US music star Gregory Alan Isakov ‘blown away’ by Australia

An American singer and songwriter was a long way from home when he landed in Sydney, but he was humbled by what he discovered.

REVIEW

It was long way from his home in the snowy mountains of Colorado for Gregory Alan Isakov when he landed in Sydney’s inner-west for a sold-out show on Thursday.

The South African–born American singer and songwriter was genuinely humbled by the Aussie turnout for his soulful indie folk show that showcased an incredible array of talent.

“We’re blown away by how you all come out to see us even though we’re from the other side of the world,” he told the crowd at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville — who were serenaded in a masterclass in harmonies and devastatingly poignant delivery.

Gregory Alan Isakov played to a sold-out crowd in Sydney.

It was a performance of two halves, with the first comprising of “sad” songs — many from Isakov’s new album Appaloosa Bones as well as classics from his back catalogue including This Empty Northern Hemisphere and Amsterdam.

The 44-year-old’s rich and distinctive voice was absolutely on point as had the audience captivated with his haunting musical stories of the American landscape and wilderness.

But this wasn’t just a bloke and his guitar.

Isakov’s band — including a violinist, double bass player, banjo player, keyboardist and drummer — showed it was a force to be reckoned with as it rocked out towards the end of the first half.

However, it was the second half of the performance that was truly spellbinding.

Isakov joked this half would showcase his “radio hits”, before admitting he never gets played on the radio.

A single microphone — that looked like something from the 1930s — was placed in the centre of stage. Isakov and banjo player Steve Varney strolled out before launching into a duet of the Stable Song — one of the artist’s best-known tracks.

The band huddled around an old-fashioned mic.

The second half of the show was mesmerising.

It was a stunning and understated performance of perfect harmonies and simple interplay between the banjo and nylon-stringed acoustic guitar that blew the audience away.

The rest of the band then huddled around the mic for an olde-time shindig that was something between a barber shop quartet performance and a free-for-all folk bonanza.

Amid four-part harmonies, each musician would approach the mic for their solos to rapturous applause from the crowd.

There was no auto-tune or drum machines to be heard. It was a glorious and timeless performance and one that ensures Isakov, no matter how far he is from home, will be welcomed back to Australia whenever he damn well pleases.