Live Review: Paul McDermott & Gatesy

The clichéd term 'emotional rollercoaster' gets thrown around all too often when it comes to describing live performances, but if anyone’s show is worthy of the label, it’s that of the newly-founded "strange side project experiment thing" from Doug Anthony All Stars’ Paul McDermott and Tripod’s Steven Gates.

Fans of both artists will attest to their individual comedic and musical talent, and from the moment they entered the room together, their energy was undeniable. They shuffled through the aisles from the back of the venue, singing an original duet that was broken by the occasional joke, and once they reached the stage, they were unstoppable, dishing up a performance that was roughly 50% stand-up and 50% music.

If you were expecting this project to produce a wealth of musical comedy, you might be surprised to learn that 70% of their material is straight-up folk pop, with McDermott’s ability to pen a catchy original tune in fine form.

Their harmonies and onstage chemistry felt like that of musicians who had been performing together for years, and the stripped-back nature of things — with only one guitar played by Gates — rendered an intimate and captivating atmosphere. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for Paul McDermott & Gatesy.