Live Review: Vera Blue, Thandi Phoenix, Lakyn, Panama

Panama, a musical project by Jarrah McCleary, showcased his piano-led electronic gems from latest EP Hope For Something, while Vera Blue's fellow  The Voice alumni and heartthrob Lakyn proved he too is reinventing himself as an independent raw talent, all complete with his beguiling falsetto.

Promising South African/Australian artist Thandi Phoenix really heated things up with her pop-R&B-dance fusion anthems and made another surprise appearance during the headline set, along with local artist KLP, for the female-empowering dance hit Lady Powers.

Sydney-based chanteuse Vera Blue ​(christened Celia Pavey) floated on stage in a sheer white ensemble with her signature red locks cascading down to her waist. She was magnetising from the outset; opening with electro-pop number First Week, which saw her weaving around the stage and beating a series of illuminated drum pads.

On the promotional trail for her intensely personal and highly anticipated debut album Perennial, the incandescent singer-songwriter poured her broken heart out through poignant cuts like Give In and piano ballad We Used To, all the while exuding strength and confidence.

Audiences first fell in love with Pavey when she stunned judges on Australia's The Voice with her ethereal folk melodies, but four years on she has made the full transformation into avant-garde pop star under her new moniker. The edgy alter-ago sees her exploring a sultry electronica sound and when translated live on stage she fully embodies the pulsing music.

The all ages crowd were all-consumed with the performance; singing back the nakedly honest lyrics, waving their mobile torch lights in unison and catching the white roses that Pavey would periodically throw out to her adoring fans.

The breakthrough artist took a moment out to thank her young fans, intro her three-piece band and praise the support acts joining her on the Mended tour. 

We got a glimpse of Pavey's vulnerable side through stripped-back number Pedestal/Cover Me and the slow-building Patterns, for which she strummed the acoustic guitar, but for the most part it was a high energy show with punter favourites Regular Touch and Private igniting the sold-out dancefloor through a sea of pulsating lights. Watch Pavey's star as it will continue to rise.