[Live Review] BUSBY MAROU

Busby Marou  - credit Pearl Davies 02

The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Friday November 8, 2013 :

Touring on the back of their recently released album, Farewell To Fitzroy, Friday night saw Rockhampton based Busby Marou perform to a highly receptive, capacity crowd at one of Newcastle’s most intimate venues, The Small Ballroom.

Farewell to Fitzroy is Busbys Marou’s second full length release, and contrasts well with their first self-titled debut with a fuller band sound. Being their sophomore release, the band appear to have attempted to provide a different experience for fans this time round, and this strategy appears to have been adopted for the subsequent tour.

The band took to the stage to a warm audience after the highly impressive support acts Natt Dunn and Harry Hookey had patrons worked up into a cheerful, party vibe. No time was wasted in showcasing songs from the new album which where enthusiastically received, with the band’s namesakes Thomas Busby and Jeremy Marou appearing honestly humbled by the reception to their new material. For the first half of the show, the stories behind some of the new tracks were shared, feeling almost like an introduction to new friends.

Of note was the background to the track ‘Cruel To Be Kind’, which was written after Busby met a fellow Australian musician, who, after his wife left him in his late seventies, bought the house next door so he could remain close to her. The touching story of Busby’s chance encounter speaks volumes about the humility and outlook on life that the band hold, as well as the people you typically meet at one of their shows.

Staying true to the idea of providing something different, the band then welcomed support act, Nat Dunn back to the stage for the second half of the well-known track ‘Biding My Time’. Claimed by those around the Busby Marou camp to be one of the greatest female voices in Australia, it’s easy to understand why Dunn has been asked to tour with the band.

Overall the night was about the new album with it being played almost in its entirety, a decision which patrons appeared very happy with. The set-list ascended to a full finish, climaxing with an extended version of ‘Underlying Message’, giving Marou plenty of room to shine as one of the greatest ukulele players most will ever get the chance see.

Reviewer: Ian Belcher
Photographer: Pearl Davies

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