Electric, Fresh, and Undisputedly Stunning: Spacey Jane Take On The Fillmore
Words by Sydney Po
Photos by Abby Brustowicz
Oh, Spacey Jane, I’ll think of you forever.
Few people on this planet were more excited than I was when I saw that one of my favorite Australian indie-rock bands had announced their second North American tour. Following the release of their third studio album, If That Makes Sense, I knew attending this tour was a no-brainer. And wow, they never disappoint.
Their show at The Fillmore Philadelphia was the fourth time I’ve had the pleasure of watching a live performance by them, and yet it never gets old. Immediately, the energy was electric. No matter where I looked, there were groups of friends dancing to the house music, snapping pictures of their stunning outfits, and eagerly waiting for Spacey Jane to take the stage.
Preceding their set, The Belair Lip Bombs put on a killer opening performance, setting the tone for the evening to follow. They are also an Australian indie-rock four-piece; however, I can’t say that I was familiar with them before the show. But it’s safe to say they’ve gained a new fan. Their newest single, “Don’t Let Them Tell You (It’s Fair),” sealed the deal for me with its catchy chorus and exciting guitar throughout. They were a perfect choice to open for this tour by truly ramping up the energy of the audience for the main act.
Spacey Jane finally took the stage by opening with their third single off the new album “Through My Teeth,” causing the audience to positively ignite. This was my personal favorite of the singles released before the album came out, so I was ecstatic that they decided to open their show with it. This led straight into “Estimated Delivery,” during which bassist and backing vocalist Peppa Lane was unquestionably the star of the song. Her angelic vocals shone, and I couldn’t help but stand in absolute awe of her.
One of the highlights of my night came early, when the opening notes of “Whateverrr” echoed through the room, an undisputable favorite off the latest album. I was not alone in this opinion, as the rest of the crowd roared back to lead singer Caleb Harper, “Whatever, I’ll think of you forever!” He noted that it was the “biggest sing-along of the tour,” which I will forever hold in high honor. In all honesty, the audience was just matching the intense energy that the group brings to every song.
I’ve mentioned the friendliness of Spacey Jane crowds before, and this night was no exception. There was so much love in the room, especially during “It’s Been a Long Day” and “Ily the Most,” with so many groups of friends swaying along to the music and singing the lyrics to each other. I even shared precious moments with complete strangers during these songs, which is a testament to how easily Spacey Jane’s music brings people together. At no point during their performance did the energy waver, and with every song that played, the crowd grew hungrier for more. The powerful connection didn’t stop with just those viewing from the pit, as each of the members themselves shared sweet moments with one another on stage throughout the night.
Nearing the end of their set, “Head Cold” was played, and this particular performance of the song was otherworldly. Ashton Hardman Le-Cornu was ripping it on the guitar as usual, but the breakdown before the last chorus was what really sold me. Kieran Lama, coming back in with his insane drumming, held the attention of everyone in the crowd. There aren’t any other words to describe the experience other than absolutely captivating. Their translation of songs from the studio versions to the live performance is nothing short of impressive.
With an encore of “So Much Taller” and “Lots of Nothing,” they ended the show with everything they had. It’s unreal how fresh Spacey Jane are able to keep both their sound and their set. Even the lighting design matched the intensity of each of the songs, which aided in making the night genuinely unforgettable.
If you only take away one thing from this review, let it be this: See Spacey Jane live. It doesn’t matter if you know the lyrics to every single song or you barely know a word; they are a band you do not want to miss. They are undoubtedly bound to put on an incredible show, and any person seeing them live will have a good time. Spacey Jane are currently still making their way through the states, so if they haven’t been to your city yet, don’t miss out on your opportunity to experience them in all of their glory!
More photos from the show here!
