Its not often we get the chance to witness a special night at in intimate setting with one of Australia’s greatest songwriters, but when it happens it really is quite magical. And I’m sure I speak on behalf of all of those who crammed in to Mojo’s Bar in North Fremantle when I say Sunday’s show with Andrew Farriss was one of those nights.
Warming up the night was the wonderful Claudia Tripp, a young woman who has her destiny nicely resting in the palm of her hand and judging by her performance again tonight and how 2024 has panned out for her she is going to need bigger hands, with 2025 lining up to be an even bigger year. Keep a watch out for Ms Tripp!
It was an early start tonight, a blessing on a Sunday night and as the clock hit 7.30pm Farriss and his band swaggered onto the small Mojo’s stage to a huge applause. Farriss’s turn from the mainstream rock of his INXS days to deep, historical country music may have raised a few eyebrows at the time but with an album under his belt and a second soon to follow, it feels a natural sound for a man who’s passion lies in telling lyrical tales of the Wild West and the Australian bush rangers. Opening with his 2019 debut solo single ‘Come Midnight’, you are immediately struck by just how at ease Andrew and his band are with this genre. Guitarist Travis New made his playing look sickeningly easy as he smiled and joked as his fingers danced along the fret board.
Tonight’s set list was interjected with tales of how his song’s had been created and with some wonderful insights into his collaborations with performers like Suzi DeMarchi on songs like ‘All the Stars Are Mine’ off his 2020 EP ‘Love Makes the World’. ‘Ghost Riders’, written in 1948 by American songwriter Stan Jones, added to tonight’s western atmosphere with Andrew asking, “Are there any cowboys out there tonight? Give me a yeeha!” And so we did. ‘Someone For Everyone’ and ‘Where Do You Sleep Tonight’ kept the spellbound crowd enthralled before we heard the story of desert horse rides along the New Mexico border to where the real wild west was, with Farriss and his wife Marlina, who was in the crowd tonight, staying at a ranch. ‘Apache Pass’ captured those desert trips perfectly.
With a band comprising of New, Tim Sampson on bass, Mitch Farmer on drums and Ashleigh Leef on backing vocals, the depth and vibrance of the sound wasn’t lost with over playing or deafening tones allowing Andrew Farriss to accompany with his acoustic guitar perfectly. Leef, who had been producing stunning harmonies all night was able to stretch her own wings with Jenny Morris’s ‘She Has to Be Loved’, another co-write from Farriss.
The biggest cheers, as expected were when Farriss delved into the INXS catalogue, explaining how the band began, with their roots firmly fixed in Perth. With over 300 songs penned by Hutchence & Farriss the question was just what would we get? And we soon found out; ‘Beautiful Girl’ was graceful, ‘Need You Tonight’ fabulous and ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ incredible, with New playing a spine chilling solo in place of the famed sax part.
Encores ensued, kicking off with ‘Kelly Gang’ before the biggest cheer saved for INXS classic ‘Don’t Change’ which was fabulously countryfied for a real hoedown feel – Brilliant. As the lights lifted the merch desk was awash with fans grabbing their tees and vinyl and were rewarded with Andrew popping out for photos and signings to end a great night for all. Yehaaa!
Thanks to Sue McAullay from SueMacMedia for the invite and to Andrew for his generous time after the show.
Photos by Shotweiler Photography
