GIG REVIEW – DOG TRUMPET: NOV 22 at Sydney Opera House

Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty were once ‘Mental As Anything’, but for the last twenty-two years have been revolutionising genre and making waves as Dog Trumpet.

There was a nonchalance moving through the Studio at Sydney Opera House as Holidays On Ice kicked off with their impressive opening set. The dreamy electro-pop was the perfect precursor for Dog Trumpet’s rousing mishmash of folk, country, rock and blues.

You expect a degree of competency from brothers who have been writing and performing together for nearly four decades. Both O’Doherty and Mombassa proved they’re still top of their game, seamlessly switching between instruments, styles and moods with dexterous precision.

The pauses between songs were infused with the distinctive comedic yarns the audience have come to love as much as the music itself. Bolstered by guest performances from Amanda Brown on violin and Peter Mitchell on harmonica, Dog Trumpet upheld their status as one the world’s best hybrid bands (RG).

BY RHYS GARD