Jonathan Boulet is full of surprises. He has literally come out of nowhere, releasing his debut album at the end of last year with only a previous single release to his name. That single, A Community Service Announcement, has gone on to make big waves in the underground and mainstream communities alike. Heck, even Kanye West likes it! So it probably should have come as no surprise that on his debut headline tour of Australia, he would be rather good. And while he was rather good indeed, his first visit to Adelaide produced no great shocks.

At this point I must apologise to supporting acts Sooki and Jimmy & The Mirrors. I would have been there early enough to give you guys a write-up, but thanks to a new club night starting downstairs, venue priorities were focussed elsewhere and the media door list was running late at Rocket Bar. Que sera sera.

For a 21-year-old who hasn’t played many shows outside his native Sydney, Boulet exudes confidence on stage. After quickly introducing himself and his backing band, they launch into non-album noise ballad I Will Soldier On. An appreciative Boulet then thanked members of the crowd for the large turnout (it must have been close to capacity), and two audience members in particular for bringing their own maracas to the show.

For what started out as a project in his bedroom, Boulet’s solo material translates well to the stage. His fast-paced skiffle pop, in particular songs like 321 Ready Or Not and Continue Calling, get the crowd shuffling their feet and nodding their heads balancing well balanced with his slower stuff like 10 Billion Years.

In between songs he and his band jam together for what seems like an eternity, and this is the one big criticism of Boulet’s show tonight. Just after an energetic rendition of Ones Who Fly Twos Who Die, it’s a good few minutes before the next song starts and all momentum has been lost.  It’s clear he needs to tighten things up in this department.

Predictably, the band closed with A Community Service Announcement, complete with hand-clapping and sing-a-longs from the audience. A quite polished song on record, it comes alive when played in the raw and capped off an altogether solid performance.

It was perhaps unsurprising that Boulet’s live show would need a bit of ironing out, given that he’s only been on the road a short while. But you really can’t fault the lad too much. It’ll be interesting to see what he pulls out of the hat next.

Jimmy Bollard

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