Review and Photos by Camille Germain
In the cozy venue of Madame Lou's, Australian pop powerhouse Sheppard proved their recent Nashville relocation was more than a change of address—it was a reinvention. The sibling trio, fresh off releasing their latest album Zora, turned the intimate Seattle venue into a family room-sized party. They brought along Nashville's heartfelt storyteller Garrett Adair and Seattle's sparkle queen Tinsley. What followed felt less like a typical concert and more like an energetic gathering.
Garrett Adair opened the evening under amber stage lights, breathing new life into Coldplay's "Fix You" with his soulful voice. Quick to add a bit of humor, he assured the crowd, "I promise I'm not a Coldplay cover band," before launching into a mix of originals and covers like Ed Sheeran's "Tenerife Sea." The Nashville singer-songwriter brought an unexpected twist to the typical acoustic set when he pulled out a disposable camera, passing it through the audience for candid moments for a future video he planned to share after the tour. Between his magnetic stage presence and standout performances of originals like "Forever Wondering" from his April release, Until The Summer, Adair proved himself more than just another guy with a guitar. With three EPs already this year, his rising trajectory seemed impressive.
Tinsley took to the stage with sweet and fun energy, following the slowed-down performance of Garrett Adair. Donned in sparkles, the hometown artist and her backing band brought the room to life. Halfway through the set, she told the audience, “I made the boys wear sparkly shirts tonight.” Looking at both the drummer and guitarist, she smiled and told them, “Don’t act like you don’t already love it.” And they did. Her set rode emotional waves from tender confessions to empowerment anthems, particularly during the sassy “Bye Boy,” which had the whole room dancing. Between mellow beats and somber, yet hopeful vocals, the singer-songwriter delivered a dynamic and enjoyable experience.
When Sheppard stormed the stage, the intimate space of Madame Lou's crackled with arena-sized electricity. The Australian siblings—who traded Brisbane's stadiums for Nashville last year—transformed the basement venue into their own family-style revival. This wasn't just another tour stop; it was a celebration of their gamble to rebuild their American fanbase from the ground up, starting with their new album, Zora. Fresh tracks like "Daylight" and "Edge Of The Earth" felt right at home alongside crowd favorites from 2021's Kaleidoscope Eyes.
In Sheppard's hands, the line between stage and audience vanished. Every shared laugh and inside joke made Madame Lou's feel like a family living room. The siblings' chemistry sparked unscripted magic, but Amy's performance of 2019's "Kiss My Fat Ass" captured their ability to be authentic and relatable. Commanding center stage with unapologetic confidence, she turned a body-positive anthem into a celebration of self. The crowd's response was immediate and vibrant, their cheers drowning out the final notes.
As the night grew, so did the enthusiasm. Sheppard had a fantastic ability to create a universe within a small room through conversation and fun antics. At one point, George performed a drum solo that had the room in an uproar. They never quit, sharing anecdotes about previous tours while jumping and dancing. By the time "Geronimo"—the song that named this grassroots tour—hit, the room erupted both on stage and in the audience.
For their finale, Sheppard delivered an unexpected cover of Blink-182's "All The Small Things." It felt like a tribute to their pop-punk influences and a nod to their journey from Australian mega-stages to this cozy Seattle basement. It was a fitting conclusion to a night that proved the biggest moments come in small packages—from Garrett Adair's intimate performance to Tinsley's bright energy to Sheppard's arena-sized hearts scaled down to living room dimensions. As the house lights came up, one thing was clear: in the warm glow of Madame Lou's, they found a genuine way to share their dreams.
Sheppard
Tinsley
Garrett Adair
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