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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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HIATUS KAIYOTE
+ Gut Health
+ Hubble Origins
@ The Forum, Melbourne,
17th September 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Sam Coronado

Photos by Cam Brown (@cambrownvisuals)

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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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A homecoming show by any successful touring act can feel a bit like a favourite meal at a favourite restaurant. It’s something grounded in its familiarity, and nearness, and yet something you can’t help but heap on a bevy of expectations on. Every so often an artist or band, having made their rounds in the States, or Europe, returns to a faithful, devoted following here in Melbourne. That home crowd, likely some of the act’s first few fans, tempers their expectations, but inevitably expects great things at the same time. Melbourne’s (and on that note Australia’s) most famous exports these days are no arena-sell-out megastars in the same vein as a Taylor Swift, after all. And still, we love to claim those we can, no matter how far away they end up, especially if they live up to our lofty expectations on their eventual return.

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Gut Health / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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Hubble Origins / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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It felt like that tentative excitement and anticipation was weighing on the crowd at the Forum as Hiatus Kaiyote took to the stage. It was like a thick air had set upon the audience; it was the mood and the atmosphere, during the jazz-funk-fusion outfit’s first few tunes. That was, until bassist Paul Bender, and then lead vocalist and guitarist Nai Palm noticed this as well, and reminded us of what and who we had come to listen to and see. “Did someone die in here?” went Bender. And from that point, as if everyone forgot that weight of expectation, that notion about a homecoming show, people realised they could loosen up, kick back, and enjoy this band that they ought to be proud of. It should have been no surprise to anyone that had come out to see them that Hiatus Kaiyote had returned to Melbourne to put on a hell of show.

The band seemed to glide effortlessly between new material off of their latest album Love Heart Cheat Code (2024), and celebrated, much-loved tunes off of the earlier Mood Valient (2021). And as the crowd warmed, they hit their stride. Their recent single in “Telescope” had them lay down one of the night’s most danceable grooves, and earwormy hooks, only to follow it with the weird but wonderful instrumental intro to “All The Words We Don’t Say” off of their 2021 album. And switch ups like this were far from uncommon. Hiatus Kaiyote love to keep you on your toes within songs, let alone in between them.

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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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If it is nearly always a treat to hear a familiar tune in a live setting, then it is a special treat to hear those tunes become these extended jams that feel almost like brand new songs in their own right. From the fan-favourite lead single ‘Red Room’ to recent cuts such as ‘Longcat’, the jams gave new life to the music and the songs were all the more captivating for it. The latter for example, went from a short, weird and interlude-like cut on the studio release to an instant highlight when performed live. The synth arpeggios being brought forward in the mix certainly helped, but again I feel as if the ideas being given a bit more room to breathe in an improvised jam didn’t hurt either.

I must say that the newer material didn’t grab me as much as their earlier work had upon first listening to the studio release. Nevertheless, Hiatus Kaiyote find themselves in a musical lane that lends itself to live performance, and so I was far from apprehensive walking in. I have since warmed up greatly to their latest album, but I suspect hearing and seeing them play through the new material up on stage had a large role in that. “Make Friends” was another instance where the live mix brought out the best parts of a track, in this case it was Bender’s magnificent bassline standing in the spotlight. The cut also showcases Palm’s lovely songwriting craft: “You don’t make friends, you recognise them”. Louder for the people at the back!

On that note, I find it hard to address Nai Palm without any of the superlatives of which she is more than deserving. Her voice is hard – let’s just say impossible – to tire of. Whether as a solo act, or with Hiatus Kaiyote, it is always a pleasure to hear and see her sing live. This show was never going to be the exception, and it really is hard to put into words without it devolving into gushing for gushing’s sake. That soulful rasp, the deep lows, and the oh-so-moving highs. It felt like her every phrase or run were met with rapturous cheers, and rightly so. Palm’s undeniable talent has been noted by listeners and contemporaries alike for some time now, but distilling it to a few praising comments feels like a disservice. The lead single of their latest full-length release “Everything’s Beautiful” puts all these qualities up for display, and my was it a treat to hear them run through it live.

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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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But if the brief mention of Palm’s solo work is good for anything, it is to make abundantly clear that every member of the band are vital for the collective sound they achieve together. Bender’s bass work is always sharp, but compared to the studio recordings there is a sense of unbridled energy barely being kept in check by a diligent musician. Along with Perrin Moss’ tight drums and Simon Mavin’s keyboards and synths, their instrumental funk might be called the glue that keeps Hiatus’ sound together, and they were all in incredible nick on the night.

The latter part of the set saw them tread into dirtier waters, with the heavier, abrasive sounds of the recent “Cinnamon Temple” and the jazz-rock of deep cut “Swamp Thing”. This final turn seemed like a quick flex of the muscles, heaping on proof of their incredible range that we were all so familiar with by this point. But it was welcome nonetheless, and I am sure no one was thrilled when they announced their last song soon after..

The production and mixing were fantastic, as were the visuals. But I get the vibe that those sorts of things go without saying at a Hiatus Kaiyote show. By the end of the encore, I found myself thinking about how stupid I was for doubting that they would live up to whatever lofty expectations I had. They did.

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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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Check out Cam Brown’s (@cambrownvisuals) full gallery of this event HERE

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Hiatus Kaiyote / Photo – @cambrownvisuals

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Follow HIATUS KAIYOTE
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AMNPLIFY – DB