GIG REVIEW
An Act of Necessity:
Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier
Bring Intimacy to Perth
Last night, Chaos Theories had the distinct pleasure of witnessing a masterclass in musical intimacy as Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier performed their raw, acoustic set at Lyrics Underground in Maylands, Perth, WA (10/10/25). After years of performing with full bands, the duo has fully embraced a stripped-back format that Conway herself calls "an act of musical reductionism in an age of technological excess."
The evening was a powerful demonstration of how music, when distilled to its most honest form, can create an unparalleled connection between artist and audience, proving that true artistry needs no spectacle.
The atmosphere in the room was instantly genuine and unpretentious, a quality I would like to highlight in Conway and Zygier’s sound. There was a wonderful level of humour woven into the fabric of the night, with the duo taking lighthearted aim at some of the common issues and anxieties that fill our lives. This relatable, human presence instantly contrasts with the staged personas dominating modern music, inviting the audience into the music rather than performing at them.
The stage connection between the two was unwavering. Zygier, Conway's longtime collaborator, delivered a masterclass in creating an atmosphere with just his instrument. The dynamic chemistry between the couple—refined over eleven albums and years of touring—made the entire experience profoundly engaging. This stepped-back experience is a wonderful thing, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the maximalist shows of the modern era.
Conway's performance cements her status time and time again as one of Australia's most compelling vocalists. Her voice, long renowned for its clarity and depth, seems to have evolved and gained new power with time. Even in this acoustic, intimate setting, her delivery was commanding, effortlessly shifting between powerful emotional highs and moments of quiet, raw vulnerability. The vocal performance was musically rich, supported by Zygier’s intricate and impressive guitar skills.
The music performed reflects the core philosophy of their most recent album: a stance against what Conway describes as music’s increasing mechanisation, where "machines are making music right now... with no 'care' about connection." By stripping away external musicians and excessive production, the duo managed to still champion the emotional essence of their songs, making every lyric land with singular impact.
The essence of the evening was defined by the music itself—a raw, acoustic collection featuring only Conway’s vocals, Zygier on guitar. For Conway and Zygier, this is not nostalgia but necessity—it is their deliberate way of finding an authentic connection in an era of "whirling plenty."
The setlist flowed seamlessly, offering a perfect blend of new, intimate material and well-loved classics that resonated deeply with the appreciative Perth crowd. The honesty and skill displayed created the best possible elements of a gig: the sound was pristine, the set was paced perfectly, and the overall vibe was one of shared musical devotion.
The evening was a powerful reminder that while the music industry may be moving towards technological excess, the true soul of sound can still resides in the unadulterated power of two voices and a guitars.
