Gig Review: The Teskey Brothers - Eventim Apollo 26/4/23
The Teskey Brothers have come a long way - much further than the distance from Australia.
The last time they played in London, it was to an audience of 50 people. Fast forward six years, The Teskey Brothers have sold out London’s Eventim Apollo and have added a slew of dates onto their decidedly modest touring schedule to fill demand.
The question is, how have they managed it?
Refreshingly, The Teskey Brothers, founded by brothers Josh and Sam in Melbourne in 2008, have ridden the wave of growing popularity through purely organic means - not through novelty, viral stunts or big-name-collaborators, but through their honest blend of soul-infused rock music.
Throughout their catalogue spanning three albums, The Teskey Brothers have always sang from the heart, crafting pared-back guitar anthems exploring themes of hope and loss; a self-awareness unmatched by many of their contemporaries.
It makes perfect sense that this transparency is reflected in their live show. Walking onto the stage, the band didn't need to rely on intro music or visuals, responding to the rapturous wall of sound from the sell-out audience with such a genuine display of gratitude that I wanted to give them all a hug.
They open with new song ‘Remember The Time’ before leading into fan-favourite ‘Carry You’, fearless in its vulnerability, yet inspiring in its message (you need someone to lean on/I need someone to lean on too). The two brothers stand side-by-side in front of the solid ensemble of drums, piano, bass and brass, leading from the front with their irresistible melodies and contagious love of music. The musicianship is tight, but never indulgent.
Set against a copper backdrop, reflective ballad ‘Crying Shame’ is given a satisfying denouement in ‘Take My Heart’, a poetic musing on seeing the love that’s in front of you. The improvisational freedom that The Teskey Brothers have made for themselves lends itself perfectly to this song, with Josh’s throaty vocals given room to breathe and fill the room with emotive riffs.
Equally as important to the Teskey Brother’s distinctive sound is Sam’s intricate lead guitar work, complementing his brother’s vocal dexterity with tasteful lines ranging from playful call-and-response to searing solos. ‘He doesn’t play the guitar - he makes it sing’, his brother lovingly comments, before Sam launches into fretboard wizardry reminiscent of Jeff Beck or B.B. King.
New song ‘London Bridge’ shifts the tone, a lyrical rumination on trying to keep things together when everything seems to be crumbling. It’s cathartic, emotional, and seems to strike a chord with everyone in the room.
Closing the set with crowd-pleaser ‘Hold Me’, the audience joins the band in an incredible acapella rendition of the final chorus, the entirety of London’s iconic venue becoming one voice in one of the most emotional displays of togetherness I’ve ever seen.
This continued after curfew, with swathes of audience members carrying on the iconic refrain outside the venue, on the train, and into the night - a testament to this band’s universal appeal, whether it’s an audience of fifty or five thousand.
