There is a line around the corner into the side lane, and a stern warning to patrons entering too casually – no thongs! A purple hazy glow infects the stage, setting the scene for the American Brett Dennen’s set. It is nice and cool inside, and a cooler greeting from Brett, “good evening, how are ya, thank you so much for coming out, this is a wonderful city…truly an honor”.

It’s now green for go as the lights illuminate the set. With an elephant sketched onto his guitar, Brett is red haired and uniquely peculiar looking. It is a relaxed performance, as the three piece get a grand applause after their first song, and then it’s the aptly titled Wrong About Me, pertinent to his appearance. An abundance of guitars are at the ready on side stage, and after the initial excitement, there was a lighter applause after that song. San Francisco follows on, as Brett prepares to flatter us all with “They may not tell you that Melbourne’s the best, but I’ll tell you” he says. Almost all the balcony space is lined at this point, and, rather strangely he gets his rock star-esque flask out, before playing Who Do You Think You Are.

He sways his hips to the groove and most follow him, he cradle rocks his guitar, then someone shouts “ranga!” which was a laugh. Despite a minor heckle, he is polite and happy to be supporting the prospective John Butler Trio. “Thank you for being so wonderful…you could be throwing tomatoes at me and I’d still be having a good time” he emphasises. “Let’s toast, to the long hard week and the new John Butler album” Brett offers to this sold out crowd. Some take him up on the offer and some don’t, but most have a drink in hand by this stage. By the end of his set, the venue was brimming with happy people and shining faces, around the time Brett plays She’s Mine. A red ambience covers us by the back bar, all mellowing and reveling in the final minutes of Brett’s set of a folk blend.

Sipping on intoxicating water, it was no mistake of judgment that everyone was having a swell time. There are the standard whistles and impatience followed by a ruptured applause for the John Butler Trio. The lights dim and John walks on to interrupt with “How is everybody tonight?” John acknowledges the traditional owners of the land, while wearing a cool hat, propped on top of the head where those dreads used to be. He looks neat and is clean cut, and he has changed his image perhaps for the international audience. The sound quality and lights are fantastic, while behind the band, there is a red and white arrow heads emblem.

A drum roll introduces I Used To Get High, as nods, bounces and toe tapping take place. Again, the light show signals green, with a streak of purple for effect, then Better Man is next, and the colours have switched to a cool blue. These guys play like veterans of live music performance, and they rock it up and groove it out with wonderful synchronicity. The crowd is a varied blend of ages all vying for the same buzz. John funks this song up, with a real appreciation for the people who made the effort to come out of fanaticism. He reiterates, “beautiful, beautiful…” The cymbals clash and elated people sound their enthusiasm, as John goes on to comment, “the revolution is constantly happening, you can’t stop it” before the drummer uses pounding sticks to beat out the message hard. There is loads of melody in the newer songs, and John takes the banjo out and introduces the band for the first of several times.

Better Than was awesome, followed by an ecstatic applause, John rants some more and then they play John Is Gone after a rather confusing explanation of the song by John. He sits down for the next one with lots of chatter in between songs. With a slide guitar on his lap, red lights and a didgeridoo, there exists an awesome cultural, almost spiritual ambience and atmosphere created. Treat Yo Mama is up next, with swirling and swaying lights that appear like fire accompanying musical brilliance, and there is never a low light.

He played an instrumental which was relaxing but at the same time enthralling and exhilarating. Harmonica and a beautiful Daniela pours more fuel on the fire, then it’s on to Good Excuse. The drumming by Nicky Bomba is great too, and the crowd echoes John, as he dances at the side of stage while percussion do prolonged fills followed by a massive applause. Zebra gets the reception it deserves, he plays with true conviction and we all chant the lyrics with that “bap bap…” tune. John hops and skips around, and a cool blue ensues again, as he gives thanks and praise to Brett at this juncture.

As we all know, Funky Tonight is a big favourite, and it is with a kick of wonderful guitar playing on this one especially. Overall, Australia’s adopted son and his Trio are a brilliant live experience not to be missed. Progressively we are assaulted with a prolonged drum collaboration, and as Nicky gets a mass burst of energy at the end, they are going out on a natural high.

Then, after that wild flurry, stomps and a ruckus bring them back on. It is a chilled vibe. Of course, One Way Road had to come up in their set some time, and it was to be right at the close. All these bodies gathered at the Palace turned up the heat, John thanks the crowd and he gives another shout to Brett Dennen and to his band, but it is JBT who deserve accolades for a job well done.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE