The Palms at Crown in Melbourne was the place to be on Friday as Jon Stevens started his Big Birthday Bash with a band. A sell out show meant Stevens was certainly not celebrating alone as he tore through his set of fan favourites and hits from Noiseworks & INXS.
Kicking off the night was the exceptional Taylor Sheridan, a country boy from Kyneton with a hat and a guitar, who sings with a open and emotional voice. He is a storyteller who tells a great yarn leading into every song. He reminds me of a Australian
version of Zach Bryan. As a support act, Sheridan was able to get nine hundred strong audience clapping and cheering by the end of his set.
Taylor is releasing his first album ‘Troubadour’ at the start of next year and it will be well worth a listen, judging by the set he played tonight. If Taylor is playing in your neighbourhood I would definitely go and see him live and I think like me, you will be pleasantly surprised.
“Take Me Back to You, It’s Been a Long Time” since I have seen Jon Stevens live. Jon, now with distinguished silvery locks, has not lost any of his stage presence or vocal ability. He has surrounded himself with a wonderful collection of musicians which includes guitarist Tim Henwood (Palace of the King, The Superjesus, Rogue Traders) and Johnny Salerno (Suzi Quatro, Vanessa Amorosi) and a setlist filled with classics from Noiseworks and INXS, that would impress anyone who attends his shows, with even a surprise performance by bandmate Tony Kopa (guitarist and ex-lead vocalist of The Truth) singing the Bob Marley classic “Is This Love”.
The mainly over 40’s crowd, except young Cooper, who Jon singled out, were up on their feet and dancing before the first beat of the opening track was played and they didn’t rest until till the end. Once again ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ was a set highlight with the sell-out crowd singing in unison. Jon, it was great to celebrate your 62nd birthday with you and the nine hundred other fans at the Crown Palms in Melbourne.
Happy birthday from all at The Rockpit.
With thanks to Jon’s team for the media access. Photos by Steve Green. Review by Kelly Green.
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