The stars align after a two-year hiatus to bring three generations of iconic rock and roll back to Melbourne.

With live music venues having the red tape treatment over the last two years finally, rock and roll lovers had the red carpet rolled out with an all-star international line-up gracing the Margaret Court stages in loud and proud performances uniting the enthusiastic Melbourne crowd.

Everywhere you looked the rock nostalgia was strongly represented, a sea of black t-shirts printed Metallica, Matchbox Twenty, Sex Pistols, Rose Tattoo, Rage Against The Machine and my personal favourite ‘Never too old for rock’ brought music lovers of all ages together under the one roof.

Two years out of the arenas and these accomplished musicians did not miss a beat, Bush stormed onto the stage with lead singer and guitarist Gavin Rossdale bounding around the floor with red and white flashing pyrotechnics and pulsating electric guitars and an audience ready to stand their feet and scream. Stone Temple Pilots emerged from the darkness with leading man Jeff Gunn breaking out in song with his thick brown trench coat, dark sunglasses and crouched posture digging deeps for those powerful choruses accompanied by original members Dean and Robert DeLeo showing they still got the goods on the guitar. Then the marvellous final set from Cheap Trick made the audience time travel back to the 80s with lead singer Robin Zander’s voice not losing any of its remarkable range and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen not losing any of his humour.

Every band’s leader showed their gratitude for the mighty Melbourne crowd who made the effort to stick around for the full concert; ‘it’s amazing to be here and trusting the show would go ahead … we’re just grateful to be out here’ Rossdale from Bush echoed to the audience. Gunn continued the appreciation for the audience saying how beautiful the crowd was and how great it was to be in Melbourne. Cheap Trick thanked the crowd by reminiscing about their experiences in Melbourne in times gone by including a rather comical conversation with Nielsen and the band’s young guitarist about never being to Australia, “and this is our youngest members first time in Australia” Nielsen exclaimed until the young guitarist corrected him with his revelation … he’d been here four times before … a stunned Nielsen admitting he was practically a local.

 The curtain raisers Rose Tattoo and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club got the crowd moving and shaking early in the piece, the strong rock and roll enthusiasts at the front swarmed the opening talent and made them feel right at home.

Some of the fans were simply swept up by the stardom on stage, one die-hard fan could be seen racing from pillar to post with a set list handy, hugging fellow fans and getting up close and personal at the edges of the stage in his sparkling golden jacket collecting sweaty guitar picks to add to his very own rock and roll hall of fame. His emotion did get the better of him as he teared up during some of spine-tingling harmonies sung in unison with the whole crowd during the chart breaking hits from Cheap Trick. 

In the kaleidoscope of great hits the crowd reacted to; Everything Zen performed by Bush had fans screaming the lyrics back at the band whilst Glycerine had audience members holding their phones up like a candle light vigil singing along with the lone Rossdale on stage strumming his electric guitar. The microphone was turned toward the fans as they were united singing the chorus of Comedown in the deep red lights as camera flashes buzzed around the stadium. The sea of phones again were raised as Stone Temple Pilots sang the catchy Interstate Love Song belted out by fans accompanied for flashing golden lights and a deeply crouched Gunn. Heads were shaking and sweat was splattering from the long locks of hair thumping to the chorus of Dead and Bloated which was fitting from those who made a few too many trips to the tuck shop. Cheap Trick teased their greatest hits out to the audience often making jokes about not playing The Flame instead opting to play some of their lesser-known tunes that only the die-hard fans would appreciate. However even the die-hard fans were starting to stamp their feet in protest. The audience that stayed to the very end however were treated to a plethora back-to-back Cheap Trick headline material playing If You Want My Love, I Want You To Want Me, Dream Police, Surrender and yes The Flame did get a run in case you were wondering. The seasoned professionals characteristically ended the show farewelling the audience the only way they know how … in song and bowing to a rowdy crowd appreciating the rock legend’s ability to stay at the top of their game for so long.

 So, for all your rock enthusiasts out there, if you want a concert that’ll have you clapping your hands, banging your head, using your phone as candle sticks and your voice a screaming speaker whilst you’re singing along arm in arm with a random golden jacketed mega fan then Under the Southern Stars is the concert for you to rediscover your love for live concerts. 

You can still catch this spectacular rock music concert series, featuring rock royalty Cheap Trick, global rock superstars, Bush and the legendary Stone Temple Pilots, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!!

 As well as Australian rock royalty Rose Tattoo and rock icons Electric Mary.

UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS 2022

Sat, March 19: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Sun, March 20: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Tues, March 22: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW
Wed, March 23: Quodos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Fri, March 25: Kings Beach Ampitheatre, Caloundra, QLD
 Sat, March 26: Southport Sharks, Gold Coast, QLD
Sun, March 27: Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD

Presale starts Friday, Nov 26 @ 9.00am AEDT until 5.00pm Sunday, Nov 28 AEDT.
Register for presale access before 5.00pm on Sunday, Nov 28 for discounted early bird tickets.
General Public On Sale Monday, Nov 29 @ 9.00am AEDT
www.underthesouthernstars.com.au