It was a huge year for concert tours in Australia, especially from major international acts playing catch up from covid cancellations. The Australian Musician team was at many of them, so we thought we’d look back at some of the highlights. Click the links for full concert reviews and more photos.
ELTON JOHN: FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD TOUR – AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE
So it came to this, Elton John’s 52nd (he tells us) and final tour performance in Melbourne, a city which has meant so much to him. It’s where he recorded his 1987 album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a concert I was also blessed to be at. Tonight, in searing heat, around 30,000 fans gave Elton the welcome he thoroughly deserved as the music icon walked to the stage and took his position at the Yamaha grand piano. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-elton-john-farewell-yellow-brick-road-tour-aami-park-melbourne/
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS / POST MALONE – MARVEL STADIUM, MELBOURNE
Review: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
It’s been a minute since the kings of California have graced our shores and the ten of thousands of fans who’ve snapped up tickets to this tour were super keen to indulge in their fave brand of funk, rock ’n rap. With two new album releases in 2022, the band would seem to be chomping at the bit to perform them here too. As always the Red Hot Chili Peppers bring along an interesting party partner and supporting this time, Post Malone most graciously accepted their invitation.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-red-hot-chili-peppers-post-malone-marvel-stadium-melbourne/
ICEHOUSE. GREAT SOUTHERN LAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY. SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
Review: Colette Imison. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Back in July 2022, Icehouse announced they would be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of what is without a doubt one of Australia’s most classic anthems ‘Great Southern Land’ by kicking off the Great Southern Land 2022 – The Concert Series Tour. Days after their opening ceremony performance at the T20 Cricket World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, lead singer Iva Davies regrettably announced that the much anticipated Melbourne show scheduled for November 19, 2022 had to be rescheduled due to him contracting Covid. Sadly, the effects of the infection stretched out for some time, finding Davies struggling with breathing, which in turn hindered his ability to perform. Needless to say, many fans and Icehouse themselves anticipated the rescheduled show that filled the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Saturday night. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-icehouse-great-southern-land-40th-anniversary-sidney-myer-music-bowl/
STING: ‘MY SONGS’ TOUR – ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE
Review: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Sometimes a Melbourne Rod Laver Arena audience approaches the venue with a greater sense of anticipation than usual. Tonight is one of those occasions. Sting is back in town and it’s been quite a while between drinks. He’s on his My Songs world tour, so we know the hits will be forthcoming. Even better news for longtime Police fans is that he’s left his lutes at home! Instead he’s brought along his son Joe Sumner as support to open the shows for him. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/sting-my-songs-tour-rod-laver-arena-melbourne/
SAMANTHA FISH – MEMO MUSIC HALL, ST KILDA
Review: Greg Philllips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
On a hot sweaty St.Kilda night in a packed venue lean on air conditioning, if ever an act was suited to these conditions it’s Samantha Fish and her rockin’ bandmates. Samantha Fish first blew us away at Bluesfest in Byron Bay back in 2019 and if it hadn’t been for the dreaded pandemic, I’m sure we would have seen her back earlier. Four years down the track she has released several new quality recordings and with many more road miles under their belt, the Samantha Fish band was cherry ripe to knock our socks off and that’s exactly what they proceeded to do. In her first trip to Melbourne and second show in a row at Memo Music Hall, armed with her cigar box slide, she kicked off with Bulletproof, the lead single from her 4th album ‘Kill or Be Kind’, a perfect stomper to set the mood for the night. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/samantha-fish-memo-music-hall-st-kilda/
MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN IN 2023
Report: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
It had been four long years since we’d gathered at Caulfield Racecourse, the spiritual home of the Melbourne Guitar Show. A lot has happened in the world in that time but it was reassuring to know that Melbourne’s great musician community and music fans in general didn’t need much prodding to gather back together again and they did so in huge numbers. Traditionally an August event, this time the 2023 Melbourne Guitar Show took place on a balmy early Autumn weekend, so no frozen fingerboard hands to thaw out like back in the old outdoor stage days. https://australianmusician.com.au/features/special-features/melbourne-guitar-show-makes-triumphant-return-in-2023/
KNOTFEST, MELBOURNE
Gallery by Mary Boukouvalis
Ever since Knotfest Australia was announced in late 2022, fans had been champing at the bit to get inside the gates and rock out with their favourite hard rock and metal bands. Knotfest of course, is metal icons Slipknot’s own self-curated, destination festival brand, held in eight international locations; the US, Japan, Mexico, Finland, Germany, Colombia, Chile and Brazil. Designed as an immersive, unforgettable, ‘dark carnival experience’, the event invites you into Slipknot’s apocalyptic underworld where stunning visuals, fire breathers and nightmarish creatures on stilts set the stage for an intoxicating and memorable weekend of live music.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/gallery-knotfest-melbourne-by-mary-boukouvalas/
BLUESFEST MELBOURNE
Report: Greg Phillips. Photos: Mary Boukouvalas.
It had been 21 years since the likes of Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, John Mayall and Bob Dylan had gathered at Jeff’s Shed for a blues-based music festival. Back then, much of it was outdoors, punters had to tread all day on a gravel surface and bands competed with the sounds of city thoroughfare traffic.
DAY ONE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-melbourne-day-1/
DAY TWO https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-melbourne-day-2-sunday/
BLUESFEST BYRON BAY
Review: Colette Imison Photos: Jason Rosewarne
After much anticipation the 34th Annual Bluesfest is back on in Byron Bay over 5 days this Easter Long Weekend. While the 2022 festival was a triumphant success (after Covid changed how festivals run and also considering that Byron Bay and surrounding areas were affected by tragic floods), it did miss having the usual swag of huge international artists. Bluesfest director Peter Noble has once again rounded up an amazing line up for the 2023 Byron Bay Bluesfest. Sadly two acts had to cancel at the last minute, Elvis Costello and The Imposters due to a member contracting Covid and The Black Sorrows due to unforeseen circumstances.
DAY ONE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-byron-bay-day-1-thursday/
DAY TWO https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-byron-bay-day-2-good-friday/
DAY THREE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-byron-bay-day-3-saturday/
DAY FOUR https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-byron-bay-day-4-sunday/
DAY FIVE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/bluesfest-byron-bay-day-5-monday/
VICTOR WOOTEN AND THE WOOTEN BROTHERS – MEMO MUSIC HALL
Review by: Colette Imison Photography: Jason Rosewarne
The Melbourne music scene’s social media pages were on fire yesterday anticipating the evenings show at St Kilda’s Memo Music Hall. The talk of the town was all about who was catching Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers performing their opening show for their upcoming Australian Tour.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-victor-wooten-and-the-wooten-brothers-memo-music-hall/
KUTCHA EDWARDS AND THE MELBOURNE YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Review: Greg Phillips
The first time I saw proud Mutti Mutti songman Kutcha Edwards in the flesh was at the presentation of the Melbourne Prize for Music in 2016 where he took out the major prize. I struck by his poise, humility and wisdom. In an emotional acceptance speech talking about his songs, Kutcha said “Just because I wrote a song yesterday, doesn’t mean it’s a day old,” alluding to the fact that there’s a lot of life which goes into a song. It’s a line which has stayed with me and often comes to mind when listening to music. Kutcha didn’t perform on that day and I haven’t had the opportunity to witness a show since, so I arrived at the Melbourne Recital Centre with a great deal of anticipation to hear him sing with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra in this very special show, ‘Warta-Kiki: Come Together’. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-kutcha-edwards-and-the-melbourne-youth-orchestra/
GALLERY: DON WALKER BAND – MEMO MUSIC HALL BY JASON ROSEWARNE
Don Walker wrapped up his east coast tour last night at St. Kilda’s Memo Music Hall, celebrating the release of his fourth solo album, Lightning in a Clear Blue Sky. Featuring many of the musicians who played on the album, last night’s wonderful performance included Garrett Costigan on pedal steel, Michael Vidale on bass, Hamish Stuart on drums and Shannon Bourne on guitar, replacing the late, great guitarist Roydon Payne, to whom Walker has dedicated the album. Rounding out the cast were the fabulous backing singers The Harmonettes. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/gallery-don-walker-band-memo-music-hall-by-jason-rosewarne/
GALLERY: BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW, MEMO MUSIC HALL, ST.KILDA
The ultimate guitar celebration, “The Blues Guitar Roadshow!” took place at Memo Music Hall in St.Kilda last Sunday. It featured almost 3 hours of live music jammed packed with some of the countries greatest blues performers, including: GEOFF ACHISON, BRETT GARSED (John Farnham Band) JIMI HOCKING, THE McNAMARR PROJECT (Andrea Marr/John McNamara) , ANNA SCIONTI, IAN COLLARD (Collard, Greens and Gravy), NICK CHARLES & JESSE VALLACH and MORE. Backed by a house band some of the country’s finest, it was a fabulous celebration of blues music. Of course, fab photographer Jason Rosewarne was there to capture the action. Check out his gallery https://australianmusician.com.au/news/gallery-blues-guitar-roadshow-memo-music-hall-st-kilda/
CAT EMPIRE ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY
Report: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
The Merri-Bek Hall in Brunswick is an extraordinary rehearsal venue, recording studio, music library and performance space, where time has stood still. Old band photos from yesteryear hang from the walls and vintage brass and percussion instruments sit atop dusty shelves. It’s also where The Cat Empire created their brand new fabulous album Where The Angels Fall, along with around 70 other local musicians who appeared on the record. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/cat-empire-album-launch-party/
LIVING COLOUR/EXTREME- FORUM MELBOURNE
Review by Gary Hodges. Photos by Jason Rosewarne
A great double act in the form of guitar icons Nuno Bettencourt’s Extreme and Vernon Reid ‘s Living Colour lifted the roof at the Forum tonight. A real explosion of sound and light, shaking up a Monday night crowd of around 800 people. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-living-colour-extreme-forum-melbourne/
NICK MASON’S SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS – FORUM MELBOURNE
Review: Gary Hodges Photos: Will Ireland
Arriving at the venue there was a palpable vibe of anticipation and excitement with people queued around the block. Quite possibly over a thousand people. Big numbers for this stylish Melbourne venue.At last, some prog rock history in the flesh. This early portion of the Pink Floyd catalogue, developed and led by band co-founder Syd Barrett, has literally been lying dormant in a live sense for many years. A chance suggestion by Lee Harris to Nick Mason has brought us all to this point tonight.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-nick-masons-saucerful-of-secrets-forum-melbourne/
GHOST – JOHN CAIN ARENA MELBOURNE
Review: Joshua Batten Photos: Jason Rosewarne
On paper, you wouldn’t pick Ghost to be the saviours of arena rock, bringing it into the modern day for the current generation. Hailing from Sweden, their clear visual identity leans on romanticising the occult, with satanic imagery based around the church, songs about devil worship, band members who hide their identities behind identical faceless masks, and a satanic Pope in black & white makeup as a frontman/figurehead. But the truth is that behind the spooky visuals and anonymity, there is a genuine talent for pop-rock hooks and deep audience engagement. https://australianmusician.com.au/uncategorized/review-ghost-john-cain-arena-melbourne/
GALLERY: KISS – THE FINAL CURTAIN, ACCOR STADIUM, SYDNEY
Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Late last year Australia thought it had seen the last of the original pyro-rockers Kiss as we farewelled them on their End of the Road tour. However, the Australian Kiss Army had other ideas. Initiated via a national petition, passionate KISS fans pleaded for the band to return one more time and they did. Ahead of the band’s their final-ever performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City on 2 December 2023, their Final Curtain Australian show took place on Saturday October 7th at Sydney’s Accor Stadium to a packed house.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/gallery-kiss-the-final-curtain-accor-stadium-sydney/
SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND
Report by Leigh Hanna. All photos © Copyright 2023 Nicole Nighthawk – Nighthawk Creative
Leigh Hanna and Nicole Nighthawk checked out Savannah in the Round October 6-8, 2023, the unique music weekend in the Cairns Hinterland. Here’s their report for Australian Musician
DAY ONE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/report-savannah-in-the-round-day-1-friday/
DAY TWO https://australianmusician.com.au/news/report-savannah-in-the-round-day-2-saturday/
DAY THREE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/report-savannah-in-the-round-day-3-sunday/
PAUL MCCARTNEY- MARVEL STADIUM, MELBOURNE
Review: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Compared to most international tour announcements, news of Paul McCartney’s Got Back Australia tour caught us off guard, just three months out before commencement. However, for the promoter it was hardly a gamble, a Paul McCartney show is always going to sell out. Part of that audience guarantee is the wide ranging demographic he appeals to and last night at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, where McCartney presented his second Australian Got Back show, that factor was clear. The crowd comprised of mums, dads, children, babies, grandparents, grandchildren, locals and international visitors, everyone wanted to see their favourite Beatle. https://australianmusician.com.au/uncategorized/review-paul-mccartney-marvel-stadium-melbourne/
ADELAIDE’S HARVEST ROCK II
REVIEW: Bryget Chrisfield PHOTOS: Jason Rosewarne
As we stroll down Rundle Street bathed in glorious sunshine admiring the cloudless, azure skies, we already know Harvest Rock II has a head start over last year’s inaugural edition purely based on the fact that we’re sans plastic ponchos (last year it rained on our parade, both days). Australian Musician is onsite across both Saturday Nov 28 and Sunday Nov 29 at Rymill and King Rodney Parks to bring you the highlights. Please welcome the below three stand-out winners of Saturday’s lineup to the victory podium for 2023’s (unfortunately not real) Harvest Rock medal ceremony!
DAY ONE https://australianmusician.com.au/news/adelaides-harvest-rock-ii-the-medal-winners-of-day-1-2023/
DAY TWO https://australianmusician.com.au/news/adelaides-harvest-rock-ii-the-medal-winners-of-day-2-2023/
THE CORRS, NATALIE IMBRUGLIA, TONI CHILDS, GERMEIN – ROD LAVER ARENA
Review by Greg Phillips. Photos by Jason Rosewarne.
Buoyed by the success of their huge open air concert at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley last year, fans were elated to hear that celtic pop rock phenomenon The Corrs would be back in 2023 for a full blown national tour of Australia. We’re a country that has connected with the band from day one.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-the-corrs-natalie-imbruglia-toni-childs-germein-rod-laver-arena/
STEVE VAI INVIOLATE AUSTRALIAN TOUR- PALAIS THEATRE
Review by Greg Phillips. Photos by Jason Rosewarne
It had been ten long years since Steve Vai graced Australian stages, so it was no surprise to see a packed Melbourne’s Palais Theatre crowd eager to experience their virtuoso guitar hero and composer celebrating the release of his latest album Inviolate. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-steve-vai-inviolate-australian-tour-palais-theatre/
Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe – Marvel Stadium
Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Photos Mary Boukouvalas (What’s My Scene)
This Melbourne show marks the final night of Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe’s co-headlining stadium tour, which kicked off in Atlanta on 16 June, 2022. Commencing at the extremely un-rock’n’roll time of 7pm on a school night, Mötley Crüe’s intro tape is some kind of churchy, classical choral music that reminds my plus one of the Queen’s funeral. But as our anticipation builds, we note the sound quality inside Marvel Stadium – roof open this evening – is top-notch and bone-crushingly loud to boot.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-def-leppard-motley-crue-marvel-stadium/
GALLERY: ASHLEY NAYLOR ‘SOUNDTRACKS VOL 2’ ALBUM LAUNCH – BRUNSWICK BALLROOM
Last night at the Brunswick Ballroom, Ashley Naylor launched his new instrumental album Soundtracks Volume 2. In a wonderful performance Ashley and band laid down some stunning licks to the delight of the crowd. Ashley Naylor, guitarist for Paul Kelly, the RocKwiz Orchestra, Even and most recently The Church, had recently released the new single “Les Paul Waltz” from Soundtracks Volume 2, a track that went down particularly well with the Brunswick Ballroom crowd. Check out Jason Rosewarne’s fabulous gallery of photos from last night’s launch https://australianmusician.com.au/news/gallery-ashley-naylor-soundtracks-vol-2-album-launch-brunswick-ballroom/
ROBBIE WILLIAMS – MT DUNEED ESTATE
Review by Bryget Chrisfield. Photos by Jason Rosewarne
With the release of last year’s XXV compilation album – which marked 25 years since his debut solo record, 1997’s Life Thru A Lens, came out – Robbie Williams became the solo artist with the most chart-topping albums in the UK, surpassing Elvis. And now it’s finally Australia’s turn to lap up Robbie’s corresponding ‘25 Years Of Hits’ tour. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-robbie-williams-mt-duneed-estate/
BLUES MUSIC VICTORIA 2023 HALL OF FAME
Report and photos by Jason Rosewarne
Blues Music Victoria presented the 2023 Victorian Blues Music Hall of Fame last night, an emotional but joyous evening at Memo Music Hall in St.Kilda.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/blues-music-victoria-2023-hall-of-fame/
FOO FIGHTERS – AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE
Review Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Sometimes a music concert is much more than what the label reads. Occasionally one comes along that has a back story that elevates the anticipation to another level. Such is the case with the 2023 Australian tour by Foo Fighters (their 13th tour here), one of the best exponents of stadium rock on the planet. It’s a band very close to the hearts of fans downunder and many will forever remember their legendary gig in Geelong in March 2022, one of the final gigs featuring drummer Taylor Hawkins.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-foo-fighters-aami-park-melbourne/
CHRIS SHIFLETT SOLO SHOW – THE WORKERS CLUB, FITZROY
There’s something about the air in Melbourne when a major international band comes to town. There’s an intoxicating vibe to it. This week it’s Foo Fighters causin’ all the fuss. On Monday night, ten of thousands packed into AAMI Stadium for their fix of Foo fun. Last night on the band’s lay day between stadium gigs, it was a mere 250 who stood toe to toe at The Workers Club in Fitzroy to experience Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett performing a rare solo gig. https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-chris-shiflett-solo-show-the-workers-club-fitzroy/
AN EVENING WITH JIMMY WEBB – MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE
Review: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
They don’t make ‘em like they used to is a term you’ll often hear from older folks, yearning for the days when a lot more time, effort and meticulous attention to detail went into making stuff. Certainly in regard to songwriting, there aren’t many today who craft and sculpt songs the way that legendary American songwriter Jimmy Webb does.
https://australianmusician.com.au/uncategorized/review-an-evening-with-jimmy-webb-melbourne-recital-centre/
DEVO – PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE
Review: Paul Cashmere Photos: Lucas Packett
Devo may or may not have played their last show ever in Melbourne. The show on 6 December, 2023 at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda was the last date of the ’50 Years of De-Evolution’ world tour. If this really was their last show ever 50 years certainly ended with little fanfare.
https://australianmusician.com.au/news/review-devo-palais-theatre-melbourne/
KRAFTWERK – MARGARET COURT ARENA, MELBOURNE
Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
Alongside The Beatles, Kraftwerk are widely regarded as one of the two most important groups in music history.
As we enter Margaret Court Arena, clocking the minimal set – which comprises four consoles evenly dispersed across the front of the stage – makes our excitement levels peak. Kraftwerk’s live shows promise “Gesamtkunstwerk”, which roughly translates as ‘a total work of art’ incorporating several different artforms – eg. electronic music, computer animations, performance art – to spectacular effect.
https://australianmusician.com.au/uncategorized/review-kraftwerk-margaret-court-arena-melbourne/
