Live Review: Steve Hensby, Greg Brenton

Being blessed with 300-odd days of sunshine a year here in Perth, the task of getting people out of their houses and down to a venue on a rainy winter's night can be a daunting one. The wacky, talented and effervescent folks behind the month-long venture that is Steve Hensby's Circus In July made short work of it however, drawing folk from all over to partake in a night of burlesque, acrobatics and all kinds of music to warm their cockles. Newport Hotel's back room was pouring beer specials, costumes and fancy dress were flaunted and Fremantle was treated to some of the finest musicianship the city has to offer.

Singer-songwriter Greg Brenton kicked the night off. Brenton's songs were honest, simple and direct, employing a style somewhere between Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Josh Pyke. As a finale, Brenton brought Hensby and Elysia Murphy on stage to sing a particularly catchy three-part country harmony.

Hensby, the evening's gracious host, was up next with his own solo set, coupling instrumental prowess with a wealth of musical languages as well his unique brand of thoughtful and hilarious songwriting. Off the main stage, the crowd's attention was directed to a pole that had been set up in the middle of Newport Hotel's back room especially for the night. Natalie "Trinity" Ragus' pole routine was nothing short of extraordinary as she demonstrated her formidable athleticism and strength, periodically pausing to remove the odd piece of clothing. Coco Poppins immediately turned heads as she entered the room, dressed in an elegant Brazilian carnival costume that made patrons glad they were rugged up in coats. With feathers and sequins dazzling onlookers, Poppins delivered a burlesque routine that incorporated impressive elements of Brazilian samba dancing.

Finally, the Steve Hensby band drew the audience's attention back to the main stage. They began their set with Monsieur Ou Madame, a throwback to Hensby's days with the rock'n'roll band Tracksuit. Dressed like a true ringmaster, complete with top hat and velvet coat, Hensby delivered a veritable circus of eclectic influences from bossa nova to country, gypsy jazz to Irish folk. Punters greeted the melting pot of musical styles with reverence, dancing and cheering, also having a go on the pole. A marvellous show.