RANDY HOUSER – PALAIS THEATRE – MELBOURNE – 13.06.2025
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
This was no ordinary show! All the way from Mississippi is American country music singer/songwriter Randy Houser, who tore up the Palais Theatre in Melbourne like a wild tornado with his powerful vocals last night. Fans had come out in droves from far and wide, decked out in their cowboy hats, boots and Ringers Western apparel to see Houser perform a powerhouse live show.
Houser was only in Melbourne at the beginning of this year performing his ‘One Night Only’ acoustic solo gig at The Corner in Richmond, which was a sold out show. That show got tongues wagging and country music fans were excited to hear Houser was returning to Australia and this time Randy brought his band with him. In a recent interview, Houser said he considers himself part Aussie and over the past decade he has frequently visited Australia to both see family and perform. His wife, Tatiana Starzynski was born in Sydney and they have two sons (Huckleberry & Harlan) together. Houser loves Australia and said it’s like his second home. Based on the reaction of the crowd last night, Aussie fans love him too.
American singer-songwriter Jerrod Niemann opened the show and played a wonderful set with some of his own material and some great covers. He invited his wife on stage to perform a beautiful duet of WHAT DO YOU WANT. They did a great cover of Sonia Dada’s LOVER LOVER which had the crowd singing along and their cover of Steve Miller’s THE JOKER was quality. They finished their set with the catchy DRINK TO THAT ALL NIGHT.
Randy Houser and his 4-piece band emerged on stage and opened with BOOTS ON from Anything Goes (2008) album. The crowd lit up and this song set the feel good vibe right from the get-go and you knew fans were out to have one helluva good time. WHISTLIN’ DIXIE from They Call Me Cadillac (2010) followed with the intro showcasing Houser’s full-gale voice. The song has a Southern Rock stomp vibe with a lot of attitude and great guitar riffs. The country ballad GOODNIGHT KISS from How Country Feels (2013) followed and then Houser played an emotionally powerful cover of George Strait’s TROUBADOUR, which Houser said is one of his favourite songs. NO GOOD PLACE TO CRY from Magnolia (2018) showcased Houser’s raw, soulful vocals and had fans frozen in their seats in complete awe and astonishment. Honestly you could have heard a pin drop. Houser’s vocals are next level and very much gospel influenced at times. THEY CALL ME CADILLAC and OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRY were more up tempo and even featured a bit of yodelling. Throughout the show, Houser and his band created a wonderful mix of high energy, feel-good moments as well as more intimate, emotional moments creating a well-rounded performance. Randy literally changed guitars on almost every song going from acoustic to electric guitars.
From time to time, Houser talked to the crowd in between songs. He talked about the negative consequences of actions within a relationship and the feeling of being disconnected from a loved one and ending up in the ‘dog house’ (laughs) and had all the cowboys laughing along as they led into the ballad ANYTHING GOES.
The band walk off the stage and Houser remains with his acoustic guitar to perform a few solo acoustic tracks, STILL THAT COWBOY. Randy does a country music ballad incredibly well. His voice is so powerful and soulful that it could rip your heart out and make you cry. He is a wonderful singer-songwriter and his song lyrics are so meaningful. Houser talked about how important and influential his father was in his life. His father died when Randy was only 21 years of age. Randy then led into the emotional ballad LEAD ME HOME again showcasing his mindblowing vocals.
At the end of the song, Houser said “well that’s enough of the slow shit!” and lifted the mood by singing an Alan Jackson cover CHATTAHOOCHEE that had everyone in a jovial mood, dancing and singing along.
Houser’s connection with the crowd was second to none. He said he loved the whole exchange of energy in his shows and he is honoured and humbled by the whole experience and appreciates everyone paying their hard-earned money to attend his show as he knows they ain’t cheap. There were some fans holding up a sign at the front of stage with a young girl wearing a cowgirl hat sitting on her dad’s shoulders. Houser talked to them and it was young Charlotte’s birthday, so Randy had everyone sing Happy Birthday to her as he signed her cowgirl hat.
I got caught up in the moment when Houser sang his latest song NOTE TO SELF which is a current fave of mine on high rotation and then I lost track of the rest of the set list. He went on to play more of his big hits such as WE WENT, HOW COUNTRY FEELS, LIKE A COWBOY and RUNNIN OUTTA MOONLIGHT.
Houser played for just under 2 hours and the fans could not get enough of him, not wanting this night to end. I’m still buzzing from the performance and you come to realise that attending country music gigs are so much fun and such uplifting experiences. The atmosphere radiates a strong sense of family, love and community and has you coming away feeling so upbeat and alive.
RANDY HOUSER – Upcoming Australian Tour 2025 shows:
22 June Sydney Hordern Pavillion
24 June Brisbane Fortitude Music Hall
SET LIST HIGHLIGHTS:
Boots On
Whistlin’ Dixie
Goodnight Kiss
Troubadour (George Strait cover)
No Good Place To Cry
They Call Me Cadillac
Out Here In The Country
Anything Goes
Still That Cowboy
Lead Me Home
Chattahoochie (Alan Jackson cover)
Note To Self
We Went
How Country Feels
Like A Cowboy
Runnin’ Outta Moonlight
