Live Review: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, The Pierce Brothers

In their first headline tour in nine years, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals finally made it back to Australia - and it was worth the wait.

Starting the balmy spring evening, The Pierce Brothers raised the temperature and the people to their feet with a rousing set. The affable brothers appear almost over-awed playing at the iconic location, and fair enough, too. A few years ago they were busking on Melbourne's streets and now they're opening for Ben Harper in one of the best outdoor venues in the world. Jack (who plays the didge, drums on his brother's guitar and runs maniacally around the stage) is the talkative one. His antics on stage keep us enthralled as his brother Pat calmly keeps the bass drum and the guitar pumping. Their live act is fast becoming legendary but their songs stand by themselves with clever, heartfelt lyrics and story-telling. Flying Home finishes a well composed and hugely enjoyable set.

Australia fell in love with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals before most of the world, so this concert feels like a belated homecoming. A new album was released in April this year so we were treated to some fresher tunes, but the old ones pulled the big cheers. Diamonds On The Inside, Burn One Down and With My Own Two Hands were all there. The Innocent Criminals are an almighty band, not least in thanks to percussionist Leon Mobley. His beaming smile, taped up fingers and bongo mastery is a joy to behold. Bass player Juan Nelson takes over the mic for a track and then proceeds to tag-team with Harper for an epic bass and slide guitar solo. It lasts about ten minutes, but it's enthralling.

Faded closes out the main set with a possibly indulgent Harper solo in the middle, but we can't get enough. Even as the whole band depart at the end of the first encore, we want more, and Harper finally returns to give us three solo tracks beautifully and emotionally performed. Waiting On An Angel carries us home with tear-stained faces and shivers despite the warm November evening.