Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Wednesday 6 November 2024, Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, SA
John Butler’s performance at Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall on November 6, 2024 engaged and captivated us from the get go – We were putty in John’s talented hands.
Now, with respect, the ‘Welcome To Country’, sometimes is almost rolled-out out of requirement without the true sentiment behind… Never have I heard a more sincere, well versed, honest and open ‘Welcome To Country’, John’s conviction to the words was palpable. Respect.
After a beautiful story-telling introduction complete with a few ‘f’ bombs (“There are bigger issues in the world other than me swearing, check your priorities then ‘f’ off”. Agreed!), John kicked off with the first song solo ‘East & West’, John warned us, “Hands up who knew this was an instrumental show?”… “Did you even read the show bio?” He expressed to the 60% who didn’t, “Sucked in haha!” He jokingly added.
The second song ‘Banjo Loop’ saw former John Butler Trio member Michael Barker (joining live for the first time since 2009) & Michael Boase, both on percussion. A stunning and memorable night of excellent music, a mix of acoustic brilliance and deep-rooted musical artistry, rolled out before us from there to great whoops, cheers and applause.
Promoting his new instrumental album Still Searching, Butler turned the intimate venue into a sonic experience filled with emotional peaks and technical mastery, reminding fans why he remains a treasured figure in Australian music.
Setlist and Sound
The show featured the entirety of Still Searching, a collection of hauntingly beautiful, instrumental pieces recorded in Santa Fe, New Mexico, blending Butler’s signature percussive guitar technique with soulful melodies. Barker & Boase with their rhythmic synergy brought an earthy richness that complemented Butler’s intricate guitar work.
Performance Highlights
While the new album was the star of the evening, the second set had Butler weave in some beloved classics, notably his masterpiece Ocean. This fan-favorite filled the hall with an electric silence, as the audience hung onto every note, swaying between nostalgia and new discoveries. Ocean, as always, showcased Butler’s intense focus and the almost spiritual connection he has with his guitar, transforming the crowd into a rapt congregation of fans and first-timers alike
Atmosphere and Crowd Interaction
The Hindley Street Music Hall, with its dark backdrop vibe, was the perfect backdrop for Butler’s raw and expressive performance. I can only praise this venue’s acoustics, which allowed even the softest nuances of Butler’s performance to resonate throughout the space. Between songs, Butler shared stories behind Still Searching, drawing the audience into his creative journey and making the show feel like an intimate conversation as much as a concert. His story telling is authentic and it’s not hard to connect with the man on stage because of this. He is funny. He is laidback. He is bloody talented.
Shout out to the two very drunk women who were sitting along side of me. Rambling incoherently about nothing and certainly nothing to do with the show as they swigged on their stubbies. Loud and obnoxious mostly. A woman in front turned round to ask them to keep it down to which she was served with a “We paid for these we can do whatever the ‘f’ we want”. Ummmm, no darlings, doesn’t quite work that way. In the following minutes they got up and stumbled out the venue (Perhaps they should been escorted out well before they left on their on devices). First time out ladies? Fortunately, well assumably, John was not privy to any of this.
Final Thoughts
Longtime fan and the newcomers, this evening with John Butler was more than a concert – it was an immersion into the emotive and expansive world of his music. With such rare mastery and connection to his craft, Butler proved again why he’s a mainstay of Australian music, bringing his listeners into a journey of sonic storytelling that’s as moving as it is masterful. A great night out.
How many stars? This many…
