LIVE REVIEW: DAEZY @ THE WORKERS CLUB
After a bit of a hiatus from gig-going, I found myself back at the Workers Club for Daezys EP launch. suddenly, everything felt right again. Like slipping on a well-worn jacket that still fits. I was home. With openers Swim State, Hannah Donnelly and Strawbs- it was very soul-filled night, layered with that distinct Aussie indie charm that’s become our sonic signature.
You might be thinking, do we really need another all-male indie rock band like Swim State? And the answer is yes, yes we do— ESPECIALLY with the jorts and sneakers ( final boss). Their track Bedtime Story is an 80s-inspired stunner that makes you feel like you’re already watching them headline a festival, even if they’re still squeezed into the tiniest stage at Workers.
Hannah Donnelly was next, armed with just a guitar player and a voice that could stop time, she delivers Tash Sultana-level vocals with velvet smoothness and insane range. She makes minimalism feel maximal — raw, intimate, and completely captivating.
The final opener, Strawbs, was my personal favourite. With frontman Mitch Cocchiara oozing charisma and charm, STRAWBS give you the kind of effortless stage presence that feels like stardom in motion. Their soulful, R&B-infused rock sound (think The Grogans, but silkier), plus a cheeky Easter egg giveaway, sealed them as a crowd favourite — and those guitar riffs? Absolutely filthy in the best way.
If you haven’t heard of Daezy yet, consider this your official wake-up call. The Naarm-based indie-pop-rock outfit has burst onto the scene with a refreshing mix of soul, grit, and glitter. Formed in February 2024, this genre-bending band fronted by the effortlessly captivating Daisy Bateman (yes, the AFLW player turned musical powerhouse) is already making serious waves – and they’re only just getting started.
Daezy's debut EP See Me Standing, dropped as a pre easter surprise on Thursday, April 17, and it's a masterclass in emotional storytelling through sound. It’s the kind of release that doesn’t just sit in your ears – it slinks into your chest, curls up next to your ribcage, and stays there long after the final note fades out.
The EP is full of moody textures and emotional layers. Mother is a standout – dark and mysterious, with harmonies that feel like smoke drifting through candlelight. Daisy’s voice? Unreal. It moves from gritty and raspy to this crystalline, angelic upper register that gives you actual goosebumps.
There’s a soulful, ethereal energy throughout the set, one that echoes Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game (which, yes, Daezy covered to haunting perfection) and brings in hints of country, funk, and indie-pop. Think Angie McMahon meets a vintage Fleetwood Mac mood with just the right amount of melancholy.
Blame was a moment. Phones lit up the crowd as Daisy led the band through a slow-burn ballad that felt like a collective exhale. Then came Not A Man, a personal favourite, with its rickety guitar and almost indie-folk-pop vocals – it's weirdly satisfying in a way that makes you want to replay it immediately. The lyrics hit hard in the best way: raw, real, and totally unfiltered.
Their performance of “Forever” was also a standout. It's whiney – not in a bad way, but in that deeply emotional, soul-baring way. Like dark chocolate slowly melting, or butter on hot toast. Silky and melancholic, yet somehow upbeat, it captures that perfect balance of beauty and pain. It’s the sound of yearning, of growing up, of figuring yourself out.
And let’s talk aesthetic: Daezy looks like they just stepped out of a 1970s dream. Jackson on guitar with his glorious moustache, Daisy in her signature headscarf – they’ve got style for days, and the stage presence to match. Every detail, from their vintage-inspired outfits to the warm, analogue textures in their sound, makes you feel like you’re witnessing something special, something rare.
Daezy aren’t just another indie band. They’re storytellers. Their songs dive into queer love, self-discovery, heartbreak, and identity – and they do it with heart-on-sleeve honesty and unshakable confidence. Each track feels like a page from Daisy’s diary, backed by a band that knows exactly how to carry every lyric home.
They’re soulful, they’re funky, they’re rock – and they deserve every bit of attention they’re starting to get. Its honestly ridiculous how I have the privilege to witness these people in such an intimate venue. You can feel their rise coming.