Most of us fondly remember the first act that we loved independently of our parents. We discovered them on our own and they spoke to us as individuals, meeting us as the people we were becoming, not the children still tied to the adults who raised us. They’re there for us at a time we needed them to forge our own identities. If we’re very lucky, they’re still there for us in the years that follow. For me that band was the Counting Crows. As a 13-year-old, I enjoyed singing along to “Mr. Jones” but I felt truly seen by “Round Here.” Yes, I was an angsty little thing! I got a copy of August and Everything After in my Santa sack and had it on repeat until Recovering the Satellites dropped in 1996. With the release of Hard Candy I was a little older and finally able to start seeing Counting Crows in concert. I developed a new respect for their artistry with every subsequent show, marvelling at the way frontman Adam Duritz could play with melodies and lyrics to make the songs I knew well feel fresh. That experimentation wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but I was here for it.
It was a case of first-world problems when I missed the last tour due to a holiday in Western Australia. So I was thrilled when Counting Crows announced they’d be a part of the ill-fated Bluesfest lineup for 2026. I counted my blessings when mercifully they weren’t a casualty of the collapsed festival. Before one of my favourites, I finally saw Kingswood. I say finally, because the Naarm/Melbourne act has been around for nearly 20 years, yet for some reason our paths had never crossed. Their blend of country, rock, and blues was the perfect foil for Counting Crows. Every member of the band has serious musical chops. I loved hearing the members harmonise and Fergus Linacre and Alex Laska trading off lead vocals. They had so much energy. It was the perfect entrée for the evening’s entertainment.
From the first notes of new track “Spaceman in Tulsa,” there was a different energy about this Counting Crows gig. It sounded so true to the album, a celebration of this new chapter. I thought perhaps Adam was sticking to the script just because this was a new song, but as the band moved into older numbers like “Hard Candy” and their breakthrough hit “Mr. Jones,” Adam stayed faithful to those recordings, even encouraging us to sing along as he held the mic aloft. We were all sharing a moment here, and it was glorious. Of course, Adam can never resist a little experimentation, but I think this show had a perfect balance between those sing-along moments and more creative sections.
The set was inspired. Counting Crows is a band with relatively few big hits. While they’re happy to tick them off for casual radio listeners, they’ve got time to deliver plenty of those favourites that more hardcore fans just don’t expect. The set is always changing, dependent on the vibe of the band and the audience. I was thrilled to hear so much from the fabulous 2025 album Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets! Then there were songs I’ve long held close to my heart like “Angels of the Silences,” “Goodnight Elisabeth,” and the stunning closer “Holiday in Spain.” You expect a band to fill your cup with a song that you already adore. It’s more surprising when they can floor you with a song you’ve ignored. “Washington Square” has never hit me before, but I felt it last night.
Counting Crows are such a good band. Five original members are still waving the flag, bringing a sense of camaraderie which is so special to witness. Adam is a force of nature, a little less angsty than he used to be but no less passionate. I got a little thrill every time Charlie Gillingham stepped out from behind the keys and picked up the piano accordion. David “Immy” Immerglück can seemingly play any instrument, but his turns on mandolin were highlights. I had so many moments though where I just marvelled at the sound as I bopped along in my seat.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Adam so humble, so grateful, as I did last night. He’s always been a man of few words, preferring to let the music speak for him. But he took a moment to pause and thank us for the support through all the years that has allowed him to continue making music. It was heartfelt, an acknowledgement of the magic we all felt in that room. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all my Counting Crows shows, but I have no hesitation in saying last night was the best of the bunch. Like a fine wine, they just seem to get better. Tickets to the rest of the Aussie The Complete Sweets! shows are rare, but if you can get yourself to a show I promise you won’t regret it.
30 March 2026 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
1 April 2026 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
2 April 2026 – Palais Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
4 April 2026 – Fortitude Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane
6 April 2026 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
Photo credit: Lauren Katulka
Fantastic performances. I’ve been fortunate to see them both at the Palais and the Enmore, 08 and 03 respectively. Great gigs.
This most recent, great blend. How good is Omaha!!
Do we really have to keep doing this whole naarm thing…its’ Melbourne ok. Melbourne. Naarm was bushland, certainly no Palais theatre there ok. It’s Melbourne. Let’s leave the virtual signaling behind ok.
Omaha is brilliant and the Counting Crows just seem to be getting better and better. How lucky are we that they’re still going and delivering such incredible shows here?
For me, including Indigenous names is a very simple way to acknowledge that our First Nations people were here before us and this land was known by these other names. I also acknowledge the names many Australians know these locations by. I don’t think it’s virtue signalling, but rather a good way to move forward with both the acknowledgement of history and present use. I don’t mind the feedback, but ultimately this is my blog and I’ve got to do what feels right to me.
Went to the Palais last night… What a great concert just as good as when I saw them in 2023… Going again tonight and hoping they sing a favorite of mine “Mrs Potter’s lullaby”… A long December is such a beautiful song and is special to me as I spent a December in hospital getting my kidney removed. Counting Crows got me through some hard times.
Oh I love “Mrs Potter’s Lullaby” Mark! I had to check setlist.fm … shame you didn’t get it! It takes up such a lot of real estate in the set I suppose, but I was lucky enough at the Opera House show a few years back! Couldn’t believe my ears. Hope you enjoyed the second show regardless!