AAA Backstage Archive

Live Review: Buffalo Tales @ Southside Tea Room, Brisbane 26/07/2013

The Southside Tea Room in Morningside was an unexpected venue for Friday nights Buffalo Tales show. The venue had the right amount of quirk and homeliness for the intimate gig that was about to unfold.

The crowd of thirty or so people were serenaded by Buffalo Tales (Wes Carr) and taken on the road trip confessions journey. The album tells a story of a journey taken, with the music acting as the mix tape.

The set began with ‘Blood & Bone’ a nod to his debut as Buffalo Tales, then into ‘Puppet Strings’, which was an obvious crowd favourite. With each song came a back-story or a funny anecdote that turned the performance into a conversation with the crowd, like one you would have with an old friend. 

The journey twisted and turned with mellow soulful tracks like ‘Whispering Willow’ and ‘White Rabbit’ giving you a chance to ponder and reflect on the stories being told. Gradually the set rose to a crescendo with ‘Amsterdam” and ‘Crazy Heart’. Calling for some good old foot taping and head bobbing from the audience.

For those who love a good cover, Buffalo Tales threw in his haunting rendition of Rhianna’s hit ‘Diamonds’. A surprising yet impressive cover that was completely transformed once it was stripped back and had Wes’ acoustic folk twist on it.  

It was at the mid point of the set that you realised all of the echoing vocals and melodious guitar that you would expect to hear from band, was coming from just one person. There was no stage, no backing, just a man with his guitar telling a story with each strum of his guitar. This stripped back acoustic show was a reminder of what music should be – a means of connecting with the world. 

The night came to an end and the set wrapped up with another crowd favourite, ‘Oh My Kingdom’.  The perfect ending to such an intimate show, this was an experience I wont forget in a hurry.

Wes chatting and signing CDs after the show.

I generally gauge how good a performance is based on how many times I get goose bumps. So it’s safe to say this tour will not disappoint! The show is memorable and authentic, and it is evident from this new album that Wes has honed his craft and found his path since the last time we saw him. 

The Road Trip Confessions tour continues nationally, for details visit http://buffalotales.com.au  

Set list:

Blood & Bone

Puppet Strings

Whispering Willow

King of the martyrs

In my time of dying

Amsterdam

Diamonds

Crazy Heart

White Rabbit

Oh my Kingdom