Review: Herbie Hancock at Perth Concert Hall

Herbie Hancock at Perth Concert Hall
Tuesday, October 22, 2024

King Charles may be in the country but the only true royalty in Australia this week was Herbie Hancock.

Celebrating 50 years of his artistic and commercial breakthrough Head Hunters (and subsequent jazz-funk outfit, The Headhunters band), the evergreen 84-year old was in fine form on Tuesday, chatting openly with the crowd and leading his band of avant-geniuses through a grand, wild cacophony of sounds.

Arriving on stage in a conversational mood, one woman near the front was quick to interject “your music saved my life!” and even revealed that she had been suicidal prior to discovering his catalogue. As gracious as ever, Hancock seemed genuinely touched and stated that no one had ever told him anything like it. All this before the band had played a note.

The early repertoire featured an elongated piece Hancock referred to as Overture, featuring a mash up of favourites including a small snippet of his 1973 hitChameleon (not for the last time on the night). Prior to this he’d introduced us to his Korg Kronos keyboard, and a favourite synth patch known as Prehistoric Predator.

Most of the night was spent between this and his astonishing grand piano playing (although he still rocks a keytar). Whether it was an early duel between he and trumpeter extraordinaire Terence Blanchard, or his more intricate, conversational playing alongside guitarist Lionel Loueke, it often felt like the band members were talking to one another through their instruments.

Whether it was drummer Jaylen Petinaud’s combination of power and grace, or bassist James Genus sublimely working his way around the fretboard, this was an incredible night for virtuoso talent. But none were more incredible than Loueke, whose guitar mastery went from palm-muted afrobeat rhythms to off the hook shredding.

Highlights included a cover of Footprints, originally written by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, a legendary contemporary in his own right who Hancock described as his best friend. Actual Proof lived up to its title as proof of the genius on offer, with each player getting a memorable solo.

Secret Sauce saw Hancock take to a vocoder for a poignant, alien-like conversation touching on Covid, first responders and humanity’s resilience, before taking off in a number of weird and wonderful creative directions as the band kicked in.

The most familiar riffs were saved for the end, with 1983 electro single Rockit featured in a medley alongside Spiders and Hang Up Your Hang Ups, while the signature riff of Chameleon headlined the night (and came unexpectedly from Hancock rocking a keytar).

Perhaps the highlight of the night came at this point, with Loueke and Hancock bouncing up and down in unison and laughing at one another, all as the frenetic beat came to a head. This unforgettable image of two legendary elder statesmen having the time of their lives together was surely the most joyous thing ever seen in the Perth Concert Hall.

It was little wonder that a full standing ovation followed, in what was nothing short of a magical, majestical occasion. And a profoundly feel-good one, at that.

HARVEY RAE

Photos by Linda Dunjey