Lime Cordiale lets loose with wrestling & kazoos in San Diego

Australian alt group Lime Cordiale brought the energy to San Diego for the tail-end of their Enough of the Sweet Talk Tour at the Observatory North Park on Tuesday night. Supported by opener Foxtide, the two bands created a jam-packed evening of vibrant and animated fun. Formed right here in San Diego, indie surf rock group Foxtide immediately brought high enthusiasm and feel-good vibes. Lead vocalist and guitarist Elijah Gibbons-Croft, alongside bassist Oey James and drummer Ian Robles, started the night off with lively, bright rhythms and lyrics well-suited for a band raised by the beach.

Pulling mostly from their first studio album Chaos released this past December, the three curated a show of smooth, yet upbeat riffs, reminiscent of days grooving by the waves or jamming out in a garage. Ending their set with a playful call and response, Foxtide left the audience well prepped and buzzing for the headliner.

The moment Lime Cordiale took the stage, the playful atmosphere continued.

Charismatic, expressive, and entertaining brothers Oli and Louis Liembach, founders of the group, led the charge with band members James Jennings, Luke DiDio, and Felix Bornholt. Older brother Oli seemed to be the ringleader of the chaos… we were never quite sure what to expect during the performance.

With continual vibe shifts, there was an obvious commitment to perform at their best. Though they are touring their most recent studio album Enough of the Sweet Talk, the band played songs spanning their whole discography, each with its own cheeky — and, at times, risqué — lyrics to match.

I went into this show having mostly heard songs from Lime Cordiale’s EP with actor-musician Idris Elba, ‘Cordi Elba’, released in 2022.

Though none of those songs were played, the same themes of experimentation and mischief heard in Cordi Elba were apparent throughout the setlist. Whether it was an early song from their debut album, Permanent Vacation, or from one of their one-off singles or other EPs, the explosive music and clever lyrics stayed as Lime Cordiale constantly shifted gears.

As the five were playing and singing, there was almost always something a bit chaotic happening. At one point, Oli and Liam had a wrestling match (or, more accurately, a lively play-fight… as brothers do) onstage — complete with a referee. There was a kazoo solo, as well as the appearance of a clarinet. Audience participation was important, with one time Oli and Louis each claiming one side of the crowd, encouraging people to flip the bird to the other side. I believe Oli played a guitar riff with his tongue at the end of one song… though it could have been his nose.

Personality and entertainment were at the forefront of this show and that wildness was infectious. The night ended with a crowd well fed by the wholehearted party that the Australian brothers and their bandmates brought to San Diego.

Photography by Elizabeth O’Guin

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