As I mentioned earlier, I’ve just returned from a holiday in Brisbane. What was I doing there? Seeing bands of course! When my husband had a lukewarm reaction to Def Leppard and Cheap Trick’s Aussie tour, I decided to hop on a plane and have a girly weekend with my best friend Lisa.
Aussie retro rockers The Galvatrons scored the support slot for this vintage double act, and they couldn’t have been a better fit. Johnny Galvatron is a born performer, with bucketloads of energy and personality. The crowd might not have known most of their songs, but they clapped enthusiastically in time with the music anyway. For a support act to inspire such a response from the crowd is a massive achievement. Look out for these guys. They are so much fun, and they deserve to be huge.
Cheap Trick were up next, with a performance that made me appreciate The Galvatrons that much more. Technically I couldn’t fault them. The set list was jam packed with hits. But that passion, that sense of fun, that energy, was missing. All those elements are needed to really engage a crowd. Guitarist Rick Nielsen did his best to give the show a shot in the arm, but he was just one man and could only do so much. So I happily sang along to “The Flame,” “I Want You to Want Me,” “Dream Police,” and countless other hits but there was always this sense that it could have been so much better. Perhaps these guys have just been doing these same songs for so long they’re tired of them. I think it’s a mark of a great band though to keep that energy level up no matter how many times you’ve performed those hits.
All those things that I felt Cheap Trick lacked, Def Leppard had in spades. Like Cheap Trick, they’ve been around for nearly thirty years. But you wouldn’t know it. Joe Elliott strutted out on the catwalk, every inch the rock star, compelling us to clap along to the smash hit “Rocket.” Those massive songs just kept coming with such passion and enthusiasm it was almost as if they were being played for the first time. The band is filled with amazing musicians who know how to entertain. And the sounds that Rick Allen gets from his drum kit with just one arm would put most two-armed drummers to shame! A highlight of the set was the acoustic section, where the whole auditorium joined in singing “Two Steps Behind” and were just as excited about “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak.” Def Leppard haven’t played in Australia for 16 years, but were genuinely touched that we haven’t forgotten them. When they still play such fun, exciting sets, how could we? When they finished up that last song, a blistering version of “Let’s Get Rocked” we all rose to our feet for the longest standing ovation I can remember. They earned it.
It’s been a long time since I’ve travelled interstate for a show, but the brilliance of The Galvatrons and Def Leppard made it worth my while. I only hope Def Leppard keep their promise and return to our shores soon. Until then, I might just have to check out a few more Galvatrons shows!
Image source: Stephen Katulka
Aussie singer-songwriter 
