In the candlelit grandeur of Ayers House’s Ballroom, international rock and roll violinist Chris Vuk (better known as Blue Violin) brought a new set to the Adelaide Fringe with Candlelight: Symphony of Shadows.

Showcasing decades of experience and technical mastery, Vuk reminded the audience how electrifying a single instrument can be. With only an electric violin, paired with a live loop pedal and an occasional instrumental backing track, Vuk became a one-man orchestra.

The setlist was filled with 70s and 80s classics. Opening with Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”, Vuk built the track layer by layer, filling the room with a wall of sound coupled with his intense movements.

A self-proclaimed Stranger Things fan, Vuk moved into pop-culture territory with Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” reimagined with a darker edge, and played with such fervour that the bow string frayed. The Never-Ending Story theme was a nostalgic highlight, delivered with sincerity and glee that also kept the Stranger Things theme running.

The lighting within the Ballroom provided suitable effects, with coloured lights illuminating Vuk from below making the shadows dance on the walls as though there were multiple violinists in the room.

Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and David Bowie’s “Heroes” followed, each transformed into sweeping, violin-driven soundscapes.

In between songs, Vuk would provide insight into his history as a violinist, including a touching story about how his son brought his love of playing music back after a long hiatus.

The centrepiece of the night was a high-energy medley that ricocheted between Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, Aerosmith’s “Dream On”, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”. It was vibrant and lots of fun with Vuk at his most playful, pushing the violin into full rock-guitar territory. The momentum carried into a dramatic take on “Bohemian Rhapsody” that also had the crowd singing along.

The night closed with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, stripped back and a poignant way to end the set.

Candlelight: Symphony of Shadows is what happens when classical technique collides with rock and roll imagination. In the glow of many candles, the result was nothing short of spellbinding.

Candlelight: Symphony of Shadows is playing at Ayers House until Friday, March 20. Get your tickets here.

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Four stars.