Ross Wilson’s music crosses generations. So when my husband and I heard he was celebrating 50 years in the business with a show at Avoca Beach Theatre we knew tickets would be the perfect Christmas present for my parents. On a Monday that felt like a Saturday, our two generations shuffled in to one of our favourite local venues.
Local band The Cat Snatchers warmed up the crowd with what can best be described as their own brand of yacht rock. But that doesn’t quite cover what this four-piece does. Arthur Pratt is a charismatic frontman who spices up his performance with Elvis Presley-esque karate moves and a little interpretive dance. We saw Toby Wells perform with Elaskia just before the pandemic, and it seemed like he was finding his feet as an artist. This band feels like home for him. He’s got space to shred and show off his sizeable guitar chops. Their set wasn’t perfect. Arthur struggled at times to hit the ambitious falsetto notes and the songs were pretty simplistic. But I imagine that if I saw The Cat Snatchers, a few times I’d be singing along. I was thoroughly entertained by this off-the-wall act. While many around me weren’t as enthusiastic, I followed their socials as soon as their set wrapped up.
While The Cat Snatchers were a little polarising, Ross Wilson had everyone on side from the triumphant opener, “Daddy’s Back”. His set was everything that I hoped it would be. He delivered hit after hit, with a smattering of unexpected songs to satisfy the die-hards. There were the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock classics of course, along with some choice solo cuts. While Ross clearly appreciates the audience reception to his biggest hits, he’s not content to rest on his laurels. “She’s Stuck on Facebook All The Time” wasn’t released to a lot of fanfare in 2023, but it’s such a great addition to his set. I also appreciated watching him recreate the blues tunes that got him excited about music in the first place. His version of “Back Door Man,” made famous by Howlin’ Wolf. Other songs were rearranged to keep them fresh without straying too far from their original magic.
Ross is a joy to watch. He grooves around the stage, soaking up the energy from his band The Peaceniks and the crowd. He chats easily to the audience, sharing his passion and life story with his fans. And after 50 years in the business, his voice shows little signs of slowing down.
It’s a testament to Ross’s exhaustive catalogue that when we were cheering for an encore, my husband and I weren’t sure what he had left to play. He’d already gifted us “Eagle Rock,” “Come Said the Boy,” “Cool World,” “State of the Heart,” “Bed of Nails,” “Hi Honey Ho,” and so many more. I guessed “Touch of Paradise,” but that didn’t quite seem like a closer. He played it and it was amazing, before transitioning into “Summer of ‘81.” It was the cherry on top of an amazing night of music, a track I hadn’t anticipated but relished all the same.
Looking back at this blog, I hadn’t seen Ross perform for eight years. I’d had a wonderful time, so I wonder now why I left it so long. My only explanation is that people like Ross just seem like they’ll always be there. They tour relentlessly, so perhaps we don’t feel the same urgency to make the shows as we do when international acts visit. But it’s easy for the years to slip by. If it’s been too long since you’ve seen him perform, or you’ve never had the pleasure, make sure you don’t miss one of his upcoming shows.
31 December 2024 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach (SOLD OUT)
3 January 2025 – Shearwater Resort, Panatana/Port Sorrell
4 January 2025 – Scamander Beach Resort, Paredareme Country/Scamander
5 January 2025 – Dodges Ferry Hotel, Panatana/Lewisham
12 January 2025 – The Pig & Whistle, Bunurong Country/Red Hill (SOLD OUT)
16 January 2025 – Lighthouse Theatre, Gunditjmara Country/Warrnambool
17 January 2025 – Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, Berrin/Mount Gambier
25 January 2025 – MeMo Music Hall, Euro-Yroke/St Kilda
1 February 2025 – The Palms at Crown, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country/Southbank
2 February 2025 – Archie’s Creek Hotel, Gunaikurnai/Archie’s Creek (SOLD OUT)
5 February 2025 – Federation Square, Naarm/Melbourne (FREE)
21 February 2025 – Bribie Island Hotel, Quandamooka/Bellara
22 February 2025 – Agnes Blues Roots and Rock Festival @ 1770 SES Grounds, Gooragan/1770
23 February 2025 – Soundlounge, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
28 February 2025 – The Lounge @ The Concourse Theatre, Gamaragal Country/Chatswood
1 March 2025 – Girrakool Blues Festival, Darkinjung Country/The Entrance (FREE)
2 March 2025 – Manning Entertainment Centre, Biripi Country/Taree
14 March 2025 – Tanks Art Centre, Yidinji Country/Edge Hill
16 March 2025 – Musicland, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country/Fawkner
22 March 2025 – Theatre Royal Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
6 April 2025 – Burrinja Theatre, Wurundjeri Country/Upwey
11 April 2025 – Centenary Hall, Ngarrindjeri Country/Goolwa (SOLD OUT)
12 April 2025 – Bridgeway Hotel, Tarntanya/Adelaide
13 April 2025 – Big Easy Radio, Ngaltingga/Aldinga (SOLD OUT)
1 May 2025 – Bird’s Basement, Naarm/Melbourne
2 May 2025 – Bird’s Basement, Naarm/Melbourne
3 May 2025 – Bundy Hall, Gunaikurnai/Bundalaguah (SOLD OUT)
8 May 2025 – Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach
9 May 2025 – The Juniors @ Kingsford, Eora/Sydney
11 May 2025 – Evan Theatre @ Penrith Panthers, Eora/Sydney
12 June 2025 – The Playhouse @ Canberra Theatre Centre, Ngambri/Canberra
13 June 2025 – Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Dalman/Bathurst
14 June 2025 – Cowra Civic Centre, Ngoura/Cowra
20 June 2025 – Theatre Royal, Nipaluna/Hobart
21 June 2025 – Princess Theatre, Kanamaluka/Launceston
22 June 2025 – Burnie Civic Centre, Pataway/Burnie
27 June 2025 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballaarat/Ballarat
28 June 2025 – Clocktower Centre, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country/Moonee Ponds
11 July 2025 – The Art House, Darkinjung Country/Wyong
12 July 2025 – Glasshouse Theatre, Guruk/Port Macquarie
13 July 2025 – Capitol Theatre, Kamileroi Country/Tamworth
21 August 2025 – Mundi Mundi Bash @ Mundiville, Willyama/Broken Hill
26 October 2025 – Rock the Boat Cruise, Eora/Sydney
Photo credit: Stephen Katulka
Ross Wilson gives a masterclass in the art of performing. He doesn’t rely on bells and whistles, just great music and a superb backing band. At times I found myself marvelling at the prowess of his keyboardist and guitarist. However, while they’re good they never overshadowed the main man, a man who has created countless hits in his solo career and time with Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock. All of the biggies were performed in Ross Wilson’s own inimitable style over two sets.
Some of Australia’s most beloved artists will perform for regional audiences this summer. Dubbed the Red Hot Summer Tour, the travelling concert series features a bumper line-up including Cold Chisel comrades Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss, Baby Animals, Dragon, Ross Wilson, and Chocolate Starfish.