Matt Corby, Great Gable, Bud Rokesky @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 3/6/2023
Hindley Street Music Hall was absolutely packed to rafters for the final stop on Matt Corby’s “Everything’s Fine”. Matt Corby is a class performer continuing to grow in stature and three albums in now there’s no limit with where he can go. There was plenty to like as he treated Adelaide to a healthy slither of new songs from his incredible new album Everything’s Fine.
Opening act Bud Rokesky would have picked up some new fans with his unique brand of story telling country folk. Definitely one of those artists to seek out as there is an air of mystery about him and his debut album Outsider is one to give a spin. Baby & I and Floodlights are absolute gems.
Indie-rockers Great Gable kicked things up a gear getting hips shaking and feet shuffling in their tight forty-five minute set. Opening with Til The Suns Comes Up from brand new EP Read The Room their set was loaded with indie-rock charms. Lead singer and guitarist Alex Whiteman forgot what night of the week it was adding that Port won and everything is alright. Dancing Shoes, Pumpernickel and Our Love were all great moments. Being the last night of the tour the band were looking forward to going out after and were seeking suggestions about where to go. Looking to ‘sling’ some extra merch there was talk of a kissing both ($50 a pop) featuring bassist Chris Bye who would have no doubt caught the eye of some female folk in the crowd. Great Gable finished their tight set on Hazy and So Cool. Catch them when they return in November.
Matt Corby, what a performer! This was one of those shows we’ll be singing his praises for some time to come. Softly spoken, he chose his words carefully letting the music do most of the talking. His band were tight and as they launched in to Carry On the stage is bathed in red light. Corby left nothing in the tank and after Problems and Lover he needed to sit for a moment before asking fellow Adelaidians how they are right from the top tier, middle tier to the floor. New songs Mainies, Reelin’, Reruns and Big Smoke shone bright. Corby was full of gratitude thanking the crowd for spending their ‘hard earned’ on tickets and it was definitely one of the shows that the fans rode this journey every step of the way with him.
Souls A’Fire is an absolute firecracker showing Corby at his very best on this bluesy tune and the guitar solo was great to watch. The set came to an end on Resolution and it was a moment of pure joy with the room full of beaming smiles. The highlight of the encore was the TLC cover of No Scrubs and the crowd found plenty of voice to sing-a-long to this one. Brother was absolutely biblical and a standout moment in his show with Corby getting the crowd to join in on set closer Miracle Love. If you didn’t go you really did miss a great one.
Live Review By Rob Lyon