Dan Sultan has escalated from a sold-out show at the
Corner to a sold-out show at the Prince to a sold-out
show at the Forum, all within a six-month period.
Word of mouth continues to spread (this reviewer had
three potential plus ones all offering their services)
and loyal Sultan fans happily rub shoulders with new
recruits this evening. Sultan tours with a seven-piece
band and special guests tonight include two-thirds of
The Wolfgramm Sisters plus two dancers – fattening
up the perv factor for the fellas. The horn section,
led by Steven Veale, blasts jubilation throughout this
glorious amphitheatre-styled auditorium as the stage is
warmed for the man himself. Sultan eventually bounds
onstage – fully suited up in monochrome tones. “It’s
always been a dream of mine to play here and this is
the fi rst time it’s my fault if something fucks up!” he
later admits with a gravelly chuckle, having previously
graced the Forum stage as part of Before Too Long (the
Paul Kelly tribute shows). Fear Of Flying and Dingo
set up a rollicking pace to kick-start proceedings
and my plus one commends, “My dad would like
this!” The crowd defi nitely spans a few generations.
Sultan’s players are fantastic and capture the soulful
essence of these songs but his syrupy timbre remains
the key focus. His longtime collaborator/guitarist
Scott Wilson remarks, “I told you you’d be hot in
that jumper,” as Sultan towels his face down and the
camaraderie between band members is enchanting.
Gina Woods always does a smashing job on keys.
The arc of the show slows right down in the middle
via I Will Never Let You Down to Nyul Nyul Girl (from
the Bran Nue Dae soundtrack) and culminates with
Roslyn – the song Sultan wrote about his mother, which
he sang on National Apology Day. This portion of the
show is moving beyond belief. Receiving undivided
attention for solo acoustic sounds just before 11pm
on a Friday night is a big ask, but Sultan’s charisma
demands it. It’s his portrayal of the material that
particularly resonates. Wilson joins Sultan onstage for
Get Out While You Can, the title track from their latest
album, and the trajectory is once again set to rock
o’clock. Extra backing vocals elevate Letter (thanks to a
couple of Wolfgramm Sisters). The double whammy of
Cadillac And Mustang and Money causes an eruption
of shaking tail feathers and Sultan utilises a series of
props that punters present to him: draping a woman’s
scarf across his shoulders; placing a bangle that’s
been thrown onstage around his wrist before joking,
“I’m married now”; and skipping across the stage, AC/
DC-style, with a crutch. The ladies certainly appreciate
Sultan’s sporadic dance moves! Sultan is on top of his
game and ready to exhilarate Womad UK next month.

Bryget Chrisfield  INPRESS