The unique and earthy sound of Diana Anaid filled every single spare inch at the Metro on Friday night. Opening with Beautiful Obscene, the title track from her forthcoming album out in June, the relatively small crowd quietly took in the voice onstage. Playing a mix of tracks from previous records including the inspiring Perfect Family, Leaving the Country & Love Song for a Girl, the last of which was written for best friend Ariescia, she captured and set the mood for the evening. With just a few spotlights and her guitar, she told her stories with rock-elegance.

As she launched into Don’t Believe in Love the crowd really started getting into it, and the ‘sold out’ sign outside started to make sense! The crowd had finally arrived and the emotion Diana displayed onstage during I Don’t Think I’m Pregnant showed us just how much passion she puts into her performances. The only one in the room or standing before a 10,000 strong audience, it could have been either, as she lost herself in the music and we were lucky to be witness.

Looking completely comfortable on stage and natural with hair flowing, she then belted out I Go Off which, put simply, was very cool. Most of the crowd knew the lyrics and rocked along with her as she came to the close of her set. Finishing with the beautifully crafted and heartfelt sung Last Thing, it gave us further insight to her extremely gifted writing style and another of the collection we can expect on the new album. Check out more here.

Didgeridoos in place, Xavier Rudd took to the stage and continued the night with Partnership from the new album Solace. A gentle beginning to his contribution for the evening, the energy levels increased to maximum capacity. Especially for those of us at the front, who had Xavier in front of us, and the vibe of the crowd behind, it could only be described as mind-blowing!

Early on, he asked for the spotlight that was blinding him to be turned down so he could see the crowd before him. Now able to interact, he gave us the beautiful tracks Solace, Light The Shade & Chances, later moving into the old favourites GBA, To Let, Conceal Me, Let Me Be and the ever popular cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry.

Throughout the set, he had a screen hanging behind him showing a visual of the Solace album cover. When he played Dij/Aztec, there was only a dull red spotlight on Xavier plus the image behind. With the low hum of the didgeridoo, anyone could have sworn they were at a corroboree in the Australian outback with a glowing sunset!

Finally after 2 hours, I knew the night was coming to an end when the funky State of Mind was played, followed by the current single Shelter and finishing with the soul-bearing Green Spandex. Xavier thanked the crowd repeatedly and before leaving the stage, went over to some of the fans, only to be pulled offstage into the crowd. After managing to take the stage again, he said another quick thankyou, and left.