Grentperez at the Forum
With his debut studio album, Backflips in a Restaurant, out in the world, Grentperez leans fully into the restaurant metaphor. The stage is dressed accordingly: a table at the centre draped in a red-and-white chequered cloth, chairs arranged just so. At first, the mood is gentle, even slow, until he bursts forward. From the start, his showmanship shines through: he’s playful, dynamic, always in motion. He makes it his mission to keep his audience entertained, and he succeeds.
The concert opens with Headspace, a groovy track that feels both nostalgic and fresh, featuring an impressive guitar riff. After the opener, he introduces the “two fine gentlemen”: Sir Timi Temple, “the house chef” on bass, and Sir Ichi Tanabe, “the house bartender” on drums. Both commit to their roles, dressed to match the theme. Perez himself jokingly claims to be the manager for the evening, or “maybe for the rest of your lives”.
The humour, quirkiness, warmth and incredible synergy between the three of them all fold neatly into the performance. The Australian singer’s take on love songs is distinctive: heartfelt, but never heavy-handed. His voice, crystal-clear, smooth and confident, carries it all.
The “first meal” is Why I Love You, which balances upbeat instrumentation with lyrics about longing and complexity. It’s slightly darker than your typical love song, complementing his cheeky stage persona well. Next comes the beautiful Dandelion, which brims with jangly guitar and an irresistibly catchy chorus, showcasing Perez’s palpable chemistry with Sir Timi on bass.
After some playful exchanges with the drummer, Grentperez then slows the pace with Clementine, a tender ballad that feels like a warm embrace. He follows with his latest release, Folding Chairs on the Moon, a collaboration with HONNE, who join him on stage. Calling it “something special”, he’s right: it’s sweet yet buoyant, charming in a way that makes you want to sway along. Seeing the band revel in the moment together makes it all the more endearing.
Then comes a surprise course: the band “waits for guests”. A couple takes their seats at the stage’s restaurant table, and Timi picks up a violin to serenade them. Perez joins in with Yours to Keep, directing the performance at the couple. The intimacy is surreal, the kind of concert moment that lingers long after. When the pair seal it with a kiss, the crowd cheers on, erupting in delight.
Later, Perez dials his girlfriend mid-set, coaxing the audience into a collective “hello” (or, more accurately, a silly sound). He dedicates 12065 to her, a track written about a long-distance relationship. With violin accompaniment, the performance feels both powerful and tender.
Between songs, Perez binds the set together with anecdotes, jokes and banter. He tosses questions to his bandmates: “What’s the tallest mountain in the world?” cues up Everest while “What drink should we order?” introduces one of his most famous songs, the delicious Cherry Wine. At one point, a tray of actual drinks is delivered on stage, bringing the restaurant theme to life in a wonderfully literal way.
By the close, it’s clear that Perez’s innate showmanship is amplified by the strength of his companions. Together, they serve up a night as delightful, surprising and satisfying as a full-course meal.
Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: LA Benoit
For further information and future events, visit Grentperez’s website here.
Watch the video for Dandelion here:
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