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Ben Howard live in Sydney – review and photos

June 7, 2024

Ben Howard played at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre, and we were there! Check out Chloe Davis-Powell’s review and Adam Davis-Powell’s photos here:

Night one of Ben Howard’s two-night stint at the Enmore Theatre marked a long-awaited return to Australia after a significant hiatus. The atmosphere preceding the show crackled with anticipation, as fans eagerly awaited the performance of an artist whose last echoes on these shores hearkened back to his deep folk era, a time that once earned him a Mercury Prize nomination for his double-platinum debut.

Setting the stage for Howard’s introspective return to Sydney was Melbourne’s Folk Bitch Trio, whose intimate and confessional songwriting established the perfect ambience for what was to come.

As the lights dimmed and the haunting notes of “Walking Backwards” filled the air, it became clear that attendees were being invited into Howard’s world of haunting melodies, atmospheric textures, and captivating visuals. Yet, amid the immersive experience, there were murmurs of discontent from some audience members, longing for the familiarity of early singalongs that were notably absent.

This reaction prompted reflection on Howard’s own words regarding the challenge of meeting others’ expectations in an old interview – when he said “the most difficult thing in creating music is this craving from others for familiarity, a feeling of ownership over you.”

So, Howard’s return to Australia, especially in light of reported audio issues on night two causing major audience and artist frustration, raises intriguing questions about the reception of his new musical direction among Sydney based fans. Are they aware of the true narrative behind this latest album, and are they willing to embrace the evolution in his sound?

In 2022, Howard suffered two transient ischaemic attacks, back to back strokes, which affected both his memory and speech. It was this life altering experience that deeply influenced his latest album ‘Is It?’ – his most fluid, experimental work to date. An exercise that he says challenged his ability in seeing how he would approach writing songs again at all.

Working with Bullion, a DJ-producer, Howard has created with this album what could be described as immersive sonic experience. An experience where his voice and guitar interact with inventive electronic currents, manipulated vocals and atmospheric drumming, to tell the story of these back to back strokes. How they felt to his mind and body in the moment, and his life as it felt in the aftermath.

Howard has shared that collaborating with Bullion opened doors to true experimentation, resulting in serendipitous moments where creative boundaries dissolved and he could focus on his newfound freedom in the studio after his strokes.

Songs like “Total Eclipse” encapsulate the disorientation and vulnerability he experienced, while tracks such as “Spirit” ponder the fragility of life and the illusion of control. Yet, amidst these reflections on mortality, “Is It?” is also a celebration of life’s simple joys and connections – things he said he felt he was perhaps taking for granted until after these events. His resilience and newfound sense of gratitude permeate the album, offering listeners a glimpse into his personal evolution.

Watching Ben Howard live now feels personal. He is a self-professed restless soul from the South West of the UK, whose older melodic rootsy folk music, with progressively darker lyrics, are synonymous for many of us Brits living overseas, with our childhoods growing up in and around Devon – before experiencing the world, just as he did.

So, in the intimate setting of Sydney’s Enmore Theatre, one can’t help but ponder the intricate relationship between artist and audience. Are these audience frustrations for artist interaction and singalongs born from a deep longing for the familiar, a resistance to artistic evolution? Or do they mirror Howard’s own struggle of bridging the gap between his past and present?

Amidst the superficiality across the world of music, Howard’s performance serves as a potent reminder of music’s enduring ability to stir. As Howard explores new artistic horizons, his performances offer a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience – which is marked by contradictions, longing, and ultimately, hopefully – growth.

Words by Chloe Davis-Powell. Photos by Adam Davis-Powell.