The Paper Kites, a folk-rock band from Melbourne, Australia, did not disappoint in the second show of their current month-long tour. Playing to a small yet spirited crowd at the U Street Music Hall, the band featured songs from their 2015 album twelvefour as well as tracks from their 2013 album States, and 2013 EP’s Woodland and Young North.
The Paper Kites are led by vocalists Sam Bentley and Christina Lacy, who utilize delicate harmonies, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard, banjo, drums, and in their most recent album, a synthesizer to achieve an indie-rock folk sound. Their warm raw sound found throughout their EP’s and albums fosters an intimate connection to the audience.
The band started the show with “Revelator Eyes” and “Renegade,”, two hits from twelvefour. Only in this recent album has the band dived into the use of the synthesizer, a choice that has changed the energy of their songs but not the character of band. The atmosphere during the first few songs of their set was animated and fun, with the crowd rocking back and forth and mouthing the words.
Gradually the atmosphere in the room shifted. The Paper Kites began to sing a few of the slow, mournful songs they’re known for, and time seemed to pause for a moment.
“If you’ve been dying to hold someone’s hand all night this is the time to do it,” Bentley said as all the lights in the hall began to turn off. The darkness made the moment all the more special. As the lights faded, the audience hushed, their collective breaths rhymically entering and leaving their chests as they fully took in the low, breathy harmonies of The Paper Kites singing, “I’m just not moving right / Just not moving right when it’s not you,” from their song “Tenenbaum.” There’s incredible beauty in the sadness of this song, and a live concert enables the audience to fully immerse themselves in the strength of feeling.
The moment became more magical as Bentley began to strum the opening chords of “Bloom.” Judging from the cheers and gasps of joy coming from the crowd, it’s arguably the most beloved of The Paper Kites repertoire. “Bloom,” like so many of The Paper Kites’ songs, provokes an emotional response in its listeners. Everyone has a memory and a feeling associated with “Bloom.” When Bentley sings, “Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness, / And you fill my head with you,” it transports the audience to the frenetic early days of falling in love. These lyrics and the emotions they elicit are The Paper Kites at their best.
Fittingly, the band picked up the energy again with “Woke up from a Dream,” and finished their set with a few of their more upbeat songs like “Electric Indigo” and “Featherstone” and even threw in a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire.”
The tone of The Paper Kites’ set varied greatly, from exciting at first, to mournful and sweet, back to energetic, and finally peaceful again. After much calling for an encore, the band came back on stage to perform “Halcyon” with Bentley accompanying on acoustic guitar and an acapella rendition of their song “St. Clarity.” Their encore only reinforced harmony as one of The Paper Kites’ greatest strengths. Every song relies heavily on the exquisite vocals of Sam Bentley and Christina Lacy with fellow band members offering their complementing voices. The intimate nature of The Paper Kites shines through in their songs which focus on their interwoven voices.
It’s admirable how versatile The Paper Kites are, switching from lively to slow and sweet almost effortlessly. Furthermore, it’s a testament to the strength of their lyrics and instrumentals that the crowd is willing and able to go on their emotional journey with them.
Set List:
Revelator Eyes
Renegade
Maker of My Time
Lying to You
Holes
Too Late
Tenenbaum
Bloom
Woke up From A Dream
I’m on Fire – Bruce Springsteen
Turns Within Me
Electric Indigo
Featherstone
Encore:
Halcyon
St. Clarity
