Upon arriving at the TLA I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was an opening act on the schedule –Jeremy Fisher-. Since Xavier’s set up is so complex I was not expecting that to be the case. Jeremy Fisher is a guitarist/singer from Canada who really knows how to jam. His set list included “Cigarette,” “High school”, a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill”, and “Jolene” which you can view here.

After Jeremy’s set it was time for Xavier Rudd who hails from Australia. He is a musician that uses an arsenal of instruments that really is one of a kind. He delivers a unique and melodious combination of vocals, lyrics, and energy that is powerful, and full of emotion. Xavier is currently playing with his new band: bassist Tio Moloantoa and drummer Andile Nqubezelo, both extremely talented musicians.

The night was started off with “The Mother,” a song from his “Food in the Belly” album which was followed by “Stargaze” from the “White Moth” album. Both of these songs had an awesome electrified charge to them, more so than usual. “Bungil” was up next which had a very strong African feel filled with plenty of percussion and use of yidaki (aboriginal instrument commonly known as the didgeridoo).

It was during the song “Grey to Blue” that the show was lifted by the music gods to a new level. There was a connection between artist and crowd that was incredible to be a part of.”When I’m with you everything I dream seems to come true/ the food tastes better when I taste it with you,” followed by a enduring chant of “nananananana nananananana” that did not end until well after the song. The roles were reversed and the band was laughing and dancing on stage while the crowd was singing and keeping the beat alive with hands and feet.

Xavier ended the show with a power charged version of one of my favorites “Let Me Be.” The crowd had not had enough and demanded Xavier back to the stage with screaming, foot stomping, and more screaming and more foot stomping. The band came back out and finished it off with two more songs. “Pockets of Peace” being a slow yidaki filled mellow experience, and “Footprints” which was a funky jam dedicated to Mother Earth. Footprints ended with an almost two minute nonstop instrumental jam, which was a suitable end for a night filled with songs as diverse as Rudd’s setup.

Signing out: Marcus Shellenberger ^[1]

Xaviers’ full set-list:

The Mother
Stargazer
Bungil
Energy
Grey to Blue
Messages/Guku
Whispers
Food in the Belly
Message Stick
Let Me Be
Pockets of Peace
Footprints