Live Review: Didirri and Rowena Wise

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Didirri and Rowena Wise

Howler

Saturday July 19

Melbourne’s favorite sad boi Didirri is welcomed back to the Howler stage by a sold out Melbourne crowd. He heralds his arrival in a boiler suit, guitar at the ready.

Accompanying him this evening is Rowena Wise, the two have been making their way around Australia on their most recent tour- No Cure For Love Tour. Combining regional venues with big cities this is the first combined tour for the duo.

Rather than a standard support slot, Rowena takes her place next to Didirri and they swap between set lists, anecdotes and sad songs. Both are equally charismatic on stage, both equally engaging and the show is entrancing.

Having a performer like Didirri call Melbourne home and bring his art to the stage is a rare treat, and fans of his music always delight in his music – it’s a sound for the gentle souls, the over thinkers and the overtly perfectionists, a place to soothe the soul among his sad lyrics. Adding in Rowena Wise into the mix is a welcome addition, the two compliment each other and neither seem to want to take over- they share the spotlight with familiarity and are comfortable.

Playing a range of songs from Didirri’s ” Jude” to the quirky ” 26 Hours” – which honestly leaves listeners feeling sorry for Rowena by the end of the song- we are treated to a cross section of favorites and newer songs as we delve into the performance. Each song is a story of the lives of two people that are brilliant song writers, able to spin life’s experiences into beautifully written songs.

The show wraps up all too quickly, sans encore and the crowd file out into the chilly Melbourne air, all the better for having witnessed such a beautiful show.

Words and images by Amanda Lee Starkey