Australian saxophonist Richard Maegraith, back from Berlin, Germany, where he’s been based since 2015, opened this concert with his great band Galaxstare. Originally formed in 2007, they played music from their third album Listening With Your Eyes, recorded in November 2018 but just released. In many ways an all-star group, it included Maegraith (tenor saxophone, didgeridoo, bass clarinet, flute, chimes), Kristin Berardi (vocals), Gary Daley (keyboards), Jonathan Zwartz (double bass), and Tim Firth (drums) with guest hip-hop artist Monks, previously known as 21monks (spoken word).

Galaxstare. Photo Grant Leslie Photography.

This performance was a mixed blessing. It could have been perceived as a triumphant performance by a returning expatriate bandleader – and in many ways it was – but in deconstructing what I heard, I draw attention to some aspects of the performance which may help to explain what was going on. Specifically I raise once again the hoary old questions of sound balance, and the role of the sound technician.

On the positive side, there were two consummate artists on display: Richard Maegraith, a splendid saxophonist by any standards, whose brilliant solos throughout the performance were energising; and Kristin Berardi,...