Ash Grunwald - Tivoli Theatre (June 19)

5 July 2010 by Richard Wilson

On the road right now for his 'Hot Mama Vibes' album tour, Ash Grunwald played Brisbane's intimate Tivoli Theatre recently.

Supporting Grunwald for his Brisbane show were rock/blues duo The Blackwater Fever and Band of Frequencies. Both of these bands together sort of appeal to two distinct sides of Ash Grunwald's music; the heavy rock of The Blackwater Fever (think The Fumes or The Black Keys), and the searing guitar-driven funk of Band of Frequencies.

Ash Grunwald has truly found a place for himself in the Australian music scene. With a formidable following on the festival scene and always one to engage the audience with an impressive live show and light-hearted banter that suggests he clearly enjoys every minute of it.

The night featured plenty of tracks from Grunwald's latest offering, Hot Mama Vibes, opening the show with the first single Walking and scattering about half of the album throughout the show. The rest pooled material comfortably from across Grunwald's catalogue, with the past three "heavy" albums dominating. Dolphin Song appeared, Grunwald telling of how he used to avoid this song after several years of playing it endlessly, but has since learned to just go with it.

Joining his brethren John Butler, Xavier Rudd and Ben Harper (comparisons to fellow so-called blues & roots musicians never get old, apparently), Grunwald for much of the set abandoned his normal seated position to adorn a Stratocaster at centre-stage. His National resonator did come out shortly into the show, and Grunwald made use of the time to take listeners on a journey that included some solo songs -- not without apologising for playing too many slow ones.

Touring this time with three percussionists, there's enough clanging and crashing to full flesh out the sound of his most recent albums. Benny Owen's car door and assorted junk was in place at stage left -- whether a mic issue or something, tonight the subdued sound didn't match the visual spectacle of the freocious playing.

Ash told us last year that he wasn't after a traditional band. The percussion thing really works well, but being joined on stage by Band of Frequencies for a handful of songs was a welcome change, as Grunwald and Shannon Sol R. Carroll dueled away on lead guitar, backed by a powerful rhythm section. It's not something Grunwald needs to -- nor should -- do every show, but the collaboration felt fresh and was certainly welcomed by the crowd.

Ash Grunwald continues his national Hot Mama Vibes tour now; for full dates see here.

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