Telenova’s Blue Valentine Tour is a Cinematic Masterpiece
As the curtains are drawn back, the packed-out audience of the Corner Hotel is greeted with a vision of white. White curtains drape the back wall, and the stage is dotted with tall white pillars, bearing plaster hands, a bull’s skull, and a taxidermy eagle. As Telenova quietly take the stage – all in white, of course – it becomes obvious that the band has a crystal-clear vision of exactly who they are.
Launching straight into their opening song, Scarlet, it is immediately apparent how Telenova has so quickly climbed the ranks of the Melbourne music scene. The band is completely locked in, a unified presence in their appearance, energy, and sound, their audience entirely captivated. It’s rare to see a band with such a clearly defined identity so early in their career, yet it is undoubtedly contributing to Telenova’s meteoric rise in Australian music. Frontwoman Angeline Armstrong has a uniquely magnetic presence on the stage, rarely straying from the front and centre, she somehow owns the whole space. In contrast with the tightly controlled presentation of the performance, Armstrong radiates authenticity throughout the night. There is no stage persona to hide behind, her genuine nature immediately connects her to every member of the audience.
Moving into their second song, the title track of their Debut EP, Tranquilize, the range of Armstrong’s vocal ability takes the spotlight. Though her rich, powerful voice is breathtaking in itself, it is the subtlety with which she uses it that is so captivating. Like every other element of the performance, Angeline’s singing is finely detail focussed, blending seamlessly with the soundscape the band creates on every song.
Starry-eyed but my soul is tired
Down, falling deep into slumber
Now the siren song will haunt me forever after
– Tranquilize
Moving through crowd favourites and as-yet-unreleased singles, Telenova has the audience in the palm of their hand, the crowded room singing along to every word they do know, and screaming for the ones they are hearing for the first time. Armstrong is in a constant give and take of energy with the audience, setting the mood of the room, and getting back that energy tenfold. Even on slower, more cinematic tracks, Armstrong’s delivery is high energy and compelling to watch. On her acoustic rendition of Comedian, Angeline’s stunning raw vocals silence the crowded room. In a slow build over the song, Edward Quinn and Joshua Moriarty create a delicate balance of dreamy electronic elements and live instrumentation, creating a layered and complex sonic experience for the audience.
Two moments in particular shine as highlights of the show. The first, the band’s Like a Version cover, Hung Up. With the beat vibrating through the room and the opening lines drawing screams from the audience, Telenova’s Blue Valentine Tour is briefly transformed into a house party, the whole room dancing, the line between artists and audience blurred.
The second highlight, and truly unforgettable moment for all in attendance, is Bones, Telenova’s debut single, now a set-in-stone crowd favourite. With the audience singing along with every word – not an easy feat with Armstrong’s taste for complex lyricism – the energy of the room hits a new high. The band reinvigorated for the closing of their set, Angeline lets her hair down, looking truly delighted by the song’s reception. The quality of the performance and engagement of the audience in this moment might trick you into thinking you’re at the stadium show of a well-established artist – rather than at the Corner Hotel with relative newcomers.
Closing with the reason for the tour, Blue Valentine, the high energy is stripped back, laying bare the connection between the audience and the band. Telenova is the kind of group to collect a dedicated and loyal fanbase, translating to intimate and intense live shows – and that dynamic is fully on display in this moment.
Leaving the stage with little fanfare and their audience wanting more – Telenova’s last tour in Melbourne until late 2022 is a resounding success, guaranteeing their audience will be keenly waiting for their return.