Queen & Adam Lambert @ AllPhones Arena, Sydney – 26 August 2014

The chatter about Queen and Adam Lambert’s Australian tour started before tickets even went on sale. People were concerned about the former American Idol contestant being unable to step into the legendary Freddie Mercury’s shoes. Some unkind folks even suggested that it was shameless attempt to cash in on his legacy. I remember reading an interview with Adam at the time, and his words stuck with me. He said “If there’s somebody out there that feels really strongly that this isn’t the same Queen then don’t come. But if you don’t come you’re going to miss one hell of a show.”

The folks who filled up AllPhones Arena were certainly ready for the show. There was a buzz in the air, an enthusiasm that doesn’t often come when a band is missing a force like Freddie. But the thing is, while Freddie wasn’t there, Adam Lambert was, and he is exceptional.

That’s something I’ve always known. While I enjoyed his electro-pop singles, he first caught my eye on American Idol, where he showed a real depth and intensity, and a mean set of pipes. They were on full display at this show. Freddie had one of the best voices in the biz, and while Adam’s isn’t quite as rich he certainly hit all the right notes. That is an achievement in itself. His charisma really struck me though. If he felt daunted stepping into Freddie’s shoes, he didn’t show it. He didn’t try to be Freddie, but instead seemed confident in his own ability to entertain a crowd. He was sexy, naughty, and captivating. I was entranced.

Fittingly, Freddie was still a force at this show. It always felt a little off to me when I saw INXS perform over the years and they didn’t mention Michael Hutchence. But Freddie’s spirit was a key part of this concert. A tear came to my eye when he joined Brian May, thanks to the magic of video, in an exquisite stripped back version of “Love of My Life.” He was back again for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which was always going to be a tough ask without the benefits of studio wizardry. Interlaying live vocals with archived video was so smart.

Not that the concert was perfect. I could have done without some of the more obscure numbers like “Dragon Attack” and “Tie Your Mother Down,” and when the guitars amped up the sound got a bit fuzzy. I wonder whether it might have been crisper if we weren’t in the nosebleed seats, but other rock greater like Roger Waters manage to get the sound right throughout this expansive venue.

Yet even with the flaws, a night with Queen is a whole lot of fun. I was hypnotised by Adam’s performance of “Who Wants to Live Forever.” I wondered how they might pull off one of my favourites, “Under Pressure,” without Freddie or Bowie, but Roger Taylor made an admirable stand-in. Joining the crowd in those iconic handclaps that anchor “Radio Gaga” was so much fun.

For what it’s worth, I never had any doubt that this show was going to be worthwhile. I’ve been an Adam Lambert fan from the get go, and Roger Taylor and Brian May are such stellar musicians. Anyone who boldly declares that Queen was simply a Freddie showcase is missing the point. His death leaves a gaping hole in the band, it’s true, but I feel so glad that the remaining members decided to regroup and continue to share their music with us. To have these songs die along with Freddie, to miss out on that live experience, would have been a great shame.

Image source: own photo

John Mayer @ Allphones Arena, Sydney – 24 April 2014

Until I was standing with the crowd at Allphones Arena last week, I don’t think I realised how much I’d missed John Mayer. He’s released a couple of incredible albums since he last visited his shores, and they tided me over until his next appearance. But being there, soaking up his every chord, stamping my feet as the music coursed through me, it occurred to me just how much I’ve missed him. Looking over at my friend Lisa, who’s travelled from Brisbane for the gig, I could tell she felt the same way.

Watching him up on stage, it seemed that he missed us too. Most artists that don’t visit Australia curse the journey and feel it’s much easier to stay away. Not John though. Problems with his vocal chords robbed him of his voice and left him no option but to stay at home and recover. It could have easily spelled the end of his musical career, but instead it helped him create the beautiful introspective Born and Raised and Paradise Valley. So he recuperated, and we waited, and he came back to us stronger than ever.

He thanked the enthusiastic crowd so sincerely, but we were the ones that should have been thanking him. It’s rare to see an artist playing with so much joy. Clearly he was craving that time on the stage. It was such a gift to witness this man with such enthusiasm for his craft. Casual fans might have lamented the omission of a few singles (“Daughters” and “Bigger Than My Body” spring to mind), but I think he did his best to appease those folks with “No Such Thing,” Your Body is a Wonderland” (a song that rarely makes the set), and “Waiting on the World to Change.”

He might have enjoyed success on the pop charts, but I don’t see John as a singles guy. He was most at his element on songs which allowed him to stretch out a little more, to play with the arrangement and flex his enviable guitar skills. The free-form nature of songs like “Edge of Desire,” “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You)” and the final song of the night, “Gravity,” really allow his talents to shine. His surprising, tender cover of Beyonce’s “XO” further highlighted his skills, and the inclusion of my favourite song from Born and Raised, “Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967” had me in raptures. The internet tells me he’d played it just seven times before, so seeing John performing it so simply with a steel guitar in Sydney was just heaven.

It had been far too long since my last John Mayer concert, but it was well and truly worth the wait. He’s in such fine form right now, I can only hope he doesn’t leave us hanging too long before announcing a return visit.

Image source: own photos

Keith Urban @ Allphones Arena, Sydney – 30 January 2013

I’ve enjoyed the music of Keith Urban for years. My husband and I cut our wedding cake to “You’re My Better Half” and we consider “Without You” one of ‘our songs’. But it took Keith’s turn on The Voice and the release of a greatest hits album to convince us we needed to make the leap from casual fan to concert goer. And we’re so glad we did.

I’ve got to admit, we missed the Madden brothers’ supporting set. Starting a midweek show way out in Homebush at an early 7:30 is just madness in our books. Pairing country-singing Keith with these pop-punksters also seemed a strange decision, despite their association on The Voice. And so we opted for a leisurely dinner instead. Not being a fan of the Madden music, I don’t think we missed too much.

We were there in the thick of it once Keith took the stage. Our fifth row seats were incredible, but I must admit to feeling a little out of place. Keith fans seem lovely, but boy are they passionate. I bobbed my head in time to songs I was enjoying while they danced and sang with gusto to every tune.

The thing is though, you don’t need to know every song to appreciate Keith’s easy stage presence and incredible guitar skills. You don’t even need to have those seats near the front of the arena; Keith delivered several songs from another stage near the back of the auditorium. The interaction with the fans continued when Keith encouraged three devotees to sing off during “Kiss a Girl.” None of the punters could hold a candle to Keith’s voice, but you had to admire their enthusiasm! All good fun.

Keith and his stellar band were more than enough to keep us entertained, but the appearance of a few choice special guests took the energy in the room up a few notches. Benji and Joel Madden returned to the stage to join Keith for a cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” Keith’s The Voice charge Darren Percival made a not so unexpected appearance later on. But when Jimmy Barnes joined Keith Urban for “Flame Trees” I lost my mind. What a special concert moment it was.

Keith’s Sydney show was pure entertainment. He gave us the right mix of upbeat numbers and heartfelt ballads. He chatted easily to the crowd and seemed genuinely humbled by their support. And he looked pretty damn good while he was doing it. Who could ask for anything more?

Image source: own photos

Roger Waters’ “The Wall” @ Allphones Arena, Sydney – 15 February 2012

I was introduced to The Wall in Mrs Pengilly’s year nine English class. We were learning about the poems of Robert Frost, and she decided that Pink Floyd’s trippy rock opera had parallels to his “Mending Wall.” I still think it was a bit of a stretch, but I’m thrilled that she helped me discover such an incredible body of work.

I held The Wall very closely for the next few years. In my darkest teenage moments it made me feel less isolated and misunderstood. As I listen back to it now it’s a little frightening to think how much I identified with Pink Floyd’s concept album, but there’s still something about those two discs and the accompanying film that resonates with me.

And it was that something that took me to Sydney’s Allphones Arena on Wednesday night to witness Roger Waters performing the piece in the flesh, so to speak. As I looked at the T-shirts of the faithful fans gathered outside the venue I realised nine years has passed since I last caught his act. However the years have not wearied him.

I’m not someone who typically sees those big spectacle shows. Give me a few guys with guitars and I’m a happy woman. But this production blew my mind. I expected a lot. Pink Floyd set the standard for this kind of thing all those years ago. But I wasn’t prepared for exactly how thrilling this show was. It was a visual feast, with exploding airplanes, flying pigs, oversized puppets, pyrotechnics, and of course, that wall. The projections beamed onto those bricks were like nothing I’ve ever seen.

While the production was slick, it wasn’t all about the gloss. Roger Waters clearly still believes in this piece, and he performed it with everything he had. He inhabited his Pink role, only breaking the fourth wall now and again to remind us how grateful he was for our attendance and love. His voice is still superb, and his band matched him. Replicating David Gilmour’s guitar solo in “Comfortably Numb” is a feat, but the appointed guitarist came close. Seeing present day Roger accompanying his 1980-self on “Mother” was breathtaking. I also loved seeing those personal favourites like “One Of My Turns” and “Nobody Home,” the tracks I’d never hear at an ordinary Pink Floyd or Roger Waters show. Closing the show with “Waltzing Matilda” once those bricks had toppled might have been corny, but it was still a lot of fun.

The show was the perfect marriage of music and theatre. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s early days yet, but it just may prove to be the concert of the year.

Image source: own photos

Dolly Parton @ Allphones Arena, Sydney – 29 November 2011

Where has the time gone? A week has passed, yet it seems like only yesterday I was settling myself in at Allphones Arena to catch living legend Dolly Parton.

It’s impossible to underestimate the presence of this woman. She steps on stage all big blonde hair and glittering rhinestones and grabs you, captivating you with her presence for the hours she spends on stage. Not bad for a woman of 65, is it?

As she burst on to the stage with her version of ’80s smash “Walking on Sunshine” we knew we were in for a special night. Dolly seems to delight in delivering the unexpected, whether it’s 80s pop, rap, or even bluegrass versions of Collective Soul’s “Shine” and “Stairway to Heaven.” I honestly could have done without the latter, but she gets major props for trying!

Of course with several hours to play with the hits were represented too. I was thrilled to see “Jolene” trotted out only a few songs in, and ecstatic to hear her end with the Holy Trinity of “Islands in the Stream,” “Nine to Five,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her backup singer is no Kenny Rogers, but we were so thrilled to hear the duet that it mattered not. I also relished a few songs that I didn’t know before, especially “Coat of Many Colours” and her stunning a capella version of “Little Sparrow.”

I enjoyed those songs that were new to me mostly because of the stories Dolly weaved around them. She’s such a generous performer, one who stops to take the time to share herself with her audience. She showed us all her facets, including the playful side concerned with aging and flashy clothes and the dedicated daughter thinking fondly of her formative years. Those more heartfelt moments where she spoke of her large family, poor but happy and full of love, were so poignant and made her songs that much sweeter.

She told us that she hasn’t visited us for 25 years, and that she hopes that if it’s another 25 years before her return we still think she looks good for her age. I’m sure she will, but I really hope she doesn’t leave us waiting that long!

Image source: own photos