His set up includes guitars, Weissenborn slide guitars, stomp boxes, djembes (skin covered hand drum) cascading sticks and cymbals, harmonicas and, perhaps the most unique of all, 3 didgeridoos (long wooden wind instrument of the Indigenous Australian people). Perched on the stage surrounded by his various instruments, Rudd creates unique, complex sounds by playing many of his musical apparatus simultaneously, almost as if they’re extensions of his own body. He’s an embodiment of pure, multi-faceted talent. While that’s an impressive skill in its own right, Rudd is, shall we say, more au natural in his musical approach….from the instruments he plays and how he plays them to his spiritually and environmentally aware lyrics. Forget the latest technology that lots of artists are using these days to loop guitar riffs live on stage for bigger sounds. Rudd is an incredible singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from The Outback whose sound is a blend of folk, rock, reggae and world music.

Reject the dancing, and you would’ve been better off posting your ticket on Craigslist the night before. It’s virtually impossible to stand still and not let the energy of his live show take over your feet…and legs and hips and arms. Getting your groove on at a Xavier Rudd show comes with the territory.

Xavier rudd chicago