HUMAN NATURE – MARGARET COURT ARENA – MELBOURNE – 29.03.2025
Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Photos: Kate Arnott
Keeping it in the family, Tierney Brothers – the recent side project of Human Nature’s brothers, Andrew and Michael Tierney – are on support duty this evening and manage to incite an audience clap-along during their opening number. The Tierneys play guitar (Mike) and keys (Andrew), with backing tapes rounding out their sound. Come song two, the boppy Shining Star, and a handful of fans are up dancing. The bros’ sibling vocal majesty – self-described as “blood harmonies” – is heavenly,
After performing The Everly Brothers’ All I Have To Do Is Dream, they explain this song inspired the title track from their debut album, 2025’s Soundtrack Of My Life. Tierney Brothers’ uplifting melodies are infused with a hopeful spirit. The appropriately moreish Lemonade, and with its catchy whistling refrain, slaps!
Tierney Brothers – Lemonade (Official Video)
When The Jackson 5’s I Want You Back cranks through the venue sound system, we know Human Nature’s arrival on stage is imminent. Their backing band – drummer Kingsley Oldmeadow, guitarist Carlos Guerrero (from Las Vegas), bassist Ben Cripps, keyboardist Shannon Stitt and a two-piece brass section (trumpet and saxophone) – take their positions. Then a voiceover by the one and only American R&B/soul legend Smokey Robinson, the King of Motown and also a vocal HN champion (he helped them open their ongoing residency on the Las Vegas strip), introduces our four “Aussie pop princes”.
Giant red, illuminated letters spell out “M-O-T-O-W-N” – this is Human Nature’s MTWN20 tour: the quartet’s chart-topping, ARIA Award-winning, 6x Platinum-certified fifth studio album, Reach Out: The Motown Record, dropped two decades ago and we’re ready to celebrate, alright! Human Nature appear atop of a flight of stairs before strutting down in unison to perform Get Ready, resplendent with trademark intricate choreography.
Sporting matching outfits and shimmering jackets, the Human Nature boys have never shied away from razzle-dazzle and their moves are on point, as ever. Constantly shifting formations call a marching band to mind and staggered counts are often used to great effect within the chorey. An abundance of spirit fingers make their outlines sizzle as Human Nature bring the songs to life through inspired, meticulously rehearsed dance routines that showcase every single musical nuance – The Way You Do The Things You Do is a particular highlight. Even during downtempo numbers, the movement never stops; Human Nature still masterfully executing subtle boxsteps or sidestepping with graceful arm work.
The hits just keep on coming, with each vocal group member’s specific prowess – Mike’s soulful lead, Andrew’s resonant tenor, Phil Burton’s raspy baritone and Toby Allen’s velvety, how-low-can-you-go bass – highlighted to perfection during I Can’t Get Next To You.
Before the always-delightful My Girl, Human Nature divided their audience into three sections, teaching us a three-part harmony to contribute during their take on The Temptations’ classic.
We’re told Human Nature first performed Reach Out I’ll Be There on Dancing With The Stars back in 2005, before Phil humblebrags that while he took home this TV dance competition’s mirrorball trophy in 2023, Toby came in third when he was a contestant on the show in 2006.
Back in the day, they allegedly practiced their harmonies in the local piggery as well as the bathroom, where acoustics and reverb are optimal. Human Nature’s a cappella rendition of Midnight Train To Georgia raises collective goosebumps.
Even the horn players get involved in the chorey during I Heard It Through The Grapevine, heading downstage to criss-cross one another before forming a single line – interspersed with guitarists – while Human Nature change attire. The foursome reemerge in classy burgundy, kicking off their “HN JKBX” section with the clap-happy (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher.
Stand By Me was always gonna be a swoon-worthy, singalong moment, but we’re totally in awe of the metronomic, “click-aaaahhh” vocal percussion. Runaround Sue into Unchained Melody – talk about a tone shift!
A snippet of Please Mr. Postman represents Human Nature’s first trip to America, during which Martha Reeves (of Martha Reeves And The Vandellas) gave them a tour of Hitsville USA in Detroit, the house that was converted into Motown Records, and also took them out to lunch – at Taco Bell, of all places.
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) coaxes us all to our dancing feet. But it really is all about that bass, with Toby’s particular skill set spotlighted multiple times towards the set’s end: opening If You Don’t Know Me By Now and taking the lead on Easy (sublime stuff!). While the other three Humans slowly ease their backsides onto the staircase for a brief respite, Guerrero’s guitar solo turns our faces to mush. Then Guerrero is handed the mic for Hold On, I’m Comin’ – spectacular stuff, sir.
“We thought we’d bring the show into your laps!” – we’re delighted when HN materialise in the aisle in front of the sound desk. A gent (probably en route to the dunnies) shakes Toby’s hand as he passes and then we’re treated to People Get Ready, a capella – their vocal synergy really is astounding; like a soul caress. And Toby’s closing, sustained “Looooooooord” bass note defies belief! When they relocate up into the bleachers for Wishes, we’re set adrift on memory bliss as the set peaks as we enjoy the peak-boyband He Don’t Love Me and their beautiful, Top 10-charting take on Eternal Flame.
Smokey’s face appears on the giant screen, thanking Human Nature for growing Motown’s multi-generational appeal. His calling card, Tracks Of My Tears, follows, with HN somehow incorporating Smokey’s vocal performance, which is perfectly synced to on-screen visuals.
Another singalong fave (Baby I Need Your Loving), the brass-enhanced I’ll Be There, learning mass smartphone-torch choreography ahead of Human Nature’s latest single Upside Down (yes, a Diana Ross cover), the chorus dance moves we recall from Stop! In The Name Of Love and their Farnsy-accentuated Every Time You Cry – it’s all cheesy goodness, sure. But who doesn’t wanna savour the finest gooey Raclette?
The most impressive feature of the night is Human Nature a cappella – the distinct vocal blend of these particular four voices is peerless.
