John Butler Trio at Central Park Summerstage (06/15/10)

Photo: Jon Klemm

Last week, Australia’s John Butler Trio played their biggest New York show to date, a sold out benefit before an enthusiastic crowd at Central Park Summerstage. The next Summerstage event at the Rumsey Playfield is a free show featuring Tinariwen, Omar Souleyman, Toubab Krewe on Saturday, June 26.

The everchanging Trio — which now consists of John Butler on guitars and vocals, Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion — commanded the crowd from the start with “Used to Get High,” a strong opening choice that had fans bouncing and shaking. Butler showcased his folky, Australian-rooted twang on “Better Than,” the group’s third song of the set and one of the clearly perferred singalongs. Even those new to the music of John Butler Trio were singing along by the end, thanks to the Butler’s catchy, repetitive phrasing.

Live, Butler is especially impressive because of the versatility he displays with his equipment. He can shape his sound at will, moving from a hard-hitting electric jam to a soft, melodic harmony that lulls the band’s untamed energy down to a quiet coo. Butler did just this on his next two songs, “Revolution” and “Take Me,” both selections from his latest album, “April Uprising.” With just one alluring transition, the Trio took the crowd seamlessly from a hip-swaying toe-tapper to a soulful tunnel of deep electric sound on “Revolution,” which was rounded out with an extended jam. [Billboard.com]

Set list and more photos from John Butler Trio at Summerstage after the jump.

John Butler Trio at Central Park Summerstage (06/15/10)
“Used to Get High”
“I Don’t Wanna See Your Face”
“Better Than”
“Revolution”
“Take Me”
“Treat Yo Mama”
“Losing You”
“Ocean”
“Zebra”
“Good Excuse”
“One Way Road”
“Close To You”

Encore:
“Funky Tonight”

John Butler Trio at Central Park Summerstage by Jon Klemm