Live Review: Owl Eyes, Collarbones

Brooke Addamo is just a memory. The dimunitive Victorian teenager who stole the show on a little national singing competition several years ago with her tremulous voice has re-emerged brimming with confidence and a firmly cemented, unadulterated musical identity.

As Owl Eyes, she bewitches but doesn't downright seduce us with her tingly, airy pop vocals and uncluttered, '80s style-infused compositions from her debut album Nightswim – especially in the synth layered Crystallised and Closure. Mostly jaunty and upbeat, she resists going overboard with the hip hop undertones in many of the tracks and keeps the tempo accessible as stand-alone ballads or engaging dance tracks. The sensuous notes in Diamonds In Her Eyes and Jewels & Sapphires are easily lost in the din of a small, crowded venue but that doesn't deter her and she pulls it off admirably, even sampling Stardust's Music Sounds Better With You at one point to illustrate that tonight is all about dancing to the beat.

Backed efficiently by her all male bandmates on keyboard/synthesiser, guitar and percussion, she commands centre-stage on vocals throughout the night in a modest geometric patterned dress and white sneakers, her trademark long brunette hair flowing loose. There is more than just a shade of Kate Middleton about her.

Owl Eyes appears to be on a mission, steamrolling one track after another with nary a pause. The slight downside is the mystery she creates, despite warmly inviting everyone to “come to the merch desk at the end and say hi or have a chat”, she doesn't reveal any insight or backstory into the creation of her defining songs. This is really splitting hairs though, as she gives a polished, assured performance that belies her tender age.

She invites electronica duo Marcus Whale and Travis Cook of supporting act Collarbones up to dance with her towards the end, and the two young men – who had earlier on endeared themselves with their brave fusion of boy band vocals, edgy sound mixing and daggy choreography (push-ups is a dance move??) – join her on stage for some cat-like prowling. Even in that, she is demonstrably poised and certain of her direction.