In a bold but well executed manoeuvre, organisers of this years’ concert series have included a ‘Made in S.A’ theme for last night’s shows, which featured legendary hard rockers Cold Chisel along with Kasey Chambers and local support acts. With crowd numbers estimated at 60,000 plus, Friday’s events both on and off track went off without a hitch as racegoers and music lovers alike got a taste of the very best of ‘Radelaide!’
Kicking off the post-race concerts with an alt-country set, Hana and Jessie-Lee got the party started after a hard days racing with some catchy, well-written toe-tappers offering a unique blend of ‘geetar’ and vocals. Check them out on Bandcamp, they’re great listening. https://hanajessielee.bandcamp.com/
Next up, and offering something slightly heavier, Donnarumma caught the audience’s attention with their guitar driven, drum thumping tunes that kicked ass. These guys are worth following up on, I think they have a bright future ahead of them and if you love old fashioned pub rock, then go see them live. http://www.donnarumma.space/
And going one better again, rising stars Bad//Dreems (who are already making a name for themselves) dropped a music bomb on the now hooked crowd with blistering riffs and rock star attitude. Their music is hard and fast, and they have that unique ‘Adelaide Sound,’- raw, no bullshit rock! They make sure they’re having more fun on stage than the audience, which is no mean feat.
The next to play, and somewhat of a double bill in itself, was multi ARIA award-winning country artist Kasey Chambers, who wowed the crowd with her earthy ‘girl next door’ style and brilliantly composed music.
Along with her band which included her equally impressive dad Bill Chambers, Kasey mixed things up with her trademark country style and threw a few musical surprises in for good measure. Since the Barricades & Brickwalls days, Chambers has been a constantly hard working musician and has forged her own path to success with the amazing support of her equally talented father. Graciously sharing the stage with her band members Brandon Dodd and Josh Dufficy, who are also from the Band Grizzlee Train, Chambers showed she was all class both musically and professionally. Her version of The White Stripes’ ‘7 Nation Army’ was a unique twist even for us die hard Stripes fans. Well played!
The overall vibe in the Concert Green was quite good, and whilst the odd punter looked like they’d steered clear of water to hydrate themselves and instead opting for a few cans of Cooper’s, it was a relatively chilled audience considering a large number of old school ’Chisel’ fans were on hand to ramp things up.
Hitting the stage to a faithful rendition of ‘Standing on the outside’, Cold Chisel had arrived primed and ready to rock and roll. The atmosphere was electric as the hard rockers played non-stop to an eclectic crowd of die-hard fans and a large number of relatively young fans who have likely discovered them through their parents’ record collections. I asked the young lads next to me, who couldn’t have been any more than 18 years old, if they were here to see Cold Chisel in particular. Their response was heartening’ “This old-school stuff is way better than the new shit mate. I grew up listening to this through my oldies (parents), it’s effing classic!” Well said that young man, couldn’t agree more.
There was no doubt that the lads from Elizabeth were going to deliver a kick ass show, and whilst Barnes and co.’s antics might not be as wild as they once were, the band was on point and sounding as sharp as ever. Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss bounced off each other all through the show, and were having a ball on stage together. Mossy, one of Australia’s best songwriters and musicians, shared the mic with Barnes on many a classic Chisel song and along with fellow original members Phil Small, Don Walker, and of course Dave Blight on harmonica, the guys were in brilliant form. Replacing the late Steve Prestwich on drums since his passing in 2011, the incredibly accomplished Charley Drayton was always the perfect choice and never skips a beat with any of the songs, as with the other supporting musicians and backup singers.
Finishing up the set with Bow River, the crowd demanded more and, of course, Chisel obliged with not one but two encores, finishing the ‘Made in S.A’ theme in true Adelaide style. A lot can be said for the extreme talent that our great state has produced, and tonight’s entertainment was a taste of that brilliance. The night was, as we say in Adelaide parlance, ‘Heaps Good.’
Saturday night will see +Live+ rocking the house with Birds of Tokyo, and don’t forget Robbie Williams on Sunday! Check out our recent interview with +Live+ front man Ed Kowalczyk here https://glamadelaide.com.au/clipsal-500-ed-kowalczyk-live-and-ready-to-rock/
By Dazz Hassan
Pics: Dave Gartland
https://www.adelaide500.com.au/concerts
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