Love Is ON The Table: Concert Review

Welcome to The LayMusic’s Lime Cordiale checkpoint! This blog began six months ago at their Brisbane show for the Enough of the Sweet Talk tour, so I thought it might be nice to use our second Lime Cordiale concert as a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come. We now have three email subscribers – thanks Mum! Dad still won’t give me his email though… This article is our 22nd post on the blog, which is either a great indication of my work ethic or a terrible indication of my spending habits! I’ve also now managed to get six set lists from the stage, which is a personal achievement more than anything else. And as a special feature of this article, I’ve invited my friends Ameya, Hannah and Ryan to become co-writers as they share their thoughts on some of the artists supporting the Limes tonight!

So here’s what happened at Lime Cordiale’s Love Is Off The Table show at The Station on April 26th, 2025.

STELLA BRIDIE

First up tonight was Melbourne artist Stella Bridie, who is excitingly about to embark on her debut headline tour in the EU/UK. Stella took to the stage, armed with a guitar and a powerful voice. She has a collection of songs that carry throughout the crowd confidently, hooking the audience with a calm indie rock that holds steadfast against the vulnerability behind the lyrics of each song. Stella Bridie is not the first musician to write about love and loss, but she does so with incredible, evocative imagery, easily weaving images into your mind with her words and through her melodies. While I felt like I was hearing poetry sung off the page, here’s what the rest of my friends thought:

Ameya: A very calm voice with deeper lyrics and overall great songs.

Hannah: Songwriting style reminded me of Maisie Peters. Talented guitarist.

Ryan: Good solo guitar songs from a bleeding heart and a positive outlook this time since last show the Pope died.

Fave song: Organ Donor

LE SHIV

Last time I saw Le Shiv, I described them as having a ‘heavy grunge-rock sound’ that reminded me of punk garage bands of the mid-2000s. Performing to a room twice as large as the last one I saw them in, the band’s energy was turned up to 11 as lead singer Pencil tore it up at the front of the stage, piquing the interest of a decent amount of girls in the audience. As I was listening out for a ‘Fave song’ from the set, I found I was constantly changing my mind as each new song amped up the energy from the last. The incorporation of an 80s-synth sound on a few tracks was exciting and dynamic. With the success they’re having as supports on this tour, I don’t think it’ll be long before we see Le Shiv booking bigger venues too and I’m eager for that time to come around. Here’s what the others said:

Ameya: LOVE LOVE LOVE 10/10 no notes amazing stage presence too

Hannah: Interesting use of the guitar as a prop.

Ryan: Aside from the main singer being peppered by his own hair to dance, decent punk but pulled out the synths for a banger psychedelic song in the middle of their set.

Fave song: I Wish I Never Loved You

LIME CORDIALE

I absolutely love Pedestal as an opening song for a Lime Cordiale concert. It’s uplifting, with an exciting build that contrasts the ironic adoring-admonishing lyrics. While it carries some of the similar commentary on temperamental relationships to a lot of the Limes’ discography, it masks them with a joyous instrumental backing. Brothers Louis and Oli started the show with a bang, joined onstage by Luke (drums), Jack (guitar), and Alex (keys). The multi-instrumentalist brothers contributed their various talents, handling both the trumpet and clarinet that lend a beautiful, uniqueness to many of the songs, and the iconic kazoo which made an appearance for No Plans To Make Plans.

(Btw, I’ve been practicing if you ever need a guest kazooer!!)

The Love Is Off The Table tour is a regional sequel to the band’s 2024-25 Enough of the Sweet Talk tour, and a special treat for fans from across the East Coast. The namesake songs of both tours made early appearances in the show, before being followed up by two iconic sequences in the band’s shows: I Touch Myself and the boxing match! My friends and I ended up in Louis’ corner this time and suffered a terrible defeat from the younger brother.

Changing gears, the band serenaded us with Colin and When I’m Losing It, which had most of the audience swooning and definitely not just me. Just so the fans were kept in check, these tragic love songs were followed up with Risky Love and Cold Treatment, continuing the band’s exploration of the intensity and vulnerability that comes with love and relationships. Heartbreak has never sounded so beautiful before!

As the show came to its conclusion, fans were treated to some of the favourites through the encore, including the edgy and exciting Robbery and the feel-good Inappropriate Behaviour. I feel especially lucky getting to relive the Sweet Talk memories in this regional tour, moreso because I got to convert a few casual listeners into devoted fans along the way! That’s really the whole point of these silly little reviews I write – the experiences that come with standing in a crowd of thousands who I may never know beyond the fact that I know we all love this music is personally fulfilling. But I know that so many more people could be sharing that experience and love as well, if they only need a little push – a recommended song or an invite to the gig – to get there too.

Fave song: When I’m Losing It

MERCH

At this concert, I purchased one of the band’s enamel pins!

SOUNDS GOOD?

You can still catch Lime Cordiale as they wrap up their tour over the next couple of weekends! And if you're already a fan a looking for a similar group to get into, here are some recommendations:

Ocean Alley – This psychedelic rock band from the Northern Beaches has a very straightforward and authentic interpretation of some of the same influences seen in Lime Cordiale’s discography. Perfect for a cool Summer night on the beach or the sunset slot of a festival!

Teenage Dads – Just like The Limes, The Dads are playfully dramatic in their music. They’re not afraid to have fun with the crowd while delivering their exciting indie rock, with a bit of retro flair!

Dope Lemon – Australian music royalty, Angus Stone, leads this band which embeds a moody blues and psychedelic rock sound that allows the laidback vocals to thrive. They’re hitting the road soon, so be sure to lock in your tickets now!