Review and photos by Tania Graham-Brown. 17/9/2025
John Butler brought something special to The Metro in Sydney tonight, and the whole room felt it. From the opening chords there was this sense of ease and connection, the kind of atmosphere that Butler has made his trademark over two decades of touring. But this show wasn’t just another stop – it was part of the brand-new PRISM Tour, a national run continuing his formal step away from the John Butler Trio moniker and into a new chapter performing simply under his own name but in a four-piece band scenario.
Songs from the just-released album PRISM landed beautifully live, sounding fresh but still carrying that familiar Butler warmth. Lead track “Going Solo” had extra weight in the live setting, its themes of space and renewal resonating as both personal statement and artistic reset. The crowd leaned in, giving the new material an attentive respect usually reserved for established favourites.
Of course, those classics were there too. “Zebra” and “Better Than” turned the room into one giant choir, voices rising in unison with smiles all around. When Emma Donovan joined Butler on stage, her rich, soulful vocals lifted the room even higher, a powerful reminder of the depth of Australian songwriting talent.
The highlight, though, was “Ocean.” That sprawling, meditative guitar odyssey remains the heart of every John Butler performance, and tonight was no exception. As the notes rippled out into the packed room, a hush fell over the crowd. Phones went down (well many anyway), conversations stopped – the kind of silence that only true awe can bring.
The band was in top form too, locked in and giving every song a pulse that made it impossible not to move. The interplay of groove, texture and sheer musicianship reminded everyone why Butler has been one of Australia’s most successful independent artists for so long. His talent on guitar is immeasurable, and the ease with which he shifts from intricate fingerpicking to explosive strumming is nothing short of mesmerising.
Walking out into the Sydney night, there was a buzz that only comes from witnessing a truly great live show – part celebration of a beloved back catalogue, part unveiling of a bold new chapter but clear that his connection with audiences remains as strong as ever.
