LIVE | Icehouse Primitive Colours Australian Tour

Wednesday 10 October 2012
Waves, Wollongong NSW

This month sees classic Australian rock band Icehouse return to locations across the East Coast to celebrate the 30th anniversary release of Primitive Man, and the 25th anniversary release of Man of Colours. I had the opportunity to catch them at Waves, Wollongong for a performance that had the packed venue dancing from the very first note.

Opening act "Bears with Guns" were quite the surprise package. This talented quintet from Parkes, NSW delivered an outstanding performance, with band members swapping instruments between songs. They are as versatile as they are talented...exploring the sounds of the mandolin, ukulele, tribal drum and more; mixed with traditional acoustic and electric guitar riffs. Their original material is brilliant, with catchy tunes and intelligent lyrics. Well worth another listen. It's clear to see that they really enjoy their craft.

Now for the main attraction...Icehouse.  Iva Davies may not be sporting the long curly mullet I lusted after as a teenager, however his voice is just as superb...sending me back to the days when it was cool to have a saxophone solo in the middle of a song.  Ahhh, the 80's.  Icehouse opened with the classic Uniform, and picked up the pace with Hey Little Girl, We Can Get Together, Crazy and Electric Blue...

The Primitive Colours tour explores the classic songs released on both the Primitive Man and Man of Colours albums, and the classic tracks were flowing.  This concert was the perfect fit for the Icehouse of today. The music has stood the test of time, and Iva Davies and co were comfortable on stage, talking between themselves and the audience. It felt very intimate, despite the large crowd.  The set list continued to flow between the two albums with Street Cafe, Icehouse, Man of Colours, and Love in Motion...

It was at this point that Iva Davies handed over the vocals to the incredibly talented Michael Paynter of "Love the Fall" fame, to sing my favourite My Obsession. Oh. My. Michael Paynter's voice is incredible, and he added a totally new dimension to this classic track...so much so, I went home and bought his EP.  I see major things in his future. I'm always incredibly impressed when an artist sings as good live, if not better, than they do in the recording studio. Putting on my Molly hat...do yourself a favour, and check out his work.

Iva Davies returned to centre stage to complete the set with Cross the Border (from the Measure for Measure album), Boulevard (Flowers), and Can't Help Myself. Last but certainly not least, the set was concluded with the ultimate Oz rock song, Great Southern Land, whose haunting lyrics and driving riff invoke memories of my teens with the oversized headphones on, with eyes closed, listening to every note and lyric.  I wanted to hear more. So did the crowd, and Icehouse didn't disappoint...with an encore performance of Heartbreak Kid, and ending on a high note with Nothing Too Serious.

I left Waves nightclub feeling so fantastic, with Icehouse tunes of old running through my mind.  Icehouse are still as electric live as they were back when Primitive Man and Man of Colours were first released, and it was well worth the journey down memory lane. Every song had me singing along at the top of my lungs...my feet tapping in place...and off to iTunes to update my playlists.

CATCH ICEHOUSE ON THEIR PRIMITIVE COLOURS TOUR
AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2012 DATES
TICKETS:  Available from the venues and associated ticketing outlets

Wednesday10^th October 2012 – Waves, WOLLONGONG, NSW

www.moshtix.com.au / 1300 GET TIX

Thursday 11^th October 2012 – Wyong Leagues Club, WYONG, NSW

(02) 4392 2799

Saturday 13^th October 2012 – Sawtell RSL, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW

www.sawtellrsl.com.au  / (02) 6653 1577 / Park Beach Music (02) 6652 3725

Sunday 14^th October 2012 – Club Forster, FORSTER, NSW

www.clubforster.com.au/ (02) 6591 6591

Tuesday 16^th & Wednesday 17^th October 2012 – Dee Why RSL, DEE WHY, NSW

www.dyrsl.com.au / (02) 9454 4000

Wednesday 24^th October 2012 – Southport RSL, GOLD COAST, QLD

www.oztix.com.au / 1300 762 545 / Venue: 07 5552 4200

Friday 26^th October 2012 – Alexandra Hill Hotel, BRISBANE EAST, QLD

www.oztix.com.au / 1300 762 545 / Venue: 07 3824 4444

Saturday 27^th October 2012 – Eatons Hill Hotel, BRISBANE NORTH, QLD

www.oztix.com.au / 1300 762 545 / Venue: 07 3325 6777

Tuesday 30^th October 2012 – Canberra Southern Cross Club – Events Centre, CANBERRA ACT

www.cscc.com.au / (02) 6283 7288

Wednesday 31^st October 2012 – Rooty Hill RSL, ROOTY HILL, NSW

www.rootyhillrsl.com.au / (02) 96255500

Friday 2^nd November 2012 – Revesby Workers Club, REVESBY, NSW

www.rwc.org.au / (02) 9772 2100

Saturday 3^rd November 2012 – Enmore Theatre, SYDNEY, NSW

www.ticketek.com.au / 132 849

Monday 5^th November 2012 – Hamer Hall – The Arts Centre, MELBOURNE, VIC

www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/ 1300 182 183 

Disclaimer: I received complimentary tickets for review purposes. No financial payment was offered, nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.