LIVE REVIEW: AMBER RUN + JACOB LEE @ THE TRIFFID 19/04/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi Photos Steph Ure

British band Amber Run brought “the light in” with their energetic melodic rock set at The Triffid. The band joked with the crowd that, “It might have taken us a decade to get here – a decade too late? But we are here now and we are going to play our debut album ‘5AM’ in full. Is that alright?” The crowd thought that was more than alright, as the night celebrated Amber Run’s first ever visit to Brisbane and their first ever Australian shows. They brought along Australian singer-songwriter Jacob Lee, and the crowd had to judge “sexy support” and “sexy band”.

The evening commenced with a fantastic atmospheric and emotional acoustic set from Gold Coast-based singer-songwriter Jacob Lee. His smooth vocals, beautiful melodic acoustic guitar riffs, and really articulate song lyrics set the tone for his set and the night. It was his first gig in one and a half years, and he was nervous. But as soon as he sang, the first of his new songs ‘Over And Over Again’, and he had the crowd engage and sing along with the chorus, the set was off and running.

Jacob Lee has a truly captivating voice, and he performed a collection of seven songs of love and heartbreak. The songs ‘Don’t Know Who To Trust’, ‘Love Is Better Slow’, and ‘Not Too Good At Goodbyes’ were delivered with style, vulnerability, and honesty. He also played the crowd his very popular song from “seven years ago now,” ‘Demons’, and it was really popular.

Even through the nerves, Jacob Lee demonstrated his songwriting class as his lyricism was terrific. His crisp acoustic guitar playing was really melodic, and his vocals were crystal clear. He was, as pointed out by Amber Run’s frontman Joe Keogh, “a very good looking – in fact sexy – man. What is it with you Australians being so good looking?!”. The crowd agreed, but acknowledged his music was pretty good as well. Jacob Lee is definitely one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets.

The stage needed a little bit of work, with leads removed and guitars taken away, as the crowd waited and got in another round of drinks. The music increased in volume, and the venue started to go dark. It was time, for Amber Run’s rock ‘n’ roll party to get underway. For ten years of an album’s life is definitely something you should celebrate in true rock ‘n’ roll style, that's what Amber Run did.

The Nottingham-based indie-rock band came out onto the stage and commenced their set with the interlude ‘M. F’ before they launched into their anthemic pop-rock sound for ‘Spark’, and ‘Hurricane’. Amber Run is a band whose songwriting is acclaimed for its emotive lyricism, and they have a reputation for intimate and high-energy live performances. And that is exactly what the crowd got at The Triffid!

Amber Run, core members Joe Keogh (vocals/guitar), Tomas Sperring (bass), and Henry Wyeth (keyboardist), and the rest of the fantastic band filled the room with a joyful sound, melodic rock ‘n’ roll played with those chiming guitars, driving bassline grooves, and big drums all delivered with real skill. The crowd responded to lightning start. But the first big crowd moment was the singalong with ‘Noah’, and the energy in the room amplified.

The fans had been waiting a very long time for Amber Run to make their way to Brisbane, and the band acknowledged the wait and apologised to the crowd and “promised not to do it again”. Then, they said the night was going to be a “mix of big songs and sad songs” as they went on to deliver ‘Pilot’, ‘CF’, and the melancholic, glitchy synth beauty of the title track ‘5AM’.

Amber Run’s frontman Joshua Keogh’s vocal performance was phenomenally good. He sang with strength and power through ‘Just My Soul Responding’, ‘Good Morning’, the wonderful song, “about a girl I knew 10 years ago and it’s strange because I do not know what is going on in her life – and good riddance – here is ‘Shiver’”, and “my favourite song about a girl – I married her” - ‘See You Soon’. He was supported by the rest of the band who were on scorching hot form throughout the set with both harmonies and musical skill.

Amber Run also gave the crowd reason to be happy as they delivered songs from their other albums and EPs. The set changed in tone and style when ‘What Could Be As Lonely As Love’ was delivered with its melancholic and heavier guitar-led sound. The crowd was thrilled as they sang along with the “oh oh oh” tune echoing in the venue. The band continued to play the heartbreakers with the atmospheric ‘Hurt’, the rhythm-dominated ‘Fickle Game’, and ‘Wastelands’.

The band closed their regulation set with ‘No Answers’. The rawness of the song and its fragile melody ended the show with an emotional punch. Amber Run left the stage as the crowd gave them a huge ovation. Then, Joshua Keogh stepped back onto the stage and said, “Obviously, we lied! I am here to sing a few more songs”. Then, an extraordinary short solo set of songs began…

Joshua Keogh addressed the crowd. He told fans that he had originally written the song ‘Amen’ about the passing of his grandfather. But he explained, “my grandmother has just passed – as I was leaving the UK – and I didn’t want to tour. But I have decided to sing this song to her each night”. And he sang ‘Amen’ beautifully, with emotion as he plucked the guitar strings and the sound echoed around the venue. Then, it was time to “lighten the mood”, as he performed the brand-new song ‘Sunflower’ from the band’s upcoming EP.

The rest of the band returned to the stage and the big ending encore was on. Amber Run charged up the high octane vibes and delivered the wonderful ‘I Found’, and ‘Heaven’ from the ‘5AM’ album and its deluxe version. It was a wonderful way to end the full performance of their brilliant album.

Amber Run surely knows how to put on a show. The 20-song setlist led the crowd through the full emotional landscape of their melodious music in a way that felt perfectly attuned and everyone at The Triffid was with them the whole way. Rock ‘n’ roll magic!