Lebanon Hanover Review
Last night, Lebanon Hanover brought their distinctive sound to the stage, with Body Maintenance opening the night at the Metro in Sydney, and the atmosphere inside the venue was on fire before the first band even started. The crowd was clearly here for a night of darker music, and there was a real sense of anticipation as everyone made their way towards the stage.
Body Maintenance opened the night, and the crowd settled into their darker style, and it gave the crowd a strong introduction to the evening. Their set was driven by the rhythm section, and the bass and drums kept the songs moving while the guitar added texture and atmosphere. The vocals fit naturally over the top, and it gave the performance an edgy vibe.
As they played hits inluding "Silver Yarns and The Boundaries" the crowd moved closer to the stage, and the fans were dance and nod along. The set continued building momentum as the band played "It's Theatre and Glass Faces" and the band kept things tight throughout their set, allowing each song to develop with precision. By the time Body Maintenance finished, the audience was ready for the main act.
The anticipation increased as the fans were waiting for Lebanon Hanover. When Larissa Iglasius and William Maybelline finally walked on stage, they received a cheer from the crowd before launching into "A Very Good Life and Saddest Smile" and from the opening moments, the duo showed why their music works so well live.
William's bass provided the foundation for the set, and he kept the songs moving while giving the performance plenty of weight. He played with a relaxed, confident style, and captured everyone's attention.
As "Albatross and Sadness Is Rebellion" played, Larissa's voice was striking, and she gave the song a darker feeling, while her delivery made the performance feel intimate. Larissa's vocals were delivered with a cool, detached tone that has become such an important part of Lebanon Hanover's identity. She kept her delivery controlled, and allowed the words to sit naturally within the music.
The crowd responded strongly as "The Last Thing and Gallowdance" played, and the fans were dancing and singing along. When Larissa picked up the guitar, she added another dimension to the performance. Her playing was precise. William also moved between bass and guitar during the set, and it gave some songs a slightly different character.
The fans were immersed in the performance as "Kiss Me Until My Lips Fall Off and Ice Cave" played, and the movement came from the rhythm, with fans getting lost in the songs. William delivered rhythmic sections of bass, while his guitar work gave some of the songs a sharper edge. Larissa's vocals remained one of the highlights throughout the set. Her delivery could shift from almost conversational to haunting.
The performance had a natural flow from one track to the next, and Lebanon Hanover continued with "Totally Tot". The crowd was completely locked in. Larissa's guitar work added a sharper edge while William's playing kept the rhythm moving underneath.
As the show moved towards its final songs, the audience remained fully engaged. Larissa continued to hold the stage with her presence, while William provided energy. The final song "Favorite Black Cat and Parrots" brought the set to a strong conclusion. The crowd responded with loud applause and cheers as the duo finished.
Larissa Iceglass and William Maybelline brought an epic show to The Metro. Larissa's distinctive vocals and guitar playing performed its character, while William's bass and guitar work provided the drive.
Body Maintenance had opened the evening with a fiery performance, but once Lebanon Hanover took the stage, the room became completely theirs. It was a night of dark music, dancing and plenty of atmosphere, delivered by a duo who know exactly how to make their style work in a live setting. For the Sydney crowd, it was a memorable night at The Metro Theatre, and one that left plenty of fans wanting more. Lebanon Hanover, created an atmosphere that allowed the songs to take over.