Review: Michael Ward Trio at King River Tavern-Where the River Meets the Rhythm

Nov 24
3 min read

“The Michael Ward Trio didn’t just fill the River Room with sound —

they filled it with life, laughter and that unmistakable spark of musicians in their element.

Michael brought festival fire into the heart of King River Tavern — and somehow made it feel like home.”

A night where Michael Ward proved that connection, community and pure joy hit harder than any spotlight.

- Musician: Michael Ward Trio -

Returning to Albany’s King River Tavern after more than twenty years felt like stepping into a rediscovered treasure. The building’s familiar exterior opens into a venue that has quietly transformed into one of the Great Southern’s most welcoming homes for live music. The River Room glows with warm lighting, timber accents and an atmosphere artists instantly relax into — equal parts cosy hangout and creative sanctuary.

Over the years, the KRT has become a gathering place for musicians, locals, and travelling artists alike. It’s the host of the Great Southern Song Contest, a late-night workshop space, a story-swapping hub, and a spot where the community truly shows up for music.

I’ll be taking a deeper dive into the venue soon, but tonight's start was all about the magnetic energy of The Michael Ward Trio.

A Trio Who Bring the Festival With Them

From the moment the trio began, the River Room lifted. Michael Ward has that rare ability to bring festival-sized heart into a space built for connection. As the final show on Ally Row’s WA run — a tour Michael helped organise to support artists travelling through regional communities — the room buzzed with gratitude and anticipation.

Michael’s stage presence is unmistakable: grounded, generous, and electrifying. He doesn’t just perform to an audience — he performs with them. Every grin, every stomp, every guitar lick feels like an invitation.

You’re not an observer. You’re part of the moment.

His blend of alt-country, gritty blues and roots carried the night, echoing the influences of artists like Xavier Rudd and John Butler while remaining unmistakably his own.

“No Regrets” and Stories Set to Sound

His original material, especially his latest single “No Regrets,” hit with honesty and weight. The track — already nominated for three WA Country Music Awards — reflects on past chapters with newfound clarity. It’s raw, reflective, and delivered with the conviction of someone who has lived every line.

The trio is also nominated for Blues Act of the Year at the upcoming WAM Awards, and hearing them live, it makes perfect sense.

But awards only tell part of the story. Michael’s songwriting is rooted in shared human experience — the healing, the humour, the hurt, the hope. You feel it in the room. You feel it in your chest.

Between originals, they peppered in crowd-lifters and singalong favourites that had the whole room vibing. It wasn’t just a gig — it was release, connection, and a reminder of why live music matters.

A Surprise Ally Row Moment That Raised the Roof

When Rowan from Ally Row stepped up for a song, the whole place shifted into another gear. Their voices blended effortlessly, their harmonies weaving into this big, bright moment of musical chemistry. The solo that followed was one of those delicious, slightly overwhelming bursts of sound that remind you why we show up to live gigs in the first place.

Keeping the camera steady during that one? Nearly impossible — but worth every blurry shot.

A Night That Stayed With You

If you see Michael Ward listed on a poster in your town, go. Don’t hesitate. His shows are full-body experiences — joy, reflection, rhythm, and a kind of grounded humanity that stays with you long after the last chord rings out.

Before the gig, I had the chance to sit down with Michael for my first ever in-person Uncle Tatt interview, trying out my new BTN “gig outfit” (since the unicorn onesie is officially too warm for spring).

After that it was camera in hand, slipping into my comfy, inconspicuous black and soaking in every moment.

That interview is coming soon — and trust me, you’ll want to read it (and the podcast eventually too!).

By Uncle Tatt — host of “Between the Notes,”

Where the tunes are loud, the chats are real, and there’s always room for one more.