Catching Up On: Hazlett's Latest Tour

It's been two months since we checked up on Hazlett, the up-and-coming Australian indie-folk singer. Having released his newest album, last night you said you missed me in September, he embarked on a tour throughout North America and Europe. We at THE UNSEEN had the opportunity to see him live at the Plaza Club in Zürich on the 27th of November and were smitten by his performance.

With a pre-act of thirty minutes by the great Hans Williams from Vermont and another hour by Hazlett himself, the concert itself is fairly short, but nevertheless a great experience. Where Hazlett's tour last year was a one-man show, with him and his guitar being the only people up on stage, this year he gets support from three band members. This, however, doesn't make the show any less intimate. The venue is still small and the people still are huddled together on the dance floor.

The opening is "Please Don't Be", a song about hoping someone's heart hasn't already fallen for another. It's a great start and sets the tone very well. It is followed by "Stolen Seasons", a plea to get back the time invested in a failed relationship. "Cemetery" and "Missionary Feelings" come next, keeping up a yearning, yet devastating, atmosphere. In comparison to last year, the singer isn't as talkative, even though he still retells some stories. He talks about his newest album and how nervous he was, given that he had written and produced it in only a month. His mother liked it, however, so he felt confident to release it, which makes him all the more sympathetic.

Next up is "queen of the season", from his new album, asking, 'Wouldn’t you love me if it was easy?', a question that's all too familiar. Afterward, he follows up with "tell me something" before he goes into the two songs he performs solo without his band. "Bones Shake" and "The First Train Home" are both perfect choices for this, with the latter being a particular favorite of ours. The homesick feeling of wanting to catch the first possible train home works just great in this small interlude of just him being up there.

After this, we enter the last stretch of five songs before the concert comes to an end. Hazlett relates a short tale about his struggles after moving from Australia to Sweden, with the cold weather and a general feeling of solitude. It's a short look through the window into his own personal life, yet it's much appreciated. After that, we go on with "Shiver" and "I'm Not Ready To Go", a song that reads like it's about the fear of dying or moving on. It's simple, yet effective in its message. After "fast like you" comes arguably two of his most famous songs. First is "Blame the Moon", about deflecting one's faults. The night closes out with "doing my best" from the new album, which was also released as a single. The lyrics of 'I'm okay, but kinda upset, Told my mum I'm doing my best' are catchy and also great to sing along to, which makes it also a perfect way to end the evening.

Hazlett's tour is once again an intimate and personal experience. It's not something to go dance about, but more something to experience. In that it feels special and vulnerable. With that, we can recommend his concert for anyone built close to water and everyone beyond that. If Hazlett is coming near you, check it out, you won't regret it!

SEE ALL PHOTOS OF THE SHOW HERE: