There was a palpable energy in the air as the hum of three yidaki players came from the wings of the Mitchell Library Reading Room. As William Barton’s voice joined them, a force unto itself, the audience was suspended between the four book-lined walls and a deeper, resonating sense of the world around them.

Before the stage, the Sydney Street Choir, in waiting, shuffled tree branches and whispered like wind.

Curated by Barton, Earth Flow forms part of the 200-year celebration of the State Library of NSW. This concert was a full-fledged production, from the lighting design and the wonderful rearrangement of the usually silent reading room to the carefully curated collection of words, poetry, song and music.

Barton conceptualised this space as a surrounding forest of knowledge, histories enlivened by music and spoken word.

William Barton: Earth Flow. Photo © State Library NSW

The resulting evening was a compelling narrative of country, hope, community and song. Barton struck an incredible balance between the polished machine of a curated program and a personal frankness, addressing the audience and inviting poetry, speech and story from a diversity of voices spanning generations.

At every turn, the...