Live Review: Prince Bandroom

The Prince Bandroom entry line stretches all the way ‘round into Acland Street, such is the Melbourne love for Bluesfest’s resident ‘male Taylor Swift’, Hunter Hayes. Aussie country music artist Aleyce Simmonds opens up having won the chance to support Hayes via a Facebook competition. Playing mellow, acoustic-country numbers such as My Life Drives Me To Drink and Believe, Simmonds’ sweet, made-for-country voice is divine.

The heaving female crowd bays for Hunter Hayes as he bursts on stage, starting with Tattoo. So begins two hours of high-impact buzz featuring a rotating set of 27 guitars, a totally-digging-it band and the humble, charming and massively talented Hayes. Telling the adoring crowd how excited he is to be playing in Australia, and how much he loves us, he invites everyone, “Jump with me!” on Storyline and we gleefully oblige. “We are massive fans of Australian artists,” says the comfortably chatty star, “and I think we’re going to be talking about this show for a loooong time.” Launching into slow heartbreaker Still Fallin, chicks clutch their hearts and stare dreamily at the sweet blond rocker on stage. Introducing special guest Trombone Shorty, a fellow Louisianan he met at Bluesfest, Hayes asks if it’s okay if they just jam out Somebody’s Heartbreak? Hell yes! The crowd gets swept up in the moment with Hayes, Shorty and band as the trombone zooms back and forth while Hayes performs manic guitar solos. Things get deep before anti-bullying anthem Invisible, as Hayes shares his experiences of being a “total music geek not fitting in anywhere” and his belief that “when you dream and believe, magical miracles can happen.” With perfect synchronicity, Hayes spots Bethany in the crowd holding a sign that reads, “You’re My Idol Can I Sing On Stage With You?”

“Of course!” he says and together they sing Wanted, with Hayes standing gallantly beside and supporting Bethany through her nervous vocal. “That’s what I’m talking about!” he yells, fist pumping his heart as he sends her off. After Hayes invites Shorty back on stage, they finish with I Want Crazy and the rambling track takes on a monster life of its own as the band cuts sick. Hayes ends by jumping off an amp and strumming his final chord like the perfect rockstar before reaching down to shake hands with the adoring front rows.