Sydney’s sibling folk duo Angus & Julia Stone wooed the entire crowd at The Fonda last night. Having recently released their self-titled third full-length album (produced by the incomparable Rick Rubin who helped to musically reunite the two) Angus & Julia are gaining more acclaim stateside for their beautiful blended harmonies and blatantly adorable togetherness. Opening the night with their single “A Heartbreak” from their new album, they started off with an intimate and almost sad number blanketed in dark blue lights. Doe-eyed girls dressed in florals threw their arms around their boyfriends necks and friends held hands and swayed to the sweet indie-folk. The stage lit up like a starry night and swirls hung by the drums creating a celestial backdrop for this dreamy performance. The audience was completely in love once Julia began with a gentle version of Grease’s “You’re The One That I Want.” Finally the focus, Angus was the lead for “Big Jet Plane” which was one of the biggest sing-alongs of the night. His voice buzzed with melody and a little hobo-chic charisma. He told the audience “So one day Julia rolled a big joint and we wrote this song,” to which she protested with a laugh. They moved into “Other Things,” which then shifted seamlessly into a delicate rendition of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” The most powerful song of the evening was “Death Defying Acts,” which came alive with stomping drums and feet and Angus’ intense guitar solo. Crowds always love when bands adapt their lyrics for the city they’re in and certainly even more when accompanied by an accent. The ‘Los Angeleez’ audience couldn’t get enough of the Stone siblings’ genuine modesty and unwavering talent and called them back for an encore featuring all members at the mic for a stanza of “Santa Monica Dream.” They completely closed the evening with a cover of The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” Angus & Julia Stone’s musical and lyrical intimacy found a way to seep into our hearts and hypnotize our more romantic sides even after they had finished playing. Photos for LA Record.
