LIVE REVIEW: CLOUD CONTROL + PLATONIC SEX @ THE PRINCESS THEATRE 30/05/25
Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi. Bliss Release 15th Anniversary Tour
Indie icons Cloud Control reunited for their first performance together as a band last night at The Princess Theatre in Brisbane. And what a special and joyful moment it was: Open Season brought the band together after they had drifted apart for about a decade to celebrate 15 years since the launch of their remarkable debut album, ‘Bliss Release’. And, was it good? It wasn’t just good – it was amazing! And a sold-out venue cannot be wrong!
Cloud Control is an Australian alternative rock band and they come from the beautiful Blue Mountains region. Cloud Control comprises of: Alister Wright, Heidi Lenffer, Ulrich Lenffer and
Jeremy Kelshaw. And, all I can say is, that as a band, it was stunning the beautiful noise that these four people can make together. Their sonic palate and delivery were melodic, harmonious and pure class. And, as Alister Wright stated about the overwhelming feelings of love coming from the crowd in reaction to Cloud Control’s music and presence was: “it feels like being wrapped in a warm hug”. I think the band were genuinely shocked at first that the crowd were so happy to see and hear them.
The evening commenced with the great young Brisbane-based band Platonic Sex. The band comprises of members: Bridget Brandolini, Jane Millroy, Ryan Hammermeister, and Mikki Hain. I have seen this young band four times in the last 18 months and they are just getting better and better each time. Platonic Sex got the crowd into the groove quickly with their songs ‘Disappointed Other’ and their brand new single ‘Easy’.
I loved the fact that they band were confident enough to be drinking their red wines and they really relaxed through the set because they delivered ‘Hanging out the Window’ and ‘Exhausted Competing For You’ with real swagger. In fact, it looked like they were having fun and that sense of joy filtered strongly to the crowd who were enjoying what they were seeing.
Platonic Sex delivered some of their most iconic, an empowered songs with ‘Devil’s Advocate’ and ‘Bitch In Heat’, generating a rather impressive response from the crowd. As someone who has seen this band perform in small venues where there were a handful of us to packed out venues at The Brightside and Fortitude Valley Music Hall, it was great to see them win over new fans at The Princess Theatre. Especially, when the band declared their high school love of Cloud Control’s music and looking forward to watching their coming performance (which they did) and you could just tell it was so genuine.
The band closed out their set with ‘Melon’. Platonic Sex’s soundscape combines angst and guitar distortion with delicate moments of vocal vulnerable reflection. Their songs have lovely melodies and their song writing deals with themes of love in all its forms: familial, platonic and romantic. This is the sound, along with their fine songs, that will be featured on their upcoming debut album. Platonic Sex are a band that will go places. Take note.
Photo by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
There was a short break as guitars, drumkits and microphones had to be removed and then new equipment was shifted into place. The lighting engineer played around with lights, some songs special to the predominantly 28-year-old aged crowd were played and the crowd built up to standing room only. Young people on the floor and older people to the mezzanine area. Not being a quitter, I stayed right at the front and on the floor, as you could tell something special was about to happen.
The lights went down and Cloud Control came out onto the stage bathed in purple and red lights. The guys had their heads down as the started playing ‘Dojo Rising’ and Heidi Lenffer looked like the only relaxed band member as she gave a welcome to country acknowledgement and spoke lovingly about the Blue Mountains. Then, ‘Rainbow City’ was performed and the crowd were on board the Cloud Control train: and then the magic of tight harmonies and melodies kicked in and the crowd were singing at full volume, in tune, and the good vibes were bouncing of the walls.
Photo by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Cloud Control, then, delivered ‘The Smoke The Feeling’ and the place was bouncing, dancing and singing. The band looked overwhelmed as they stated: “it’s been a while”, “this is overwhelming – like a warm hug” and then Jeremy Kelshaw steadied the ship with: ‘Okay. Brisbane. Let’s get on and do what this night is about” which was the delivery of every song from the album ‘Bliss Release’ and I think some songs had their first live outings or debuts as they had not ever been played live before.
Whether you’re revisiting or discovering, ‘Bliss Release’, this 15th anniversary marks a chance for fans new and old to revisit an album that holds a special legacy in Australian music history. Cloud Control’s hazy, psych-folk pop debut album that dominated 2010's airwaves, received huge support from both community and national radio, and earned the band critical acclaim and accolades including the Australian Music Prize, AIR Independent Album of the Year, Sydney Music Arts & Culture award, and ARIA nominations and even landed the song ‘Just For Now’ on the ‘Magic Mike’ soundtrack.
Photo by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
The band started playing the first song from ‘Bliss Release’: and the band and the crowd did bliss out with ‘Meditation Song’ and then the singing started with ‘There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight’, then ‘Ghost Story’ followed before the crowd went crazy when the opening chords of ‘Gold Canary’ started. It was a special moment for fans who were singing their lungs out and is obviously a special song for many people in the crowd.
The next three songs came in quick succession. ‘This Is What I Said’, the huge singalong that ‘Just For Now’ turned into and it was followed by ‘The Rolling Stones’. At this point, Jeremy Kelshaw urged the crowd “to hold on, Brisbane” as the climax of the album was delivered with the intimate song ‘Hollow Drums’ performed. Alister Wright said: “I know it seems odd to play this now in the set but here it is”. The ballad left the crowd in the venue hushed and they listened in silence – it was a remarkable moment. Then, ‘My Fear #2’ and ‘Beast Of Love’ were played to round out the delivery of the album.
Cloud Control had performed 13 remarkable songs – 10 tracks exclusively from ‘Bliss Release’ – and the evening was not over yet. Even though the band left the stage for a short breather. The crowd got restless and started to make a fair bit of noise to get the band to return to the stage. Alister Wright, then, spoke to the crowd about: “doing that leaving the stage thing and coming back” as Cloud Control launched into and delivered a five-song encore.
Photo by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
I think we all have to revisit that chant of “one more song” as it is really short changing us. However, Cloud Control did not short change anyone and performed songs from their back catalogue such as ‘Promises’, the stunning ‘Panopticon’, the enormously popular ‘Scar’ that had the crowd in raptures and just went off. Then, the delicate ‘Treetops’ was played. Cloud Control closed out their set and the evening with ‘Dream Cave’.
After the band bowed and left the stage and the cheering and clapping died down. The crowd took a breath. The house lights came up. And, it was comments like “OMG”, “How good was that!” and “Can we do that again?” as people were just struck with awe about what had just been experienced.
Cloud Control’s skill in delivering authentic and strongly resonant music showed the power that live music can have on an audience. It was a transformative and collective experience of joy. Cloud Control are now embarking on a national tour and I hope the other venues have that same charge that ran throughout The Princess Theatre. It was pure magic! I even didn’t even get cross at waiting an hour to get out of the carpark to go home.
And, to the young ladies who were the super fans next to me: Yes. I did get the setlist. You should have waited a few more minutes, I could have got you one. See below.
CLOUD CONTROL
Princess Theatre 30/05/2025
Dojo Rising
Rainbow City
The Smoke The Feeling
Meditation Song
Nothing In The Water
Ghost Story
Gold Canary
This Is What I Said
Just For Now
Rolling Stones
Hollow Drums
My Fear
Beast Of Love
Encore:
Promises
Panopticon
Scar
Treetops
Dream Cave
