delight to behold. He won over the audience with his natural charisma and unique playing style, which incidentally made for entertaining viewing. He would attack the keys ferociously before quickly pulling back his fingers off the keyboard as though it was a boiling-hot stovetop that burned his fingers every time he played a chord. It’s quirky, it’s comical and, much like his performance as a whole, it’s immensely passionate. 

Having come off a globe-trotting tour supporting Angus & Julia Stone, Angie McMahon took to the top of the bill like a fish to water. Her debut album can’t come soon enough as we were treated to a range of unreleased tracks that were said to be on it. Honourable mention goes to her track Standout, a brooding, mature tune that will inevitably end up on many well-put-together ‘adult alternative’ mixes. 

Her ability to subdue what was quite a talkative audience was indicative of her incredible dexterity on both the mic and guitar. This silent respect allowed her unique cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Atlantic City - performed with the returning Vollebekk - to really shine. The two shared a mic and also some hilarious, conversational banter, much to the audience’s delight. 

The gratitude McMahon expressed to her fellow onstage band members - drummer Lachlan O’Kane and bassist Alex O’Gorman - as well as to those in attendance (and several others within the music industry), was mutually felt as everyone geared up for Slow Mover. It was the most raucous song of the night as McMahon air-kicked and strummed away on her guitar while everyone belted out the lyrics. 

She closed with her popular setlist song about pasta and sent a tightly packed audience home happy. The talent on display belied her very young age and, with a debut album to come, we await with eager anticipation.