What do you get when you combine two of this country’s finest singers, lock them into some of Australia’s top class venues and then to top it off, add a collection of supreme musicians into the mix? Well, you get Superstars Live. A show which brings together some of the most incredible songs that have graced stages, stadiums and radio stations, not only here in Australia but across the world.
It’s hard to believe it was way back in 1992 that Jon Stevens & Kate Ceberano joined forces with an all-star rock cast that smashed this country’s arena records with their tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and 32 years later that magic certainly hasn’t diminished. The setting for tonight’s performance seems just as fitting, with Perth Concert Hall boasting incredible acoustics that is guaranteed to enhance any show.
Tonight’s support was nothing short of wonderful. A lone guitarist stepping out in front of a sell-out crowd of over 1700 people, only to announce he had been brought in a mere hour or so before the show. Welcome to the stage, Howie Morgan… and what a set he delivered. Warm, humorous and immensely talented, he kicking off with Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, and with that Howie immediately won the crowd over, encouraging them to sing the chorus and the Perth crowd eagerly obliged. How do you follow that? Well, with some Crowded House of course, as Morgan eased his way through ‘Weather with You’ as once again the crowd helped with the chorus.
A short tale of his connection and admiration for Jon & Kate led us to learn he has worked with & known Kate for over ten years when her brother Phil asked Howie to fill in for him on one of her tours and the friendship remained. Time for an original, with Howie telling us it was written about making bad decisions on a Saturday night – ‘Sunday Morning’ was well received. With Cold Chisel only just leaving WA days before, Morgan’s version of ‘Flame Trees’ was a reminder of what many had experienced at the weekend at Sandalford’s. Another original in ‘Rise’ highlighted the Perth-based musician’s talents before he closed his set by telling us he had time for “one and a half songs”. ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ allowed Howie to flex his acoustic playing muscles before switching and finishing with Ben E. King’s sublime ‘Stand by Me’ – and the crowd loved it. Keep an eye out for Howie at local Perth venues and support out incredible WA talent.
After a short break we settled down for the main event and as the lights dimmed the band took their places and fired up with the ‘Overture’ from Jesus Christ Superstar, guitarists Tim Henwood and Kathleen Halloran trading parts before launching into ‘Heaven on Their Minds’ and the entrance of Jon Stevens. Having seen Jon live regularly over the last few years it has always amazed me just how his voice seems to be at a constant level of power but with it an incredible quality and from the opening notes of ‘HOTM’ I knew tonight was going to be special. A flash of that cheeky grin had the crowd a-buzz as Stevens waded across the stage, with the odd teasing wink to his front row faithful. Rapturous applause followed as Kate Ceberano eligantly glided onto the stage to meet Jon, before he eased back into the shadows allowing her to shine with ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’.
Noiseworks anthem ‘Touch’ reminded us that this was going to be a rollercoaster night of hits, with Stevens leaning forward to fist pump lucky fans, as Ceberano took her turn to step back to join backing singers Michelle Serret-Cursio & Angela Librandi. And so it continued as the superstars traded hits & places throughout the night (keep an eye out during the last shows to see if Jon manages to get his backing singer dance routines sorted) with Kate performing ‘Brave’ from her 1989 debut album of the same name. ‘No Lies’ and ‘Pash’ were expected inclusions but it was the surprises and duets that really lifted this night of nights.
We don’t want to spoil it for those that haven’t seen the show yet but highlights included some wonderfully unexpected covers like The Eurythmics ‘Missionary Man’, with Jon telling a story of how excited he was with Noiseworks supporting the UK hitmakers before getting to work with Dave Stewart on his ‘Starlight’ album back in 2017. “I told him we had supported him & Annie back in the day. He looked at me and said he didn’t remember! I was devastated because I loved those guys!”, Jon quips. The ‘Australian Made’ segment was mind-blowing, with homage paid to the likes of INXS, Models and Divinyls, giving the band chance to loosen off with some incredible musicianship.
‘Hot Chilli Woman’ never disappoints with Steven’s hitting those screams effortlessly (once he’s had a sip of his ‘tea’) and rocking out the Concert Hall, with pockets of the audience on their feet, before being told to sit by the prudish ushers. A time to talk and reflect as Kate gave a brief insight into what Jesus Christ was like back then. “We were signed up to do a run of around of shows but never imagined we would end up performing over 100 of them.” And then a wonderful tribute and nod of appreciation for the other John in their lives. “Every night I had the pleasure of being between two of them,” she teased before performing ‘Everything’s Alright’ with Stevens singing Farnham’s Jesus part.
The tribute continued as they tore into a superb Farnham Medley which once again had large parts of the crowd on their feet, much to the discomfort and disdain of the Concert Hall staff. We won’t tell you what songs were in the medley… we’ll leave you to guess and enjoy. But I’m sure you know what was the last song they belted out was before leaving to a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd.
A two song encore followed with ‘Take Me Back’ keeping each and every person on their feet (yes, staff gave up at this point) as the obligatory sing-a-long ensued. We’ll leave you to enjoy the closer without spoiling it but is was breath-taking. Tonight wasn’t just about the music… it was about being in the presence of two incredibly close friends and being able to see the fabulous natural chemistry they ooze. It felt a privilege to be able to witness something so special and personal.
A special mention must go to the band who once again showed why they are all top of their game, with the likes of Tony Kopa, Johnny Salerno, Glenn Reither, Chris Bekker, Tim Henwood, Kathleen Halloran, backing singers Michelle Serret-Cursio, Angela Librandi and Musical Director Grant Windsor putting on an amazing show of faultless musicianship, highlighting that the whole show is full of Superstars.
Thank you to Lee Rogers, Kate, Jon & Tony for the media access. Photos by Hunter Brothers Media
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