Archie Roach’s concert, CREATION, opened at Sydney Festival’s fabulous The Aurora, a Spiegeltent style construction. It was a pleasure to hear this iconic performer singing and telling his memorable stories in such a stunning location.

Children feature prominently in the stories in Archie’s songs, obviously in Took the Children Away, but also in Nowhere To Go, a song about the government’s closing of schools, and Old Mission Road, where Archie imagines what his young life would have been like if he had been able to spend more time with his parents instead of being stolen away.

Archie also speaks lovingly about children in the rambling stories he shares with the audience between songs. Initially these stories seem like a distraction, but they grow on you and become an integral part of the evening’s entertainment.

Took The Children Away is a tremendous song and he performed it early in the set to rapturous applause. You would think it would be difficult to follow such a moving and powerful song but the combination of his introductions and the high quality performers on stage with him produced a memorable concert. His performance of Ruby Hunter’s song Down City Streets was very poignant. Ruby was Archie’s long time partner and muse and a talented performer and songwriter.

Archie was accompanied by Craig Pilkington, Steve Hadley, Jen Anderson, and vocalists Nancy Bates and Mindy Kwanten.  Jen Anderson’s skill on multiple instruments, especially her soaring violin, was very impressive. The luscious backup vocals complemented Archie’s occasionally gruff delivery and were enhanced by the way their hands seemed to draw the lyrics like threads in the wind.

The effect of the other songs such as The Beggarman and Walking Into Doors is cumulative. A picture of the past and ongoing struggles of Archie’s mob develops and is enhanced by the strong lyrics, the spoken stories and the very entertaining music.

Archie Roach’s CREATION at the Sydney Festival is recommended. There’s just more chance to catch this concert, tonight (11th January) at 7.30pm, again at the Aurora.