From the moment powerful lead vocalist Andrew Gurruwiwi sat down centre stage wearing a pair of iconic wraparound shades, the audience was spellbound. After a short address in Yolŋu Matha, it was on for young and old. The next 45 minutes whipped past like lightning, as the genre and generation-mixing band cruised through a vibrant set, full of reggae, Latin, R&B and funk inspired tunes.
With a rhythm section tighter than a pair of skinny jeans from the early noughties, the crew locked into the groove and refused to leave. The fusion of genres, the contrasting songs, the band chemistry… what a professional outfit. Tracks like Once Upon a Time and Gatjumak had the whole crowd bumping, beautifully showcasing the catchy, clever songwriting of AG Band, who manage to find the right balance between soulful and dance party every time. They’ve come an amazingly long way from when I first saw them on home turf at the Hog Shed in Nhulunbuy three years ago!
“They manage to find the right balance between soulful and dance party every time.”
In another sign of AG band clearly maturing, there are a few new bandmates in town! A ripping horn section of trombone, tenor sax and trumpet added huge depth and vibrant lines to accent the funky, groovy songs, and left the door open for a couple of wicked solos. The bloke on the bone was bopping all night – big ups.
Holding it all together are the lead and rhythm guitarists; both of which had silky melodic lines, extremely tight and bright chops and the occasional tasteful solo with a heavy dose of blues bending.
The connection between the bassist and the drummer was absolutely undeniable – these guys were locked in the pocket all night, doing some heavy lifting in genres that centre around really sharp rhythm.
All the while, the two frontmen commanded the stage and split the Darwin sky with tight, resonant harmonies that drifted between English and Yolŋu Matha, intertwining like the two cultural worlds. A class act, fit for Darwin’s best live music venue yet, the Fort Hill Parklands on the edge of the beautiful Darwin Harbour.
Picture the sun melting into the ocean, the whole crowd grooving, and the sounds of Arnhem Land and the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band clamouring for the attention of the music world.
And it turns out, they got it. Literally straight after the show – they boosted to the National Indigenous Music Awards across town, to win not one, but TWO awards for Song of the Year (Once Upon a Time) and Best New Talent.
If they’re playing anywhere near you, this is a must watch: Andrew Gurruwiwi Band is set to blow!
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band performed on August 9 as part of Darwin Festival.
BY ROBERT VAUGHAN