The surprise and sheer joy on Dean Lewis’ face as he took the stage at The Van Buren earlier this week perfectly summed up the atmosphere of the evening. The Aussie singer was joined by Sara Kays on The Future is Bright Tour and a packed house was ready to laugh, cry and throw themselves into the music.
Sara Kays’ angelic voice drew plenty of returning fans from previous Arizona shows and those along the barricade sparked recognition as the set began. Her soft acoustic renditions of “Home for the Summer” and “Chosen Last” resonated with the audience and she added a lilting cover of Owl City’s “Fireflies” for good measure. Kays’ unassuming stage presence endeared her to those unfamiliar with her work and she’d certainly gained a plethora of new fans by the end of her set.
Dean Lewis shot to fame with his blend of easy, relatable melancholia and while his songs may lean towards sadness, the smile on his face belied the love he has for his work and his fans. The set began with songs from last year’s The Hardest Love and it was immediately clear that his listeners have been waiting for this moment to finally sing along in person.
With his band behind him, Lewis managed to fill the rest of The Van Buren’s stage, playing directly to the fans on “Small Disasters” and “Chemicals”. He loves to throw finger hearts and had a roomful of love returned- a love that only grew as the night went on. Nearing the end of the set, Lewis pulled out a stunning cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow”, where he was joined by Kays to the delight of the room.
At this point, Lewis’ audience was prepared for the real emotional segment of the night and many a tear was shed during “Be Alright” and “How Do I Say Goodbye” – a piano ballad dedicated to Lewis’ father. His music has clearly touched the hearts and lives of so many people and that energy was exchanged between artist and audience in a massive way.
Naturally he returned (draped in an American flag) for an encore performance of “Waves” before an emotionally spent crowd left the venue to dry their tears in the cool Phoenix air.
Check out all the photos from the show!
Story and photos by Olivia Khiel
