Demand dictated a change of venue from the Grace Emily Hotel to the Governor Hindmarsh and without prior knowledge of ticket sales, I was interested to see how much the larger venue would fill, especially considering the sparse audience present as support act Jack Ladder commenced his solo set.
I had last seen Jack some years ago in another support role coincidentally at the aforementioned venue. The in between song banter regarding his infrequent visits to Adelaide, having his hire car keyed and having no insurance on a previous trip initially did little to warm him to what appeared to be an indifferent audience. He performed a beautiful version of Hurtsville, the suggestive lyric, “You flip the burgers. I’ll work the till”, seemed to reflect his apathy. However self-deprecating, Jack did win over some new fans but whether this audience would remember him next time is another matter considering the closing remark, “I’ll be back in ten more years”. He had commented that we all knew who we were there for were here for and support acts must reconcile that they are more often than not going to be overlooked by an audience primarily there for the main act.
As is so often the case, the audience had increased significantly, seemingly appearing from out of nowhere by the time the main act walked on stage. Apart from Angel Olsen, her five piece band was dressed in coordinating grey suits, perhaps harking back to a Motown fashion style. They were three songs in before acknowledging the audience and then the only interactions were regarding avocado toast, the best place to get vegan ice cream after the show (Sugar?). Later there was a seemingly random public service announcement eschewing the virtues of wearing protection, as well as the obligatory band introductions. Angel’s vocals were a country style akin to Patsy Cline, punctuated at times by an endearing sharp yodel-like yelp. Two thirds of the fifteen song set, including encore, comprised predominantly of the most recent “Woman” album in nearly its entirety. A thoroughly satisfying event, although no thanks to the hipster at the front of stage right who mouthed the words to practically every song. Ten points for enthusiasm. Negative ten for the distraction.
Words by Jason Leigh
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