Steve Adey @ The Underbelly

After a short technical delay, local acoustic singer-songwriter Emily Scott opens the night with some understated but intriguing balladry. Breaking down the listener’s expectations with unusual chord changes and cute multi-syllable rhymes (flotsam/not some/yachtsman), Scott's seven song set warms up the busy galleries in anticipation of Steve Adey’s arrival.

Bringing in tow a full backing band, Adey carries a hefty weight of expectation. With an unassuming, even abashed presence on stage, his ear for the dynamics of melancholy songwriting is clearly evident and is carried off with aplomb in the live setting.

The band gather respectfully around Adey’s keyboard, pitching their instruments according to his intelligent, probing vocals and becoming energised by the emotive crescendos. The simplicity of the song structures can intermittently labour the tracks, but the timbre and delicacy of the finale "Mississippi" is a firm reminder of Adey’s dynamic craft.