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It’s only been just over a year since Car Seat Headrest graced our Australian stages, yet the venues seemed to have already doubled in size. It would make sense if that during this time, the band had released an album that was quite successful along our shores. But this is not the case, in fact Car Seat Headseat only put out Twin Fantasy two weeks before touching down, which is merely a reimagining of their 2011 Bandcamp album. So what has changed?

A lot has changed, apparently. The lights dim and the band enters to stage, but Will Toledo is no where to be seen. Moreover, I don’t even recognise the opening song which is apparently off their new album and all that I have listened to for the past two weeks. Am I even at the right gig?

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Ethan Ives of Car Seat Headrest – by Adrian Thomson

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The song finishes and everyone feels a little uneasy. After the casual applause tumbles away, Will Toledo walks on stage and his guitar is rightfully returned to him. The crowd cheers his name loudly, as if they’ve just switched their kaleidoscope for a telescope and everything suddenly makes sense.

It turns out that Naked Giants, a Seattle band, have joined the tour. They sneak a few more of their tracks into the set list later and I begin to worry if Car Seat Headrest are being upstaged during their on set. But then, Toledo whips out the maraca and everyone is reminded why they fell in love with them.

‘Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales’ is easily the crowd’s favourite. The melodies seem to float across the Croxton bandroom, each crowd member catching the lyrics and making them their own.

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Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest – by Adrian Thomson

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I never knew it was possible to be so excited to hear a monologue performed. Toledo tells the crowd; “Did I say too much? There’s nothing else I can say.” The dreamy haze encloses and it immediately feels as if Toledo is talking directly to you at a house party back in Seattle. The scene ends and so does Car Seat Headrest’s set, although the crowd isn’t letting them leave without an encore.

Hidden behind the keys and his mop of hair, Toledo gifts us with ‘White Ferrari’, a Frank Ocean cover. An almost impossible feat that only Car Seat Headrest (avec Naked Giants) could realise.

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AMNPLIFY – GD