John Butler, Civic Theatre, May 19
In this new world of pandemic pauses, seeing John Butler on stage in Newcastle was very much like catching up with a dear, old friend. The kind of friend who shares his thoughts without fear of judgement, without fear of losing your love, your mateship. Cause he's never going to change, and you're never going to change, and you've both always liked each other just the way you are.
Ok, so he tripped up on the lyrics of his first song of the night, Spring to Come. He stopped, made a joke, and got right back into it. And it didn't happen again all night as he masterfully pushed his way through another dozen or so songs.
Like a true pro, he was supported by a small team of technicians who engineered a show with lush lighting and near-perfect acoustics. It was a touch of theatre, in a grand venue. You don't know what you've got until you use it. (And Butler did not hesitate to tell the crowd what a fine venue it was).
Like Butler said ahead of the tour, "all these these songs have a mind of their own. They do what they want..."
Arrangements get tweaked, vocals are adjusted. And in the end, while only one new song cut through, they all felt fresh and strong, ready to be aired out, taken for a long run.
Just as importantly, Butler's own chatter was like an old friend coming from another side of the world, telling us how they saw the world around us. He's always been witty, and clever, willing to throw a tough punch at politicians, eager to make us question our beliefs - or lack thereof, and perhaps he's more self-deprecating than ever, willing to make fun of his own foibles.
Early in the show he apologised for the profanity he would release, and his freedom of expression. At one point he called himself an "in-bred foolish bastard" after explaining that both of his parents shared the last name Butler before they were married, he was three years old when they wed and April 1 is his own birthday.
On the music side, the message was overwhelmingly positive, overwhelmingly about love. From Spring to Come, he bounced into Better Than, Miss Your Love, Betterman, Faith, and Used to Get High - which stood out for its everlasting funky lyrics, which stand like a high water mark of a generation (it was on the 2007 Grand National album).
The love kept flowing, into Treat Yo Mama, a roots anthem if there ever was one, Losing You, Ocean, Wade in the Water and Zebra.
The encore was Peaches and Cream (by popular vote over Revolution), with Butler ending the night on Pickapart.
Butler's verbal farewell was much that old friend you say the long good night to at the front door, complimenting you on your town, your house, your coast, your vibe, and wishing you well until they next time he sees you.
And as the one standing on the stage, he was sure to get the last word.
"You feed me," he said to the audience. "It's a f--king spin-out. Thank you!"
Butler responded to plenty of banter, and shut down a clapping push on Used to Get High, calling it an impossible song to keep in rhythm to. But he finally let the crowd in, with an almost spontaneous call and response on Peaches and Cream. When you can send an audience home with "All I know is I love you" pinging off their brain, it's a good night's work.
Setlist: Spring to Come, Better Than, Miss Your Love, Betterman, Faith, Used to Get High, "Wings" (new song), Treat Yo Mama, Danny Boy, Losing You, Ocean, Wade in the Water, Zebra. Encore: Peaches & Cream, Pickapart.
