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

Under the stars in Kings Park was the place to be in Perth tonight as Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals wrapped up their Australian tour before heading off across the ditch to New Zealand. The natural amphitheatre proved to be the perfect venue as the large, appreciative crowd were treated to a stellar performance from a truly gifted performer backed up by his equally talented band.

Before the main event, however, the early comers got to enjoy an energetic performance from The Pierce Brothers. Having progressed from busking on the streets of Melbourne, twins Jack and Patrick delivered a solid set of folk/pop tunes. While it is so often difficult for opening acts to engage with the building crowd, The Pierce Brothers managed to pull it off with percussionist Jack utilising everything from his brother's guitar to the scaffolding surrounding the stage and even the security fences. Obviously influenced by acts such as John Butler and Harper himself, they showed why they have managed to build a sizeable following both here and overseas.

As darkness fell, it was time for the headline act and the large crowd erupted as Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals took to the stage. While it's been some time since he has been to Perth, he didn't disappoint and kept the punters enthralled with a set that lasted for well over two hours. Opening with Oppression and Diamonds On The Inside, Harper and his band took the audience on a musical journey performing songs from a career spanning over two decades. 

With percussionist Leon Mobley laying down some amazing beats and Harper switching between acoustic, electric and lap steel guitars, the band continued to keep the crowd grooving through songs such as Don't Take That Attitude To Your Grave and Into The Colours, before slowing down the set with Happy Everafter In Your Eyes - a song that was dedicated to his friend, Heath Ledger.

Bass player Juan Nelson was an obvious favourite with the punters, and his jaw dropping musical duel with Harper on Fight For Your Mind was nothing short of amazing, going from intense arpeggios to funky slapping and back again. The set slowed down once more as Mobley moved to the front of stage, Djembe in hand, for Burn One Down — which appeared to be the cue for a strange aroma to float across the open air venue. 

The band left the stage after a first encore, but the crowd were still not satisfied. Harper emerged alone this time to perform Walk Away, which had one particular punter so excited that Harper was forced to ask her to stop screaming, admitting that it was the first time in 22 years that he'd had to "lay down the law". He continued on in solo mode for several songs, which included a great version of Bruce Springsteen's Cover Me. He was joined once again on stage by the full band and finished off the evening with With My Own Two Hands.