When the drumbeat of the lonely transforms into synth hooks and pulsating rhythms, this is what the essence of Hayden James emanates. James, an Aussie electro artist, has built his profile over the last five years by consistently creating music and refusing to stay complacent in his songwriting. James has opened shows for Odesza and Disclosure but he is beginning to build his own wave of audio ubiquity, especially since releasing his debut studio album, Between Us, in June 2019.
Hayden James sold out the Vulcan Gas Company on Friday night and tickets soared on the secondary market, going for as much as $150, up from $25. Naations, another Australian electro act, performed as the opener for James but also collaborated on the hi-frequency pop hit “Nowhere To Go” that James would perform during his set. Naations was bursting with infectious energy that originated from an intense live set and left quite an energy drop-off once they left the stage.
A simple yet dazzling minimalist stage setup gave Hayden James the environment in which he could be equal parts mysterious and invigorating. Understated yet sultry tracks like “Better Together” and “Something About You” melted an inhibitive audience into a melange of collective cool. A beautiful night came to a close abruptly and prompted the audience to beg for more. Hayden James is a master of the exit, leaving his fans clamoring for a morsel more.