Johnny Hunter + Well? + Hand Models @ The GAL, July 2022
Photos & Review By: Thomas Freeman
Johnny Hunter
Sydney’s 5-piece band Johnny Hunter have embarked on a national tour across Australia, and we caught their show at The Gal in Newcastle, NSW. With the recent release of their debut album ‘Want’, fans were eager to see the band play again and hear it come to life on the stage. With local bands Well? and Hand Models supporting the show, it was a great night full of high energy and top-notch performances from all three artists.
Johnny Hunter
Newcastle’s own six-piece band Hand Models opened up the night, bringing their post-punk sounds to the stage. Lead by the charismatic Lachlan Knowles, their set featured some of their popular tracks amongst the local crowd, with ‘Bag Babe’ and ‘Tennis Skirt’ getting the audience going, before closing with their latest single ‘Mojave’. All the members brought it on the night, and it was a good opportunity for the band to promote their upcoming debut EP ‘Sofala’ (out July 29).
Hand Models
‘Well?’, Newcastle’s infamous progressive rock band tore up the stage as the second band for the night. With Taylan (guitar) and Andrew (bass) making an entrance from the crowd as their keys player and drummer continued on stage really began their set in spectacular fashion. It was a dramatic and musical extravaganza that really does need to be seen live to experience it, featuring their latest single ‘Fractured’ as well as some classics like ‘I Hope You Know’, ‘Issue + Command’ and some covers in there too, ‘Well?’ really did prove to be a highlight of the night with all five members showing off all their musical talents in the best ways.
Well?
Johnny Hunter absolutely delivered it as the headline act on the night. Donning the iconic eyeliner and lipstick, their lead singer belted out banger after banger on the night with a performance and voice that is heavily reminiscent of 1980’s artists including Morissey, Joy Division and The Cure. It was great to hear the band play the tracks of their recently released debut album ‘Want’ and hearing them live really added to how much I personally enjoyed the album. The set opened with the title track ‘Want’, with other tracks from the album also getting played on the night, including ‘Endless Days’, ‘The Floor’ and ‘Life’. A highlight for me was when they played ‘Dreams’, my favourite track on the album, as the emotions really did come through in the performance. It was also great to hear the rest of the album after that also, with slower tracks like ‘Fracture’ giving everyone a short moment to stop from the more upbeat songs, ‘Cry Like A Man’ bringing the emotions, but also tracks like ‘Clover’ rounding out the album nicely too with some big energy.
Johnny Hunter
All five members of the band crushed it on the stage, and it was during the encore that the band really brought it. ‘1995’ was another stand out moment on the night, with their frontman getting in the crowd and belting out the lyrics amongst the audience, as well as performing from a table at one point and really getting the energy going around everyone. At one moment he was in the centre of the crowd with everyone crouched down all around him, before everyone jumping up for the climax of the song.
Overall Johnny Hunter delivered a great show to Newcastle and the fans couldn’t have been happier with it. Hearing the album play live did expand on the quality if it from their wonderful performance. Both Well? and Hand Models really brought their talents as the support bands on the night. Hopefully Johnny Hunter will be back in Newcastle again soon to grace us with their distinctive blends of post-punk and glam rock.
