The Sydneysider knows how to write – and deliver – a love song. Not the soppy and vacuous kind, though. These are emotive enough to make you wonder who, what, where, when and why. 

Lewis is best known for his hit Waves, which came out of nowhere last year and has just gone three times platinum. It features in US series Riverdale, Suits and Shadow Hunters and that’s a big deal in terms of worldwide exposure – and likely the reason why Lewis sold out venues in the US and Canada a couple of months ago with very little media promotion. 

Second single Lose My Mind has gone “certified gold” and his debut six-track EP, Same Kind of Different, has been streamed 93 million times worldwide. 

Lewis is clearly enjoying introducing audiences to brand new songs on tour. He told the Newcastle Herald earlier this month that he has deliberately held back songs for his forthcoming debut album. And last night he played two songs that he said had literally been written “a couple of weeks ago”.

A prolific songwriter, Lewis started off writing hits for other artists until he decided it would be more fulfilling to write for himself. And the creative juices are obviously flowing.

Bathed in blue light in the stunning former church, Lewis switched from keyboard to guitar for his moody, folk-pop set. His voice is strong and crystal clear and as emotive as his lyrics – although in-between songs he spoke so quickly and softly it was difficult to understand him. It’s a shame, really, because that was when he (briefly) told the story behind a song. Perhaps nerves still get the better of him at times. 

Many in the audience at 48 Watt sang along to every word from the EP. Standing at the side of the stage for a time, watching the crowd, it was interesting to observe the extent to which his new material was greeted with enthusiasm and excitement. This bodes well for Lewis and his debut full-length album. What was also interesting was the mix of ages in the crowd. His appeal is not limited to millennials.

When not singing along, the audience was hushed and listening intently to his every word. The starkness of his songs and musical compositions demands attention. Many of his lyrics are intimate and at times self-deprecating, such as Half A Man, and the acoustics of the venue carried them to each and every ear. They make you think.

A small group in the audience who dared to talk during the set were given stern looks by others.

Lewis is a talent, there is no question. There is every chance that last night’s audience might be able to tell a tale in the future of “I saw him when ..”.