After six successful Victorian events, One Electric Day decided to share the love and go national. Sydney responded, snapping up so many tickets organisers moved the show to the picturesque Cockatoo Island. While arriving for that early morning ferry meant this Central Coast girl set off around 8am, the beautiful trip down the harbour helped me get into the spirit. What a magic spot Cockatoo Island is. It didn’t hurt that we were blessed with the kind of weather I rarely experience during outdoor concerts, with beautiful blue skies and mild temperatures. Absolutely perfect.
After playing MC, Taylor Sheridan strapped on his acoustic guitar for the first set of the day. I’ve seen talented singer-songwriter play at several Red Hot Summer shows and he always impresses. He played some stellar originals and just enough covers to keep the punters on side, although that was a real challenge when his set was broken into two parts. I’m not sure who thought it would be a good idea for him to play two sets, but as his second act wore on I could sense most of us were ready for the bigger names. It’s a shame, because he really is a talent.
No doubt some of my restlessness can be attributed to my excitement about seeing Southern Sons. I was just 14 when the Melbourne outfit disbanded, too young to go to the shows. Hearing they would play together again was all the incentive I needed to snap up tickets. After waiting a quarter of a century for this set, you can bet my expectations were high. Southern Sons did not let me down though. I knew Jack Jones was still in fine form, after catching him solo a few months back, but the chemistry he has with his band mates really elevated this set to the next level. What a treat to hear not just the singles but album cuts as well. Watching the gratitude on Jack’s face as he led us in a singalong of “Hold Me in Your Arms” was a highlight amongst a really special set. Can I put in an early request for a tour? The Southern Sons story doesn’t feel done.
Vanessa Amorosi also took me back to my youth, opening up with an abridged version of “Absolutely Everybody” before bringing us all the attitude of “Have a Look.” She doesn’t look or move like she’s aged a day. I marvelled at the way she could jump down off the speakers, mix with the crowd, then jump back up to continue her set. I tried to get up on my kitchen bench to clean my aircon recently and failed miserably. But I digress. Needless to say, Vanessa puts us all to shame. She might look like she’s still in her teens and she certainly doesn’t mind bringing us the hits, but her set wasn’t just about that early nostalgia. As I watched her perform, I realised just how many smashing singles she’s had over the years. She introduced us to a handful of new tracks from her recently released album Back to Love as well, proving that her best music may be yet to come.
I’ve got to admit, by the time Jon Stevens was ready to grace the stage, I felt spent. The early morning and time on my feet caught up with me and I retired to my chair. I might have left the party early though, because Jon Stevens’ set was the highlight for many. Delivering Noiseworks and INXS hits was always going to go down a treat with this crowd, who were soon spilling out over the standing room zone. He’s such a rock star too, with all the moves to keep an audience in the palm of his hand. A surprise appearance from former bandmate Steve Balbi was the icing on the top of a tasty musical cake.
Every time I see James Reyne perform I remember just how much I love him. His songs are absolutely flawless. He’s a really cool dude that does his thing with such professionalism and heart, without any real fuss or fanfare. He always treats us to a greatest hits set, yet it never feels forced or formulaic. It’s easy to forget he’s sung these songs countless times because he puts so much of himself in them. And what songs they are too. “Reckless,” “Errol,” “Hammerhead,” “Beautiful People,” “Slave,” I could go on. Every one an absolute winner.
Speaking of greatest hits, John Farnham closed the show the only way he can. With those songs and that voice that are exactly what people come to see. The love for one of Australia’s most iconic singers is palpable, and he gives it right back to the audience. The hits come thick and fast, keeping the energy at 11. He doesn’t even seem to mind playing “Sadie” these days. Personally I’d love to see him shake up the sets because after a few shows in recent years I’m starting to anticipate what he’ll do when and how. Still, predictability isn’t the worst thing in the world when what you do gets so much love. Nothing beats that singalong to “You’re The Voice” either!
Shuffling back onto the ferries to start the long journey back to the coast I felt exhausted; I’d been on the go for more than 14 hours at that point and knew I was still around three from getting to my front door. However, I also felt buoyed by the local talents I’d witnessed that day. I might have been there for one of the earliest bands, but there were no weak links. You’re coming back next year One Electric Day, right?
Image source: Stephen Katulka
I intended to write about this tour yesterday, but instead I found myself going down the 
I’ve never really been a Shannon Noll fan. His music is easy to listen to, but it always felt a little Triple M by the numbers for me. However, seeing him live I have a brand new appreciation for Nollsy. He’s such a showman, the quintessential Aussie larrikin with a great collection of songs that make people smile. Simple. I turned to my husband and said watching Nollsy belt out The Choirboys’ “Run to Paradise” may just be the most Australian thing I’ve ever seen at a gig. And even though he’s probably sung “What About Me?” more times than I’ve had hot dinners, he still put all his heart and soul into it. I was also not so secretly thrilled to see him decked out in double denim, with jeans and a sleeveless vest. I’m not sure he could have chosen a more perfect outfit!
Jon Stevens stood in for an ailing Daryl Braithwaite. I must admit, it took me a little while to warm up to him. In a show like this, you have such a short time with the fans. And let’s face it, as a fill-in act, they’re probably not your fans. So to start slow to a bunch of songs most of us didn’t know seemed an odd choice. All was forgiven once the hits started coming through. As well as the Noiseworks standards there was “Disappear,” an INXS track which reminded me of the very first time I saw Jon, fronting the seminal Aussie rock band. He also paid tribute to Dazza with a stirring cover of “The Horses.” By “Hot Chilli Woman” we were all in ecstasy right along with him.
James Reyne was the act I was most looking forward to, and as always, he didn’t disappoint. I’ve seen him play so many times, but mostly in an acoustic setting. So to hear him electric with a full band was bags of fun. His set was flawless, delivering all of the songs anyone could hope for, from his days with Australian Crawl to his solo successes. What a talent.
John Farnham was the man so many people of Port Macquarie came to see, as is evidence by how quickly the general admission area filled once his set began. It’s a shame that Westport Park doesn’t slope, because any parts that I could see from my comfy camp chair were on the big screens rather than the stage as people gathered in front. John Farnham’s voice is undeniable though. His set brought us hit after hit from his solo career and even his time in Little River Band. “Burn For You” was a poignant highlight, although it would have been nice if the yobbos in front of me could have quit laughing as they hoisted women onto their shoulders and taken a moment to be quiet and listen. It’s all about respect guys, for both the artists and the people around you who want to get lost in the music. My husband and I had to stand for “The Voice” because, well, it seemed unAustralian not to. During it my husband turned to me and said “No Lauren, this is the most Australian thing we’ve ever witnessed as a concert.” As we all sang out the chorus is was hard to disagree. As John came back for an encore I wondered what could be left in his repertoire. Where do you go after “The Voice”? It seems you visit the back catalogue of another legendary Aussie act, AC/DC. “It’s a Long Way to the Top” was the ideal end for this celebration of Aussie talent. I just wondered though, why not make use of the bagpipers you’ve already brought for “The Voice”? It seemed a strange choice.
Sir Bob Geldof will join locals Danielle Spencer and Jon Stevens for the Rock & Rebuild charity concert at Star City’s Lyric Theatre on May 1.