Getting down and funky with John Butler Trio as well as The Waifs and Missy Higgins at The Riverstage on a sultry Sunday Brisbane night (31 January) doesn’t get more sublime!
It’s been ten years since these mighty Australian acts shared a stage, so Brisbane fans were in for a musical treat. And a delicious treat is was! Without question all acts offered up magic performances. Each playlist, was finely crafted: perfect blends of new tunes with old favourites.
The Waifs… I can’t help feeling, I was 'Born To Love' these treasured trio of troubadours! Their songwriting craft and musicality is truly soul medicine. The Riverstage performance was a delight filled with smooth tunes, humming harmonies and a playful energy.
The Waifs - Image © Jade HopleyYou can’t help but feel The Waifs pick up the crowd and transport them on a road trip of folk goodness. We were serenaded by tracks from their newest release 'Beautiful You', alongside much-loved tunes like 'Crazy Train' that had “little sister” Vicki taking centre stage with her harmonica and sassy red heels inspiring some foot-stomping good times!
Beneath a sizzling sunset, the crowd was yearning for more, as they lost themselves to the sweet, sweet music of The Waifs.
Missy Higgins - Image © Jade Hopley.Re-joining the touring circuit following the recent birth of her baby boy, Missy Higgins was as elated to be performing as the crowd was to hear her. “Playing and making songs is my favourite thing in the world,” she confessed.
The songstress dazzled the crowd with her powerful vocals and melodies. We were thrilled to hear some new Missy tunes as well as revisit the nostalgic songs that launched her as one of our beloved, homegrown artists.
Missy Higgins - Image © Jade HopleyNever shy of a social cause, Missy debuted 'Oh Canada': a tribute song for Alan Kurdi – the young Syrian refugee boy who drowned at sea – and a call for humane asylum seeker policies that don’t persecute the vulnerable in society.
Albeit a little apprehensive about being a downer following The Waifs, Missy infused bittersweet music moments with pure, uplifting tunes complete with wild animal impersonations. Declaring the gig was a “shite-load of fun” barefoot Missy sparkled with vitality as she connected and shared life through music and song.
John Butler Trio - Image © Jade HopleyWith Missy departing the stage it was time to question: 'Do I dare to believe in something more?' (lyric from JBT song 'How You Sleep At Night'). Yes JBT, I do! And gauging from the raptured response at a packed The Riverstage, so do thousands of Brisbane folk.
Six albums on and this trio of virtuosos can still surprise fans. JBT’s performance was raw and electrifying, capturing the evocative dynamics within their latest album, 'Fresh & Blood'. There was plenty of rock beats, gritty shades of blues-jams and electrifying rhythms.
John Butler Trio - Image © Jade HopleyThe trio: John Butler, Byron Luiters and Grant Gerathy shared a tight performance, projecting an edge I’ve not seen before: they cut sick and jammed with a bare intensity that was hot! Their signature acoustic-fingerpicking grooves and melodies haven’t faded; there’s just more!
The sound has evolved with layers of riffs that bite, get under your skin and take you on a moody journey within echoing the stories of human relationships behind each 'Flesh & Blood' track. What made this gig so uplifting was the tangible intimacy between the creatives and their fans.
John Butler Trio - Image © Jade HopleyEach act shared a gratitude for each other’s music: a gratitude multiplied by their interactions with each other on stage and with the crowd. The Waifs, Missy and JBT were all getting down and funky on stage sharing not only their resonating riffs and song craft, but the soulful joy these brilliant performers experience: sharing their music magic. Big gratitude!
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