Jack Johnson, Tegan and Sara @Sidney Myer Music Bowl,Melbourne (08/12/2010)

Thu 23rd Dec, 2010 in Gig Reviews

As hundreds of sopping Melburnians flow into the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, it’s clear the spirits of summer are slacking off this evening — pretty cheeky, really, considering one of their most devoted disciples is here to play songs that simply drip of sun worship. The heavens may have opened up, but if there is one artist with the power to transport you from a hillside soaking to the su-ndrenched beaches of Hawaii: it is Mr Jack Johnson.

Cheeky Canuck duo, Tegan and Sara are the support tonight. The Quin twins’ trademark humour warms up the crowd as they regale us with quirky anecdotes between songs. They look like two little rock ‘n’ roll pixies on the huge stage, but their heartfelt folk-rock fills the entire venue with ease. The Con, Alligator and Nineteen are huge hits with the gaggle of girlies that have bolted to the front to sing along passionately. They round out the set with a stripped back version of Back In Your Head and cracker Hop A Plane.

Johnson saunters onto the stage in jeans, a navy t-shirt and brown pluggers and gets straight to business, displaying the wares of his latest studio effort To The Sea. He opens with You and Your Heart — the first single from the new album. The crowd’s mood instantly soars into the stormy sky. He follows with If I Had Eyes and by the time he strums the opening chords of Taylor, the security guards have given up trying to keep people in their seats. Three songs in and we are sold. Even the sodden, exposed masses on the hillside are dancing with abandon.

The set list is a crowd-pleasing combination of new and old, and as Jack dips into his impressive back catalogue, we remember why we love his laid-back brand of acoustic folk rock. His music evokes sunny days, summer evenings, and holiday romances. There’s a reason why his music pours out of beachside cafes from Thailand to Tunisia; it is the universal soundtrack to summer. The best thing about Johnson though, is that none of it is intentional. He is just playing music he likes to play and he is absolutely genuine in that, and you can sense his authenticity as he strums through each ditty looking absolutely tickled pink with the energy of the crowd.

Sitting, Waiting Wishing, Inaudible Melodies, Breakdown and Rodeo Clown (which sees Ash Grunwald guest spot on guitar) keep the punters in rapture. But it is Bubbly Toes that brings the whole venue to its feet to dance in the aisles. Upside Down delivers island rhythms via maracas, accordion and congas. And Tegan and Sara return to the stage for a lively rendition of Cindi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun with Jack and his boys on backing vocals.

In fact, the band plays a major role in the entertainment, with Johnson happy to step back and let his band-mates’ charisma shine through. Percussionist Adam Topol impresses with a drum solo and bass player Merlo Podlewski injects a surprising rap into Mudfootball. But it is pianist Zach Gill who has moments of stealing the show. His fluid style of playing makes him captivating to watch —often getting up and dancing while still pounding on the keys. He shows off his diversity when he pulls out a melodica and then rocks a cheeky accordion solo during Banana Pancakes. Even his smoky soulful vocals earn a spotlight in Wasting Time.

After a solid dose of seasonal transportation — Johnson and crew leave the stage to thunderous applause. When he returns for an encore it is just he and his acoustic. He opens with Do You Remember, shares a jingle about his wife’s cell phone dropping in the loo, adds an extra chorus to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer then finishes with Gone and Better Together.

The uninvited rain did little to dampen the mood in the end. How can it when Jack’s down to earth observations, mellow melodies and sanguine serenades trickle down your spine like honey and melt all your worries away?

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE