"An Evening With John Butler" was a heartwarming night of songs and storytelling

I can confidently say that almost all the folk at the Perth Concert Hall last night left with massive grins on their faces after the John Butler concert. After being in his relaxed, genuine presence, coupled with his awe-inspiring musicianship, it would have been hard not to feel happy and whole by the end of it.

Supported by Mama Kin and her wonderful band, the night started off on a high note. Her amazing performance set the perfect tone for the rest of the evening. Much like with John Butler, she made you feel welcome and at home through her down-to-earth storytelling and classic larrikin humour. Demonstrating impressive musicality, her fun and soulful tunes were enjoyed by all.

The best thing about John Butler is that he doesn’t seem at all like a celebrity. When it came time for him to make his appearance on stage, he simply strolled on casually and with ease. Between his epic songs, he was very much a chatterbox, sharing his stories and thoughts from his life. Despite the formal purpose-built space that the Perth Concert Hall provided, it was almost as if he was conversing directly with you - a genuine conversation with an old friend.

He performed his biggest hits, from the toe tapping ‘Better Than’, right through to the stunning work that is ‘Ocean’ that got our hearts racing with emotion. His beautiful rendition of ‘Oh Danny Boy’ was an absolute heart-melter. I loved the way he put his own spin on it, yet stayed true to the heartache and sadness of the original song. Throughout the show, people were clearly enjoying themselves, with shouts and cheers coming from all around the concert hall. At the end of songs, individuals would jump out of their seats with absolute joy, cheering and clapping with genuine appreciation.

It was easy to tell why John Butler is one of WA’s most well-loved musicians. Forget the usual glamorousness of show business - the man won us over simply through his wonderful stories and songs from the heart. Humble and easygoing, you get the impression that he’s someone who knows how to appreciate the simple things in life. If you ever get the chance to see him live, I’d highly recommend taking up the opportunity. Watching him on stage invokes an array of happy emotions that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, and what more could you ask for in this day and age?