Since his early-career appearance in Adelaide during the dying days of the Big Day Out, Gary Clark Jr. has forged a devoted Australian following.
Clark, who met his Australian wife at Coachella, delivered a performance that verged on the spiritual at Hindley Street Music Hall (15 April), showcasing his latest album, 'JPEG Raw'.The set list was a blend of new tracks from 'JPEG Raw' and some of his classic hits. On 'Maktub', alongside the regal and hooded King Zapata on lead guitar dressed in a Juwan Johnson New Orleans Saints jersey, showcased the trust and bond Clark Jr. has in his band of fellow maestros.
The energy continued with 'My Baby's Gone', featuring a memorable collaboration with support act Hamish Anderson, who has shared the stage with the Texas headliner for encores and guest appearances since their 2019 tour together.
As they smiled in mutual appreciation of each other's talents, they were really 'playing' music together; playing in the childhood sense. Their guitars are their toys, their source of joy. Music is Clark Jr.'s healing too.
'JPEG Raw', released on 22 March, 2024, is a reflection of Gary's ever-expanding musical palette. The album features a mix of traditional African music, jazz, rock, R&B, hip hop, and blues.
Tracks like 'Alone Together' and 'Habits' were standout moments, with the latter featuring a haunting interplay with his three tambourine-beating backup singers (who are also his sisters).
The album's title is an acronym for Jealousy, Pride, Envy, Greed, Rules, Alter-Ego, Worlds; all these emotions and more were channelled through Clark Jr.'s guitar. At times it appeared like he was summoning spirits or tapping into the energy of the gods, whipping the audience into a frenzy.
Clark Jr. grew up playing everything from Green Day and Nirvana to Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's a fusion of styles and the set reflected this. From the bluesy 'Blak And Blu', where he revealed his most raw and naked emotions, to the soulful political commentary of 'Feed The Babies'.
For a song or two, he stripped off the guitar and crooned; he joked how he still wants to be Marvin Gaye when he grows up, but he hasn't gotten there yet. Given how, onstage, his Epiphone Casino guitar becomes an extension of his body, it never seems quite right when it's not hanging from a strap around his torso.
Melbourne-born guitarist Hamish Anderson, known for his blend of blues, rock, and soul, suitably warmed the crowd up with accomplished solo noodling and tight interplay with Pete Marin on drums and Phoebe Neilsen on bass. Anderson showcased his new album 'Electric'.
As summer lingers in Adelaide in the week before Easter and Bluesfest, Hindley Street Music Hall was treated to a festival of blues of its own. America might be Clark Jr.'s homeland, but this land is home for him too.
