What a stellar line up of artists we were treated to. Mornington Racecourse housed one of the biggest and best line ups of this year or any year and the team at Face To Face Touring has curated the best of the best. Each and every artist on this billing are world class, some international superstars in their own right, while the others deserve to be. At home they certainly were all engrained in our lifestyle, musically and culturally.
Today’s first act was 1927, these Melbourne heroes who took Australia’s hearts by storm. In 1988 1927 sat on top of the ARIA charts with their debut album “…ish” which went five times platinum here and spawned four top ten hits, all anthems in their own right and today we were treated to all of these songs.
Frontman Erik Weideman is the only original member in the line up today but has surrounded himself with some of this country’s finest musicians. There is an attention to detail in the delivery of these songs. Today the band were firing on all cylinders and sounded the best they have band since their reformation in 2019. To put that in perspective the band in 2019 were simply superb. Armed with a songbook that just delivered hit after hit 1927 has the racecourse crowd in fine voice and well and truly warmed up.
I was on schedule to arrive to shoot the band but chaotic traffic into the Mornington Racecourse saw us moving at a snails pace of 700m in 21 minutes. But the beauty of their set is it could be heard perfectly as we were entering the grounds. The band were on fire as they rolled through hit after hit solidifying them as true Australian icons.
Setlist : To Love Me, Don’t Forget Me, Tell Me A Story, You’ll Never Know, Compulsory Hero, The Story Never Ends, That’s When I Think Of You, If I Could.
Southern Sons are one of my all time favourite Australian Bands. Jack Jones is possibly my favourite Australian voice and his guitar work is just sublime. I’m just going to put that out there now. The reunited Southern Suns are original members Reggie Bowman (Guitars/Vocals), Geoff Cain (Bass), Jack Jones (Vocals/Guitars) and newest member Pete Drummond (Drums/Vocals). Since the bands reformation in 2019 and the run of shows as a part of One Electric Day there has been a steady surge of demand for he band and with shows on a semi frequent basis in Melbourne the wheels started turning again. Today’s set was a masterclass in song, friendship, musicianship and voice. Jones has lost nothing vocally and in my opinion has aged like a fine wine. Bowman is the perfect support and the musical driver.
A short, sweet but powerful performance reminded everyone in attendance why this band was and still is a force to be reckoned with. Opening with “Always & Ever” we were transported right back to the start of their career. Perfectly played with so much heart Mornington moved into full voice from the get go. The magic, the love was instant. “Something More” was beautifully delivered with performances from all that it’s a hunting track that just oozes connection. With the other members leaving the stage Jones with his acoustic guitar delivered a beautifully passionate version of “Hold Me In Your Arms” which again incited a full sing back from the crowd. The highlight of this song is the note that Jones holds for what seems like an eternity. When I say that it’s perfect, precise and freakishly long. Looking around during this note that he hold you can see almost a disbelief on faces. Yes folks Jones still has it in spades.
“Gold” is the best worst kept secret Southern Sons song. Written during covid by Bowman and Jones it has been performed by Jones solo at almost every show since. As Jones said it’s never been released but somehow people know it. That is the sign of an amazing song. With a promise of a 7” vinyl release soon this only stirs up what else they are possibly sitting in the form of new material. Having heard it live since the post return of music it’s not hard to understand why the they get the reaction to it the they do. It’s a great song and its lyric are just as engrained as any of the other hits.
Self deprecating in the most humble and humorous of ways Jones has incredible stories to go with his songs. Paying tribute to John Farnham he tells the story of touring with Farnham and the opportunity to duet with Farnham that he declined. Jones plays “Burn For You’ and in this song it is evident why he is the finest male voice in this country and has been for thirty five years. The sets closer was forwarded with the story of how a D chord changed the trajectory and careers of all Jones, Cain & Bowman. ‘Heart In Danger’ closed the set with a loud and proud audience participation. What a set and what a time. Notably Jones has performed with both of tonight’s headliners in Marx and Arena so there is something very special about today. Oh to have been a fly on the wall backstage.
Setlist : Always & Ever, Something More, Hold Me In Your Arms, Gold, Burn For You, Lead Me To Water, Waiting For That Train, Heart In Danger.
For those that have been following us here at The Rockpit for a while you will know we have a huge place in our hearts for Kate Ceberano. Her run of Superstar shows with Jon Stevens a little while ago were phenomenal, and any of the team here will jump at the chance to experience her live. If Superstar was an indication of what Kate has prepared for us today we were going to be in for a treat. Oh my what a treat it was too. Starting with ‘Pash’ Ceberano as radiant and fun loving as I have seen her had the crowd in the palm of her hand. The two, three punch of back to back Models songs that featured her on backing vocals had everyone singing along.
A stirring version of ‘I Won’t Let You Down’ followed and what was evident was that today’s set was truly going to be a career retrospective and a tribute to the songs that shaped her career. Bring it on I say. ‘Love Is Alive’ and ‘True Romantic’ brings us back to songs from Kates career, there is just so much fun in these songs. ‘Boys In Town’ Ceberano’s tribute to the late great Chrissy Amphlet of the Divinyls is delivered in a way that truly honours and respects the sound and energy of the original. Amphlet to me is one of those voices that is often imitated but what made her so special was in the way she sang and delivered her songs. Ceberano nails this and if there was ever a reason for The Divinyls to reform or pay tribute to their impact on Australian rock N roll, Kate is the only person that can deliver these song the way they were written and perform. Giving this some thought I would love it if Kate did a Divinyls tribute set on an upcoming tour.
We stepped into the Time Machine and went way back to the beginning of her career as she delivered a five song medley of I’m Talking songs, which if you weren’t aware four of those were top 10 hits in this country. Delivered perfectly Ceberano’s band were simply on fire. At this stage I have to mention just how incredible Kate’s band is, guitarist Kathleen Halloran is simply superb her understanding of these songs is as if she had written them originally. Her rhythm section was tight and all kinds of locked in and those incredible studio sounds from the recordings were perfectly replicated on keys. With two backing vocalists that were also a part of the Superstar shows, no attention to detail has been spared. ‘Brave’ the song she wrote at the age of sixteen still has the most potent and relatable of messages and has to be my favourite song of hers for the reason I mentioned earlier, the message.
Ceberano has a way of effortlessly connecting with a crowd and has an incredible way of using between song stories and banter to keep us locked on her. The haunting ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ from Jesus Christ Superstar oozed emotion and before we knew it Ceberano’s husband was pulled onto stage to make the decision of which one of the mage hits she would play. The choices were ‘Bedroom Eyes’ and ‘Young Boys Are My Weakness’ the decision was unanimous with the crowd making so much noise that both were played. ‘Bedroom Eyes’ featured a medley of reggae tunes in the middle that just added to the fun. Today more than ever, Ceberano was simply on fire, an exceptional set and performance from all. Bring on more Kate in 2025.
Setlist : Pash, Out Of Mind Out Of Sight, Barbados, I Won’t Let You Down, Love Is Alive, True Romantic, Boys In Town, I’m Talking Medley, Brave, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Bedroom Eyes, Young Boys Are My Weakness.
One of the original kins of Australian Pop, Daryl Braithwaite took to the stage next. Opening with a trio of Sherbet songs ‘Blues walking’ ‘Howzat’ and ‘Summer Love’ had me in heaven. Could this be the show where he plays and celebrates the bands career with an entire set of those sound of the seventies? Unfortunately not, but I’m not going to complain, what a way to start a short 9 song set. Well short on songs, you all know what took up the most time in the set today, the closer ‘The Horses’.
As always Braithwaite’s band are tight, precise and deliver the goods. With the songs from the two massive solo albums in the late 80’s & early 90’s making up a part of the remaining songs the set was a stream of favourites from the last decade or so. This year’s ‘It’s You’ is a killer modern pop anthem as ‘Love Songs’ from 2020.
The guy knows how to deliver a set and this was exceptional. Closing with the song so engrained in Australian culture ‘The Horses” was a sing along experience. If you have seen this live you know the drill. It’s fun, but personally I would have preferred another two Sherbet songs.
Setlist : Blues Walkin’, Howzat, Summer Love, Rise, It’s You, Days Go By, Love Songs, One Summer, The Horses.
The first of today’s headliners took to the stage in what would be the delivery of a masterclass in songwriting. Richard Marx has been on top of the charts for the last four decades as a writer. As a solo performer his debut album went triple-platinum and made history with his first seven singles reaching the top 5 of the Billboard Charts, If that isn’t the way to start a resume I’m not sure what is. In what has been one of my most anticipated shows this year, finally getting to experience Marx live with his band is a huge bucket list for me. Those first two solo albums, Self titled and “Repeat Offender” were on constant rotation in the later part of the eighties and those songs were timestamps in life.
I know I always say it but music has always been the soundtrack to life. At sixty one years of age Marx has aged like a fine wine. His voice still has that gentle rasp that is his calling card. Opening with ‘Believe In Me’ from 2022’s “Songwriter” album it is evident nothing has been lost. With every hit you could have hoped for in this set, we were all transported where and when these songs first struck and stuck with us. Although today was a slight shortened from his regular touring set there was more than enough to sing along to.
Before launching into ‘Angelia’ Marx told the story behind how it’s idea actually came from a trip to Australia where in the middle of his lunch with record executives he excused himself to call his numerous in America and sing the melody to his answering machine. I love these kinds of stories. An acoustic version of ‘Hold On To The Nights’ and ’Now And Forever’ were delivered with an elegance and beauty that simply mesmerised.
Marx also recalled his time working with John Farnham calling him one of the greatest voices ever. Having also written and worked with Keith Urban, Marx played ‘Long Hot Summer’ that they wrote together. A slightly different approach to the song but in some ways, I think I liked Marx’s version better. The last three songs “Hazard’, ‘Should Have Known Better’ and ‘Right Here Waiting’ were delivered incredible with Marx taking to the piano for ‘Right Here Waiting’. Mornington sang back every word beautifully; it was a truly special moment hearing what Marx heard as I was still in the photo pit.
As a performer, they don’t come much better. Charming, cool and full of smiles Marx owned the stage today. His band in his own words are the best guys he has ever played with and it showed. Their musicianship was flawless and the performance effortless and fun. In every aspect this was one hell of a set.
Setlist : Believe In Me, Endless Summer Nights, Take This Heart, The Way She Loves Me, Angelia, Too Late To Say Goodbye, Hold On To The Nights/Now & Forever, Satisfied, Long Hot Summer, Hazard, Should’ve Know Better, Right Here Waiting.
Tina Arena is one hell of an icon when it comes to Australian music. From her beginnings with Australian household staple television show Young Talent Time to her incredible ‘Don’t Ask’ album which placed her inside every household in the country and then some overseas has been what seems to be a little reclusive of late. This run of show was here to celebrate thirty years of ‘Don’t Ask’. How incredible was this set? I have to foreword this part of the review by saying I was left breathless by this show, Arena’s voice, the performance and the whole package.
It’s always a treat to be taken completely by surprise by a show or a set. What was there to be surprised by you might ask? The surprise was how this performance just exceeded any expectations. I had set the bar pretty high for this set already knowing what a powerhouse Arena is, and the bar had been set high by those before her today. It could have been so easy to deliver a great set and still blow people away but there was something extra in tonight’s performance a magic, in the air that was filled with Arena’s soulful, powerful and sweet vocals. Her presence was elegant, glamorous and commanding. Arena’s between song banter and connection was perfect in everyday.
Tonight, I connected with a singer, her songs, her story and her personality. Arena’s razor sharp no bullshit personality shone through giving us another side of her, one that I hadn’t pictured. Her relatability was incredible, there were no ego’s or divas in tonights performance, just simple elegance and power. Arena’s elegant geisha inspired look for tonight set a tone, her full neck to feet black dress and jacket adding a mystique to her. ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ started the set and what is evident is that Arena has maintained a voice that is effortless and so well refined that her lush tone comes as effortlessly as breathing does for most of us. With the way this song builds it just launches tonight’s set perfectly and you can see why it also opened “Don’t Ask”. With a perfect transition ‘Wasn’t It Good’ again hit all the right notes. I was unable to take my eyes off Arena and how elegantly she moved across the stage, how the lighting caught her and that voice, smoother than silk.
A brief interaction with the crowd and it was obvious that Arena has a strong charm about her, direct banter with a peppering of cheekiness. ‘Message’ flowed beautifully and song four ‘Show Me Heaven’ my personal favourite from the album was simply exquisite. Reflective and gracious; humble and genuine Arena is the consumate performer. Im engaged and mesmerised. The stories told between songs were insightful and really did tell the story behind these songs, a true time capsule of a time in life, a personal diary of over half a lifetime ago. Arena’s band were flawless tonight, clearly the best of the best Australian musicians were picked to deliver the music to this set.
With two major songs missing from the set we all knew there was an encore coming. Taking the stage again Arena and band seem to pause to take in the applause and cheers; rightfully so they were earned. The tale of taking ‘Sorrento Moon’ to the label and their initial reaction to the song was delivered with that perfect human quality that connected. Arena’s recollections funny and perfect. The label had said what’s this, it’s shit (or something to that effect) Arena’s reply to the record company. I will keep writing this shit, YOU do your job and sell my shit, I guess when you know you know and I would hate to be that record exec today knowing that that very song went platinum here in Australia and today has over twenty million streams on Spotify alone. ‘Chains’ closed out tonight and had everyone on their feet, what a song and again I can’t say it enough, Tina Arena has lost nothing in thirty years. Powerful, sultry and soulful are just a few words I can use in an attempt to describe her performance.
After tonight’s performance I am left without a doubt that Tina Arena is this country’s finest female voice. End of story. With her hit single ‘Chains’ having just been added to the Australian National Film and Sound Archive this year under the national treasure category. There are few that can boast that. Sure accolades are great but the real treasure in all of this was tonight’s performance. Absence of sorts most definitely makes the heart fonder. Tonight I was transported to a time where Australian music was stronger than ever and we were producing as a nation some incredible records. “Don’t Ask” is and was such an important record. It hold up incredibly well thirty years later and to hear it performed with so much attention to detail was simply magical.
Should you get the opportunity to see Tina Arena live, take it, embrace it and simply enjoy it. What a show.
Face To Face Touring delivered one of the best all day line up’s ever in my personal opinion, a variety that’s hard to touch and music that is untouchable and touches you. Well done, I can’t wait to see what they deliver next.
Setlist : Heaven Help My Heart, Wasn’t It Good, Message, Show Me Heaven, Love Is The Answer, Greatest Gift, That’s The Way A Woman Feels, Be A Man, Standing Up, Unravel Me, In Command, You Made Me Find Myself, Not Still In Love
Encore : Sorrento Moon, Chains.
