I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a weekend as jam-packed with music as last weekend. I wrote about Fire Fight yesterday, but before all that went down I was dodging showers in the Hunter Valley at Red Hot Summer. Those storms meant this year’s event wasn’t as steamy as previous affairs, but the action on the big stage certainly lived up to the tour’s moniker.
I have been waiting an age to see Boom Crash Opera live. This blog tells me that it was 2014 when my parents were running so late to a Day on the Green concert that I only caught the tail-end of their set. In the years since, Dale Ryder left the band and rejoined! To say I was anticipating their set was an understatement, but they delivered everything I hoped. All the hits performed with the sort of energy and flair that makes you forget this band has been kicking around since the 80s.
Killing Heidi were another act I’ve always enjoyed but never managed to catch live. I’m pretty sure they haven’t lost anything over the years though. Their sound is just as tight as ever, and I can’t imagine Ella Hooper was any more energetic in her teenage years. She knows how to command a stage, bouncing around with a joy and confidence that’s so mesmerising to watch. It’s been a long time since I was an angsty teen, but songs like “Mascara” and “Weir” still resonate. Not even the first of the afternoon’s downpours can dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm.
We went from one strong female-fronted rock act to another, with Baby Animals taking the stage next. They broke the mould when they made Suze DeMarchi. She’s such a strong frontwoman, delivering the band’s hits with a cool confidence that draws you in. Those hits came thick and fast, encouraging the crowd to join their voices for songs like “Painless,” “Early Warning,” and “One Word.” They’re another act that seem to have lost nothing over the years. What a class act.
The Hunter Valley crowd was already enthusiastic, but their excitement certainly kicked up a notch when The Angels took to the stage. I first saw the Dave Gleeson-fronted outfit back in 2014, before Doc Neeson left us. At the time there was a little unease about the situation because this band was born out of a rift between Doc and the Brewster brothers. Now though time has healed all wounds and this band seems like a wonderful way to honour Doc’s musical legacy. Those songs are what matters, and Dave Gleeson performs them with the right blend of reverence and irreverence. It was enough to convert a friend of mine, who arrived at the gig a sceptic but emerged from the sweaty mosh pit singing Dave’s praises.
The Angels turned things up to 11 but The Living End kept the dial right there. They are another ‘90s act who age has not wearied. Their brand of punk is every bit as loud and defiant, their sound every bit as tight. They admitted they might struggle to get the crowd participation The Angels did with “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again,” but I think we all gave it a crack joining in with “Prisoner of Society.” Theirs was the performance of the day for me.
I do have a soft spot for James Reyne though. His mellow numbers gave us all a chance to catch our breath, enjoy a couple of wines and sing along. We probably aren’t getting all the words right, mind you, but the intent is there. James is always reliable and appreciated, delivering a greatest hits set which draws from his days with Australian Crawl, Company of Strangers, and his solo years. I’ve gushed about his performances before and I no doubt will again. They don’t reinvent the wheel, but they are so solid that I will never tire of them.
Hunters & Collectors were our headliners, an understandable decision since they haven’t toured together since 2014. The big hits certainly went down a treat. The crowd lapped up singalong favourites like “Holy Grail,” “When the River Runs Dry,” and “Throw Your Arms Around Me.” The band sounded so tight, I couldn’t fault what they did. However, this is my fourth Red Hot Summer tour. The headliners usually get the crowds up on their feet, singing along to every song. This time around I found I could sit on my camp chair and enjoy a clear view of the stage, especially once the crowd started clearing out. I’m sure the punters down the front who anticipated the band’s return were satisfied, but for so many of us casual radio fans the more experimental tracks in their set didn’t resonate. I can’t help thinking that they would have been better suited to an earlier slot with a pared-down set that focused on the hits. Red Hot Summer gigs aren’t like typically concerts; people aren’t just there for the headliners. They attract a wider audience and as such the headliners really need that widespread appeal. When you lose so much of the crowd before the end, I think it’s a sign the wrong call was made.
Questions about running order aside, Red Hot Summer has grown over the last 10 years to become one of the best festivals in the country. Its focus on Australian acts and commitment to visiting regional areas are to be commended. I’ve attended events in Port Macquarie, Kariong, and the Hunter Valley and they always have such good vibes. The organisers might not always get everything right, but they come pretty close. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the announcement of next year’s line-up. Red Hot Summer tickets are rarer than hen’s teeth, but if you can find some I highly recommend getting along to one of the remaining shows.
22 February 2020 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island
23 February 2020 – Queens Park – Frogs Hollow, Toowoomba
29 February 2020 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island
1 March 2020 – Harrigans Drift Inn, Jacobs Well
7 March 2020 – Mackay Park, Batemans Bay
14 March 2020 – Kiama Showgrounds, Kiama
21 March 2020 – Gateway Lakes, Wodonga
28 March 2020 – North Gardens, Ballarat
29 March 2020 – Seppeltsfield, Barossa Valley
4 April 2020 – Lazy River Estate, Dubbo
11 April 2020 – Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin
18 April 2020 – Barlow Park, Cairns
25 April 2020 – Mornington Racecourse, Mornington
26 April 2020 – Noosa & District Sports Complex, Noosa
Image source: Stephen Katulka
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.
Some of Australia’s most beloved artists will perform for regional audiences this summer. Dubbed the Red Hot Summer Tour, the travelling concert series features a bumper line-up including Cold Chisel comrades Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss, Baby Animals, Dragon, Ross Wilson, and Chocolate Starfish.