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DEAN LEWIS
+ Daniel Seavey
+ Rachael Fahim
+ Sam McGovern
@ Kings Park &
Botanic Garden, Perth,
23rd November, 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

DEAN LEWIS. Hobart, 5th November / Photo – @musicvibes.photography

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Dean Lewis: The Story Continues for the Heartache Prince

Dean Lewis is riding high. He’s just released his third album Epilogue which he recorded in between recording sessions in California and Hawaii. Before that, the songwriter has been incessantly touring the world capturing hearts and minds. Take a look at his Instagram page (which currently has 1.3 million followers) and you’ll see videos of fans wedged in the crowd singing along with Lewis with tears running down their faces and all the anguish that defines the uncertainty of young adult life.

The Australian Epilogue tour finished its run at Kings Park to a sold-out crowd of 8,500 fans. If the long entry lines didn’t tell you this was sold out, then the merch stand line that snaked onto itself into a human barricade sure did.

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DANIEL SEAVEY. Hobart, 5th November / Photo – @musicvibes.photography

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RACHAEL FAHIM Hobart, 5th November / Photo – @musicvibes.photography

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Support for the night began with WA’s Sam McGovern a bronzed, joyful singer-songwriter before Rachael Fahim and Daniel Seavey took to the stage. Given the rush of people when gates opened the trio of artists had a notable audience ready to give them their dues until the Australian prince of heartbreak arrived. Seavey in particular took it to his full advantage commanding the stage with boyish charm, not unlike the main act.

Lewis’ years of non-stop gigging, his irreverent humour and misty-eyed gaze have garnered him the talent to hold a crowd in the palm of his hand. Lewis opened up with the reflective “Memories” which served as a love letter to his fans. Adorned in his typical black Lewis went on to lift the energy with a raucous rendition of “Hold of Me” before barrelling into “Empire”.

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DEAN LEWIS. Melbourne, 8th November / Photo – @bear.n.tripod

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Lewis proved his voice is as raw and textured as it has ever been, with vocals wavering from tender to gut-wrenching calls into the night. Then, with the momentum of his acoustic guitar, sweeping melodies and marching drum beats it became impossible not to resist singing along. It’s why anthems like “7 Minutes”, “Cold” and “Stay Awake” always get a roaring response. Smiling face, loud voices reflected at Lewis and his band who were enjoying it all just as much.

Between songs, Lewis bantered with the adoring crowd like an old friend, “Do you like the new album or is it s***?” and “I get a lot of messages from you guys telling me you’re depressed too. At least we have each other.” It gets to the heart of why Lewis connects so strongly with his mostly female audience– he holds space to feel vulnerable.

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DEAN LEWIS. Hobart, 5th November / Photo – @musicvibes.photography

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Lewis sat at the piano for the sombre song, “With You” his ballad originally intended for Rhianna before bringing back the lightness with the Kygo cover, “Lost Without You”. Picking a fan out of the crowd, he brought her up to join in the fun of playing onstage much to the cheers of the crowd.

A cover of “Cruel Summer” felt performative losing the nuanced arrangement of the original and an outing of Coldplay’s “Fix You” turned the melancholic song into something optimistic as McGovern and Seavey came out to join Lewis on stage as guitarist Alex Bennison played his solo on his back across the stage.

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DEAN LEWIS. Melbourne, 8th November / Photo – @bear.n.tripod

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The final run of songs was Dean Lewis at his best. “Half a Man” a song written about regret drifted over the audience. “Waves” crested with its guitars, drums and that release of euphoria that Lewis knows how to do so well. By this point, feeling fearless, he rushed into the audience to belt out “All Your Lies”. Rising from a sea of bodies Lewis emerged radiant and triumphant.

Closing the night where it all began with “Be Alright”, Lewis reminds fans that they are not alone in their pain. Through his hopeful music and lust for life, he’s mastered the concert experience as an emotional watershed.

4/5 stars

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DEAN LEWIS. Melbourne, 8th November / Photo – @bear.n.tripod

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Check out Caroline Tan’s (@musicvibes.photography) full gallery of the Hobart event (MyState Bank Arena, 5th November 2024) HERE

Check out Rena Tan’s (@bear.n.tripod) full gallery of the Melbourne event (Rod Laver Arena, 8th November 2024) HERE

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DEAN LEWIS. Hobart, 5th November / Photo – @musicvibes.photography

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Follow DEAN LEWIS
INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK – TWITTER
 YOUTUBE – WEBSITE – SPOTIFY
 APPLE – AMAZON – TIKTOK

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DEAN LEWIS. Melbourne, 8th November / Photo – @bear.n.tripod

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About DEAN LEWIS:

Australian singer-songwriter, Dean Lewis has sold 6.3M Albums and EPs worldwide and his music has attracted 12.5B streams to date.

Dean has cultivated and captivated a huge global fanbase of over 7M social followers, including 3.3M Tik Tok and 2M YouTube followers.

He has toured the world, playing over 400 shows/festivals.

Dean was welcomed into the Spotify Billions club for his hit ‘Be Alright’ which now has 5.5B + streams. ‘Be Alright’ has been certified 14 x platinum in Australia, 3 x platinum in the USA, 2 x platinum in the UK and platinum+ in 22 other countries.   His first ever single, ‘Waves’ has also now hit over 2.2B streams & is certified 10 x platinum in Australia, gold in the USA, platinum in the UK and platinum+ in 14 other countries.

Off the back of his # 1 Debut album release – 2019’s chart-topping, multiple-award-winning, multiple-Platinum-certified ‘A Place We Knew’, Lewis grabbed 3 x ARIA Awards, ‘Album of The Year,’ ‘Male Artist of The Year’ and ‘Video of The Year’ for ‘Be Alright.’  He also collaborated with Dutch superstar DJ/producer Martin Garrix on their hit single ‘Used To Love’ and kicked another bucket-list career goal when he performed at the AFL Grand Final.

In 2022, Dean released his second album ‘The Hardest Love’ which hit the ARIA Top 5 and featured singles ‘How Do I Say Goodbye’, ‘Hurtless’ + ‘Looks Like Me’.

That year, Dean collaborated with Norwegian DJ/Producer Kygo on 2 tracks which have over 200M+ streams. Dean wrapped up 2022, winning the TikTok award in Australia for AU Artists with Most New Followers + AU Most Viewed Artists.  His hit single, ‘How Do I Say Goodbye’ has now reached over 1.6B Streams, is 3 x platinum in Australia, 2 x platinum in Switzerland + Canada, silver in the UK and platinum in Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands and gold in USA, Italy, NZ + Germany. It made the Spotify Top 50 in 15 Countries (including DE, UK, CA, AU), #3 Hot AC USA Radio & was remixed by Global DJ/producer Tiesto.

In June 2023 Dean released, ‘In A Perfect World’ with US Global Superstar Julia Michaels. He again, toured the world on his ‘Future Is Bright’ World Tour, which saw him play shows/festivals in Australia, NZ, UK, Europe, ASIA, and USA. In between touring, he also featured on a track with US artist, Ruth B + released 2 of his own songs from his upcoming new album, ‘Trust Me Mate’ & ‘Memories’ which have been streamed over 100M streams. He ended the year as # 5 Most Viewed AU Artist on TikTok.

Dean kicked off 2024 performing arenas supporting James Arthur in the UK + the AJR Brothers throughout the USA.  He recently won 2 x APRA awards for ‘Most Performed Australian Work’ and ‘Most Performed Pop Work.’

Lewis’ highly anticipated third album, ‘The Epilogue’ is due to be released on 18 October, 2024.

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Press Release 7th October 2024 (below) HERE

DEAN LEWIS
The Epilogue World Tour
– Starts This Month!

Pre-order The Epilogue album here – Out October 18

New Fan Track
‘Fix You’
with Daniel Seavey
– Out NOW!

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AMNPLIFY – DB