Xavier Rudd: Live in the Netherlands

Matt Inman on July 26, 2017

Live in the Netherlands captures the final performance of Xavier Rudd’s early 2016 European tour and showcases the Australian singer-songwriter riding the wave of international popularity from 2012’s Spirit Bird, followed by 2015’s United Nations collaboration Nanna. Rudd eases into the setlist and his laidback reggae pace with “Flag,” followed by a light organ intro to “Come Let Go,” during which he invites the crowd to sing along with him “for peace in the world, for the children, for the oceans, for the trees” and various regions of the world affected by strife, including his country’s own Great Barrier Reef. Rudd, a staunch supporter of the rights of all humans, animals and nature, uses his music to spread his message of togetherness and understanding, and those ideals are never more on display than during his live show, where his affable stage presence, soaring vocals and groove-heavy songs make for a potent call to action. He strays from the reggae beat a bit with his older track, the slide-guitar-rocking “Food in the Belly,” followed by a grungy and mostly instrumental “The Mother,” complete with some venue-shaking didgeridoo. After a slow-burn build and release of “Come People,” Rudd speaks to the audience about the power of love—in all its forms—before sliding into “Breeze.” Other show highlights include a sparse sing-along cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” more didgeridoo romp in “Bow Down” and “Creancient” and the expansive, earnest wail of album-closer “Spirit Bird.”

Artist: Xavier Rudd
Album: Live in the Netherlands
Label: SIDEONEDUMMY