It was April 2015 and as I walked into Frankie's Pizza, I could not have predicted what was about to happen to me. It was the launch of Gang of Youths debut album, 'The Positions' - an album I would listen to at least once a week for the next two years - and from that point on, I annoyed many family members and friends with my love for this band. Fast forward to September 2017; this time walking through the front gates of the Hordern Pavillion below a sign that read 'GANG OF YOUTHS - SOLD OUT' and I felt a huge sense of pride.
As the lights dim and Le Reel (Go Farther in Lightness) plays out to a video of lights sprouting life in the background, Dave Le'aupepe and co. appear on stage in front of a large and loud crowd. They tee off with What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?, Atlas Drowned and Fear and Trembling (Go Farther in Lightness) - three songs that build you up to incredible dizzying heights, before stepping back in time with Sjamboksa (The Positions). The set list is a beautiful mixture of new loves and old favourites with no less than 6 songs from their debut album, The Positions.
Le'aupepe, never being one to shy away from explaining his emotional turmoil, recounts his struggles growing up in Sydney and seeing The Hordern as a kind of mecca. He even tried to sneak in because he couldn't afford to buy tickets to gigs. "I promised myself when I was 12 years old that I would play here one day", he tells the crowd.
In true GOY style, shade is never too far from the light. Le'aupepe sits alone at his keyboard, explaining the heartbreaking circumstances around the song Knuckles White Dry. A story I, and I'm sure many in the crowd had heard at previous shows, still strikes a heavy chord. It's not long before spirits are soaring high once again as Le'aupepe literally struts his stuff to Magnolia and a 5000+ crowd singing along to every word.
The most heartwarming moment came with the song Persevere. Le'aupepe asks his friend in the crowd, Kellie Andrew, to stand as he talks about the 'unspeakable' loss her and husband David endured and how the song came into existence. Le'aupepe elaborates about how David Andrew, himself an accomplished musician, has been working in LA but has made a secret trip back to Sydney to perform at this show. As David walks on stage, his wife is visibly overwhelmed. The two Daves share a great bond and can't help but smile at each other throughout the equally heartbreaking and life-affirming track. As the song comes to a close, Kellie runs from the stands to greet her love. A truly lovely and emotional scene.
The main set rounds out with The Heart is a Muscle and Vital Signs. Le'aupepe promised early on in the night 'it's going to be a good, long set. It's a hometown show' and it wasn't long before they returned for a three song encore, finishing up with the inspiring Say Yes to Life.
I leave the Hordern Pavillion on a glorious high. Gang of Youths have come of age and are arguably Australia's best band.