Live Review: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, The Pierce Brothers

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals grace the stage at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre ready to entertain a near-capacity crowd. Ben Harper may be the captain of the ship but it's The Innocent Criminals who steer it with an amazing display of individual and band musicianship throughout the set.

From Juan Nelson's funk-slap bass sessions to Leon Mobley's rhythmic percussion, The Innocent Criminals hold the crowd in captivated awe as they plough through a set of old and new material with instrumental, Deliverance-like jam sessions thrown in for good measure.

Harper and co were supported by Melbourne-based The Pierce Brothers, whose energetic busker pop-folk sound had the crowd jumping and well primed for the main act. A little after 9pm the lights dim and The Innocent Criminals enter the stage to rapturous applause, followed closely by forever-well, fedora-wearing Ben Harper. Taking a seat front of stage and opening with the hit Forgiven, Harper and his band had the audience captivated from the first note.

Harper and his Innocents play through a list of hits including Shine, Fight For Your Mind and Excuse Me Mister, which incorporated multiple instrumental soloing performances from the band. As Harper entertained the crowd on both acoustic and lap-slide guitars, the night became a blend of blues and folk, with the lilt of Harper's silky voice threading the notes.

Finishing the main set with Burn One Down, Harper addresses the crowd asking "Who here has religious convictions in the house?" to a lukewarm cheer, "Who here has no religion?" to a louder cheer, then finally "Who here is somewhere in the middle?" to a muffled response that Goldilocks would be proud of, Harper pronounces, if they find it let him know - he's still looking.

The band leaves the stage and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre crowd immediately start the obligatory rumble of stamping feet and slow clapping for the now expected encore. Before too long, Harper & The Innocent Criminals reappear to the stage and break into Steal My Kisses as the crowd once again erupts into applause and dance.

With refreshing humility, Harper introduces and thanks his individual band members once again, and the technicians, roadies and tour managers, as well as anyone he can think of, for their tireless work and support through the tour. Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals finally leave the stage after two-and-a-half hours of pure joy.