Marlon Motlop’s Fringe Festival show was a staple to launch his latest track, Blood in the Water. The show started with an energy MC banging out hip-hop tunes from the 2000’s and Marlon jumped onstage with high-paced energy and moves that could rival Usher at the Superbowl!  

This show really feels like it is broken up into two parts; the beauty of the show really starts in the second half of the show, with a dancer from Yellaka infusing ancient tradition and contemporary Aboriginal dance to elegantly tell the story of ancestors’ past.

As the show progressed, Marlon’s socially conscious lyrics and soulful vocals, draws his audience in. His self-written song about the recent Referendum was poignant and the first showing in the show of his soulful vocal range.

The storytelling allowed the artist to connect deeper with his audience, stories of leaving Darwin for Adelaide, and his Football career with Port Adelaide and the passion for music his dad had, stories of letting go, and using music to connect with others and how he was privileged to share his stories. It was in this second half of the show, as an audience member, you felt you were able to settle into the storytelling and passion that the performer has to relate with not only his audience but society as an indigenous person.  Impressively Marlon also brought some South Australian, local heavyweights to his show with Benny from Bad Dreems joining him on stage and well-known Fringe Festival staples Gospo Collective acting as a backup choir; it was unfortunate that we couldn’t hear them for the most part.

Blood in the Water only had one show over Fringe Festival but you can follow MARLON MOTLOP here on Instagram

3/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐