Sampha closed out a strong musical line up for Perth Festival on Sunday night at Supreme Court Gardens. Perth audiences did as they always do, being slow to embrace the vibe and show their appreciation for a live performance. We’re a little prudish when it comes to applause.
Nai Palm opened the night with her effortlessly cool stage presence. Just her and her guitar, which she played as if it were an extension of her own body, while casually sharing anecdotes of a Jimmy Hendrix song she played in his house once. Despite the massive stage, it didn’t feel bare with just her and her guitar. Her raspy emotive vocals delivered absolute belters. Such powerful vocals could only come from someone who puts everything into every song they sing.
Sampha matched the dedication when he opened his piano-driven set. It was a pleasure to watch him float around the stage with a beautiful flow. His set was ethereal and heartfelt, a perfect soundtrack in the open-air setting. Laying on the grass in a state of exhaustion, all I could manage was to dance with my arms. Somehow it felt like the perfect way to enjoy his set. I’m sure the people who were standing up by the stage felt the same about their experiences.
His gentle RnB floating through the air reverberated into a place in my memory that has few comparative experiences. Watching his bedroom production style performance made great use of the expansive outdoor stage. The highlight was a drumming circle between him and 3 band members. The 4 of them faced inwards to the circle, with a single spotlight on them in this visceral moment.
In a touching moment after his encore, someone in the front row waved a record for him to sign. Without any regard for a dramatic sign off, he paused and kneeled down to grab the record and sign it for them. That genuine moment was way more impactful than any rehearsed finale could have been.
We’re lucky to have such renowned artists play for us in this big country town.