Live Review: Marlon Williams, Ben Salter

Ably supported by a solo acoustic support set from Ben Salter, which included live percussive and guitar loops, Marlon Williams took to the stage of the gloriously, uniquely Freo Fly By Night. The venue suited Williams perfectly as he began his set with the edgy cautionary tale of Cocaine Blues, then followed with a stunning rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. The song featured just Williams' soulful, crooning voice and his guitar, two beautifully played instruments which set off a performance that ranged across country, soul, blues and folk, mesmerising the crowd and holding them from his first note.

Over the next three songs Williams began drip-feeding his band The Yarra Benders onto the stage, adding female vocals, double bass and spare, assured drums to perfectly underpin his beautiful guitar work and incredible voice. Five songs in and layers of instruments, harmonies and intensity had built until the full band kicked into high gear. 

Taking tracks from his eponymously titled debut album, Williams moved through an eclectic set which included Strange Things, Heaven For You, Prison For Me and Ballad Of Minnie Dean, Williams then dialled the energy up several notches as he belted out the rollicking Hello Miss Lonesome, before moving onto darkly lyrical tracks The State Hospital and Dark Child.

Completing his set, he moved into an encore which included the beautifully gender-bending When I Was A Young Girl and Portrait Of A Man — icing on the cake.

At just 24, Williams already has the self-assuredness, vocal maturity and songwriting ability of someone twice his age. Comparisons to Johnny Cash and Woody Guthrie aren't hyperbole, either.