Jimmy Barnes was the first musician I ever saw live. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen him perform since that 1991 show, but I’ve never seen him as I did last Friday night at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. I thought I had an inkling of what to expect, as we saw him at Lizotte’s just before his Working Class Boy tour kicked off last year. That show incorporated stories and songs, so I expected more of the same. However, this time the musical performances took a backseat to the tales from Jimmy’s second book, Working Class Boy.
This show takes the audience on the journey through Jimmy’s fame, from Cold Chisel’s early days through his solo career, warts and all. There’s no sugar coating here. The highs are high and the lows can be very low. He might have been a hero to so many Australians, but Jimmy doesn’t paint himself that way. He’s not afraid to speak candidly his struggles with addiction, his failures in relationships with industry colleagues, friends, and family, his battles with mental health and self-acceptance.
You can’t tell the stories of Jimmy’s career without music though. A video screen beamed film clips and concert footage, which Jimmy would comment on while many of us sang along. I don’t think he could have gotten away without taking the mic for a few musical performances though. As someone who’s seen Jimmy several times, I relished the opportunity to hear him play material a little unexpected. From a cover of The Turtles’ “Happy Together,” one of the songs the members of Cold Chisel used to sing in the milk van as they made their way to Armidale, to a stripped back version of “Still on Your Side,” a dedication to the people who put up with so much from Jimmy through all these years.
People who expect an equal measure of stories and songs in Working Class Man: An Evening of Stories & Songs might be disappointed. My mum was, as she felt like she’d heard it all before from reading Jimmy’s book. For her the show was tedious, with not enough music for her liking. However, I was thrilled to see something new from Jimmy, something that was so powerful and personal. While Jimmy’s book was brave, there is a certain kind of disconnect that comes from putting something down on paper, while you’re alone, then releasing it into the world. When you’re standing on a stage, looking people in the eye as you talk about taking so many drugs that you’re not sure whether you’ll wake up in the morning or attempting to take your own life, those walls are gone. We rarely see blokey men like Jimmy speaking about the need for therapy and having conversations about mental health and addiction. It’s powerful and, as someone whose family has been touched by suicide, I think it’s necessary.
Leave your preconceptions at the door and embrace what Working Class Man: An Evening of Stories & Songs is; not your average Jimmy Barnes concert but an incredibly moving night from one of Australia’s most important entertainers. The tour will make the following stops around Australia.
13 April 2018 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (SOLD OUT)
14 April 2018 – The Star Theatre, Gold Coast (SOLD OUT)
18 April 2018 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury (SOLD OUT)
19 April 2018 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth (SOLD OUT)
21 April 2018 – Keith Michell Theatre, Port Pirie (SOLD OUT)
22 April 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (SOLD OUT)
26 April 2018 – Frankston Arts Centre Theatre, Frankston (SOLD OUT)
27 April 2018 – Costa Hall @ Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong (SOLD OUT)
28 April 2018 – The Palais Theatre, St Kilda (SOLD OUT)
29 April 2018 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo (SOLD OUT)
2 May 2018 – Centennial Hall @ Sydney Town Hall
3 May 2018 – Centennial Hall @ Sydney Town Hall (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2018 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
8 May 2018 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch (SOLD OUT)
10 May 2018 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
11 May 2018 – Spark Arena, Auckland
12 May 2018 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
20 May 2018 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
22 May 2018 – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns (SOLD OUT)
23 May 2018 – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns (SOLD OUT)
25 May 2018 – Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville
26 May 2018 – Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay
27 May 2018 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
29 May 2018 – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra (SOLD OUT)
30 May 2018 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton
1 June 2018 – Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith
2 June 2018 – Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood
6 June 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
9 June 2018 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
10 June 2018 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM
I can’t remember people raving about a musician’s autobiography as much as they have for