MIKE OLDFIELD’S TUBULAR BELLS LIVE IN CONCERT – PALAIS THEATRE

Robin A. Smith Palais Theatre – St Kilda

MIKE OLDFIELD’S TUBULAR BELLS LIVE IN CONCERT – PALAIS THEATRE
17.08.2024
Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Photos: David Harris

The ongoing Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells Live In Concert tour celebrates the Gold anniversary of this English songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer’s extraordinary debut album, which he first started recording in 1971 aged just 17. When the haunting opening section of Oldfield’s esteemed magnum opus was used as the theme song for cult-status horror film The Exorcist (1973), it went gangbusters.

Oldfield himself does not perform at these shows, however – he announced his retirement from recording and touring in 2023, aged 70. Instead, Robin A. Smith – Oldfield’s musical director/long-time collaborator of over 25 years – is at the helm. We read Smith added cello and a soprano voice to these reimagined arrangements, with Oldfield giving him his blessing.

During an interview, Smith explained, “My main ambition is to present the work in a way where not a single note of Mike’s original composition has been changed.”

First to arrive on stage tonight is Smith, who takes a seat behind his console to play To France’s pensive, fluttering piano. He’s soon joined by guitarist/mandolinist Maxime Obadia, who sits centre stage to play his parts. Then guitarist Jay Stapley materialises, wandering across the front section of the stage while playing and copping a look at those seated in the front stalls while he’s at it.

When Kwêsi Edman arrives on stage to supply his textured cello parts, he beams. Then two percussionists, one of whom Smith later reveals hails from Sydney, appear upstage on either side of the famous tubular bells. There’s also a standard drum-kit setup downstage left when called for.

The guitar tech is sure kept busy throughout, passing Obadia a plethora of different stringed instruments and diligently plugging them in as required.

Smith sings the glorious Moonlight Shadow, which soon becomes an enthusiastic audience singalong, to the best of his ability.

The pop-rock classic Family Man – a hit for Oldfield in 1982, featuring Maggie Reilly on vocals, before the 1983 Daryl Hall & John Oates cover drastically increased the song’s reach – follows, with Stapley taking lead vocals.

Smith’s own composition, The Gem, spotlights Edman’s mesmerising cello playing before proggy guitars and dynamic, galloping drums take flight. It’s trance-inducing stuff and wild applause follows.

At this point, Smith reveals tonight is “strange in so many ways” since they’re one musician down due to illness. “We’ve got people putting extra coal in the bunkers,” he adds. Aha! We had been wondering when the soprano would make an appearance.

Following a brief interval, it’s time for Tubular Bells. With eyes closed, Obadia performs the iconic, circular piano riff using one hand amidst scattered whoops and hollers of appreciation from the audience.

Edman wipes sweat from his brow shortly before performing the lengthy, repeated riff during which instruments (including “glockenspiel”, “double-speed” guitar and “two slightly distorted guitars”) are introduced by a prerecorded voice. Another thrilling standout moment is Obadia and Stapley’s unison guitar section, which they perform standing side by side, front and centre. Here, Obadia’s ‘guitar face’ works overtime.

But obviously those tubular bells are the true star! One of the percussionists, with his back to the audience, strikes the upstage tubular bells – with dramatic purpose – using a mallet, and the crowd goes apeshit. Many “Bravo”s and one “AMAZING!” follow.

As an added bonus, we’re treated to a spirited encore rendition of Sailor’s Hornpipe, which gets the audience on their feet, grinning and double-clapping on cue.

It’s a shame we didn’t get to experience the complete ensemble performing Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells Live In Concert, but there was still a helluva lot to be wowed by. The show must go on, right? Wishing the absent muso a speedy recovery so they’re able to perform all remaining dates.

Did you know? Tubular Bells, which topped the Australian charts, remained in the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart for an entire year.
Fun fact: The release of Oldfield’s Grammy-winning Tubular Bells record launched Richard Branson’s fledgling Virgin Records label.

Remaining tour dates:
Monday August 19, Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston
Wednesday August 21 Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
Saturday August 24, Astor Theatre, Perth