REVIEW: Vance Joy to the World
If you would’ve told Vance Joy 10 years ago that he’d be playing Canadian hockey arenas one day, he would’ve said you were crackers.
Because he’s Australian. “Crackers” is exactly the word he would use. It means crazy.
But there he was at Rogers Place on Wednesday night – another worthy folk singer-turned-pop star playing his biggest headlining show in Edmonton, so far. He’s only got two albums. Sky’s the limit.
How did this happen? We all know how folk infiltrated the mainstream for a while back there, what with Mumford and such, but since embarrassing oversaturation and unfortunate car commercials, a lot of people naturally assumed the trend had jumped the shark. Don’t hear many banjos on the radio anymore. Yet Vance Joy persists, his career growing. His secret: His beautiful, romantic songs.
It was clear from the adoring reaction in Edmonton that Mr. Joy has touched a deep chord in his target demographic – mainly women in their 30s. It was fascinating, and instructive, to witness how they were seduced by Joy’s clear, high, heartfelt, honest vocal lines that soared through the arena.
“I loved you in the darkness.”
“I was just coasting ’til we met.”
“This body is yours and mine.”
“When I see your light shine, I know I’m home.”
“I’ll always be that little boy.”
“I wanna be your left hand man.”
Well, no wonder!
Adding to the lyrical lure (and also making it tolerable for guys who tagged along) was the triple threat of talent the 30-year-old singer displayed. He’s a terrific vocalist with a remarkable range. His high notes in several songs were thrilling, a little off in places, which only proved he was human. No tracking at this show. Could you imagine? This was the real deal.
Joy only played a little guitar (the trusty ukulele) a couple of times – but a little goes a long way. Mainly he stuck to his various acoustics, showing off deft accompaniment to the equally talented band, including a two-piece horn section.
Of course there were moments of almost unbearable sentimentality, but Joy proved to be up to the task of pulling off the “arena show” despite patter that wouldn’t be out of place at your average folk festival – introducing every single song, for example. He was charming. We all learned in great detail how his lost his tooth when he was a little boy. Cue Little Boy.
Early on, he played the ridiculously romantic I’m With You – an anthem for couple-dom – bravely on his own, solo, enthralling his audience completely, and fully living up to his name.
Not so crackers after all!
