John Butler Trio, Blue KingBrown @ Convention Centre,Canberra (15/09/2010)

Sat 18th Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY HERE!

Eight-piece afrobeat sensation, Blue King Brown, opened what was to be an amazing night of talented musicians playing songs from their hearts through their fingertips and singing like there was no tomorrow at the Convention Centre last Wednesday night.

Blue King Brown showed the audience very quickly what they are most known for, speaking out for the world and being a voice for the people through their music. Playing Never Fade Away from their new album, Worldwize and a song inspired by the need to educate the world on climate change, Rush. Each member of the band proved themselves as the astounding musicians they are with outstanding instrumentals. The audience also had their time to shine as the bands leading lady; Natalie Pa’apa’a introduced a band tradition to have the audience perform their very own solo. Eight bars in which the group were silent and the crowd were encouraged to make as much noise as humanly possible.

Blue King Brown had the perfect amount of energy to keep the audience dancing and moving, which is not always an easy task for an opening band. John Butler Trio fans seemed delighted with the choice of supporting act. Blue King Brown’s music was more than appreciated as the audience came through the doors already bopping along. Pint sized Pa’apa’a has mighty stage presence, constantly grooving even when sporting an electric guitar.

Blue King Brown finished up their powerful and inspiring set with, Moment of Truth, also from Worldwize, but not before a lengthy speech from Pa’apa’a about the shifting consciousness from the world to become one. Her departing words, true to character, “This time on this earth, this is our moment of truth.”

John Butler confused the audience with an immediate appearance as Blue King Brown exited the stage. He was there for something other than music, for Australian people to preserve Australian land. He was there to bring awareness to the crowd and to help raise funds for the Save The Kimberley Foundation. To prevent the compulsory acquisition of land at James Price Point in order to build a gas processing plant. Butler was joined by Indigenous Custodians and Green’s Leader Bob Brown. The men told their stories and asked for support through the signing of postcards and buying of raffle tickets. The crowd quickly responded to Butler’s words and swarmed to the doors to make their contributions and to be a part of the movement.

The stage was soon lit up with music of the newly formed trio. Great expectations awaiting from their audience who had yet to see Butler perform with the new members. Opening their set with Pickapart, the new guys in town, Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion, showed the crowd that they were more than capable of making this work. Recreating classics since 1998’s debut album, John Butler, and creating to-be classics from their newest album, April Uprising.

Butler spent the night switching between several guitars including, both a 6-string and 12-string acoustic, an electric, lap guitar, steel lap guitar and a banjo. Luiters also showing off his musical abilities with performances on a very grand looking double bass and a didgeridoo.

The trio blew the audience away with new tracks from their latest album, including, Revolution, which brought out the activist in Butler, seeming to relate very closely to his passion for saving the land in the Kimberley. They managed to fit in the first nine tracks from the album between older songs. C’mon Now truly had the audience dancing after Butler described it as a song written for “the crazy you and the crazy me.”

Crowd favourites of the night were very clearly the JBT classics. The songs the audience had heard over and over again on the radio, the tracks they knew word for word. The first song of the night that had the fans singing their hearts out was, Used to Get High from 2007 album Grand National. Others to have the crowd singing along were, Better Than, Zebra and after a crowd poll performed by Butler, Betterman, which won when battled against Daniella. Butler dedicated Treat Yo Mama from 2004’s Sunrise Over Sea to WA Premier, Colin Barnett.

The trio treated the audience to a cover of Kev Carmody’s 1990 release, Thou Shalt Not Steal. Stripping back their sound to just three men, three voices and three instruments. This song is only available on the limited edition vinyl version of Grand National.

Butler thanked his fans the only way he knows how, through his music. With the astoundingly unique acoustic solo, Ocean. An 11 minute instrumental, full of power and emotion. Thanks to great passion and talent Butler had no need for words. With so many sounds coming from his guitar, audience members amazed that this could be created by one man with just one instrument.

Bringing the night to its inevitable end we’re three huge hits for the trio, Peaches and Cream, written for Butler’s wife and daughter. Debut single from April Uprising, One Way Road and finally, Funky Tonight.

The band musically extended each of the songs they performed and made sure that their fans were treated to a performance that was truly unique, making their music bigger and better, providing far more than a record ever could.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY HERE!