Anthony David & The Tony Rich Project @ The Foundry 616

Reviewed by Amelie Ries

While both have their background in Atlanta – Anthony David and Tony Rich of The Tony Rich Project came to Sydney bringing acoustic soul and funky jazz to Foundry 616 on the first weekend of June.

These Grammy nominated artists teamed-up for their first ever joined show and expectations were high. Having said this – they did not only meet the expectations but exceeded all of them!

With its plain industrial appearance and a reserved stage set-up, Foundry 616 showed off a grand in the background and pleasant dimmed lights.

Daniel March, the night’s pre-act and an independent soul musician with excellent guitar skills set up the mood for the evening. With the use of an electrical loop pedal he gave us the sound-illusion of a whole band playing on stage – he would join Tony Rich on stage later on.

Next up was Anthony David in front of the whole set-up in his ripped jeans and white hoodie bringing everyone in a kind of cozy vibe and lounge atmosphere. While jamming on his guitar, he was singing along with his lovely warm voice that is mixed with a little throaty, smoky sound. From the left you would hear an agreeing ‘yes’; from the right a charmed ‘lovely’. He played in an intoxicating jam session style, encouraging people to tap their feet and clap their hands to the rhythm of the music. With his cover of the song ‘lovely day’ originally by the awesome Bill Withers he fascinated every single spectator in the venue.

Last but not least it was Tony Rich’s turn to hit the stage. His voice is just mesmerizing. Compared to Anthony David he sings with a very clear and soft voice – a special bonus to his vocals is his melancholic and delightful head voice. While sitting at the grand he was telling us stories to every song that he was singing, giving the concert an intimate twist in atmosphere with melancholic moments. He created moments of goosebumps, tears and happiness combined with a lot of stories about women crossing his life – the ultimate rollercoaster of emotions!

He told us that he loves to use words to create stories and visions and while representing all these emotions with his unique voice he has really proven his point! He not only caught our fascination – Anthony David joined the audience’s front row to witness the performance closely.

An awesome night with new glimpses in the life of the people behind their role as artists. Only one wish remained unfulfilled: Anthony David and Tony Rich singing and jamming together. Maybe they give us this pleasant surprise during their next time in Australia!