Not one set of eyes left that stage and it’s moments like this that make you realise that the boys from John Butler Trio have cemented themselves as some of the best live performers in this country.
Following the February release of their sixth studio album, Flesh & Blood, John Butler Trio have embarked on their first extensive regional and capital city tour in four years. With darling songstress Emma Louise supporting, Thebarton Theatre was the golden ticket winner lucky enough to play host to the trio.
An early set from Emma Louise began the night, and the audience was well and truly captivated. The all-ages show brought in music lovers from every walk of life, from tiny toddlers with headphones perched on shoulders (clearly with the best view in the house) to old-timers equally as mesmerised. The setlist included hits such as Boy, Jungle and Mirrors, to a song performed solo and dedicated to her family. Although Emma Louise's vocals had mesmerised the crowd on the floor, patrons further back had the beers flowing and their audible rowdiness unfortunately detracted from some of the magic onstage. Nevertheless, raucous applause erupted after each song and she set the tone beautifully for an incredible night.
Anticipation grew and grew, and as soon as the soft blue light faded to red, the audience erupted as the band everyone had been waiting for emerged. New drummer Grant Gerathy couldn't wipe his smile away as hundreds stomped, danced and cheered through an epic set that lasted over two hours, spanning well over a decade of timeless John Butler Trio tunes.
Opening track Revolution set the vibe for the performance, with Butler engaging in talk about our ability to change the world and his opposition to corrupt governments and oil and gas fracking. These guys have some serious charm and talent that they've used perfectly for 16 years now. Spirits were high, continuing for the entire night through a perfect mix of old and new tracks, right up until the encore finale of Funky Tonight, which Butler dedicated to his favourite part of the human body, “your arse!”
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A deafening full-crowd Happy Birthday chant directed at Butler had the trio in stitches, claiming Adelaide had potentially delivered the best crowd yet. The clear highlight of the night, however, was what many hardcore John Butler Trio lovers had undoubtedly been waiting perhaps years to hear; the full 12-minute version of Butler's solo instrumental track, Ocean. Not one set of eyes left that stage and it's moments like this that make you realise that the boys from John Butler Trio have cemented themselves as some of the best live performers in this country.