Review: Xavier Rudd at Fremantle Prison
Xavier Rudd at Fremantle Prison
w/ Calypso Cora
Friday, March 1, 2024
The iconic Fremantle Prison, with its looming burnished limestone walls, became a place of music, celebration, and reconnection on Friday night as Xavier Rudd brought his live show to Western Australia. Illuminating the courtyard with the striking backdrop of the red, yellow, and black of the Spirit Bird, the stage set the tone and shrieked good vibes and energy.
The sold-out show was the fourth in a run of Xavier Rudd’s most intricate solo performances of his career so far, celebrating the release of his first EP in 25 years, Freedom Sessions. The tour began in South Africa and will continue through North America and Canada right through the European summer to Bali and Fiji, with more Australian shows on the calendar later in 2024.
Calypso Cora
Breezing in to get the night going, the upbeat surf vibes of Calypso Cora, fronted by Xavier’s son, cruised through the crowd. The four-piece’s energy had bodies moving with catchy tracks Lilies and Chasing Catfish. Surprisingly, having only played five gigs previously, they were confident and proficient, with just enough swag. The vocalist swapped out his guitar for tambourine vibes to pump out their upcoming single, Be Yours. A unique young band with San Cisco vibes and their own unique twist, they finished to a much-swelled audience and great appreciation from the crowd.
Xavier Rudd
As the stars broke through the darkness, the stage became a beacon of attention, with lights filling the void and eyes settling upon the multiple arrangements of instruments on display. The crowd fervently waited in anticipation before the barefooted Xavier Rudd arrived on stage with his symbolic red-tailed black cockatoo feather proudly strung around his neck.
The powerful Spirit Bird, from the 2012 album of the same name, soared within the crowd and beyond the walls of the prison. Rudd moved between instruments, playing two and three at a time, as if embodying the ancient energy within the song as the music conveyed the past, present, and future through an Aboriginal lens.
Sitting with his guitar, Full Circle began a run of diverse career-spanning tracks born from Rudd's personal experiences and from the energy that 'moves through him' to carry important messages.
Xavier Rudd
Rudd moved seamlessly between guitar, harmonica, keyboard, didgeridoos, drums, and chimes, creating tracks from Stoney Creek, We Deserve to Dream, and his new release, High Times. Rudd reminded the crowd to appreciate the place we live, remember those who are struggling, and have gratitude for what we have and how special it is. Time and time again, he called in 'the Great Spirit' and called on the crowd to join him.
Deeply grounded by the didgeridoo, the songs felt fully charged with energy, and the audience was strung into Rudd's web of sound. Rudd also engaged the audience with chants to keep the songs going as he moved to the front of the stage to connect with them.
Rudd then finished up with his latest single, World Order, a two-part track that features some of his most powerful lyrics: “The way that you tend to your garden, may be the way that you treat other humans. And the weeds you neglect through the seasons, may resemble your own inner demons.”
Rudd expressed his desire to “shine a light” on the prison throughout the show, a desire that was realised in more ways than one. His storytelling, music, and voice were like a gift for the people fortunate enough to be there.
JOANNE BYFORD
Photos by Adrian Thomson
