The Apple store in Sydney’s CBD isn’t the first place you’d think of ever seeing an intimate gig with John Butler. But, as apart of iTunes exclusive sets, that’s where I found myself on Saturday night. The free show was restricted to the first 150 people who could brave the cold, wet conditions to line up hours before doors opened.
Making the whirlwind trip back to Sydney during their run at the Byron Bay Blues Festival and off the back of John’s birthday, the band ripped through a rapid fire nine song set for the diehard, hardcore JBT fanbase.
Opening with a track of the new album ‘Revolution’ before pulling out the banjo for ‘Better Than’, the rest of the set comprised of songs from April Uprising, which John informed us had just reached number one in the ARIA charts. Closing out with ‘One Way Road’ and ‘Close To You’, the band left to a thunderous applause from the small crowd.
The John Butler Trio’s next visit to Sydney won’t be until August, which will sure to be a sell out. Hearing the power of the new tracks, it’s easy to say it may be some of John’s best work yet. In the past seeing him live I always felt he was very much playing music for himself, while tonight it felt like he was playing for his fans. Keep an eye out on iTunes for when they release the set to download and you can then judge this gig for yourself.
