Not Australia's first act to cause confusion over numbers - with Tame Impala famously nonplussing fans with his one-man-band approach - DOPE LEMON is the solo project of Angus Stone (previously of the folk-inclined sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone). Following the release of his fifth studio album ('GOLDEN WOLF'), DOPE LEMON embarked on an Australasian and European tour, his latest stop bringing breezy psychedelia to Manchester's recently remodelled and refurbished New Century Hall.
Charmingly referring to his fanbase as “city + lemons”, Manchester were already raring to go - famously already the “lemonhead” capital - thanks to The Stone Roses.
These Manchester Lemons were ready for reposed mayhem - though more above-board than Dublin's crowd - where an inebriated fan made off with one of the band's costume lemonheads just a few days earlier - perhaps inspired by the diamond-heist narrative of 'Sugarcat'.
Though the number of tracks in his set aligned more with a "long" support slot (at just fourteen tracks), DOPE LEMON still provided an expansive journey through the depths of his discography, with many of the songs performed exceeding the standard four-minute mark. Sampling all five of his albums, the majority of his offerings were plucked from 2016's 'Honey Bones', with 'GOLDEN WOLF' coming in at a close second.
First to take to the stage was DOPE LEMON's support act ugly ozo. Characterised by deeply personal lyrics, unrelenting enthusiasm and infectious cuts, the Isle Of Wight-hailing moniker of Jessica Baker treated the crowd to a selection of the best her discography had to offer.
Baker noted that this was the furthest north the band had ever been - and the biggest shown they'd ever done, before proceeding to perform 'Madonna', a song written about her sister, Boo.
With her debut EP 'stargirl' due out late next month, Ugly Ozo is firmly establishing herself as an indie force to be reckoned with.
Opening the set was 'Stonecutters', Stone stepped onto the stage with a pockmark of tardiness whilst red lightning and no-so-subtle fog shrouded the band.
A titular homage to SNL legend John Belushi, the track opens with a nod to a comically infamous news report ("Burning behind me is eight and a half tons of heroin, opium, hashish and other narcotics"), before diving into witty, quirky qips ("Cowboy the f*ck up / let's get moving" and "The music makes me move like a spooky boy"). 'Hey You' narrates meeting a like-minded individual in a bar ("I can see what’s on your mind is on my mind too"), where conversation quickly turns to flirtation ("rosy on the cheek, you're making me blush / She whispers, "Follow me home""). This laid-back interaction is mirrored in the sultry vocal delivery and soothing instrumentation
No DOPE LEMON set would be complete without a track from his Angus & Julia Stone days, the chosen number? 'Little Whiskey'. Reminiscent of Kings Of Leon's 'Waste A Moment', Stone prefaced the track with a cheeky "I like my Whiskey, but I'm on the beers tonight".
Oozing euphoria, 'Golden Wolf' details overt optimism ("We wanna be the best that we can be in this life"), with a performance that allows Stone to demonstrate the full soaring heights of his vocal ability.
Comforting and enveloped in love ("She'll make you feel alright / She'll make you feel okay"), the titular track of his debut record - 'Honey Bones' is a groovy, stoner-rock cut that translates perfectly to an on-stage performance. Opening with sweet dittying, 'Slinging Dimes' urges for partaking in feel-good activities ("I want to dance in the moonlight / I want to do the things that make me feel... alright"), with concert-goers raising their drinks in the air and joining in on the melodic choruses. Filled with neon metaphors, 'Electric Green Lambo' pairs succinctly with the similarly car-themed 'Rose Pink Cadillac'. Both were met with cheers from the crowd - clear fan-favourites of the evening.
DOPE LEMON is perhaps only one of a few artists whose final offering isn't their most famous song. 'Home Soon' doesn't sit in his top five listened to tracks on Spotify, but instead at a squat eight. Fans may have expected 'Marinade', or 'Kids Fallin' In Love' to appear here, but were still thrilled when the funky opening percussion of 'Home Soon' engulfed New Century Hall.
Despite fan-favourite tracks such as 'Salt & Pepper' missing from the evening's set list, DOPE LEMON put on a show that wouldn't soon be forgotten. Filled with hypnotic visuals, cat caricatures, and a quirky Dr John Cooper Clarke-esque harmonica player, New Century Hall was treated to one of the best acts Australia has to offer.
Lana Williams
@lanatakesphotos / @_lanaajade
Images: Lana Williams