Goldford is living proof that sometimes you really should quit your day job. In his case, that meant walking away from a decade in corporate America. The LA-based artist has traded spreadsheets for something far more raw, now writing and performing soulful pop rooted in lived experience.
Last Friday night, I watched him take to the stage for his first Sydney show at the Metro Theatre, as part of a small East Coast Australian tour. The room was full, but there was an ease to the crowd, like everyone had arrived already connected to the music and by extension, to each other. WILSN opened the night, continuing what felt like a strong recent run of Sydney appearances. She moved through tracks from her recently released album Bloom, weaving in a cover of Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman. By the time she stepped off the stage, the room felt ready.
Goldford and his band came on without fuss, with the kind of musicianship that didn’t need an introduction. He moved between guitar and microphone with ease, letting the songs carry the weight. His set formed from his debut album A Space of the Heart, a project that had taken over 18 months to complete. Across tracks like Stay, Celeste and Got You Right, there were reflections on fatherhood, partnership and the reshaping of his new life as a touring musician.
Throughout the evening, Goldford and his band quickly became fixated on the classic ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ call and response, returning to it with genuine amusement each time the crowd answered back. He sang Orange Blossoms, Easy Does It and Jasmine – the latter a soft, affectionate nod to his wife. Between songs, he spoke openly, often circling back to gratitude of being able to call this his job, or stories about the tracks themselves. It felt like he was still catching up to the reality that this is his life now, letting himself process the moment in real time.
Midway through his set the band stepped off, leaving him solo on stage for a mini acoustic set. Without the band, Goldford’s voice sat front and centre, while around the room phone torches flickered on, casting a glow that quickly made the theatre feel quite intimate. When the band returned, the energy lifted again, building toward the close of a generous 90-minute set.
Skipping the usual encore routine, he acknowledged the predictability of it all and chose instead to stay put (a twist that was refreshing to see happen on stage!) offering two covers to round out the night. Olivia Dean’s Man I Need and Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World.
It was a fun end to a night that didn’t try hard, nor need to. Goldford left stage with one last glance at the audience, and a wave of appreciation.
It felt inevitable that he’d be back on Australian soil to play more for us soon.
-Caitlin
When she’s not globetrotting Caitlin Martin loves to scope out Sydney’s hidden gems, with a camera and soy cap in hand.
The Plus Ones were invited guests of Frontier Touring.
Image credit: Gladys Smith
