After 10 long months, I finally experienced live music on Saturday night. Seeing Anthony Callea at the Art House in Wyong was a wonderful return to live events. The venue was packed, but it’s still small enough to ease me into sharing space with other people. My husband and I kept our masks on, although it seems most of the crowd was happy the mandate was lifted. Whether you chose to mask up or not, there was a real buzz in the air, the anticipation that comes when so many of us haven’t had the chance to see shows or do much socialising at all of late.
My blog tells me this is the fourth time I’ve seen Anthony perform. I keep coming back because he’s one of the most consistent artists in this country. You know you’re always in for a good time, a celebration of great music, a lot of laughs, and some fabulous wardrobe choices. Opening with Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On” set the mood for a night of nostalgia. Anthony made his name performing covers, and he doesn’t shy away from it. Songs he performed on Australian Idol, including “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “The Prayer”, take pride of place in his set alongside newer reinventions. Janet Jackson’s Together Again, the song which lends its name to this tour, had some extra gravity as we celebrated coming together to experience live music.
Few artists seem as connected to their audiences as Anthony Callea. He chats to us like friends, regaling us with stories about his career, his time in lockdown, and that recent Celebrity Gogglebox appearance. He’s hilarious, a total natural in the spotlight. He wins the crowd over effortlessly, so when he wants to share a few newer originals penned during the pandemic no one minds a bit. They’re excellent, reminding us all that he’s much more than a talented vocalist. But of course, he knows what we’re all there for and before long he’s encouraging us to sing along to another old favourite. We came to the end of the night all too quickly, but not before he busted out some Rick Astley, encouraging us all to dance and sing. I’ve been a bit wary of that kind of thing during the pandemic, but I couldn’t resist standing and grooving along. It was a small step, but the perfect way to end a fabulous night of entertainment. The Together Again tour has just two more stops left. Catch him if you can at the following venues:
11 March 2022 – The Events Centre, Caloundra
12 March 2022 – Twin Towns, Tweed Heads