It was a little more quiet than usual on the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank last night as a smaller, more intimate crowd gathered for the night’s performers. Part of the “On the Banks” series, this concert headlined by Marlon Williams warmed up with a beautiful, deeply introspective set by Sarah Blasko.
The Artists
Sarah Blasko: A cornerstone of Australian indie-pop for over two decades, Sarah Blasko is a three-time ARIA Award winner and 18-time nominee. Known for her cinematic arrangements and hauntingly clear vocals, her 2024 album, I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain, has been hailed as her most personal work to date. Her influence on the Australian landscape is profound, with platinum-selling records like As Day Follows Night (2009) and a body of work that spans film scores, theatre, and the beloved trio Seeker Lover Keeper.
Marlon Williams: Hailing from Lyttelton, New Zealand, Marlon Williams is a once-in-a-generation talent who seamlessly bridges the worlds of country, folk, and Māori tradition. A two-time winner of New Zealand’s prestigious APRA Silver Scroll (2018 and 2026), Williams has recently garnered global acclaim for his work in both English and Te Reo Māori. Beyond music, his magnetic presence has seen him transition into acting, notably appearing in A Star Is Born and the series Sweet Tooth.
Sarah Blasko: Live at the Banks
Accompanied by Ellis King on piano and guitar, the performance felt like a late-night meditation. Ever so gracious, Sarah would thank the audience between songs, her voice carrying effortlessly across the river. Sarah’s music often possesses an orchestral sensibility, usually realised with the fusion of acoustic instrumentation and electronic keyboard sounds.
However, last night things were kept to a minimum; it was just Sarah and her accompanist executing a set of select pieces, giving the audience an intimate look into the magical performing and writing style of Blasko.
Set List
- The Way | 2. All I Want | 3. Bothering Me | 4. Goodbye! | 5. Always Worth It | 6. I Can’t Wait Anymore | 7. Emotions | 8. Divine | 9. I Awake | 10. Flame Trees (Cold Chisel cover)
Marlon Williams & Ngā Mātai Pūrua
After a brief pause, the Ngā Mātai Pūrua (Kapa Haka Choir) walked on stage. They treated the audience to a handful of traditional Māori songs, the organic earthiness of the performance providing a deep sense of Aotearoa’s culture. Again, the stage fell silent as the choir made its way offstage.
Then, quietly, the slender shape of Marlon Williams made his way to the centre microphone; the main event was to begin. The crowd erupted as Marlon burst into song with tunes from his recent Māori-language repertoire and other great tracks from his well-established catalogue. Marlon showed us his musical talents run deep as he interchanged guitars and then sat at the piano.
He had some belters and some beautiful ballads; seemingly, breakup songs were the night’s theme. Marlon is a classic crooner who blends country, pop, and traditional Māori songs together in one cohesive evening of heartfelt entertainment. His onstage personality comes out strong as he introduces the choir and explains the stories behind each song. Towards the end of his set, the choir rejoined the stage, and the sound and energy were both electric. After teasing us that this was his last song, Marlon, his band, and the choir returned to the stage to sing the Māori classic, “Pō Karekare Ana”.
Set List
- E Mawehe Ana Au (Solo) | 2. Kei te Mārama (Solo) | 3. My Boy | 4. Don’t Go Back to the Party | 5. Aua Atu Rā | 6. Me Uaua Kē | 7. Dark Child | 8. Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore | 9. Huri te Whenua (with Choir) | 10. Kuru Pounamu (with Choir) | 11. Pōkaia Rā te Marama (with Choir) | Encore: 12. Pō Karekare Ana (Full Ensemble)
The night went off without a hitch, thanks again to the amazing stagehands and QPAC organisers.
