Tag: Enmore Theatre

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rob Thomas @ Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney – 4 and 5 November 2025

Longtime readers will know that while I’m passionate about all kinds of music and performers, no artist thrills me like Rob Thomas. Whether he’s solo or fronting Matchbox Twenty, he moves me like no one else. His songs have soundtracked my life from my angsty mid-teens to my relatively calmer married years, and I’m so grateful for them. I see at least two shows each tour because anything more than one feels like a bonus and I can keep those post-tour blues at bay. Right now I’m performing that delicate balancing act of extending the buzz as long as I can while rejoining the “Real World.”

While local country act Fanny Lumsden wasn’t the most natural choice of opener for a pop-rock show, she quickly won over the audience with her infectious energy and catchy songs. She led the crowd in line dances and choreographed hand movements. Seeing the sea of people in the general admission section mimicking her movements in time with these songs they likely weren’t familiar with really brought a smile to my face. So did Fanny’s brother Thomas, who may be one of the most entertaining backup vocalists I’ve ever seen. Watching the siblings dancing around together, lapping up their first-ever shows at the Enmore, was really special.

Rob’s visiting Australia to promote his new album All Night Days, but I’ll use the term promote loosely. Just four songs from the album made the set on my first show, but that was pared back to three on Rob’s final night in Sydney. He opened with the explosive “I Believe It,” which really comes alive on the stage but then preferred to play with more familiar material. It’s a wise move, guaranteed to win over an audience, but as a diehard fan who’s seen multiple shows during his career I would have loved to hear more of that fabulous fresh material.

I will say, that’s my only criticism of these shows and it’s a minor niggle outweighed by all that was overwhelmingly positive. Now that Rob has five regular solo albums and just as many Matchbox releases under his belt, he has a rich discography that allows him to mix up the sets. What a joy for the ardent fans like myself who attend multiple shows! He wasn’t afraid to deliver deep cuts either. “Not Just a Woman,” a bonus track on a limited-edition version of …Something to Be, made its unexpected Australian debut. “Rest Stop,” which I’m not even sure I’ve heard Matchbox perform, let alone Rob solo also got a beautiful acoustic treatment. These gems for the faithful were sprinkled into the set, sitting easily alongside singalong favourites like “Lonely No More,” “3 AM,” and “Smooth.” Listening to the voices, looking around at the faces in the crowd, you can see that these songs matter. For me personally, watching Rob play tracks like “Mockingbird” and “Can’t Help Me Now,” which mean so much to me and my husband, while we sit close and take in every lyric, is pure magic.

The songs are at the heart of what Rob does. There were no big screen projections, no pyrotechnics, no flash. Rob doesn’t need the bells and whistles because he is so magnetic. His banter always feels natural, his joy at playing for audiences in one of his favourite countries evident. I’m also not quite sure how he’s becoming more energetic on stage when his peers are slowing down, but I witnessed two electric performances back-to-back. He also surrounds himself with a fantastic band. While the sound crew at the Enmore didn’t always do them justice with the mix, they really are some of the best in the biz. After several tours with Rob, drummer Abe Fogle, bassist Al Carty, and keyboardist/guitarist Matt Beck are familiar faces to fans. While they all play their parts well, I was most impressed by Rob’s son Maison Thomas-Eudy. He has big shoes to fill as lead guitarist, especially when it’s time for “Smooth,” but he has all the attitude and chops of a rock star. This is no nepo hire; “The Kid” has the goods.

I am so glad that I saw two shows. During the first, I was overwhelmed with the gravity of seeing my favourite artist. There were tears. It was incredible, but I’m not sure I took everything in as much as I did on night two. I was steadier, but every bit as grateful to be in the room with Rob. Thankfully I won’t have to wait too long for his return, as he assured us he’s already planning to bring Matchbox Twenty back in 2027. Until then, I’m just going to ride this wave for as long as I can. Meeanjin/Brisbane, you get the last show of this tour. It’s at Sandstone Point Hotel on November 8. If you don’t already have tickets, general admission passes are still available through Ticketek.

Photos credit: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Dreggs @ Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney – 28 June 2024

2024 might be the year of The Dreggs. Seven years since releasing their debut single, they dropped their incredible first album Caught in a Reverie. It’s one of my favourites this year. They’ve also just played their first show at the Enmore Theatre, a bucket list venue for the duo from Yarun/Bribie Island. I was so thrilled to be there to share this milestone with the band.

While Friday was The Dreggs’ night, it was really a celebration of local talent. I was unfamiliar with This New Light from Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast, but he made such a big impression on me. It’s challenging for an emerging artist to fill a theatre with only an acoustic guitar for the majority of the set, but he had me hanging on his every word. His chilled-out folk music was the perfect primer for the evening. He was so sweet too, genuinely humble as he told us how much he’d appreciate us checking out his tunes on Spotify or giving him a follow on Instagram. How could we say no?

I’ve been raving about GRAACE’s music since 2018 (about as long as The Dreggs!), so I was thrilled to finally catch her on stage. Her pop tunes weren’t a natural fit for a night like this, but she owned the stage. I loved watching her dance around as she delivered some of my favourite songs like “Jealous Type” and “Love is Getting Wasted.” Rather than a full band, GRAACE shared the stage with an incredible guitarist. Again, it wasn’t the most natural choice for an alt-pop artist, but I loved seeing her shred. They both got their rock star moment when GRRACE slipped in an unexpected cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” that had everyone singing along.

You could feel the energy shift when Then Dreggs’ stepped out. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such an enthusiastic reception for a local act. Sure, I’ve seen people excited when big names like John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes step out, but those guys are so big that their audience becomes a little diluted by people who’ve simply enjoyed the songs on the radio. When you see an act like The Dreggs, everyone there is incredibly passionate. It’s a beautiful thing to be part of. New songs? Already across them. Old favourites? Everyone was following the band then too so we’re all prepared to sing along to every word.

I knew The Dreggs would sound good, but I don’t think I was quite prepared for exactly how good. The music I loved on their recordings went to the next level on the stage. Paddy Macrae’s banjo was incredible, and the full band brought a new depth to some of those early tracks. These guys are tight. There’s a natural chemistry between Paddy and Zane Harris forged from years of friendship. Their harmonies are second to none. But the whole band gelled together so fabulously. It was a joy to watch the music they created.

They may have a few more rungs on the board than their first support act The New Light, but The Dreggs have a similar humility. They remarked several times that playing the Enmore was something they’ve strived for throughout their career. You could see they didn’t take that moment for granted. They thanked the crowd for their support earnestly and even gifted a fan singing every lyric a merch pack. That pack could have gone to so many people, because every song was a singalong. So many numbers had fans up on their feet, dancing enthusiastically, whether they were on the floor or up in the dress circle. That’s right, even among the seats where people normally want to chill, the show was often a party.

Those party vibes were balanced with sombre moments when Paddy spoke about the duo’s commitment to discussing mental health issues. They’ve explored these issues throughout their time as a band, but perhaps never as eloquently as on the album Caught in a Reverie, a record anchored in grief and what it takes to work through it. It was so powerful seeing these guys using this platform to speak about a topic few men willingly discuss. Hats off to them. Those dark moments were balanced so beautifully with lighter tracks like “She Picks Flowers,” “Keepsake,” and the triumphant final number “Hold Me Closer,” which had us all singing along with its “da da” refrain.

The Dreggs will soon take their show to Aotearoa/New Zealand before closing out the year with a few local dates. Catch them anywhere you can. I promise you’ll have a ball.

19 July 2024 – Hotel Brunswick, durring/Brunswick Heads
26 July 2024 – The Church, Christchurch
27 July 2024 – U Bar, Dunedin
28 July 2024 – Yonder, Queenstown
1 August 2024 – San Fran, Wellington
2 August 2024 – The Tuning Fork, Auckland
7 August 2024 – The Station, Ngarigo Country/Jindabyne
6 October 2024 – Long Jetty Festival, Darkinjung Country/Long Jetty

Photo credit: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Allen Stone @ Enmore Theatre, Eora/Newtown – 15 November 2022

It takes a lot to get me to a midweek gig. And I’m not just talking about the two trains that I need to catch to get to venues like the Enmore. I always know I’m going to be sluggish the next morning, so it’d better be worth my while. Having seen Allen Stone play The Metro back in 2019, I knew he would be. So last night I put on my best dress, dragged myself out of the house on a Tuesday (!), and prepared myself for the party.

Since we couldn’t leave Darkinjung Country/Central Coast until after my husband had finished work, I had to make the choice between getting a decent dinner or seeing the support act. Sorry WILSN, but my stomach won. We arrived with just enough time to settle ourselves in for Allen and admire the theatre. It was my first trip to the Enmore since its renovations. Gee the old girl scrubs up beautifully.

“Uncle Al” always brings the party. He’s such a natural on stage, dancing up a storm and playing off his band. His voice is so rich, warm and textured, perhaps even better in person than on the albums. He had us in raptures with upbeat singles like “Brown Eyed Lover” and “Taste of You.” I’m not sure if everyone was across the new single “5 Minutes”, but they were certainly happy to take Allen’s lead and engage in a little call-and-response. While we love grooving along with him, we’re also happy to swoon at his romantic ballads. Al knows how to write a real love song, ballads that speak from the heart and avoid the cliches. I found myself squeezing my husband’s hand tightly listening to “Consider Me” and “Bring You Blue”. Choice covers like Stevie Wonder’s “A Place in the Sun” and an epic version of Farnsy’s “Two Strong Hearts” had us in raptures.

I’ve got to take a moment to shout out to the audience. There’s often something really special about the crowds who go to see shows from artists who haven’t made an impact on the Australian charts. There are no casual fans, like when you see the latest big thing or an artist who’s been a radio mainstay for decades. They go because they really go. They also tend to be pretty passionate about great music, because they’ve sought this artist out rather than just waiting for radio to deliver them. I love being part of crowds like this. They cheered rapturously, but you could hear a pin drop in those quiet moments. Everyone was in the moment, lapping up every second. Allen praised the audience several times, and even declared we were the best crowd of the tour. Sure, he might say that in every city, but I’ll take it.

When crowds are that good, you can’t leave without an encore. I’m sure I read once that the Enmore’s residential neighbourhood restricts shows from going on too long, but Al insisted he wanted to play two more. I finally got my chance to see the support act WILSN when she joined Al on stage for “Naturally”. She was brilliant. I promise I’ll try to see her next time. Most artists would prefer to end with their own material, but on a night when there were such good vibes in the room, a singalong cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” was the perfect closer.
I didn’t get home until close to 1:30 a.m. Since there are fewer trains and everyone needs to get home, they stop at all stations on the way back home. We can also count on a long wait between connections. I’m very sluggish today, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Uncle Al is just that good.

Allen Stone’s The New Normal tour continues tonight in Naarm/Melbourne. I know midweek gigs are tough, but if you’re ever going to do it, make it for one of these shows:

16 November 2022 – Northcote Theatre/Naarm/Melbourne
19 November 2022 – Harvest Rock Festival, Tartanya/Adelaide
20 November 2022 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
22 November 2022 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LANY @ Enmore Theatre, Newtown – 14 July 2019

Do you remember the excitement you felt at your first concert? The electricity in the air, the pure joy that came from seeing favourite performers create the music you hold so dear right in front of you? Live music has become a bit of a drug for me over the decades, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get the same high I did back in the early days. Now I choose the seats over general admission. While I try to make the support acts, and mostly do, I’ve been known to linger too long over a meal or drinks. Since I typically attend gigs with crowds around my age or much older, the way I experience concerts has mellowed. I didn’t realise how much I missed that “lose your mind” concert excitement until I saw LANY recently at The Enmore.

I’ve never felt so old at a concert. I’m not sure I was the oldest person there, but I’m sure I was the oldest person without a teenage child in tow. I marvelled at the way the young crowd packed out the floor area before Los Leo, the first support act, graced the stage and the way they screamed for the Adelaide opener. I’m not sure they were familiar with his music, but they were more than receptive to his synth-pop tunes. While he’s still a little green, his ‘80s influenced tunes are stellar. With a little more experience, I think he could be a real force.

My inner old fart grumbled at the thought of another support act. It was Sunday night, after all, and while the young audience might have been on school holidays some of us had to get to work the next day. I quickly forgot my reservations watching Robinson perform though. This talented Kiwi is an absolute superstar. Her voice is incredible and she has such a magnetic presence on stage. This woman can move! The room loved her, singing along enthusiastically to songs I didn’t know but quickly warmed to.

I thought the crowd was loud for the support act, but they showed they could reach 11 when LANY graced the stage. Deafening cheers gave way to an enthusiastic singalong of “Thick and Thin,” one of the biggest hits from their 2018 album Malibu Nights. That album was what brought me to the show. It was my favourite release of last year. I think it’s one of the greatest break-up albums ever recorded, so I was thrilled to hear so many of its songs make the set list. Long-time fans weren’t forgotten though, with just as many tracks from their self-titled debut also making an appearance along with a handful from earlier EPs.

Lead singer Paul Klein told the crowd this was the band’s 78th show of the year, an amazing feat considering we’re only just past the halfway point. You might expect a little fatigue to set in, especially with jetlag in the mix, but LANY’s set was one of the most explosive I’ve seen. Paul is such a charismatic front man, whether he’s jumping around during an upbeat number or taking a quiet moment behind the keys. I was absolutely mesmerised. This is no one-man operation though. LANY are one of the tightest bands I’ve ever heard, and that’s because of every person on that stage.

I once read music is the universal language. It crosses cultures and generations. I felt a bit like a fish out of water amongst the young things at LANY, but once the lights went down and we all started singing at the top of our lungs I realised I haven’t left my teenage self too far behind. Paul gushed about how much they love Australia and assured us they’ll be back soon. I will be too, perhaps the oldest in the room but happy to be so.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Marx @ Enmore Theatre, Newtown – 17 June 2016

Last time Richard Marx was in Australia I was a newlywed. This blog didn’t exist, and I was working for a software company rather than myself. It’s hard to believe all of that was 10 years ago, especially when looking at the ageless 80s pop-rocker last Friday night, but as I’ve consulted Google it’s all true.

Last time around Richard was solo and acoustic, so I was excited to see him with a full band this time around. But before all that, Matt Cornell treated us with his musical stylings. I really appreciated his laidback blend of country and folk music. He’s such a talented songwriter, and honing in on his lyrics helped me truly appreciate what he was all about. I’m not sure he was the right fit for this crowd though. They seemed restless and so many of them chatted through his performance. Perhaps on a night sold on nostalgia, something more familiar would have been better received.

Or perhaps the crowd was just focused on the man they came to see, because they erupted for Richard Marx. “Endless Summer Nights” is the sort of song most artists would close with, but when you’ve had as many hits as Richard Marx you don’t need to keep anything in the tank. More smash singles followed, including “Take This Heart,” “Keep Coming Back,” and “Don’t Mean Nothing.” Richard informed us that he goes to enough shows to know what fans really want, and that new tracks would be kept to a minimum, to rapturous applause. I was thrilled to hear the new single “Last Thing I Wanted” though, a song which shows he still has a knack for crafting catchy tunes. He told us how thrilled he was that they’re playing it on stations that play Selena Gomez, when before he was only heard alongside artists like Bette Midler and Barry Manilow.

We all expected him to play “Hazard,” one of his biggest Australian hits. However, I’m not sure anyone anticipated Ronan Keating joining him on stage. I’m not sure the song really works as a duet, but the excitement Ronan’s appearance generated was something special. Personally, I was much more thrilled to see Jack Jones, the former singer of Southern Sons, on guitar for the night. I was in raptures when Richard told us he couldn’t let Jack go without hearing a little of “Lead Me to Water.” Jack’s voice sounds every bit as amazing as it did back in the day.

Another special moment came when Richard treated us to some of the many songs he’s written for other artists: the N*Sync song “This I Promise You,” Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father,” and Keith Urban’s “Long Hot Summer.” I didn’t realise Richard was behind these great songs, but hearing them sing them, it made perfect sense. I felt a little sorry for the folks who couldn’t quite hear when Richard became properly unplugged for “This I Promise You,” but honestly it was the best the audio sounded all night. The Enmore really has a lot to answer for in this regard. The performances of Richard and the band were on point all night, but the sound quality undermined their good work.

Poor sound quality aside, it’s impossible to have a bad night when you’re in the company of such a talented, giving musician treating you to so many fantastic songs. Hopefully he’s true to his word and doesn’t leave us waiting 10 years for the next visit.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

5 Best Places to see Live Music in Sydney, NSW

The Entertainment Centre and Allphones Arena might get the lion’s share of the big-name acts, but there are plenty of better places to see bands in Sydney. Read on to discover five of the best.

1. Sydney Opera House

Image via Flickr by cogdogblog

There’s a reason why international artists revere the Sydney Opera House. Its Concert Hall was purpose-built to offer some of the best acoustics around. Of course it hosts symphonies and operas, but in recent years it’s also played host to an eclectic mix of big-name acts like Tori Amos, Ben Folds, Michael Buble, and Jason Mraz. Seeing a show there always feels extra special.

2. State Theatre

Image via Flickr by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer

I get chills whenever I hear that one of my favourite musicians is performing at the State Theatre. This beautiful heritage-listed building feels a lot like the Civic in my old stomping ground of Newcastle, with its dramatic staircases and eclectic mix of Gothic, Italian, and Art Deco design features. The sound is always exquisite, and it’s so intimate that there really are no bad seats. David Byrne, Human Nature, Cyndi Lauper, and Dave Matthews Band are some of the amazing artists I’ve seen here over the years.

3. Enmore Theatre

Image via Flickr by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer

The Enmore’s another intimate venue that has a real charm. It’s a long way from the beauty of the State; there are no frills about it at all. But you’ve got to have respect for a venue that’s still going strong 106 years after it opened its doors. That makes it the longest-running, currently operational live music venue in the state. The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Coldplay, and John Mayer are just a handful of the artists who’ve played in this hallowed hall.

4. The Annandale Hotel

Image via Flickr by Newtown Graffiti

Of course it can’t all be about posh venues with plush seating though. If you want to see a band before they break you need to brave the sticky floors of Sydney’s pubs and clubs. Some of my fondest early music memories centred around the Annandale. I remember catching artists like Howie Day and Thirsty Merc here for next to nothing back in the day. I haven’t been for years, but a quick look at its website shows me the Annandale’s still showcasing the best up and comers.

5. The Standard Bowl

I was so impressed with The Standard when I visited a few years ago, even if I did feel far too old for its hipster crowd. If, like me, you’re too old to stand around all night waiting for the bands to appear, arrive early and sneak up to the top level where you can enjoy a few bevvies while you survey the action below. I loved the bird’s eye view I got upstairs, but there’s also plenty of space on the lower level for punters wanting to get a little closer to the action. And it just got even cooler this year with the addition of a bowling alley!

Where do you like to see live music in Sydney? Add your views to the discussion below!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Top Aussie Acts Fundraise for Anti-Fracking Initiative

Some of Australia’s most eco-friendly musicians are joining forces for Rock the Gate, a massive fundraising effort for Lock the Gate, the alliance behind Australia’s anti-fracking movement. The Rock the Gate show will see the diverse talents of Pete Murray, The Herd, Ash Grunwald, Tex Perkins and the Dark Horses, Natalia Pa’apa’a Trio, Diesel n’ Dub, Nahko, Trevor Hall, and heaps more rocking Sydney’s Enmore Theatre to support this important cause.

If you don’t know, fracking is unsafe coal seam gas mining. More than half of Australia is under fracking exploration license, despite the international community condemning the practice. But this isn’t the sort of thing archvillain Tony Abbott’s going to worry about, is it? Thankfully we’ve got awesome musos and lobby groups that can shine a light on this important issue.

Tickets are dirt cheap at $75 a pop and all proceeds go directly to Lock the Gate, so snap yours up and support this great cause.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barnesy Leads All-Star Lineup for Cambodian Children’s Trust

Some of Australia’s finest entertainers will come together at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Monday September 30 to raise funds for the Cambodian Children’s Trust.

Arj Barker will host the event which features performances from Jimmy Barnes, Lior, Diesel, David Campbell, Mahalia Barnes, Prinnie Stevens, Mitchell Anderson, Darren Percival, iOTA, and The Party People Collective.

Money raised will help the local charity Cambodian Children’s Trust improve the quality of life for Cambodia’s orphans and needy children. You can learn more about the charity and their vital work in this video.

Tickets are available now from the Enmore Theatre.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Joshua Radin @ Enmore Theatre, 21 June 2011

After a fairly busy few weeks, I really needed a bit of R and R. I found it this week at the performance of one of my favourite singers, Joshua Radin.

Unfortunately the slow dinner service at the delicious Italian restaurant we found meant that I missed all but the final song of Jim Bianco’s set. I’m really disappointed by that. He had an awesome folky pirate thing going on that I would have loved to hear more of.

Thankfully we were all settled in for Andy Bull. I’d enjoyed the music I’d heard from Andy before, but experiencing it in a live setting brought it to another level. This is probably one of the larger venues he’s played, but he made it feel so intimate with his stories about the songs and sweet, self conscious manner. It takes a very special performer to fill a theatre with just a voice and some keyboards. Despite being excited about Joshua’s appearance, I was a little sad to see him leave the stage.

The last time I saw Joshua he was playing at the uni bar, acoustic and solo for the most part. This show was a bit of a step up, in the hallowed halls of the Enmore Theatre with plugged in band mates in tow. One of the things I’ve always loved about Joshua Radin’s music was its intimacy. These are really small songs made for minimalist treatments. We didn’t always get that at this week’s show. Some songs received frenetic finishes they didn’t really need, particularly by the Danish drummer who seemed he was just waiting to join a big rock band. But for the most part the musical treatments were understated enough to keep me happy.

My favourite moments saw Joshua on his own though, acoustic guitar in hand creating music that was stripped back enough to let his lyrics shine through. Few artists could get away with leaving us with something as mellow as “Winter,” from his first album, but for me this encore was a clear highlight. I also loved hearing “Today,” the song that made me fall for him all those years ago, and my personal favourite “You’ve Got Growing Up To Do.”

Just like Andy Bull, Joshua is one of those special singers who shares himself with his audience. Hearing the way the songs took shape helped me see them in a whole new light, and listening to him speak of his fondness for our country endeared him to me even more.

It had its flaws, but a night with Joshua Radin is always a night well spent. Whether he brings the full band or not, I’ll be queuing up for tickets on his inevitable return.

Image source: Stephen Katulka