With probably the best stage presence I’ve ever witnessed from a solo performer, Paul Dempsey is a talent to be admired. The comfortable, love-worn space of the Troubadour offers intimate seating, which I took full advantage of at the absolute front, knees scraping against the edge of the stage.Support act, Dan Parsons, although perhaps a bit too Pop-rock for the patient Something for Kate fans, provided some appealing originals on both acoustic and electric guitar. His cover of I Will Follow You into the Dark catered for Death Cab for Cutie listeners, who also contributed vocals, despite an accidental rearrangement of verses, and a mistaken lyric for which my friend almost decked him.
Casually surfacing from behind the bright red theater curtains, musical giant, Paul Dempsey, appeared in tailored pants and jacket, collared orange shirt and scruffy leather shoes. Wielding his trusty acoustic and hand-written set list, he welcomed the field of onlookers. Take Us To Your Leader, a track from the soon-to-be-released record, immediately wooed the crowd, who appeared gushing and enthusiastic with wide smiles like newly-smitten lovers. Dempsey previewed almost every song from the album, with current singles Out the Airlock and Ramona was a Waitress, along with unheard tracks such as Bats, Theme from Nice Guy, and Safety in Numbness.
Of course, he obliged SFK followers, who reveled in the nostalgia of Beautiful Sharks, The Astronaut, Say Something, and personal favourite, Reverse Soundtrack. A plastered and persistent punter was also granted his request for You Only Hide after Paul returned for the encore. During the night, the mellow rocker also paid tribute to his predecessors, covering Elvis Costello’s So Like Candy and Kim Carne’s Bette Davis Eyes. He even threw in an unexpected acoustic take on MGMT’s Time to Pretend, a dark cowlick rolling across his forehead during the final chorus.
In an impressive feat, Paul managed to cater for every type of audience member present at the show. Exiting through the same curtains from which he entered, it was clear that his performance conquered all expectations and fed all curiosities. I left the venue utterly fulfilled and in joyful possession of the night’s set list.
As well as joining the lineup for next month’s Splendour in the Grass festival, Dempsey will be returning to Brisbane later in the year with a so-called “band of brothers” to accompany his solo set. So, make sure you get on board!
