Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Thursday 19 June 2025, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre, South Australia
Reimagining Stevie
Well, let me tell ya, when I found out that Rai Thistlethwayte was bringing a reimagined version of Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, my jazz/funk-loving heart did a little skip. And after seeing it live in the Banquet Room last night (19 June 2025), I can confirm: Rai honoured Stevie’s genius – and he exploded it into new, thrilling dimensions.
Setting the Scene: A Funky Vibe in the Banquet Room
The Banquet Room at Adelaide Festival Centre transformed into a golden velvet-laced dreamland – dimly lit, wine in hand, a full-house buzzing with expectation. It felt more like a smoky underground club in Detroit than a cabaret venue in Adelaide. And then Rai appeared (forgetting his ROCKSTAR leather jacket), casual yet commanding, sitting at his keyboard like it was his natural habitat (which, let’s be honest, it is).
The Man, The Musician, The Magician
Rai Thistlethwayte – known to many as the frontman of Thirsty Merc – isn’t just a rock-god vocalist. He’s a conservatory-trained jazz musician, a soul crooner, a pop experimentalist, and on this night, a musical alchemist. What he delivered was more than a cover set – it was a reinterpretation, a deconstruction, and a pure celebration of Innervisions.
A Sonic Adventure Through ‘Innervisions’
Let’s talk setlist friends. This wasn’t just a ‘best of’ run-through. Rai chose the deeper cuts alongside the classics, and each track had its own unique flavour:
- ‘Too High’ opened the night with psychedelic swirls, where Rai’s keys rippled like electric water.
- ‘Living for the City’ got a gritty, almost gospel-tinged rework, with Rai’s vocals moving from smooth to searing.
- ‘Golden Lady’ became a dreamy jazz ballad, intimate and glowing.
What stood out most? Easy peezy. The way Rai treated every song like a living, breathing entity. He played with tempo, mood, and harmony – not to show off, but to tell stories through the music.
The Band: Local Legends, Global Sound
Backing him was a tight-knit band of Adelaide’s finest. Guitarist James Muller brought fiery solos and cool restraint, while the rhythm section laid down grooves that felt both vintage and futuristic. Together, they weren’t just a band – they were a conversation.
And, the improvisation! There were moments that felt like spontaneous combustion – Rai would riff, Muller would answer, and the drums would drop into an unexpected funk pocket that made the whole room pulse.
A Special Guest
Always one to share the spotlight, Rai introduced local gal and superstar Kate K.S. complete with her blonde curly haired adorable child in tow (who could have quite easily stole the moment if it weren’t for KS’s insane vocal prowess).
KS and Rai shared the moment with ‘Golden Child’ and it was GOLDEN in all ways.
Born in Adelaide Australia, Kate Kelsey-Sugg grew up in a family of redheads including her jazz musician father and social justice activist mother. She was immersed in the music of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Joni Mitchell and Crosby Stills Nash and Young from birth.
A Masterclass in Musicality
What totally hit home was Rai’s technical brilliance wrapped in an unpretentious package. His:
- Vocals: Effortlessly shifted from falsetto whispers to powerful belts.
- Piano work: Danced through jazz chords, Stevie-style clavinet riffs, and virtuosic solos.
- Charm: Rai has that cheeky, humble presence – like the musical genius who’d still help you move house on a Sunday. His banter with the audience was effortless and real. He spoke as we were his friends. And we are.
- Audience Participation: Flawlessly executed with the finale (encore, perhaps) ‘He’s Misstra Know It All. He had EVERYONE singing along effortlessly and eagerly.
The Crowd: Groove, Gasp, Repeat
The audience, a mix of cabaret regulars and curious Stevie fans, was absolutely locked in. You could hear the silence between phrases, feel the ripple of awe after solos, and see the toe-taps turn into full-body sways. It wasn’t a passive concert – it was a communal ride through joy, nostalgia, and discovery.
The Verdict: A Stellar, Soulful Standout
This show is another one of the best at the 2025 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – it’s one that will be talked about for years to come and has sent Rai onto a whole new level. Rai Thistlethwayte didn’t imitate Stevie Wonder. Nup. He met him on the same plane – heart-to-heart, note-for-note – and invited us all into that intimate space.
Whether a die-hard jazz cat, a Motown romantic, or a festival wanderer looking for something special, Rai delivered the goods with grace, grit, and groove. Brilliance.
Kudos Rai and co.
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