Live Review: Dan Sultan, Pierce Brothers

The event was sold out. It wasn’t even 6pm yet and the line to the entrance of the Fremantle Arts Centre courtyard stretched half way up Finnerty St. Everyone wanted the best spot on the grass. The setting itself was very intimate; the outdoor venue couldn’t have held more than a few hundred people and every single one of them was excited for the evening ahead.

The night opened with Pierce Brothers, a folk rock duo from Melbourne. The bond and truly unique dynamic that can only come from knowing each other from birth (quite literally since the age difference between them is two minutes) manifested in their harmonies and stage presence. The way they fed off each other’s energy was captivating and enjoyable to watch. Jack, a one-man percussion section, swapped between the djembe, didgeridoo, tambourine, and harmonica and at one point even used the speakers, the fence and the frame of the stage marquee to accompany Patrick on the acoustic guitar. Both were extremely talented musicians and singers, deliciously insane and were not afraid of making fools of themselves on stage. The whole act was thoroughly entertaining and their energy was infectious. If you’re not happy after watching these two, you are in some serious need of therapy.

Dan Sultan’s powerful soulful vocals hypnotised from the first beats of Under Your Skin. Besides his unquestionable musical talent, his solo act showcased his profound understanding of the human condition and his ability to put down his reflections in poignant lyrics for songs such as Man On TV. He played his well-known hits from his 2014 album Blackbird and the night wouldn’t be complete without a rendition of Kimberly Calling. He also played a number of songs off his newly released EP Dirty Ground, on which he collaborated with legendary musicians Paul Kelly and Paul Dempsey. Sultan was warmhearted, genuine and connected with the audience through his story-telling. He even sang Happy Birthday for one very excited girl sitting in the third row. His natural swag, charm and humour had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. It’s safe to say Perth will be waiting in eager anticipation for Dan Sultan’s return.