2018 started with a bang in the form of this year’s Red Hot Summer Tour which features some of Australia’s most iconic acts and headlined by the legendary Suzi Quatro. Held on the pristine Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia, the event was threatened by some wild weather further north which thankfully never arrived but the steaming hot temperatures on the sandy banks of the island made for an interesting experience that was led by some great music.
Veteran Aussie rockers Moving Pictures opened the show and from the get-go it was a slick performance with vocals remarkably on point as on the original recordings, their hit song “What About Me” instantly recognisable as the crowd fight the heat and shuffle over the sand to the stage and start bobbing along. The fans are encouraged to sing along to an iconic track as they sway to the rhythms of the music, it was an excellent start to the day.
Chocolate Starfish come out next with the vocalist dressed up in an all glitter suit, are warmly welcomed by the crowd while I’m thinking, ‘How is he going to survive this heat!’ Another classic with “Your So Vain” gets the crowd moving but sadly they didn’t feature “Mountain” on the setlist but all in all they nailed all the songs that did make the set.
29 years as a band saying they are happy to come to Perth after so long, the crowd thickens and swells immensely as The Screaming Jets hit the stage and play “Better”! Starting off in Newcastle and leaving for Sydney to make a go at the music industry, vocalist Dave Gleeson tells the story of how they left their hometown with some money and a bunch of drugs and 2 hours into the trip they run out of the latter but once arriving in Sydney they base themselves in Kings Cross where there is no shortage! It’s been one hell of a ride since then of course and the band make no exceptions in putting on a great performance for us today.
With some original members from Perth it’s good to see Baby Animals playing close to their home town again! Opening with the hit “Rush” everybody goes into song with them, followed by “One Word” – the crowd is pumped. A little distortion doesn’t throw the band off as they continue to deliver the old songs and new, there was so much energy on stage and in the crowd which was great to see but maybe a little overwhelming for some of us. That was my cue to slip out of my shoe and decide I’m going back to the drinking area!
By the time The Angels hit the stage next, the crowd is packed. They kick things off as I manage to get to the front of the fence and secure my spot for a bobbing set while everyone singing along while the band doesn’t miss a beat. Veteran members John and Rick Brewster work with a young band these days while still creating rock history, it’s amazing that these guys are still doing what they do without losing the essence of what makes The Angels such an iconic band. Playing the last song, everyone bows their head to set the mood then start rocking “Coming Down” which followed “Shadow Boxer”. Just to add even more entertainment to the day, a quokka decides to grace the crowd and so we dub him the “rocker quokka”! A fitting way to end the show as we say farewell to The Angels for the day.
Suzi Quatro finished up the show for the the day as the afternoon, still sweltering in the heat, came to a close. Parked in the front row for this queen of rock, I grew up with her music so I was particularly excited! Opening with “Mama’s Boy” with “Tear Me Apart” following not long after, the crowd are fully into some serious karaoke sing along while Suzi effortlessly makes her way to the musicians on the stage to include them into this monumental show. “Stumbling In” slows the crowd down with an old school classic while “48 Crash” sees Suzi give an introduction to the song which was written about men. “She’s In Love With You” continues things along, “Can The Can” also makes the set which at this point is just full of hit songs. Before things end, “Devil Gate Drive” was also played and everyone went wild including myself singing along with the people I had met to spend the day with. We all sang with everyone during what is considered to be one of biggest songs ever by Suzi Quatro!
As I prepare to make my way to catch the ferry home, Suzie belts out “If You Can’t Give Me Love” which results in me feeling pretty satisfied with the hits she has chosen to please this crowd. As I look around the crowd while reflecting on the day, there was many faces who showed signs of seeing some bands that have made history. What an awesome day at Red Hot Summer Tour. I was so impressed not only with Hotel Rottnest for managing a massive crowd but also the generations of people I met! Not only those who were around when this music made history but the younger generation that appreciates the history of rock and the families that brought children who they raised on these historical rock legends that paved the way for a new age of music and what it is today!
I have to include that I met some amazing people from the generation that was there during the turn of events in music history and I commend these people who raised their children on this music as my mother raised me listening to some of these band and the other bands that came to stardom when I was a teenager. But these people brought their own children that listened to the music their parents grew up with and played to them as my parents did with me but also the generation in the middle of all that who came along to witness some history.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Tammie Molotov – Molotov Enterprises & Photography
