The troubles that evolved last night deserved recognition in the next Mission Impossible movie. I can’t simply just go to Brisbane to watch Josh Pyke’s Variations tour at the HiFi. Instead, I get lost on foot for 4 kilometers, lose my phone on the train and encounter severe hurricane weather.

I enter the club thinking my night couldn’t possibly get worse, but instead am faced with the realization that these previous events have killed the vibe and my excitement for the show. How am I to review a gig when I feel naked without my phone? How do I take a decent photograph when I have outside’s hurricane caught in my eye. And more importantly, how do I find Sam Hussey when I have no phone and no clue what he looks like?

Thanks to a tip off from the doorman and a well-deserved beer, I started to feel the rhythm of the support bands Gin Wigmore and Fergus Brown and get my groove back. By the time the indie singer/songwriter Josh Pyke stepped onto the stage; I was in full form up the front with my camera. Although slightly squished like a sardine next to two professional cameramen, I looked a little out of place. But this rookie feeling soon disappeared when Josh stopped mid song to acknowledge and embarrass the cameraman with a huge zoom lens to my left. A distracted Josh came forward, sat on the speaker inches from the lens and sarcastically offered him one last photo op. This allowed me a perfect shot but the humiliated photographer bailed faster than you could slap my ass and call me Simon.

Recomposing himself, the multiple ARIA awards winner Josh finished his song ‘The Summer’ from his latest album ‘Chimney’s Afire’. This record debuted at number 3 on the national ARIA Charts and reached Gold sales in Australia a few months ago. This gave Josh a second Gold record to hang on his wall along side his ARIA Award winning debut ‘Memories & Dust’. I think you would agree - this Australian artist is becoming quite the success.

After a short set change, he brought out the much-anticipated band. These three talent musicians Josh claimed, were not your average can of beans. Not sure if that expression even exists, but as the band blasted the first few chords, I agreed. They were very far from average – they were amazing. The band successfully provided a soft and mystical beat behind Josh’s emotional lyrics, using instruments that seemed somewhat childlike – a toy piano and a miniature six-stringed guitar. This provided such a unique variety to Josh’s music style, one that I have never witnessed before and was very impressed with.

Josh held incredible stage presence throughout the show. His upbeat indie melodies and cruisy charm had the audience captivated, especially during his most famous songs ‘Make you happy’ and ‘Middle of the Hill’. He also enlightened us with interesting and personal stories, claiming playing music tonight turned his shitty day around. He elaborated on this, explaining 2 wasted hours at a terrible movie, being late for sound check and crashing the tour bus. I was happy to not be the only one sailing solo on this shitty Thursday and also felt his gig changed my night. And my bad luck.

After claiming this would be one of their last tours for a few years, Josh Pyke and his band definitely put on all-star show. For an artist to have that much hold over an audience is wonderful to witness, let alone capture on film. His musical presence will be missed in the next few years, but fans can still hold on to the hope of an even better album in 2011. You also would be happy to know, after meeting a creepy orange flak jacket at the water fountain on platform 2 – I have my phone back.

Kate Duncan