A more fitting stage couldn’t be found for this generous performance by Dan Sultan and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, celebrating 10 years of Blackbird
Dan Sultan has had a storied career, his longevity in Australian music is an achievement in itself let alone the special songs he has shared over the years. A sold out show on Friday July 12 at Hamer Hall with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) feels like a crowning moment for Sultan.
It’s a glorious moment for both Sultan and the audience. He is dressed for the occasion in a three-piece suit, with the might of an orchestra behind him. A powerful night of song and storytelling, emotion is conveyed both through Sultan’s voice and the musicality of the orchestra.
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In the opening song of the night, The Same Man finds Sultan easing himself into the occasion, it feels particularly tender. In the breaks between singing Sultan can be visibly seen taking in the moments. One wonders whether this is where he thought he would be 10 years later after the release of Blackbird. As he sings “I’m the same man as I’ve always been”, the changes for Sultan be they musically or personally are known and always displayed with a sense of authenticity. Does he feel like the same man over this time? Sultan quips about the passage of time and changes after his first two songs, saying that it feels a lot longer than 10 years. So much has happened in that time for him.
Meanings of songs change over time, and once they’re released listeners make their own interpretations, but as he sings “I know that I will get back up again” on Kimberley Calling. There’s a mutual understanding between the audience and Sultan of the resilience that he has endured and shown throughout his career. The honesty of his songwriting but also his stage presence and delivery captivates the audience. Particularly in this setting, with the power of the orchestra behind him, it still allows for every word to be taken in, it’s not lost in the distortion of guitars and pounding of drums but rather hangs in the air as he tells his stories through song.
That idea of a song’s meaning changing over time was one that particularly struck me, especially as the songs were transformed in these arrangements. It Belongs To Us was obviously written in a specific context however as these shows mark a celebration of NAIDOC as well as 10 years of Blackbird. The words of It Belongs To Us feels like an anthem for Keep The Fire Burning, and Sultan on that stage singing his songs, his way, is the personification of Blak, Loud and Proud.
Some of the more tender moments came in the form of Nobody Knows and Gullible Few somehow in the triumph and grandeur of the moment there was a vulnerability that was conveyed. The lyrics across the songs on Blackbird feel particularly personal so to transform them in this way and not lose that, was incredible to witness.
After a short interval, Sultan cracked into what felt like his current set with the majority of the set focused around last year’s self-titled album. 10 years on it’s clear that Sultan is in a different space thematically. Blackbird feels like an album about falling out of love, whereas this batch of songs feels like falling in love, there’s a sense of contentment found in this batch of songs.
Placed towards the end of the set, much loved Old Fitzroy earnt a standing ovation. Within the magnificence of that setting every moment felt extravagant however Sultan was still able to retain some intimacy. This was found in his between song banter and general crowd interaction. He is clearly a performer that cares about his audience, especially on a night like this. Every little detail is not forgotten. With an extended team behind him, most notably each member of the orchestra but also the visuals enhanced each moment too.
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After another standing ovation and farewell, Dan Sultan provided a special encore as he sat down at the piano and melded a medley of a song from his first album and a song from his last, which told the story of his mother. It was a vulnerable moment that again showed how much he gives to his audience. Once again strength and resilience shone through in Sultan’s storytelling ability as he told his own family story, one that many First Nations families would resonate with.
Whether Dan Sultan is on a pub stage, festival stage or a concert hall he really cares about the craft of live performance. This was on display throughout his collaborative performance with the MSO.
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