Ever since I first witnessed LANY in 2017 at Splendour In The Grass, it was always notable that their live show was something special. Continually evolving and growing over the years along with their fanbase, the Californian duo have cultivated a show that feels arena-ready but also intimate. They find a unique way to blend their big anthemic hits with their raw vulnerable songs so effortlessly, and make every song in the show feel like a big singalong moment. 

Over the years I have never seen a production as big as LANY’s inside Hordern Pavilion. With 5000 Sydney fans packing into the venue for this sold out show, everyone was quickly met with how big the staging was. A U shape catwalk outlined the venue, which meant that the band could get up-close and personal with everyone in the venue as fans were inside the stage as well as on the other side. With a curtain draped across the front of the stage, shadows of Paul and Jake were revealed before it dropped for opening song “you!”. With a big LED screen across the back of the stage and a circular LED screen above it, the staging was very visually charged. Paul didn’t waste any time to run out on the catwalk and get close to everyone to welcome them to the show. Taking in all the fanfare the crowd was giving to them, they launched straight into fan favourites “ex i never had”, ‘It Even Rains In LA”, “I Pray”, “care less” and the angsty “Congrats”. 

“dancing in the kitchen” was a highlight in the set with Paul dancing up and down the catwalk, while  “Alonica” was mellow and intimate on the piano, and “Thick and Thin” was as anthemic as you expect it to be. Walking down to the middle of the U catwalk at the back of the venue, they had a little set up for a mash-up of “Super Far” and “Mean It” as well as fan favourite “13”, which was a special moment. Moving back to the main-stage for the final run of songs they brought it home with “Thru These Tears”, “Malibu Nights” and “ILLYSB”. Closing it all out with recent hit “XXL”, Paul jumped into the crowd in the middle of the stage and moshed with everyone for a beautiful final moment before the band took a bow in front of a sign that said “That’s All Folks” in the classic Looney Tunes styling. 

LANY successfully captivated the excited Sydney crowd for an 1 hour and 45 minutes with a show that was specifically designed to get as close and intimate with them as they could. They turned a 5000 capacity venue into an arena with one of the best productions I’ve seen all year (tied with SZA’s “SOS Tour”). The energy was euphoric and warm, with everyone passionately singing along and feeling every word. With their fanbase continually growing, they will reach actual arena’s next time they’re here, and I can confirmed that they’re ready for them.