Gary Clark Jr, Hamish Anderson @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 15/4/2025
Elite! This was more than just a gig and more than just a show!
Gary Clark Jr put on a masterclass at Hindley Street Music Hall. There is no doubt that when you think about Bluesfest one of the first names to come in to consideration would be Gary Clark Jr and Adelaide was extremely fortunate to have one of three exclusive side shows on this tour. Hard to believe it has been six years since his last tour here and again playing a blistering and electrifying live show. With a die hard following here in Adelaide fans assembled to witness this guitar virtuoso and one of the world’s most highly acclaimed blues men going around. Simply put, it was hard not to be in awe. This was the place to be and the surrounds of Hindley Street Music Hall amplified this production making this one of those shows not to miss.
Melbourne’s very own roots/ rock aficionados Hamish Anderson is an incredible performer in his own right. Coincidentally Hamish supported Gary Clark Jr last time round and clearly has evolved and taken his performance to a whole new level proving he can more than hold his own. This time Hamish was touring new album Electric which featured prominently including songs Steal Away, You’re Mine, Late In The Evening, Pain and Strangers. Set highlight for me was Rumble. A really good opener who completed the headline act famously and well and truly warmed the stage.
Gary Clark Jr! Wow! This was an absolutely smouldering set and as the band emerged through the smokey haze of blue lights Gary Clark Jr emerged. Plenty of trademark swagger but humble letting his music do all the talking right from the get go with Robert Petway cover Catfish Blues. This was a real bluesy gig and you could almost picture this in a small club but obviously here in Adelaide on a much bigger scale. The way the used the lights and smoke really add to the vibe of some of these songs. New album JPEG Raw was very much a focal point of the set with the Maktub bringing his highly talented and elite band in to the fold.
The crowd were mesmerised for the next two hours and when he spoke the crowd listened apart from the occasional excitable fan to which he responded “it’s too early for that shit.” When My Train Pulls In was brilliant and followed up with Don’t Owe You A Thang topped off with Hamish Anderson returning to the stage to play on this one. The Healing was another great moment but Clark Jr wasn’t feeling it saying “I had enough of that shit, I’m about to switch it up for y’all. Feed The Babies was brilliantly done and before Church Clark Jr put another revelation out there saying “let’s get weird, I wanted to be Marvin Gaye when I grow up, but that hasn’t happened yet”.
The highlights reel was packed full of great moment but hard to go past Alone Together, What About Us and Our Love finishing the set on Bright Lights and Habits. With band intros complete Clark Jr asked the crowd to “look after each other and yourselves, until next time” suggesting a return visit will be much sooner. Fantastic show!
Live Review By Rob Lyon