Perth Concert Hall, normally home to the likes of Schubert and Beethoven, was transformed into Perth’s largest and grandest folk club on Tuesday night for the return of hometown favourites The Waifs as they continued the West Coast leg of their national tour in support of new record Beautiful You. There was wolf whistling, mass sing-alongs and I’m pretty sure I spied some dancing in the aisles – not your typical concert hall crowd at all.
Unsurprisingly songs from the new record featured prominently in the set list; but with a career stretching over twenty years there was plenty of old favourites to choose from much to the delight of the audience. ‘London Still’ from the album of the same name was dropped into the set early on and had the crowd singing along in fine voice almost immediately. Two of the band’s most recognisable songs ‘Sun Dirt Water’ and ‘Bridal Train’ came early in the set too.
I’m a bit of a late arrival to the band’s music; so I was particularly pleased to see the new record get a fair bit of play time throughout the night; ‘Dark Highway’ one of my favourite tracks from the new record, was unsurprisingly an early highlight for me. ‘Black Dirt Track’, ‘Beautiful You’ and ‘Rowena & Wallace’ were some of the other highlights from the album; with Donna Simpson offering the audience a little bit of the background to the latter two.
All in all it was a virtuosic performance from the band. I was particularly struck by the interplay and camaraderie between the band; especially the original trio; there were times when Thorn was singing, and you would see Simpson singing along as well; there was just that sense that they were really enjoying their time on stage. Indeed one of the highlights of the show came about midway through the set when the original trio of Thorn, Simpson and Cunningham huddled close to play a collection of their older songs, including, ‘Sweetness’ and ‘Take It In’; a move which was definitely a crowd pleaser and would have got people excited for the possibilities involved with a 25th Anniversary tour in a few years.
‘Lighthouse’ and ‘Fisherman’s Daughter’ were some of the later highlights, whilst an encore featuring latest single ‘6000 Miles’ and ‘When I Die’ brought the night to a triumphant close; with the band getting a well earned standing ovation from the appreciative and vocal crowd. The venue may have made it a bit of a different kind of Waifs gig, but it certainly didn’t make it a disappointing one.
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The Waifs continue touring Australia in October. Dates as of the time of printing are below:
Wed 14 Oct The Triffid Brisbane QLD
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Oztix | www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545
Thur 15 Oct Nambour Civic Centre Nambour QLD
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.scvenuesandevents.com.au | 07 5475 777
Sat 17 Oct Townsville Civic Theatre Townsville QLD
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.ticketshop.com.au | 4727 9797
Sun 18 Oct Musica Botanica Cairns QLD
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.ticketlink.com.au | 1300 855 835
Wed 21 Oct Bangalow Town Hall Bangalow NSW
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Ku Promotions | www.kupromotions.com.au | 0434 705 506
Thur 22 Oct Miami Marketta Gold Coast QLD
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Oztix | www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545
Sat 24 Oct Palais Theatre Melbourne VIC
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Ticketmaster | www.ticketmaster.com.au | 136 100
Sun 25 Oct Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide SA
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.bass.net.au | 131 246
Wed 28 Oct GPAC Geelong VIC
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.gpac.org.au | 03 5225 1200
Thurs 29 Oct Albury Entertainment Centre Albury NSW
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/entertainment | 02 6043 5610
Sat 31 Oct Granite Town Festival Mooruya NSW
Tickets from www.granitetown.com.au
Sun 1 Nov The National Theatre Canberra ACT
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au | 02 675 2700
Tues 3 Nov Anitas Thirroul NSW
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Ticketmaster | www.ticketmaster.com.au | 136 100
Wed 4 Nov Civic Theatre Newcastle NSW
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Ticketek | www.ticketek.com.au | 13 28 49
Thur 5 Nov Enmore Theatre Sydney NSW
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from Ticketek | www.ticketek.com.au | 13 28 49
Sat 7 Nov Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs NT
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au | 08 8951 1122
Sun 8 Nov Darwin Entertainment Centre Darwin NT
With special guest Mia Dyson
Tickets from venue | www.yourcentre.com.au | 08 8980 3333
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