Matt Corby - Resolution (Review)
Youth Central - October 21, 2013
Matt Corby - ‘Resolution’ 18 October 2013 Festival Hall, Melbourne
The voice, the music and the eyes is the perfection of Matt Corby. At 22, this Australian singer, songwriter and musician, is proving he is not just an ordinary ex-Australian idol contestant. Known best for his soulful tunes, Corby’s husky growl teamed with his clear tone highlights an outstanding vocalist, building intensity in every song - most impossible to sing along to. The expressive bearded man truly revealed his talent through his performance, leaving the audience in admiration.
Special guests for Resolution’s opening included Matt’s friend and bandmate Bree Tanter and London trio Bear’s Den, who inspired the awaiting crowd with their engaging and wholesome music.
Corby was welcomed to stage with screams that filled the room. Beginning in a single spotlight guitar in hand, he played the opening notes for his first song “Lighthome” which had the crowd screaming. His voice goes beyond places imaginable and engulfed the room, memorizing the audience every time his voice roared. He has the ability to captivate.
His presence on stage is an insight into the man reflected in his music — modest and true. A man of very little words, first interacting with the audience with a humble “hi” before leaping back into his music, fuelled with excitement. He is all about the music, revealing a sense of shyness and respect for himself.
Corby would occasionally keep the music alive, transitioning into the next song with simple strums of his guitar. He has coolness about him, with passionate movements towards his instruments highlighted through his beautiful performance of “Made of Stone” played alone on keyboard.
“Resolution” had the band in full with Corby’s deep voice reminding the audience of his talent. People in the audience were either singing along or staring at him amazed every time his voice grew loud. The heighted emotion in his voice has the ability to take people’s breath away... and he certainly did with this.
Performing an expressive duet of “Big Eyes” with Bree Tanter, Corby prepared the audience for ARIA award winner song of the year, “Brother”, signalled by the iconic ooh ooh ohh . Corby captivated the audience with his soothing and delicate tone, switching to rumbling drums and passionate vocal roars during the chorus which had everyone singing along, devoted to the upbeat version this track.
Corby fuelled the room with new song “Trick of the Light” integrating a mix of funk, jazz and groovy beats with his trademark voice, creating a whole new feel to his music. During this song, Corby stunned the audience with his beat-boxing skills and use of a loop station recording his vocals, creating an intense memorizing performance with more passion from Corby than I thought possible. Corby’s last song before the encore was the slow paced and heart wrenching “Souls A ‘Fire”, adding texture and power to every word he sang.
Returning to stage for the encore, Corby approached the stage with a certain shyness which lead into his soulful performance of “Untitled”. Corby’s final performance was a grand ending to the night. The complete joy and passion in “My False” was displayed with upbeat guitar riffs and handclapping of his bands with had the audience singing and bringing the experience to life, until it was immediately ended. That was when the lights flared and the full band exploded back into the final moments of the song, which has Corby dancing in happiness, grinning from ear to ear. It was the perfect ending to the good vibes that he had created through his inspiring performance.
5 out of 5