Live Review: Matt Corby, Bear's Den, Bree Tanter

Bree Tanter cuts a slight figure during her intimate, 30-minute opening set while facing a distracted and noisy crowd impatient to see tonight's headliner. The former member of The Middle East is flanked by a backing band, yet she almost blends into the stage as the soft mood lighting blends everything into a purple haze. Going through her recently released Jaws EP, Tanter's beautifully written lyrics punch through and her hushed voice makes whispery appearances later on during Matt Corby's set. In moody song Redwoods, Tanter's soft voice, which tends to blend in rather than stand out, is simply an added layer against a lazy-drone backdrop of alt.rock guitars. Tanter is one of the night's clear highlights.

Next up, UK outfit Bear's Den turn it up a notch with a hearty dose of country- and folk-inspired music. Like their cohorts Mumford & Sons, Bear's Den specialise in a cheery brand of foot-thumpin', thigh-slappin' tunes. Unlike Tanter's minimalist arrangements, Bear's Den don't shy away from layering as many hooks and melodies as humanly possible by a three-piece band. Their distinctly American sound (frontman Andrew Davie even wears a cap decorated with the Californian flag), seems at odds once banter starts revealing the lead singer's distinctly London accent. Yet the Brits do country folk well. Isaac is a soft, dreamy song with acoustic guitars and banjo that provides a distinct country twang, while Agape is a classic country love song with pining lyrics such as, “I'm so scared of losing you... I don't wanna know who I am, without you.”

The man of the hour Matt Corby enters solo with his acoustic guitar and opens with Lighthome, under a spotlight, which sets the tone for a performance that is equal parts intimate and rousing. Corby delivers in Made Of Stone, which he starts solo on piano, holding himself back before breaking out into an animalistic growl as the band joins in. The diverse audience of chaperoned teen girls, 30-something yuppies and pot-smoking surfer dudes are all equally swept away by Corby's performance, as he moves between serenading, bluesy ballads and even some beatboxing.

Throughout the set, it seems like Corby is singing to every individual member of the audience. In Runaway, sparse guitars brilliantly accompany this song about a love that just didn't work out. During Big Eyes Corby's strong vocals perfectly offset Bree Tanter's delicate timbre in a duet that lulls us into complete silence. Singles Resolution and, of course, Brother result in a sing-along complete with waving Zippo lighters. Corby knows exactly when to pull the punches to intoxicate the crowd via that voice.