LIVE: Bernard Fanning – Fremantle Arts Centre, 29 Oct, 2016

Shane | 21 November 2016 | Reply

LIVE: Bernard Fanning – Fremantle Arts Centre, 29 Oct, 2016
Review & photography by Maree King

You would never have known it was spring in Perth, as the wintery weather paid a visit on Saturday 29th October 2016 for Bernard Fanning Civil Dusk Tour. The Freo Arts Centre put on an awesome show with the rain holding off for most of the night, the chill in the air didn’t dampen the night nor the ardent Bernard Fanning fans that braved the weather to see him perform from his new Album Civil Dusk, with a peppering of Powderfinger numbers and some Fanning classics.

Starting off the evening as the sun slowly went down the and chill set in the the first act of Ainslie Willlis sang with lilted melodic tone, haunting songs of heartbreak. The softness in her tone was at times, overpowered by the heavier bass guitar, however her exquisite voice was exactly as described by Matilda Edwards in The Guardian – “understated yet fiercely melodic.” Accompanied by Laurence Folvig on guitar these two are carving out an original sound that cleverly sits between genres of pop and classic instrumental. The singer songwriter duo showcase a technically crafted and constructed musicality

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Dustin Tebbutt had some early technical difficulties, without being able to get their acoustic guitar working and switching to the electric guitar was too heavy for the softer tones of the first few songs. As the set went on the songs had a darker and heavier melody which suited them more. They also had to contend with some light rain showers.

Tebbutt’s style could be compared to Bon Iver, he has developed a lush, layered sound with sweeping harmonies and dramatic melodic instrumentations that in themselves take us on journey. His songs have languid essence with an emotive tension that follow the trajectory of his songwriting and own personal journey through the world around him, making him a perfect fit for Bernand Fanning

The chill in the ground and the air had set in when Bernard Fanning quietly slipped on stage to play the first two songs solo on his acoustic guitar. It had been 10 years since his last appearance at the Fremantle Arts Centre and he started of the set with ‘Emerald Flame’ from his new album Civil Dusk, under a single Green light which gave him an Emerald glow which was to be the beginning of a beautiful lighting display that told the story to the whole show.

He following with a soulful performance of ‘Twoong Blues’ a song about Bernard own home town. A place that has had a profound effect on him, shaping his childhood and values he holds close to his heart.

Civil Dusk is the newest and probably the solemnest from Fanning to date, with many of the tunes that provide a retrospective of his youth, the events and places that have shaped him as a person and a musician.

He certainly didn’t disappoint ensuring he belted out a few Powderfinger favourites to the delight of the crowd, with plenty of people braving the bitter cold night, committed to staying to the very end.