Nahko & Medicine for The People,
Hoka: A Call to Action Tour
Words by Tiahni Adamson
The Gov shared another blissful night of live music honoured by Nahko and Medicine for The People and Kahl Wallis last Monday. The evening wasn’t just an ordinary music performance, it was ‘A Call to Action’, collaborating people and ideas and spreading passion for how we can respect and preserve our beautiful world and one another. Whether listeners were fully aware of it or not, this incredible audiovisual journey was about creating a movement much greater than a music performance.
The night opened with the beautiful, South Australian born, Kahl Wallis. He charmed fans with his renditions of ‘Children of the Revolution’, ‘Warrior’ and ‘Superhuman’ among many others. Kahl is a proud Indigenous Australian man who paid his respects to the traditional land owners, the Kaurna people, which was greatly respected by all listening. The crowd became close and intimate as Kahl sung and played his guitar, and many recognised him through his music as part of ‘The Medics’ in previous years. Kahl releases his latest solo album mid this year, so be sure to stay connected for that soulful music journey.
Lyrically, Wallis spread messages about sacred land, creation and the impacts of identity in regards to culture. His passion for change and a revolution was stunningly demonstrated through his music. Kahl had strangers alike joined arm in arm swaying to his song ‘Warrior’, united and singing ‘We won’t give up, and we won’t surrender. Song can change the world, you can change the world, we can change this world. Together…’.
Emotions were elevated through the crowd, with a strong connection built through Wallis and his audience. The headlining act was soon to enter and the crowd stayed glued toward the stage awaiting the arrival of Nahko and Medicine for The People.
Intermission music was cut and ‘Hoka’, the first song of Nahko and Medicine for The People’s latest album, played through the speakers. The crowd was buzzing and the band then entered stage and opened with ‘Directions’, followed by ‘San Quentin’ which emanated passion and soul. The physical presence of the band members was sacred in the venue, and higher energy radiated collectively through the musical ensemble.
Nahko asked for all phones to be put away when he sung an emotive song about a double rainbow. The audience was reminded to feel connected through something real, without the need for continual social updates and to draw in the experience and take it as a physical memory, rather than a digital one. Most songs were completed with beautiful backstories, revealing some of the vulnerability of the artists, as well as developing the spiritual growth of the audience.
Tim Snider took to the stage with an absolutely glorious violin solo, beginning pizzicato. Snider played so passionately that strings began to strain and break away from his bow! My body was covered in goosebumps and the incredible power of his music overtook all watching. Snider’s solo was then joined by the band who used the basis of the violin riff to start the unrecorded ‘Dear Brother’. This powerful song calls on people to stand in solidarity with one another, campaigning for justice against division through racism. Nahko asks us to ‘put down the weight’ of privilege and open ourselves up to our highest being.
‘Put your hand in the dirt bubba this is where you came from’ proves a message of selfless connection to land and humanity. For the first time in my life I experienced something so surreal and overpowering through the delivery of the song both harmonically and lyrically, that physical tears began to stream from my eyes during the soulful liberation of the music. Never have I felt so stripped and vulnerable from a live gig, and we collectively preached for ‘Peace in Australia’ and the world.
Each artist was given their time to shine and allow the audience to explore their musical talent more. Max Ribner joined us in the crowd with his flugel horn solo, Justin Chittams stunned fans with an incredible rap and drum solo, and Chase Makai and Patricio Zuñiga Labarca both enraptured admirers with guitar solos and beautiful charisma.
Khal Wallis was invited back on stage impromptu, proving the adaptability and comfortability of all artists on stage. The music transcended, weaving a collection of notes through the air to our hearts. Nahko channelled strength, healing and vibrated love to his tribe. A combination of old, new, unreleased and fun renditions of non-original songs provided a mixture of genres for all to enjoy.
Never before have I considered rating a show as a perfect 10/10, however, I cannot pinpoint any part of this incredible performance that could be optimised. The audience were exposed to a spiritual journey that stems straight from the heart space. Both Kahl Wallis and Nahko and Medicine for The People united fans with collective consciousness, reminding us of the need to revolutionise our world, stay rooted and connected, and most importantly, spread love.
I would so highly recommend seeing this incredible, awakening performance live, and will be sure to see both artists again at the soonest possibility. We stand collectively and ‘believe in the good things coming’, hearts forward, healing through music.
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