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GARY CLARK JR.
+ Hamish Anderson
@ Hindley Street Music Hall,
Adelaide,
15th April, 2025
(Live Review)

Review and photos  by Michael Selge (@oz.craftypics)

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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On the leadup to his Friday Headline set at Bluesfest, Gary Clark Jr. has been playing a couple of sideshows around the country and Adelaide scored a show on a unusually warm and balmy Tuesday night at the Hindley Street Music Hall. It’s been 6 years since Gary Clark Jr. has been to Australia with his last gig in Adelaide at the iconic Thebarton Theatre in 1999.

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Hamish Anderson – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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To start the evening off Australian blues/rock guitarist Hamish Anderson from Melbourne took to the stage as a 3 piece lineup to warm the crowd playing mainly from his latest release “Electric” starting with “Stir Crazy” and ending the set with “Strangers”. The band was tight with some impressive guitar playing from Hamish who had previously joined Gary Clark Jr. on his last Australian tour.

With the backing music playing and the haze/smoke machines working overtime Gary Clark Jr. and his band took to the stage complete with 3 backing singers.

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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The Set opened with a rendition of the classic Catfish blues but then soon transitioned into the heavy African inspired beats and delightful musical chaos that is  “Maktub” off the newly released album JPG RAW  with the thumping beats accompanied by Synthesizers and heavy guitar distortion. With the crowd well and truly stirred up Gary moved straight into the next track “When My Train Pulls In” from the album Blak and Blu.

The tempo ramped up again when Gary was joined on stage by Hamish Anderson for “Don’t Owe You a Thing”  with guitarist Zapata and Hamish trading notes.

Mid way through the set Gary announced he was going to “switch it up”, removing his jacket  to the cheers of the crowd and breaking into “Feed the Babies”,  showcasing his versatility as a vocalist with soaring Falsetto with some jazzy inspired keyboard solos. Next up was  “Church” and then the soulful sounds of “Alone Together”.

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Not one to be dismissive of his musical influences in his songs Gary stated he was going to get weird and then announced that “I still want to be Marvin Gay when I grow up”. True to word some weird guitar bends and beats ensued before breaking into  “What About Us” which got everyone going again with the backup singers in full flight.

With the wail of organ as an intro the tempo slowed down for “Our Love” which showcased his great timing and virtuosity with some stripped back contributions from the rest of the band leaving every note of the Guitar solos piercing the air.

Nearing the end of the set Gary and the band played a blazing rendition of one of his popular songs Bright Lights, which reflects on his life as a musician. With the night coming to a close, the final song of the set was “Habits” which is a lengthy but deeply personal song that chops and turns various melodies and styles throughout the song and reflects Gary’s personal life growing up.

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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With the 2 hour set completed and the band members introduced, Gary left the stage followed by other band members as each put down their instruments one by one.

We got to witness the whole range of Gary’s ability in both songwriting and musicianship and its not surprising that Gary has a long list of well known artists that he has collaborated with over the years with the set played comprising of tracks from many of his albums not just focusing on the new acclaimed album JPG RAW.

There is little doubt that with his guitar skills and vocal soulful delivery he left an indelible mark on the audience. As far as live performances go this was a very genuine and heartfelt evening of music and an unforgettable experience.

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Check out Michael Selge’s (@oz.craftypics) full gallery of this event HERE

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Keep up with GARY CLARK JR.
FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – TWITTER

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Gary Clark Jr. – Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Press Release 7th March 2025 (below) HERE

GARY CLARK JR.
Australian Headline Tour
announcing special guest support
HAMISH ANDERSON

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AMNPLIFY – DB