SURFILMUSIC – AUSTRALIAN TOUR, KINGS PARK WESTERN AUSTRALIA 10TH NOVEMBER
Three acclaimed songwriters, three sets, and one beautiful Perth evening: Jack Johnson’s SURFILMUSIC tour brought Ben Harper and John Butler to Kings Park for a night that felt just right from the first song.
John Butler
John Butler opened with a solo acoustic set, building loops as he went—and had the packed crowd with him early. He’s a favourite in his hometown for good reason: his performances have plenty of power and presence, but there’s real purpose behind the music too. An ARIA-winning artist, Butler has had multiple chart-topping albums and knows his way around his guitar and his beautiful city.
The crowd got an extra treat when John’s mum, 82, watched from the front and centre. He said it was a first for him, and the audience loved it. There’s something special about seeing a musician look out and spot their mum in the front row—though I imagine it does make it harder to get away with any onstage mischief.
John’s vocals were tight, and he brought out his partner in crime, the hugely talented Mama Kin, for a duet. I loved “Losing You” (2011), which they delivered with warmth and real feeling. “Better Than” (2007) got a great response, and “Zebra” (2003) fired the crowd up and rightly so, it is an anthem for everyone here in Perth. By then, time was running fast, but nobody seemed keen to let the set end. Powerful, political and captivating, Butler was a brilliant opener for this Perth stop, never one to shy away about his beliefs and that’s why we love him.
Ben Harper
After a short break, Ben Harper took the stage alone with his guitar. I hadn’t seen him live before, and he held the audience’s attention in a firm grip from the start. Harper has three Grammy Awards to his name, spanning pop instrumental, traditional soul gospel and blues—a handy measure of just how wide his musical range runs. He is amazing to watch!
Between songs, he talked about growing his beard and how affection was expressed differently in his family. That experience helped inspire one of his biggest songs “Stealing kisses“, he explained, before sharing stories and music with the ease of someone who knows how to make a big crowd feel like a conversation.
He was generous about the chance to share the stage with Jack and to play alongside John Butler in Butler’s hometown. The crowd rewarded that graciousness with a big cheer.
Harper’s back catalogue is deep, so there was no shortage of highlights. “By My Side” (1995) was a powerful tune, and his slowed-down cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” (originally released in 1984) worked beautifully. “Forever” (1994) eased us into a gentler pace without losing any of Harper’s presence.
“Diamonds on the Inside” (2003)—the song, not just the album—had the packed garden singing together. The clap-along was impressively in time, too, and brought a smile to Ben’s face. I also loved “When It’s Good” (2003), a reminder of just how rich and varied his songbook is. Seeing Harper live for the first time was a treat; by the end, I was already thinking about how many more songs I’d like to hear next time.
Jack Johnson
By the time Jack Johnson came on, the anticipation was huge. Johnson is a multi-platinum artist whose eight studio albums and three live albums have sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. But his SURFILMUSIC show wasn’t about numbers; it was about the music, films and surfing that shaped him.
He gave us a glimpse into how he found his way into music, talking about the surf films and soundtracks he grew up with. Short videos on the big screen brought those stories to life, giving context to the songs and making the tour’s concept feel like more than a clever title. It felt like Jack inviting us into his own collection of memories.
He also shared the stage with some fantastic guests, including Sam McGovern, Ben Harper and John Butler. lets not forget backed by his (long time band mates and friends) Adam, Merlo and Zach. The stories were personal and funny: from writing songs to catch the attention of music producers to surf-film memories involving a five-year-old Jon Jon Florence and Jack’s nephew. Those details made the show feel warm and unforced. Jack wasn’t just telling us how the songs came about; he was letting us see the people and moments behind them.
There were so many highlights that a shortlist feels slightly unfair. “Holes to Heaven” (2003) was one I loved. “Inaudible Melodies” (2001), with its Bruce Lee reference, was another standout. The yidaki in “Home” (2013) added a lovely texture, while Jack’s story about the hermit crabs gave “F-Stop Blues” (2001) a whole new layer. His live arrangement also slipped in a few sneaky cover choruses. I’ll keep those under wraps—you’ll have to catch the show yourself.
“Good People” (2005) is always a favourite, and “Taylor” (2003) had the whole place singing. I couldn’t see anyone staying quiet, and I’m not sure they’d have got away with it if they tried. There were plenty more moments and songs I’ve missed, but that’s the trouble with a show this generous: you leave with a full heart and a list of highlights that keeps growing on the walk out.
Thank you to Jack Johnson’s team, Live Nation, Face to Face Touring and Mad Dog Publicity for the opportunity and access. The rest of the nation is in for a real treat. It was real, it was magical, and it was all Jack Ben and John!
