EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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Irish singer/songwriter Jonathon Ng, better known under his stage name EDEN, is a promising figure in the music industry. He’s been praised by high profile icons like Lorde, sold out shows ad reached top 20 on iTunes in 35 countries with his debut album vertigo. now, on his first world tour since the release, EDEN sets his sails to Australia and New Zealand for the first time with fans elated for his arrival. From the first look of Sydney’s Metro Theatre, a line of young adults was securely wrapped around the block prior to the venue opening. With that being the first glance, it was safe to assume each fan has high expectations, myself included.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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Supporting EDEN was electronic duo ALTA. Frontwoman Hannah Lesser and producer Julius Dowson wooed over the rowdy crowd with smooth vocals played over deep house beats that had everyone on their feet. As their set lingered on, Lesser and Dowson threw their inhibitions to the side of the stage and moulded with the crowd as punters swayed along. ALTA delivered in their goal of pumping up the crowd but the crowd were much more eager for the main attraction.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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Phone screens scattered the crowd as the beginning instrumentals of EDEN’s set roared through the room. In single file, drummer Gabe Smith and guitarist Blake Straus entered to amp up the crowd before Jonathon Ng‘s entrance sent the room in a frenzy. In their designated spots, a back light illuminated the stage which halted the crowd. It is then when Ng, Smith and Straus sing album opener wrong in its full acapella form. It’s one of the only times the entire room is silent and a stunning moment before the band delves into take care.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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EDEN’s live show sees LED poles scattered across the stage, embodying synesthesia in each song. As Ng kicked off his vocals in take care, the lights ascended in baby blue and blended into green for start // end. The first three tracks of vertigo before we saw a brief break in character from Ng. Ng receives a roaring crowd in response as he mumbles “What’s up, Sydney?” before fading back into the show with the violet-soaked wings.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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EDEN then expanded from his backing band as he explored the electric wasteland his stage represented. icarus and lost // found saw Ng on the opposite of the stage with a piano as the audience clapped along and admired in awe. Although a few rowdy punters in the crowd who demanded songs like XO and Wake Up, most were respectful in his choices of songs before we were submerged with waves as EDEN performed the first half of crash alone.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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And then, the playful sector of EDEN’s set began with the sun-soaked gold. Every person in the crowd sang along with Ng as he left the company of an instrument and indulged in the backdrop of his stage. Red flashed across the stage for the unreleased Fake Love before Ng sunk to the floor for the phone-lit forever // over. It’s the smallest moment of melancholy before sparking a sunset backdrop for Fumes, float and End Credits.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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EDEN’s ambient pop attitude shines brightly towards the final 5 songs of his set. Gravity had older fans buzzing, wonder had the crowd swaying lightly to Ng’s vocals and rock + roll saw the final crowd singalong in a shadow of red. But it was when the lights in the venue shone yellow as Ng began to sing love; not wrong (brave) when the mortality hit; the realisation that his performance would soon end. Soft lights illuminated the venue for vertigo’s closer falling in reverse, like slithers of sunlight through a bedroom curtain. falling in reverse instilled an awakening in the audience and I. But as the lights went out, leaving a bare stage and no Ng, Smith or Straus in sight, it’s was truly the end of something beautiful.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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EDEN may still be growing as a young musician in the industry, but from the reactions of a packed out Metro Theatre and overwhelming feelings displayed in his live show, EDEN has attracted fans with his self-awareness and transparency in a world where influencers in this world are filtered. The story of vertigo displays a story of love, loss and trials. It’s something everyone can relate to and a sign of what is to come from the new wave of artists entering the music industry. EDEN is the future of this industry, whether you believe it or not, and the vertigo world tour is only the beginning.

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EDEN @ 170 Russell – By Connie Smith

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AMNPLIFY – GD