Hiatus Kaiyote at Franklin Music Hall
The band performed in Philadelphia a day after dropping their newest album, Love Heart Cheat Code.
Hiatus Kaiyote opened their show at the Franklin Music Hall with the opening to track to their newest album, Love Heart Cheat Code. The record dropped just a day before the Australian neo-soul, jazz affiliate band rolled through Philadelphia this Saturday night. Although the album is new, songs that appear on it have been a part of Hiatus Kaiyote’s live show for years. Giving a home for such songs to be embraced, the opening track “Dreamboat” is a soundscape of wonder, featuring an homage to the Wizard of Oz. The flurrying keyboard and romantic vocals set the scene for both a fantastic album and show this weekend.
The technicolor light show behind Nai Palm, her three backup singers, and fellow musicians nicely matched the band’s melodic range and scale. While the audience at the Franklin Music Hall struggled to maintain a consistent energy, the lead singer rallied attention several times with a motivating shoutout to us for getting out of the house and being together tonight. The last time the band performed in Philadelphia was in 2022, but time has evidently flown by. “You’re all pregnant now,” Nai Palm joked from the stage with a sense of realness. “But you made it. Congratulations.”
THE SET
Songs like “Red Room” and “Nakamarra” were my first introductions to Hiatus Kaiyote. The toned bass lines create a base layer of funk, while Nai Palm’s singing diversifies the sound into something more jazz. Fan favorites, the band’s renditions of these songs were definite highlights of the night.
Other songs like “Chivalry is Not Dead” and “Telescope” were also invigorating.
The concert’s beat was irregular, but that’s the Hiatus Kaiyote style. Their originality and musical prowess have made them beloved insiders of the music scene. Their songs have been sampled by the legendary likes of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson Paak.
The new Love Heart Cheat Code album took up a sizable portion of Saturday night’s set. Throughout it, the songs make several references to the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and BMO from the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time. Love Heart Cheat Code collectively is beautiful and surreal, and Saturday’s performance made me feel like I was Cinderella when her tattered dress magically turns into a ball gown. I walked into the Hiatus Kaiyote show feeling overly aware of my reality’s struggles and walked out of the show being reminded that, with love, life can be a dream.
THE STAR
I declared to my friend at Saturday’s show that it’s seriously feeling like the Summer of Women. With superstars like Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eillish topping the charts, Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote struck me as someone who fits easily, and uniquely, into the ranks of powerful female artists leading the scene right now.
Nai Palm’s stage presence was uplifting. She demonstrated freedom with soulful hair tosses of her long, bright green locks whilst rocking a sparkling pink electric guitar. Beyond her personal style, the Melbourne singer’s vocals were as luminescent and surreal as the band’s studio albums would make you hope. And moments of improv throughout the night showcased Nai Palm’s serious commitment to jazz in a modern context. She is an original.
THE CROWD
The vibe at the Hiatus Kaiyote show overall was appreciative and peaceful. Following a rough week that included a disturbing Presidential debate and like 8,000 Supreme Court shockwaves, I guess it’s fair that the crowd seemed a bit guarded. It felt good to put my hands up and let my feet step out of rhythm.
You can see Hiatus Kaiyote at any of their upcoming shows in Silver Spring, New York City, Atlanta and beyond. Tickets and date info here.
I hope you’re enjoying the Summer of Women.
