Concert Review: DAUGHTER Captures the 'Youth' in Sydney - Enmore Theatre, April 10/16
Feature Photo: Ashley Mar.
The teeming crowd lay in wait for the return of Daughter to Australia, a patient two years in the making. The Enmore Theatre is plunged into darkness. The crowd goes wild in the pitch black. The stage lights up and a collective uproar rises from the crowd, myself included, crescendo-ing with the dynamic tunes of Daughter's opening number: How.
I don't know about you, but the two year wait was worth it. There are (almost) no words to describe frontwoman, Elena Tonra's dazzling presence: from the polarity between her bashfulness and the tremendous weight of her breathy vocals; she is a remarkable performer whose humility is endearing. Her voice is irresistible live and the audience's reaction is anything but ordinary.
The crowd is blown away as she belts out "I feel numb in this kingdom" during Numbers, and we feel chills as she sings "I'll call out in the night for my mother/Because she isn't coming back for me/Cause she's already gone," in Doing the Right Thing. Daughter's unrestrained lyrics, coupled with guitarist Igor Harfeli and drummer Remi Aguilella's (as well as additional guitarists) instrumentals is a powerful combination.
“This song is more fun… in relation to the others.” They chuckle ironically as they gear up for Home, a markedly energetic number that gets the crowd moving. Despite their apparent “jetlag”, their performance is nearly flawless – occasionally, few select individuals (I like to call them Classic Concert-Goer Assholes) engage in irritating chatter and shriek “Marry me!” Inappropriate sentiments, but I can't say the band doesn't deserve it.
Smother, the heartbreak anthem, is yet another winner that transcends the physical plane of the concert venue with the haywire of emotions captured through melancholic vocals and atmospheric instrumentals, which almost evokes an out-of-body experience.
Being one of those predictable fans whose favourite go-to song is undoubtedly, Youth, I was absolutely thrilled to be hearing it live. Everyone sung along to the heart wrenching chorus and collectively felt the pangs of heartache. It was wonderfully cathartic.
Most certainly one of the best bands I’ve heard live (and probably of the few indie bands that actually do encores – bless them), Daughter is also one of the most mellow, which makes for an interesting combination, especially when you’re used to going hard out on the dance floor. But that doesn’t detract from the experience, which is gorgeously spellbinding and transcendental.
Stay awesome, Daughter.
