Live Review: Gurrumul

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu arrived on stage wearing his trademark heavy black leather jacket, assisted by long-time friend and bandmate Michael Hohnen. In keeping with Vivid tradition, the night was a multimedia presentation, and the giant screen behind the orchestra featured footage of his community in Arnhem Land and interviews with relatives.

David DjungaDgunga Yunupingu recalled a young Gurrumul banging on tin cans and learning simple chords on his guitar. Susan Dhangal Gurruwiwi described how clan songs could change depending on context. A song about rain clouds changed depending on which direction it travelled and whose land they stopped over. Uncle Johnny Gurrumgurrum Barrarrawanga explained several dances relating to animal totems (“How many arms does an octopus have? Yeah that's right, eight! For all the different clans!”), and their proud connection to the spirit of a woman drowned at sea. All these characters wove a rich tapestry and gave Gurrumul's music profound resonance.

For all the elements surrounding him, the night belonged to the humble black-clad figure in front. Gurrumul's delicate voice mirrored his natural introversion. Gurrumul is a haunting natural talent that draws you in with its quiet earthy ambience. Even with a backdrop of an orchestra his purity came through, and the contrast was striking. The songs themselves were simple and uncomplicated, but his ethereal voice transformed them into pieces that transcended structure and formality. Whether he was chanting a traditional song or one of his own arrangements, his songs were moving and elegant and radiated a warm and rare humanity.