William Crighton And Band-Howler-Brunswick-Naarm 8th May 2026
Supported By Magpie Diaries
Hey, Hey, My My….Rock and Roll was alive and well in Brunswick last night.
William Crighton and his band have always brought the goods when they perform live. Back in 2015, under the trees at Dashville Skyline, I became a fan of this psych-folk-punk-bush balladeer. That set is still fresh in my memory over a decade later. There had been numerous other visits in the shadow of the big, lovely hulk of a human since then.
May 8th at The Howler in Brunswick was something special. Colonial Drift, Crighton’s excellent new record ( seriously, go listen to it NOW….stop reading) was on full display. William is joined by his wife/collaborator Julieanne and their presence together is a display of artistic joy and love. Their singing together is simply stunning.
The set tonight consisted mostly of songs from Colonial Drift. The crowd gathered in The Howler had their ears blown off by this rocking band. There were some quiet moments amongst the rock and roll, but the monstrous sound of this creative human music-making machine was a glory to behold. The various guitars of Crighton, CJ Stranger and Jeff Lang shook the walls and dancing was taking place where I was.
Crighton is a bush preacher. His music, his feet, and his hands are part of this land, as we all are. Immerse yourselves into his evocative storytelling. Dust, eucalyptus, blood, and mud.
This music could only come from one place: this Beautiful Country. Take a dip in the waters.
I’ve been dreaming of a powerful place
Where the trees are twisted and tall
And the river runs clear as the ancient face
Staring out from the rocky wall
Black cockatoo cries
Never pretences
I know you can hear the call
Petrichor’s rising and it’s only old fences
Caught by surprise
As the rain starts to fall
Yeah it’s a beautiful country
Yeah such a powerful place
Yeah it’s a beautiful country
Here you and I are never alone, never alone
Distant stars are like old lovers
Who guide me along the track
The roar of the ocean
Stirs my emotion
Walking forward
Looking back
Oh tread gentle
Feel the cost of every step
The country is changing my thought’s rearranging
But never never never ever Forget
Yeah it’s a beautiful country
Yeah such a powerful place
Yeah its a beautiful country
Here you and I are never, never alone
I feel the river flowing
I see the morning
I hear you calling
I hear you calling (Beautiful Country-William/Julieanne Crighton and Luke Davison)
Crighton’s music connects us to the land in a way that I have rarely found outside of Indigenous Australian Music. You know his heart and soul are in the right place.
Listen to his music. Go see him live….tour dates below….and bring your friends.
If you are in Victoria…..head off to Anglesea to The Sound Doctor tonight the 9th of May.
No one goes away disappointed.
Supporting William and his band tonight were Magpie Diaries. Magpie Johnston, one of the chief ringleaders of the Dashville Family Cult, brought his band along in acoustic mode. His original releases, played in this ‘unplugged’ fashion, gave them a beautiful Americana sheen. Riffs that reminded me of Dylan, Prine and Young were matched with treacle-sweet harmonies.
Set List-Not 100% correct …but you get the Drift…
Horizon
Further Down The Road
Warzone
Australia
Poor Ned
Mr Brown
Love Works
Murrumbidgee
Priest
2000 Clicks
Killara
Devils Tongue
Your Country
Dig Your Mind
Sex, Death and Choices
Beautiful Country
Sick Boy
