If you haven’t yet seen Lamb live ensure that they’re on your list of bands to see before you die. It truly is an experience like no other and as they proved on Wednesday night where they were still able to deliver a performance rich in soul and energy despite having only arrived in Perth at 2am that morning after a twenty hour flight from London.

Mid week crowds can be tough but Metro Freo would had to have been close to full on Wednesday night. Word of mouth reports of their first Oz tour eighteen months ago ensured a keen and expectant crowd that though often quite static were very receptive at the appropriate moments. Whilst their music has an energy and life of it’s own, much of this energy seemed directed into the captivated state many seemed in (self included). There were however exceptions and the front part of the audience were certainly doing their best to keep the dancing going.

Whether it be swinging rock, bass heavy beats or stripped back and acoustic, Lamb are able to connect with a crowd. From the moment Lou Rhodes graced the stage dressed all in white she had the audience’s full and undivided attention as she took a seat for the opening track. Her voice sounding every bit as amazing live as the recorded form.

Andy Barlow is the driving energy force behind the live band and was constantly jumping back and forth between the back of stage where he worked all his electronic gadgetry to the front where he played keyboards, African drums or just generally jumped around. He fired up when the band and/or crowd seemed lagging and always got a response.

Joining them on stage were bass player Jon, drummer Nikolai and guitarist Oddur who seemed most comfortable letting the attention fall on Lou and Andy and getting funky within their own space on the stage.

With Perth being the first stop on the Australian tour and a new album due out at the end of October, of the seven new tracks played during the evening the audience had the privlege of being the first to hear four of them being played live to an audience for the first time. At the end of the first of these tracks Stronger Andy seeming delighted in both the response the track got and in telling the audience they’d been the first to hear it.

Also getting an airing were favourites from their past three albums. Heavensounded every bit as hopeful whilst Gabriel managed to somehow surpass the original in beauty. The intro of Fly seemed to be the bands attempt at breaking the sound system with it’s ultra low hammering bass lines, something which when played with Lou’s soaring voice had the crowd cheering and moving in unison. The choice of the moody One to close the main set was never going to be enough and no matter how tired they were you knew they had to come back for more. Beginning the encore with Lou on acoustic guitar with another new track and ending with their signature Gorecki you’d think it’d have been a fitting conclusion. But after exiting the stage and a prolonged absence (which even had DJ MRW thinking they wouldn’t be back and starting with a followup track) they finally came back on for a staggering and popular Bonfire. Andy later posting a message on the bands website about their tiredness but wanting to come back for the final track.

hey all just did a gig in perth , was FUCKING AMAZING we played 7 tunes from the new album , 4 that were virgins, we were all jet lagged totally and made a few slipps but the energy was awesome. We did 2x encores and came off stage saying we cant play any more, the crowd still going mad even when the dj came back on, then on our way back to the dressing room, said fuck it lets play another, very sketchy behaviour. all of you that were there thank you for being a fantastic intro to the oz tour lamb love x a

Musically Lamb were spot on. Sure there were some tiredness induced slip-ups but when in full flight they truly do soar and take you along for the ride. What added the extra touch for me though was the onstage banter between the band and the crowd to create a very intimate feel amongst the more than 1000 people in attendance. Whether it be Andy taking the microphone at the end of one of the new tracks and telling the audience how much he loves one of Lou’s lines in the song or Lou telling the crowd a song was one her son asked for every night he went to bed. It’s the personal touch which when combined with the emotive music and words leaves you exiting the venue with a warm glowing feeling of knowing you just witnessed something truly special.