Live Review: Alex Lahey, Sloan Peterson, Morning TV

The growth of Alex Lahey's popularity has been a rapid one. It's funny to think that not even two years ago Lahey was playing a free show to less than 50 people at Tokyo Sing Song. This week, she released her debut album, I Love You Like A Brother, and played to a sold-out Oxford Art Factory.

Oxford Art Factory filled up considerably early, with Sydneysiders Morning TV opening the evening. Their set was catchy and had the crowd moving along; it was easy to see that attention has been garnered due to the release of their latest EP, Sun.

Fronted by the warm and engaging Joannah Jackson, Sloan Peterson were next on the bill, the four-piece fresh off the back of their latest release, Midnight Love. The crowd were most definitely into it and so were the group, who shared their praise and thanks to Lahey for having them there.

By the time Alex Lahey's set rolled around, Oxford Art Factory was heaving. Everyone stood and waited for the stage curtain to draw open. Lahey and her band took their places and huge cheers were immediately thrown at them. It was the official release day of Lahey's album and the band brought the party right off the bat. They kicked off with Every Day's The Weekend, the first single from the debut, during which the crowd sang along fervently. Lahey welcomed the crowd after the track, although it was getting harder and harder to hear through the cheers.

Wes Anderson was next, followed by new track Perth Traumatic Stress Disorder; a song which Lahey described as being inspired by when she got "hectic dumped" over in Perth. L-L-L-Leave Me Alone was next, and it's here you could appreciate the balance in Lahey's carefully constructed setlist. As much as the night was a celebration of her latest work, Lahey put together a setlist that both rewarded and enticed the crowd with songs new and old.

The set continued with its balanced blend, Ivy League receiving huge cheers when Lahey dedicated it "to all the Bachelor of Arts students in the crowd". She shared a story about Let's Call It A Day, saying that it was actually her childhood friend and photographer Giulia who insisted the song made its way onto the album.

The set went all too quickly and, before long, it was time to wrap up. The crowd enjoyed a singalong for Lahey's Like A Version cover of Torn, with Lahey sharing her appreciation for her fans after thanking them and encouraging them to do whatever they wanted to make their own dreams come true.

I Haven't Been Taking Care Of Myself finished the main set and the curtain closed again, although it was not long before the encore calls saw Lahey and co return. There's No Money started the encore set, with Lahey's voice filling the room. Of course, the night closed on the one that launched Lahey, You Don't Think You Like People Like Me. A mass singalong ensued and Lahey left the stage to the loudest cheer of the night.