Boorloo/Perth talents Have A Good Day and Drea have teamed up for a feelgood new single “Floating.” I love the retro 80s feel that the sax line gives this one. It’s a total bop.
Have A Good Day will bring their good vibes to Beerfest in Walyalup/Fremantle this Saturday, November 16. Catch them alongside Sneaky Sound System at Esplanade Park this weekend!
Photo credit: Marcus Wong
For years one of my friends has told me that I needed to see Billy Ocean. When he announced his greatest hits tour, in winter when few other artists tour no less, I knew I’d run out of excuses. Now that I’ve been to my first Billy Ocean concert, I wonder why it took me so long.
Boorloo/Perth neo-soul artist Drea warmed up the crowds with a beautiful set. What a stunning voice she has. I was mesmerised as she layered vocal loops for her opening track before her keyboardist Alfred joined her for her remaining numbers. My husband leaned over and whispered that they reminded him a little of a modern-day Toni Braxton and Babyface. It’s a brave thing to perform a set focused on originals at a show that relies so heavily on nostalgia, but Drea was so captivating that the crowd couldn’t help but pay her respect. You could have heard a pin drop throughout her performance. I made a mental note to follow her on the socials, as she encouraged, to see where she’s playing next.
It’s also a brave thing to announce a greatest hits tour, then open with a song from a new album, but after nearly 50 years in the business, he’s earned the right to do as he pleases. We weren’t left waiting too long for those hits though. When an artist can bring out a track like “Love Really Hurts Without You” as the second song, and back it up with “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” just a couple of numbers later, you know they’ve got some songs in their back catalogue. He played all our favourites eagerly, relishing the opportunity to hold the microphone out to better hear us singing his words back to him. His wide smile seemed a permanent fixture throughout the set. I’ve seen artists get a little jaded after decades in the business, admitting they’d rather skip certain singles, but Billy Ocean celebrates his repertoire with pure joy.
You sometimes wonder when seeing an artist of advancing years whether they may be past their prime. Billy Ocean isn’t ready to be put out to pasture anytime soon. While the voices of so many of his contemporaries show signs of age, his vocals are still strong and clear. He might be a little slower, but he still loves shaking his hips and grooving to the beat. I imagined my husband and I might be one of the younger ones in the audience since we were under 10 when he had some of his biggest hits, yet I saw so many people half our age out with their friends and partners having a ball. Even those of us of advancing years forgot how old we really were and joined them on our feet dancing to the closing songs “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Gets Going” and “Caribbean Queen.”
My friend was right. I should have seen Billy Ocean years ago. Now I’ve discovered how good he is live, I can only hope that he’s got a few more tours left in him. If he hasn’t visited your city yet, go! Trust me! Tickets are still available for the following shows:
25 June 2023 – Royal Theatre, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country/Canberra
27 June 2023 – Thebarton Theatre, Tartanya/Adelaide
Image source: own photos