The Jezabels at Scala

Progressively perfecting their onstage presence from the opening number to the very last track, The Jezabels performed an enthusiastic and lively set at Scala in North London on Tuesday night. Promoting their soon-to-be released second album, the Australian four-piece alternative rock and pop disco group features Hayley Mary on lead vocals, Samuel Lockwood on lead guitar, Heather Shannon on keyboard and Nik Kaloper on drums.

Opening with Catch Me from their debut album Prisoner, the band come off somewhat wary at first as there’s no interaction with the crowd.  Making no eye contact and her fringe theatrically covering her eyes, Mary is in character from the moment she walks on stage, devasted and affected as she dramatises the lyrics of the song.  Although visually little happens on stage, Mary’s impressive range and the emotion in her voice make for an alluring combination, seeming to put the entire audience in a trance-like state, swaying slightly to the beat, captivated by her performance.

New material like The Brink, Time to Dance and several other tracks sound similar live, but the enthusiasm of Lockwood as he jumps around, head banging from side to side as he strums his guitar, and the uplifting melody Shannon creates on keys keep the audience engaged.  However, it’s a hit like Easy to Love that really gets the crowd’s attention, inspiring fierce cheering and applause. Hundreds of small disco lights spin about on stage and the effect creates the most intriguing scene, with fans unable to look away.    

When the band breaks into Endless Summer fans echo the words, clapping along to the beat – the distinctiveness of Mary’s voice and the unique sound of the group are most apparent during this number.  As Mary grows more comfortable on stage, shedding layers and dancing uninhibitedly, her audience becomes more relaxed and shows greater enthusiasm for the performance.  By the end of the show, the energy from the quartet and crowd alike is so intense that the room physically vibrates with the stomping of fans demanding an encore.  And with the way The Jezabels gradually let loose, the finale is definitely worth sticking around for.

[verdict]

Natasha Fonseka
Photo: Paul Hudson

For further information and future events visit The Jezabels’ website here.

Watch the video for Easy To Love here: