Live Review: Gang of Youths
30 July 2022 at the RAC Arena (Perth)
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photo: Sheldon Ang Photography
He strides with a purported conviction; a fusion of skipping, marching and cultural dance on the runway, oozing the je nais se quois of a Brazilian supermodel who would frequent on the cover of Vogue Italia. The limelight accompanies him on a waltz, breaking through the shadowy hues of the Arena as he slithers into the arms of awaiting followers, snaking mellifluously over the canopy of worshipers like a log on rollers, before reaching the point of no return. Hands within an arm’s reach stretch for a divine occasion, chaos ensues. Despite drowning and mobbed by a sea of pilgrims, the lead singer is on point. They seem forgiving tonight, returning him onto the runway where he then executes a three sixty roll, before settling sideways while serenading to a legion of smitten GoY’ers. As he makes his way onto the stage, he shakes his “ass” to the 10,000 screaming self-appointed backup vocalists, cultimating in a cheeky Michael Jackson hand-on-groin move…
David Le’aupepe, lead vocalist and guitarist of Gang of Youths, is the metaphorical lovechild of Mick Jagger and the late Michael Hutchence. He oozes the swagger, poise and energy of the Rolling Stones legend, and the magnetic aura of one of Australia’s most iconic. The exuberant dance, hair flicks, back kicks and flips are infectious; put simply, the singer, principal writer, and multi-instrumentalist with a Samoan descent personifies the showmanship of an arena grade rockstar.
From the moment Jung Kim (Lead guitar, keyboards) ascended onto runway from a ladder and into a sonic intro, there was a brewing sense that tonight’s performance at the RAC Arena would eschew the archetypal entertainment. The spark of the setlist the angel of 8th ave. followed by the man himself and The Heart is a Muscle were electrifyingly scintillating through the beautiful chaos of a symphony-esque rock, syphoning the wishlist of a 80’s rockband with a modern twist. The start is exceptional, setting the benchmark for most parts of the night, inducing a level of grit and powerhouse that are very much the Gang of Youth that fans come to be awed by.
By default, Le’aupepe was the centrepiece, but eyes were darting across the stage to capture the individual brilliance through the likes of Tom Hobden on violin (also on keyboards and guitar), elevating the performance to another level. Donnie Borzestowski was possessed on drums, Max Dunn was focused on Bass Guitar, and of course Jung Kim sizzling the stage with some of the sickest and twisted end to end riffs. Some might say his on stage persona is the alter ego of someone in a tired looking suit and tie, plain round glasses and a chemical-free hairstyle, looking more like an engineering student – and frankly, the look personifies the prodigious skills and artistic incandescence displayed on stage. The seamless transition between instrument by Jung Kim and Hobden was unnoticeable.
It was also a day that Australian treasure Archie Roach left us. “I don’t like to follow script.” And with assumingly minimal preparation, Le’aupepe launched a solo ten-minute sonic eulogy through the cover of Roach’s Took the Children Away. “I love you Archie.” It was a moment to reflect, respect and to settle for a breather. And just like the instrumentalist, the seamless transition from anthemic rock to atmospheric ballads was mellifluous, and the fact this track wasn’t planned makes the lead singer an absolute freak to be performing in front of a capacity crowd at the RAC Arena.
The party recommenced with a bang in Magnolia, which became the loudest karaoke fest in the southern hemisphere. The night also saw guest performer Gretta Ray joining Gang of Youths onto the stage for The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows, with the invitation sparked by Like A Version cover.
This writer will admit; he’s probably the only person in the RAC Arena not knowing the lyrics to the GoY anthems. The sing along and dancing festivals highlight the capacity crowd of over 10,000 as fans, representing a cult of possibly millions of GoYers across the planet. And for those like me – just a handful, was converted to a GoY’er within the first three songs. It’s of little wonder this London-based, Australian band is one of the most entertaining arena outfit in Australia.
The writer would like to thank Sony Music Australia, the PR Files and Handsome Tours for the Press Accreditation.
About the Writer/Photographer: Sheldon Ang is the founder of Sheldon Ang Media. Despite the recent launch in May, SAM has photographed and reviewed the most sought-after arena/stadium concerts in Perth, namely The Kid LAROI, Louis Tomlinson (One Direction), Guy Sebastian, Glass Animals, Amy Shark and SYNTHONY 2022 – with many more to come.
Sheldon was also the Chief Photographer and Principal Writer for “Around the Sound” where he had interviewed over 50 artists including members of KISS, Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, INXS, Jefferson Starship and Europe. That site has been removed from cyberspace by their founder in April.
