Band: Suzi Quatro supported by Six Hours
Venue: Palais Theatre
Date: 12th september 2009
Reviewed By: Espylyn
Six Hours was a fairly good choice for tonights main act given that Suzi is a rock chick and Six Hours give us plenty of rock. They performed on stage like it was a natural phenonenom to do and the crowd seemed to enjoy their show. Long hair, guitars with grunt and a drummer with plenty of beat were displayed tonight in the beautiful Palais Theatre.
Suzi Q started on time and in clothes that wasn't her usual leather look (she went and changed into leather a few songs into the show) and with big smile on her face, a big stage presence and a great sound and light show, it is safe to say that she'll keep coming back to Australia. Suzi told us she'd been touring for about 25 years and that she'd been here roughly 23 times and a few fans put their hands up when she asked how many punters had been to all her shows, suffice to say, a Suzi live show is one to be seen, kick yourself if you missed out.
With hits like Stumbling In, Wild Child, Your Mamma Won't Like Me, She's In Love With You and Can The Can. Suzi made the stage her playground and got the crowd leaping up to dance and have a blooming good ole time. Devil Gate Drive was a notable hightlight and her last song of the night was her tribute to Elvis Presley - Singing With Angels-Suzi told us the story about how she said no to meeting Elvis at one point early in her career because she thought she would have another chance (Elvis was her inspiration). An odd choice of song to end the night on considering her 'label' as a rock chick - it would have been nice to get everyone pumping again before departure but still Suzi did the song beautifully and its a well written song. A great performance, a great live show, sung with a fantastic live voice and it will be a show that will be in the hearts and memories of all the wild childs out there.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Buy Tix to Shihad, Lisa Mitchell and Tex Perkins through Melbourne Live!
Ben Folds has many Dedicated Aussie Fans
Band: Ben Folds
Venue: Palais Theatre
Date: 3rd Spetember 2009
Reviewed By: Espylyn
Ben Folds has really dedicated fans (and a sold out show), I mean really dedicated. I haven't seen that kind of heroship for a while and it was actually kinda cool to see. The show was just Ben and his piano and two hours of tunes for everyone to lap up. Did I mention the fans were dedicated? All sat in their seats (with some on the edge) addicted to hearing Ben play and the clapping was immense. Ben didn't have to do much work to get the crowds involvement, they clapped, sung and heckled all on their own and a lot. At one point he started hiding under his piano because the heckling was that strong! And why not....he sold out shows in 2006 and this is his first tour back down under showcasing three albums since he was last here.
His music was rather upbeat considering the lack of instruments, and he is a very entertaining man. We got lots of stories, a bit of swearing and even a surprise visit by our very own Missy Higgens whom Ben says is his favourite Aussie musician. He unleashed his cover of a Dr Dre song which displayed mega swearing in it but was done rather aptly, and he tells us he had to do a cover song as a B side for a UK single and this was the song he chose. Ben played many known and unknown songs, many new songs and some dedicated to his wife.
There were Ben figurines for sale and they sold out within ten minutes so maybe you were lucky enough to get one, something a little different for the fans. The night ended and although after one encore Ben didn't come back, the crowd kept clapping till houselights came back on. If this night doesn't get Ben back into the country soon, then I don't know what will!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Man In Black - Tex Perkins as Johnny Cash
Band: Tex Perkins as Johnny Cash 'The Man In Black'
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Date: 1st September 2009
Reviewed By: Espylyn
Lights, music, action - and out comes Tex Perkins (Johnny Cash) and Rachael Tidd (June Carter) to join the band The Tennessee Four who comprises of Peter Luscombe on drums (Rockwiz), Steve Hadley on bass (Men at Work), James Black on guitar (Rockwiz) and Ash Naylor on acoustic guitar (Even). Walk The Line is the first tune to hit the crowd who straight away leap into applause at the hit song. Tex, known for playing multiple musical roles, has taken a shining to Cash, a musician he has followed ever since he can remember so tonights opening show must be a highlight in his 27 year career. The music stops and Tex (black suit with white shirt) greets us "Hi, Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Tex Perkins and welcome to the life, times and musical celebration of one of the greatest singers and songwriters, and entertainers ever to grace the stage, that would be Johnny Cash. Eruption of screams and whoops and some bad heckling ensue.
Tex displays Cash in fantastic form, putting narrative stories, comedy and a voice perfect for this role all into a two hour show. Both Tex and Rachael narrate the Cash story between songs starting from the time Cash was a young boy to his musical beginnings and then ending at his and June's death. The narrative side of things is a little rehearsed and sometimes a little missed (Tex, don't think of giving up music for the stage permanently!), but this aside, it was great to hear the Cash story from yay to nay and all in between. The band played brilliantly, the rhythm was present and the groove kept up throughout, even if at times when the narrative part was happening, some band members looked bored.
The second set started with the backdrop disappearing and we were given a simulation of the Folsom Prison show that Cash did in 1968 to the prisoners - this was a highlight in Cash's career and definately a highlight in tonights performance. Tex's suit changed to totally black in colour now and he displayed the Cash persona perfectly, I cannot fault Tex in this role. Tex and Rachael displayed stage presence with each other which clicked from the beginning - displaying shy glances, kisses and hugs throughout the show, it was plain to see they both enjoyed the experience. The sound in the theatre was clear and the lighting almost right. Tex played a mock guitar throughout the night, but hey, Cash with no guitar just would not suit, so this mock guitar works well. By the end the crowd couldn't get enough, Ring Of Fire ended the night but with constant clapping from the crowd all stage members were back with a medley of the big Cash hits including band introductions before final bows were taken.
Songs played, Hey Porter, Get Rhythm, Boy Named Sue, Don't Take Your Guns To Town, 25 Minutes To Go, If I Were A Carpenter, Ring Of Fire, How Highs The Water Mama, Hurt (Nine Inch Nails) dedicated to June Carter after she died by Cash and Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) which was my highlight - Rachael's vocals here were sublime and Tex's deep vocals made me chuckle.
Tex as The Man In Black must be witnessed by all Johnny Cash fans. You will enjoy the narrative aspect, you will enjoy the voice of Tex so close to Cash's - full of that rich country sound and you will enjoy Rachael's narrative part and singing. This production is wonderfully blended with the Tennessee Four, a production that should be proud that a fantastic dream has been a reality.
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre
Date: 1st September 2009
Reviewed By: Espylyn
Lights, music, action - and out comes Tex Perkins (Johnny Cash) and Rachael Tidd (June Carter) to join the band The Tennessee Four who comprises of Peter Luscombe on drums (Rockwiz), Steve Hadley on bass (Men at Work), James Black on guitar (Rockwiz) and Ash Naylor on acoustic guitar (Even). Walk The Line is the first tune to hit the crowd who straight away leap into applause at the hit song. Tex, known for playing multiple musical roles, has taken a shining to Cash, a musician he has followed ever since he can remember so tonights opening show must be a highlight in his 27 year career. The music stops and Tex (black suit with white shirt) greets us "Hi, Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Tex Perkins and welcome to the life, times and musical celebration of one of the greatest singers and songwriters, and entertainers ever to grace the stage, that would be Johnny Cash. Eruption of screams and whoops and some bad heckling ensue.
Tex displays Cash in fantastic form, putting narrative stories, comedy and a voice perfect for this role all into a two hour show. Both Tex and Rachael narrate the Cash story between songs starting from the time Cash was a young boy to his musical beginnings and then ending at his and June's death. The narrative side of things is a little rehearsed and sometimes a little missed (Tex, don't think of giving up music for the stage permanently!), but this aside, it was great to hear the Cash story from yay to nay and all in between. The band played brilliantly, the rhythm was present and the groove kept up throughout, even if at times when the narrative part was happening, some band members looked bored.
The second set started with the backdrop disappearing and we were given a simulation of the Folsom Prison show that Cash did in 1968 to the prisoners - this was a highlight in Cash's career and definately a highlight in tonights performance. Tex's suit changed to totally black in colour now and he displayed the Cash persona perfectly, I cannot fault Tex in this role. Tex and Rachael displayed stage presence with each other which clicked from the beginning - displaying shy glances, kisses and hugs throughout the show, it was plain to see they both enjoyed the experience. The sound in the theatre was clear and the lighting almost right. Tex played a mock guitar throughout the night, but hey, Cash with no guitar just would not suit, so this mock guitar works well. By the end the crowd couldn't get enough, Ring Of Fire ended the night but with constant clapping from the crowd all stage members were back with a medley of the big Cash hits including band introductions before final bows were taken.
Songs played, Hey Porter, Get Rhythm, Boy Named Sue, Don't Take Your Guns To Town, 25 Minutes To Go, If I Were A Carpenter, Ring Of Fire, How Highs The Water Mama, Hurt (Nine Inch Nails) dedicated to June Carter after she died by Cash and Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) which was my highlight - Rachael's vocals here were sublime and Tex's deep vocals made me chuckle.
Tex as The Man In Black must be witnessed by all Johnny Cash fans. You will enjoy the narrative aspect, you will enjoy the voice of Tex so close to Cash's - full of that rich country sound and you will enjoy Rachael's narrative part and singing. This production is wonderfully blended with the Tennessee Four, a production that should be proud that a fantastic dream has been a reality.
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