Tash Sultana at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The weekend finished on a high as alternative singer and multi-instrumentalist Tash Sultana took to the stage for a sold-out concert at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Sunday 29^th October. Following the resounding success of her first EP release, Notion, in 2016, the Melbourne-based artist had just completed her European tour and this gig marked her biggest UK show to date. Sultana rose to fame when her home recording of Jungle received one million YouTube hits in just five days, and since then she has been making waves both in Australia and internationally.

Opening with an instrumental session Sultana demonstrated her musical fluidity as she layered guitar rhythms through loop pedals until the sound became recognisable as Big Smoke. About ten minutes into the set the Aussie songstress stopped to take in the volume of people in front of her; “Wow,” she said looking very humble and impressed, before addressing the crowd with her “Show Rules” – “Don’t be a c*** basically” (she said in her distinctive Melbournian twang). “Everyone is welcome here; I don’t care if you’re straight, gay, bi, trans….. we’re here to have a good time.” That liberated essence stretches through all of her music and in this progressive society we’re in, it’s no wonder that the musician’s attitude is so popular.

Sultana captivated the Empire from the get go. From the hypnotic sounds of Synergy to the emotional melody of Notion with that epic guitar solo, and not forgetting the catchy Murder to the Mind with the soothing sounds of the trumpet caressing the ears below. Each track was a mesmerising montage of instrumentals, beats and blissful vocals rendering the audience into submission. We heard a new piece in the middle of the set: a synth-y evocative sound showcasing her talent on keys – another instrument to add to her never-ending list! A good hour and a half in the artist pulled out the crowd-pleaser, Jungle, to end the gig and everyone could be seen bopping along to the catchy guitar riffs in high spirits.

This musician goes above and beyond as an artist and her raw passion is an inspiration to see. It’s no surprise that she has an ever-growing tribe of followers and the audiences at her live gigs are so entranced by her unique style. Sultana pulls on our heart strings with her emotive music and the songs echo through the mind for days. An experience that will leave you utterly spellbound.

Ginnie Richards
Photos: Erol Birsen

For further information and future events visit the Tash Sultana website here.

Watch the video for Jungle here: