Conrad Sewell is undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest vocalists. With incredible power in his upper register and a smooth, velvety tone in his lower register, he brings the complete package to the stage and to his records, much to the delight of his fans. Given this, it was a real treat to see him play in the intimate Eternity Playhouse at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company, which allowed the audience to get up close and personal with the Brisbane singer-songwriter. 

When seeing Sewell live, it bears repeating to state just how exceptional Sewell’s voice is. Not only was he note-perfect throughout the whole set but he managed to change between styles and registers effortlessly throughout his hour long set. 

While Sewell’s voice was phenomenal, what distinguished this set was the vulnerability he showed on stage. There were multiple occasions where he was close to tears as he performed songs from his latest album ‘Precious’ which clearly meant so much to him. “33” which started as a letter to a friend who died of an overdose, was a particular highlight, demonstrating Sewell’s phenomenal craftsmanship as a songwriter. 

Sewell was forthcoming about the circumstances under which he wrote the album, detailing to the audience his struggles with addiction and the fact that he wrote “80% of the album” in a rehabilitation facility, with nurses listening to his songs at the end of the day. Sharing the stories behind the songs allowed him to connect on an even deeper level with the audience. 

Sewell also demonstrated a versatility of styles and quality songwriting throughout his set. Every song was catchy and incredibly well constructed, starting from the upbeat “God Save The Queen” to challenging Joe Cocker-esque vocals on songs like “Precious”.

Then there were the mega-hits. When Sewell sung “Start Again” you could hear a pin drop in the room as Sewell’s ethereal voice cut through the theatre. It’s a song that stands the test of time and Sewell’s voice live sounds exactly like the record. “Firestone” was just as good, with Sewell’s superb band starting out playing an acoustic version before moving into the dance track. 

Ultimately, this concert simply cemented that Sewell is up there with the best that Australia has to offer. This was the perfect concert, with a well-constructed setlist, great songs and stunning vocals. Sewell is at the top of his game at the moment and if his recent albums are anything to go by, things are only going to continue upwards for this incredibly talented artist. 

Rating: ★★★★★

Conrad Sewell – Eternity Playhouse – 16^th March, 2024

Photo credit: Shervin Lainez