|
While you can describe Australian singer/songwriter Xavier Rudd’s music as similar in style to Jack Johnson’s brand of surfer folk, his distinctive voice and instrumental virtuosity mark him out as a unique talent. His acoustic roots sound is laid back, much like the performer himself who arrived on stage shoeless - not only to aid him in the playing of his stomp box, but also because he prefers to walk around barefoot.
 | | Xavier Rudd (pic: Kirsty Umback) |
Surrounded by a collection of instruments including three didgeridoos in different keys, a drum kit, gong and a collection of string and percussion pieces, Xavier was obviously preaching to the converted, even if this is his first UK tour. He began his set with Mana from his 2005 album, Food in the Belly. The song begins with an impressive didgeridoo intro and the crowd showed their appreciation before singing along word for word to almost the entire set. While many of Rudd’s songs are political in content – his second song, Messages, was dedicated to Australia’s indigenous people – they’re also uplifting. His passion for both his music and life in general emanate from him as he sits on stage doing what he obviously loves.
 | | Xavier Rudd (pic: Kirsty Umback) |
You can imagine that had Xavier not made it this far in the music business, he would be just as happy busking on a street corner in Melbourne. At times during the long set, it seems like he even forgets that he’s playing to an audience, looking up in surprise and smiling at the end of a song when he realises that there are people standing in front of him. Manchester is a long way from the Pacific Ocean and Rudd’s sound may have made some of the crowd wistful for home, but for over an hour, the sold out venue was happy to bask in the glow of an amazing performer who probably deserves even more international success than he’s already had, but wouldn’t know what to do with it if it came.
| 
