It was one hell of a disco party on Saturday night, with Sydney act Donny Benét playing to a sold-out crowd at Black Bear Lodge as a part of a national tour for the release of The Don, his latest album. Sultry lighting and a disco ball lit up the stage and really set the scene for the night, with two local Brisbane acts Holiday Party and Emerson Snowe priming the audience with their fun, charismatic sets before the legend himself took to the stage.
Indie-pop outfit, Holiday Party opened the night with some bouncy dance grooves to get the crowd tapping their feet and set the vibe for the evening. Their set featured synth laden songs, including their most recent single, Dream State, released in February this year. Their songs are full of subtle layers of synths and samples, clever production, and smooth and catchy vocals from front woman Mel Tickle. For fans of Chairlift and The Avalanches, Holiday Party is definitely a band worth checking out. Credit also goes to the synth player for his great dog tee.
Solo project of Jarrod Mahon (The Creases), Emerson Snowe had quite the turn-out for his set, with a lot of fans undoubtedly there to catch the Brisbane icon before his pursuit to Paris the next day. As always, Mahon delivered a flamboyant set, oozing with sensuality and charm, and with dance moves to match. Somehow Mahon has mastered the art of using simple lo-fi production and a recorded backing track, and uses this as a gimmick in his act, including an ‘intermission,’ of course to the sweet sounds of Every Morning by Sugar Ray. A lively cover of Androgynous by The Replacements was also very fitting, with Mahon acknowledging his sexuality at this point in the set. Some clear correlations and musical influences could also be drawn from his work - from the mic casually draped around his bare neck and body, exuding a very Freddie Mercury persona, to the Daniel Johnston tattoo that you couldn’t help but notice on his back, with this an obvious influence on his artistry. Brisbane will miss having this larrikin around, that’s for sure.
As the crowd thickened and scrambled to the front, the star himself graced the stage, launching straight into fitting number, Treat Yourself, an upbeat track from his previous record Electric Love.
Songs laced with satire, matched with the ‘cool uncle’ image, initially make you wonder whether Benét and his band are serious, however from the very first synth note and sax solo, it was clear that this band was no joke. The band was super tight, and it was humbling to have Benét consistently acknowledge his band members throughout the set, who are clearly outstanding musicians and play an integral role in his act. It was equally as impressive to watch Benét play super slinky, driving bass lines, whilst still delivering such smooth vocals. With grandiose sax solos in pretty much every song, and Benét’s risqué lyrics, it’s no wonder that the room was sweltering. Amongst the bunch of dedicated fans the wearing suits and aviators in the crowd, it was sorely disappointing that Benét wasn’t wearing his token pink suit. However the crowd were clearly having a ball, and it was clear that Benét was having fun too; with swanky songs like Love Online and Santorini - let’s face it, pretty much any song in his set, why wouldn’t he? He finished off an energetic set with slow jam Just Leave Him, with the audience chanting back the lyrics, which built into cheers and calls for an encore. Having already played his whole new album, Benét and his band returned to the stage with a nifty cover of I Was Made For Loving You, by Kiss, a darn sight better than the original, with a pumping 80’s disco beat, funky bass-line and of course, a sensual sax solo.
Benét’s vibe is like comedy meets 80’s post disco, mixed with social commentaries on todays generation’s craving for love and desire. At times you could certainly draw comparisons to the likes of Prince in the catchy song-craft and musicianship, whilst the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and song themes could also be likened to Kirin J Callanan and SPOD, yet with a far more sensual delivery and style. Ironic, yet subtle and relatable lyrics make his music easy for listeners to grab a hold of. Clearly Benét is an excellent pop songwriter, and sure knows how to write a catchy bass riff. Benét, You’re Too Good.
Kassie Sofia