Common Things: Kye Arnot Debut Single Release gig @ The Old Bar 16.08.25

The Old Bar & Kye Arnot

The Old Bar, last Saturday evening, hosted a packed but intimate gig with a crowd fixated on all performers. The gig was contemporary folk-inspired artist Kye Arnot’s debut single release, Common Things, supported by Joely. 

Common Things single cover art

Kye Arnot

Kye Arnot is an insanely talented songwriter who is able to easily capture the crowd through his poetic lyrics put to beautifully composed songs. A lot of these songs were based on or inspired by quite personal stories and experiences in Kye’s life, yet they heavily resonated with listeners due to the core emotions tied to personal but universal experiences of coming of age, self-discovery, relationships and a few about the specific struggles in queer relationships. Creating an intimate atmosphere for the gig. For example, his song Unborrowed Time, detailed quite a personal experience, but at its core was about enjoying a relationship that you know is going to end. Or Be My Alter, also quite a personal story, but once again at its core a more universal experience of feeling like you are in a one-sided relationship and or unloved or unappreciated within a relationship, especially within the context of queer relationships and the struggles or pressures of outside influences against the relationship. These themes are only heightened through the song’s compositions, really emphasising the emotions of melancholy, wistfulness, resentment, yet hopefulness through the emotion in Kye’s voice and guitar chord progressions and dynamics. I think through the lyrics and song compositions, a larger theme of Kye’s music I see overall is experiencing all the feelings that come from more painful memories and moments in life, but also acknowledging that things will pass and it’s okay to let go. Ultimately, his live performance last Saturday really highlights the intimacy in creating and performing music, demonstrating the strong interconnectedness between vulnerability, emotions and music and its ability to transport others into exactly how you feel or want them to feel. 

The gig was for Kye’s single release, Common Things, which I think is such a perfect example of his really personal songwriting that still manages to connect to others’ experiences and emotions. Common Things, according to Kye’s description, is “about the common experience of feeling sober and low-spirited at a house party, and feeling the need to clean up after the person you love. It’s about realising it’s time to move on, and mustering up the courage to finally let go of someone.” What I really love about the song is that it talks about a universal experience everyone wants, the common thing being love, as heard through the repetition of the lyrics “I need love” within the chorus. There’s this dynamic of wanting or craving this experience of love, yet in a way that is coming from a place of grief and feelings of neglect that the song highlights. Kye also uses the song’s composition to further emphasise the melancholic emotions of this experience through the haunting reverbed harmonies and piano, as well as an overall soft playing of the instrumentation that, when played together, creates a powerful sound. Once again, Kye does convey an overall hopefulness in this song too, especially through the crescendoing towards the end of the song and the repetition of the lyrics “I need love”. Really driving home once again the significance of going through the pain and hurt but realising it will pass and its okay and sometimes necessary to let go. Ultimately, I think Kye is able to really beautifully put these personal and vulnerable experiences to music in a way that is more than simply understood by listeners, but also deeply felt and related to. 

The Old Bar & Joely

Joely, a contemporary folk singer-songwriter, was the opener for Kye Arnot, who really helped set the atmosphere for the evening. Her songwriting and vocals were amazing. I really loved her americana style in her songs and in her inspiration as seen by her covers Something In The Orange by Zach Bryan and For Leaving by Jake Minch. Joely’s set was also quite personal and vulnerable as she talked with the crowd extensively about her experiences that inspired the songs she wrote. My favourite was her song (apologies I didn’t catch the name!) about the conversation she had with a random man named Benny on a night out, which finally inspired/convinced her to begin writing and performing music. In particular, I loved the line “I’m on stage and people are listening”. Apparently, this was only Joely’s second gig ever, which is crazy considering her talent. I’m sure there will be heaps more to come!

If you’re a fan of contemporary folk music, or even if you’re not, you should definitely keep up to date with Kye Arnot’s and Joely’s next gigs and music, which you can find below!

Kye Arnot - @kyearnot - Bandcamp - Spotify

Joely - @joelywlliamson7