Queensland blues-rock band The Vernons have seen their stock rise in the last year or so. With a winning combo of impassioned vocals, gorgeous guitars and storytelling steeped in their blues influences, it’s no wonder these boys managed to draw an impressive crowd to the Brighton Up Bar as they rounded out their recent Australian tour.
Brissie foursome The Vernons descended upon Sydney with an arsenal of blues-rock up their sleeves. Dynamic, loud and fun, these boys are killer live.
The band have been playing a select few shows on the east coast following the release of their third EP Snap, and the delivered in spades with an explosive live show that left many punters with a smile on their faces and a tingly sensation in their loins. Such is the nature of blues rock. Rousing melodies is what The Vernons specialise in, and they wasted no time ensaring their audience with the epic To The Sky. Front man Jonny Nyst opened the song with a really impressive raw vocal solo before the whole band came in nice and loud. The Brighon Up Bar always serves loud bands the best. The small dark room provides an intimate space, the crashing crescendo of To The Sky drowning out the noise of Oxford Street.
With a few fellow Queenslanders in attendance it didn’t take long for the crowd to get boogieing, the lead single Snap My Fingers from their new EP got everyone there nice and sweaty. The band weren’t holding back, the track itself being its own party. If the twangy guitars were like the fun dude cutting shapes on a dance floor then the bass was the cool guy sprawled out on the couch with the sexy stare. And that vocal, man, Chirs Issak would be impressed. Nyst has always managed to deliver on the band’s records but he shone this night with his emotive and charismatic performance.
Moments like Keep On Dreaming and I Want Her Back Home saw The Vernons slow things down a bit, but without managing to keep the blood rushing. It speaks to the band’s versatility that makes them a great live band. Sure we’ve slapped them with the label of blues-rock, but the blues inherently influenced all forms of popular music today, from rock to hip-hop. With an expansive sand-pit to play in. And that’s what you really want in a live show. A dynamic, vibrant set that keeps you on your toes.
Returning to the cramped stage for an encore the band launched into The Isley Brother’s classic Shout. If you’re gonna cap off a tour, then this was the way to do it. With plenty of raucous energy and endearing disposition, The Vernons went out with a bang that left punters buzzing.