Holy Holy, Eliza & The Delusionals @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 5/4/2024
Apparently, there was some footy thing in Tarntanya/ Adelaide this weekend. But everybody knew that the place to be seen, was Hindley Street Music Hall.
Gold Coast Indie rockers Eliza & the Delusionals began the night with a blistering set. Their blend of dreamy pop-rock was the ideal accompaniment for Holy Holy.
Setting the vibe with an unfortunately shorter set than anticipated, they nevertheless made an impact with their music. Nothing Yet, Bed Song, Halloween, Motion Sickness and Make It Feel Like the Garden were some of the songs shared. Their youthful enthusiasm and undeniable talent were a pleasure to experience. As was news of a pending new album in July and a national tour that includes the City of Churches because, as Eliza said, ‘you can’t forget Adelaide, can you’.
‘You came/ You said/ Obsession is part of it/ I feel it too,’ sang Timothy Carroll as Holy Holy burst onto the stage. Send My Regards exemplified the night that was. We came because we were obsessed with Holy Holy. Be damned the AFL!
The Cellophane tour, as you would expect, was a promotion of the duo’s fifth studio release, Cellophane, an album touted as the band shedding the weight of expectation. Indeed, it was a step away from the traditional Holy Holy sound yet still captured the band’s essence.
Carroll confirmed that we would hear new songs on this tour. We did – People Change, Pretend to Be, Oh Listener and Cellophane (featuring Eliza Klatt from Eliza and the Delusionals), to name a few. But the night, in essence, was a celebration of all things Holy Holy. There was a lot to celebrate.
Believe Anything was a joyous harmonious moment. How You Been a melodic pop sensation. Maybe You Know a softer and dreamy juncture before the grittier Faces. Sentimental and Monday, the ideal juxtaposition to adjust the flow, was supplemented by the wistful I.C.U. and I.C.U. (Coda).
Returning to dancey-pop goodness was crowd favourite The Aftergone and The Aftergone (Coda), which featured Chloe Wilson from Sumner on vocals. The old-school classics returned with the remarkable You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog and True Lovers, featuring Oscar Dawson with mad guitar shreds.
The four-song encore was a continuation of the blissful experience. Frida, the sizzling and highly emotive Ready and Ready (Coda) again featuring Wilson, and Teach Me About Dying, capped off a notable performance.
Carroll and Dawson were in superb form all night. Between their banter, the music, and Carroll’s smooth dance moves, they ensured a good time was had by all.
The opening night of the Cellophane tour was nothing short of exceptional. Australia, prepare yourselves for a Holy Holy festival of sound and joyousness. This is one not to miss.
Live Review By Anita Kertes