Live - Antony And The Johnsons - Sydney Opera House

Reviews, By Joal, 1st February, 2010

Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Johnsons is a unique creature, and no doubt he would the first to agree. Performing two widely anticipated shows at the Sydney Opera House before flying to Perth and then Tokyo, it is easy to see why this talented musician and their creative team have a dedicated and very vocal fan base.

“Frankenstein!” yelled one eager audience member on and off between enchanting songs accentuated by accompanying orchestral arrangements and subtle lighting design.

Making a face and taking another sip of water from behind the safety of his grand piano, “Yes,” says Antony, “people often compare me to Frankenstein.” The rest of us laugh, applaud and audibly ‘awwww’ before Antony explains that the ‘Symphony Tour’ and its arrangements are pretty much set in stone and requests will not be taken.

Begun in 2009, the tour has taken in Europe and America, and it seems we caught Antony and the Johnsons on the tail leg of their journey – where, they explain, they’ve found you can learn a thing or two about a place by its symphony.

There was confusion for some when the first half of the concert saw no appearance from Antony at all, but instead an interpretive dancer, slowly snaking their way across the stage in front of the already arranged music stands and instruments. The clawed creature with long, dreaded red hair seemed to serve as a captivating visual representation for the lyrics to follow – love, transformation, and darker moments.

Dressed in flowing garb, with white sleeve ruffles that would later be used to good effect moving to the music, the New York based artist did eventually emerge. Quietly taking us through the first few songs in their playlist – Cripple and the Starfish, Christina’s Farm, Rapture – it took time for the cheekier, and some times political, side of this emotive performer to come out.

Antony left the piano to take centre stage a number of times, most notably to consult with the conductor. There had been “a little confusion… we got lost backstage,” explained Anthony. He did so again for his popular interpretation of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love. Antony is an intriguing spectacle, one finds it difficult to take their from the singer with his soaring notes, deep resonances and poignant lyrics, accompanied by an expressive face lost in their own performance.

A unique Australian show, Antony told us his first love letter was from down under, and that he had a problem with one of ‘us’ in particular – Rupert Murdoch. “Full of pig-faces,” said Anthony of broadcaster Fox, to roaring laughter.

Taking his time, playing with the us and the orchestra – giving the slightest nod to the conductor when he was done with anecdotes and ready to continue the show – Antony settled into the performance beautifully, lifting us through a Sunday evening, mesmerised by the performer’s stage presence and touched by the lyrics.

I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy, Another World, The Crying Light, and For Today I Am A Boy left us silently appreciating the emotional honesty within the lyrics until, of course, Antony left the stage and the music hall rumbled with pounding feet and applause, begging the singer to re-emerge.

A more musically minded friend of mine noted that it was a treat to hear songs ‘re-orchestrated’ and seeing Antony’s relationship with the conductor, demonstrating the professionalism of his artistic practice and ability. Orchestral arrangements bubbled beneath Antony’s jazz-influenced style and odd rhythms and beats, as the singer improvised and played with the music.

Equal parts mystical, light-heartedly funny, and heart breaking – Antony and the Johnsons,were an unforgettable experience.

Antony and the Johnsons perform tonight at the Sydney Opera House and February 5 and 6 at the Perth Concert Hall. Check out photos from the event here.