Live Review: Xyouris White

Poised to begin a world tour, the Australian-Cretan duo Xylouris White performed to a mesmerised crowd.

The dynamic combination that is post-rock drummer Jim White (of Dirty Three) and Cretan trad-folk legend Georgis Xylouris is one fluid partnership in concert. The melodies from Xylouris’ lute built and lulled in balance with White’s formidable drumming, together building avant-folk rhythms into truly world-class rugged and exciting instrumentation. Traditionally, the lute is played as a rhythm instrument, taking a backseat to the lyra melody. Perhaps the shift in style may in part be attributed to the influence of Xylouris’ father, Antonis, who plays the lyra and is affectionately known as “Psarantonis” in Crete, a giant in the folk world.

At MONA FOMA, the lute took the foreground as Xylouris plucked and strummed versatile creations, both traditional and wholly his own. The music was largely upbeat, almost celebratory, tracks Psarandonis Syrto and Old School Sousta taking their names from traditional Greek wedding dances. While these dances have certain steps, the hybrid trad music of Xylorious White is about feeling, not following the rules. The duo certainly showed that it’s easy to dance to music without following the steps.