Fire Fight Australia, February 16 2020

AUSTRALIA, WE ARE WITH YOU!

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

A reason to celebrate, this is far from just

A nation in need, in devastations wake

We may be aching, but we will not break

World-class artists unite, and stand together

For one hell of a night we’ll remember forever!

Even as I arrive at the venue and check-in, wait no, even earlier when the organisers reached out to find out how best to accommodate me with my disability (lack of sight) at the event, I feel a warm, highly hospitable and sense of family from the event staff which emanates to all media guests, and I’m sure all disabled patrons alike, which I feel sets the organisers and promoters TEG Dainty and TEG Live, for today at the top of their class and worth recognition! Promising start indeed!

It’ll be very interesting to see how the flow of acts here today/tonight is, as I thought the positioning of artists on the scheduling was quite odd, for example, you’d think Queen would be on last right? Nope, not even close… (although I acknowledge the symbolism of having the mother and father of Australian singers, that is, John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John capping off the night) but wouldn’t most people just leave after Queen? And the sweet, bubbly indie-pop delight Amy Shark’s on straight after the good-ol’ creepy-crawlin’ theatrical-rock legend Alice Cooper, I mean, one extreme to the next! ...This shall be interesting indeed!

Up first is the country-rock swagger of Lee Kernaghan followed by the soulful serenity of Conrad Sewell and then the bouncin’ pimped-up beats of Baker Boy. For these three artists, although vastly different genres, each bring a similar and complementing energy. The country-rock swagger of Lee Kernaghan gets us all groovin’ despite the midday heat upon us, then the soulful vibes of Conrad Sewell cool us down whilst still lifting our spirits like a sweet frozen margarita! Baker Boy on the other hand, his catchy vocal flicks and fully loaded beats are more like a Jagabomb, you wanna down those beats as fast as you can and keep going, but if you’re not careful, they’ll knock you on yo’ ass!

Today it's already blatantly obvious that this is no ordinary event and yet there’s a paradox at play here. On the one hand, today brings the festival atmosphere, with over twenty performers over just shy of eleven hours. On the other hand, it’s made apparent to me as comedian, fund-raiser and presenter for today Celeste Barber and the other presenter talk to fans near the front of the stage and ask if anyone camped out, and yes, several people did camp out overnight to have prime positions at the barrier… like a normal concert… that happens to be broadcast live over several TV channels.

As Daryl Braithwaite performs the unofficial Australian anthem that gets 70,000 people all singing along to, ‘Horses’ and two other songs (yes, Daryl does actually have more than just that one song, shocking, I know right!) which is followed up by the heart-felt acoustic anthems of Pete Murray and the iconic rock-gritt of Grinspoon, no matter what music comes our way, the energy and mood in the stadium is the same, electric! And here’s why… Both Celeste with her cheeky humour and stunning costumes which change each time she emerges onto the stage, plus the other presenter,  remind people that although today is a happy occasion with world-class entertainment, the reason why we’re all here is to raise much needed funds for the recent devastation of the wide-spread bushfires, and although the recent deluge has doused most or all fires across the country (or at least in New South Wales), the damage is still there, lives have still been lost, infrastructure crumbled, wildlife depleted and crops, agriculture, businesses, all effected, and all needing help! And both presenters remind us to please buy a t-shirt which all profits go to bushfire relief and not just that, to simply just donate if you can! And the way they deliver these messages is sprinkled with humour and good-vibes which brings a buzzing air of comradery and sense of family, a family of 70,000! To add another special touch to the event, the male presenter brings out two volunteer firefighters to say a few words and have 70,000 appreciative fans applaud them for all their hard work! Plus what’s more, if all these incredible artists here today wasn’t heartwarming enough, several artists from around the world reached out to Australia via pre-recorded videos displayed here today, reminding us “Australia, you are not alone, we are here with you”.

Each performance throughout the night from Guy Sebastian (who dedicates ‘Battle Scars’ to all who've been affected by the fires), Jessica Mauboy, Ronan Keating (who steps off the stage and walks in front of the barrier high-fiving fans in his last song, all three songs in which take me back to the late 90’s), Peking Duk, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Delta Goodrum, Illy (the latter two who made especially crafty use of the full stage setup with catwalk), Amy Shark and Hilltop Hoods all bring a pure light to the event filled with an energy like none I’ve witnessed at any other concert event, you can feel how dedicated and strongly they’re committed to this worthy cause. Each artist/band connect with both the thousands of fans here at ANZ stadium, the probably millions watching on TV and those affected by the fires past and present in such a wholesome earnestness that can’t be faked!

As Australia's been devastated by recent bushfires, world-class artists and music fans alike came together for a massive concert for bushfire relief recently at ANZ Stadium Sydney, Fire Fight Australia! Brendan the blind guy was lucky enough to head along and had the opportunity to slip in a sneaky quick chat with iconic Aussie hip-hop pioneers, HILLTOP HOODS who donated their time to the worthy cause! Sign up to the Keen Eye 4 Concerts newsletter at www.keeneye4concerts.com

As amazing as it was to meet and do a quick interview with Hilltop Hoods, it did mean I missed Alice Cooper’s performance. Not to worry though, I have seen him live in the past and know it would’ve been incredible! 

Now for the main reason why a lot of people raced to get tickets and some camped out overnight, the legendary Queen + Adam Lambert! By this stage the energy isn’t quite as beaming as it was a few hours ago which is to be expected as things wrap-up but even with Queen and Adam being significantly later onto the stage than planned, the crowd go wild! Now of course experiencing Queen’s performance live is nothing short of special, but I have two minor let-downs personally (remember, I’m only one man’s opinion!) I was quite upset the band didn’t finish ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ instead flowing it into ‘Radio Gaga’ at the songs build up that makes everyone sing like a complete lunatic, you know, “I see a little silhouette-oh of a man, scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?” COME ON! WHY?!!! The other is really just my personal opinion. I thought as suitable as Adam’s voice is for the higher and some mid-range notes and yes he did do well, I don’t think he quite lives up to the legend of Freddy Mercury.

From rock to pop, to country and soul,

A beautiful energy, was brought from them all

The love and support from fans artists and more

Made this, for me and others I’m sure

One hell of a show…

We’ll remember forevermore 

Grinspoon - 'Chemical Heart Tour', Sydney November 2 2019

WELCOME TO CHEMISTRY 101!

Welcome to Chemistry 101 with your Champion teachers, Grinspoon. Seriously, I sucked at chemistry in school, like, to the point I honestly can’t remember doing it… wait, chemistry is what gives Black Rabbits their colour, and what makes Dogs Run right? Yet somehow, here I am, a somewhat teachers-aid, helping Grinspoon take you through all the Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills on their ‘Chemical Heart’ tour Tonight, which is sure to be Just Ace and a sure Hard Act To Follow!

Right Now, I have No Reason to keep on like this, so Ready 1, 2, 3 class is commencing now!...

For a change in perspective, and to rest my aching twenty-five year-old bones, I’ve opted to see what it’s like witnessing a Grinspoon gig from a seat near the mixing tower, via high-power binoculars. Especially too, as if you read my review of Grinspoon’s Newcastle gig in 2017, well, the crowd was brutal and got me a tad riled up, (come on, who tries snatching the drumstick that one of the band members hands to me out of my grasp?!), and that was a small venue… the Hordern Pavilion is not!

What I love about the Hordern, is the lighting and stage effects are always a real treat! What, a blind person can’t enjoy the aesthetics too? Well, a rush of electrifying lights and stage effects propels the energy sky-high for the band to catch, squeeze and thrash around in ‘DC X 3’ which is seamlessly flowed into ‘Lost Control’ and after barely enough time for the crowd to lose control with applause, straight into ‘Sickfest’ and then still no rest for the wicked, straight into ‘Just Ace’.

What does over twenty years of experience as Aussie rock ‘n’ roll professors (the band) provide one with? Well for starters, the band sure know how to conduct the energy and toy with it perfectly, manipulating the mood in the venue like a science experiment gone oh-so right! Honestly, I’m not a fan of ‘DC X 3’ much, simply because I’m a crazy cat guy, but that aside, Phil’s voice capturing both punk rebellion and gruff agro bite to call on, mixed with edgy guitar riffs and driving drum strikes lands the crowd right in the palm of their hands by the looks of things. (A sea of fists, and sporadic energy from the crowd, in response to the mass-movement on stage to a backdrop of fiery lighting). This aggression-filled rebellious track sends a chemical rush of savage pent-up aggression, met with excitement throughout the venue, it’s like a steroid/ecstacy hybrid! ...Please don’t try that at home… or anywhere for that matter!

‘Lost Control’ is a perfect follow-up to ‘DC X 3’ because, literally, the crowd have already lost control like they’ve submitted to a potent chemical… actually for all I know that could be the case? But seriously, this song keeps the hard-hitting rock brutality at 11, whilst presenting a more anthemic chorus to chew on and regurgitate simultaneously, with a fist pumping like the pumping motion will push it out of you! (that image? You’re welcome!).

‘Sickfest’ keeps the energy elevated, while giving a morphing beat drive like the most epic acid-trip ever, (that is what we learnt in chemistry right?), transforming from a whip-lash intro beat, to a dance-provoking strut in the verses and finally a sexy swagger in the chorus to Phil’s rough vocal bite. 

‘Just Ace’ is a rush of contrasting intense energy, it’s brighter, more uplifting, more up-beat. This is one of those short, sweet bangers that you’re glad doesn’t go for longer, or you’d probably faint from busting out the energy it invokes, well, that is if your fitness level resembles that of mine anyway. It’s a smart move putting this song after the previous three slammers, to keep the energy nice and high, but acknowledging the aggression in the previous songs’ energy, it gives a refreshing cool positive breeze, so not to start a full-blown brawl/riot!

Honestly, I could keep going on and on like this, but we’d still be here reading tomorrow evening. But the reason I went into a comprehensive assessment of these first four songs is that it perfectly paints the picture for the show! 

The energy is high all the way through the set, however the band conduct the precise reactions intended perfectly, dropping anthemic hook sing-alongs like my personal favourite ‘Hard Act To Follow’, plus instigating melodic sing-alongs with the crowd, all amidst a smokescreen of white-hot intensity. Then later in the set after everyone’s drenched in sweat, a refreshing solemn-hearted self-reflective track like ‘Better Off Alone’ which poetically is like that moment when you stop and really take stock of your thoughts and feelings. Plus to reel back in any drifting attention that may have gone astray, Phil pops-up at a small secondary stage behind the mosh pit for an acoustic solo track, which helps remind people other than in the thick of the mosh, that they’re a part of this moment too. 

But acoustic tracks and deep self analytical tracks are no way to end a rock show right? Despite this being the ‘Chemical Heart’ tour and said song being arguably the band’s greatest hit, it’s not a suitable grand finale, it’s an amazing track yes, but it lacks that spark to finish a set with. So ‘Chemical Heart’ is in the encore yes, but only before the band thank us from the bottom of their hearts and finish with ‘Champion’ and ‘More Than You Are’. Both these two last tracks restore any and all energy the show once had, with the psych-up egging-on fire in ‘Champion’ which is like a red flag to a bull, and the extreme thrashing brutality with Phil belting out raspy edge in both tracks! 

After all this, being seated I’m rather thankful I dodged the onslaught of crowd-surfers and just insane energy emanating from the mosh, it really let me enjoy the sound mixers handy-work with the set to its fullest, I mean it was just ace!

Right, time for grading;

Flow of songs/energy. A+

Interaction with crowd. B

Sound mix. A+ 

Band performance (solo’s, instrumentation, accuracy etc). A

All in all. One bloody good show!!!