Give Him All Your Love: Don West Concert Review

After a big festival weekend, I’m in the mood for something smoother that’s good for the soul. Don West offers just that in his timeless music and his set at Spilt Milk was a great indicator of what tonight has in store for fans of the soul singer and his very talented band as they take to the stage at The Triffid tonight. So join us on the dance floor for a very sensual evening, soaked in vintage vibes curated by the Sydney-based singer.

This is what happened at Don West’s concert at The Triffid on December 16^th, 2025.

SURELY SHIRLEY

Surely Shirley were the PERFECT opening act to complement Don West’s music and an excellent tribute to the 60s and 70s music scene. The Okpalanze twins, Jenaya and Anisha, form a gorgeous duo on stage as they revitalise the R&B-soul genre with their beautiful harmonies, impeccable music, and exciting aesthetics. Their music is immersive, transporting listeners to country houses with the record playing and a fresh pie on the windowsill, or flowery fields and medieval encampments. By honouring the forgotten sounds of our grandparents’ youths, Surely Shirley appears before their audiences as a uniquely nostalgic, tugging at the heartstrings with their sentimental songs and heartfelt voices. Definitely give them a listen to spice up your own life’s soundtrack!

Fave song: Oh Faye

DON WEST

If ever there was a musician who would make me miss dancing – I mean, actual old school rock n’ roll partner dancing – it would have to be Don West. From the moment his eight-piece band took to the stage for their instrumental introduction, I was regretting not having more room to move in the front of the crowd. It’s impossible not to at least sway in time to the groovy rhythm of this rich soul sound. The audience erupted into applause as Don West took to the stage to sing Friends.

Another child of a musical household, West’s inclination towards sultry R&B-soul was nurtured by his family. His deep and smooth-as-honey voice works wonders in this nostalgic and romantic genre, with each song seeming like a serenade that captures the hearts and imaginations of his audience. Seeing him perform in the moody and glamorous lighting of The Triffid feels cinematic, a stark contrast to the plain fun vibes in the pit at Spilt Milk a couple of days prior.

The title track of his new album, Give Me All Your Love, is slow and steady but has the audience locked in tight, hanging onto the edge of every lyric and subtly sweet harmony. Although this is West’s headline show, his band is so crucial to the success of the performance. Their musical flourishes and excellence with their instruments build the framework for West’s confident and alluring vocals to come in at each new chorus and verse, the intros, outros and bridges keeping the audience captivated on the sound in the interim of the singing.

We start to amp up the energy and move into a light, groove territory with So High, with exciting musical punches at the end of each chorus. The fun continues in Day To Night, with a lovely emphasis on the “Horny Boys”, who are swaying and stepping in time to each song. After Send It Back, the mood settles down a takes a yearning, slightly melancholic, turn in Did You Have To Go, amping up the blues-y, nighttime qualities of this retro soundscape. It feels symbolic that after this the band departs, leaving us wondering if they had to go?

It's not all lost though, as Zac remains on the saxophone and all-rounder Nathan switches to the other side of the stage to take up the keys. Nathan takes an important place on stage throughout the show, serving as Don’s right-hand man to the crowd. Behind the scenes, he’s one of Don’s closest friends and working partners, a multi-instrumentalist who wrote and produced Give Me All Your Love with Don. The trio’s performance of Rather Be Lonely is stunning, acutely authentic without compromising on Don’s natural charisma. This is the type of music that inspires other artists in its wake.

The rest of the Horny Boys return for Dreamin, a tender kiss of a song, before the entire band returns for the penultimate section of the show. We return to the big band glamour vibes with Never Love. Then, it’s important for West to find the right person in the crowd to dedicate his next song to and it’s, obviously, going to be a very lucky girl named Julia! And then, as if to send us dancing dreamily off into the bright lights and cityscapes of Brisbane by night, West gives us a beautiful rendition of What Turns You On.

Of course, the crowd wasn’t quite ready to bid Don West and the band adieu this evening, and I don’t think the band was ready to say goodbye either. They returned for a cover of Bill Withers’ Heartbreak Road and Nathan led the band in an exciting extended intro to my favourite song. The crowd clapped along as the tension built, bubbling over into the bright and brassy Small Change, with its sweet romantic sentiments and groovy beat that were impossible not to dance to!

I feel incredibly lucky to have caught two of Don West’s sets this week and have my fingers crossed that the good vibes will continue on next year. West sets himself apart from the crowd with his distinct, retro sound and rich voice. Even in the more sombre moments, the passion in his music unites and compels audiences to join the emotional ride, while the joyous musical highs make it impossible not to dance along.

Fave song: Small Change

SOUNDS GOOD?

If vintage vibes and a retro sound are something you’re craving in ears, minds and hearts Don West (and Surely Shirley) make for great additions to a playlist. You can also get similar sounds from these artists and bands:

The Meltdown – This Melbourne-based band features incredible soulful vocals from Simon Burke and beautiful horns and rhythm. Their atmospheric music is emotionally captivating and great fun to dance to.

The Teskey Brothers – This rockier blues band is formed by brothers, Josh and Sam. Their poetic lyrics and uplifting music captures the hearts of their fans quickly and for the long run.

The Regime – The Regime is an eclectic funk ensemble that promise lively soul music, with a bright and sensual delivery. Their latest album is filled with Summery songs and sunny disposition, bring ‘free love’ funk to the Aussie soul scene.