Live Review: Ben Salter

Ben Salter opened his set at the Indi Bar - an archetypal Australian pub set in one of Perth’s most popular beach side suburbs – with Once in a Lifetime, an easy listening sound reminiscent of the likes of big name Australian acoustic acts like Josh Pyke and Paul Dempsey.

Salter played a variety of sounds; drawn out melancholy pieces and upbeat acoustic songs with strong drum beats and throughout the set echoes and whistles were often utilized; a smart choice for somebody performing as a one man band.

Among the set list Opportunities was a definite stand out; showcasing Salter’s vocal range and taking the listener through a range of different paces, guided by his whimsical lyrics. Other highlights included his pauses for guitar solos, a testament to both his talent and the beautiful subtlety an acoustic guitar can create.

The music however was more suited to an outdoor venue, something about soft guitar sounds and story-like lyrics calls for that, whilst the Indi bar has enough character and space for a lot of gigs, a Ben Salter show wasn’t one of them. This mismatch was apparent – with the patrons preparing themselves for what appeared to be their final hoo-rah before their working week contrasting Salter’s laid-back sound and style. His interactions with the crowd seemed to be affected by this, performing to a crowd new to an artist usually requires more detail; more names of songs, albums and talking to the punters, Salter shied away from this, and because of that, his stage presence was lacking.

Despite this, Salter managed to channel the core of Australian acoustic music; delivering a raw performance that offered a range of other acoustic indulgences.