Enter Shikari @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne 11/11/2022
The Forum in Melbourne would have to be one of my favourite venues, it looks absolutely stunning and I’m yet to hear a bad mix there, it’s magic. It has been a few years since I was last here and it still blows my mind when walking in. For those of you who haven’t been there, think a Greek auditorium inside a venue, an incredibly high ceiling with lights that look like stars, my words won’t do it justice, just go to a show there. It’s the perfect setting for tonight’s upbeat and energetic crowd who are an incredibly mixed bag, there were death metal shirts, the hardcore/punk shirts, the goth chicks, the woo girls and the guys that looked like they just finished work and come straight to the gig! Everyone was keen to be here.
Opening tonight are local up and comers Windwaker, who I found out during the set was the “new” singers first time fronting the band, apparently there was a change of the guard recently. For a first show taking the front, this guy nailed it. There is a reason these guys are getting more and more hype, they deserve it! Straight from the opening notes they came out hard and fast, the energy was high, and they smashed through their set with incredible precision. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands from the start with their catchy as hell riffs and then won over the filling room with an awesome cover of Britney Spears, Toxic. Great choice for opening tonight’s gig!
Creeper, punk, goth, English rockers had a hard time following up Windwakers incredible set but goddamn, they got there, won over and made a room full of fans out of The Forum by the end of their set. Going from energetic electro metal to a mix between Misfits and My Chemical Romance was a massive difference and you could feel it in the crowd, people were unsure but for their first Aussie gig ever, Creeper showed us the reason that they are the main supports for Enter Shikari. Their energy was incredible and regardless of crowd reaction or how little they had at the start, that front man riled them up got them to start a crowd chant and sing along. They have a female keyboard player who stayed to the back most of the time and had backing vocals occasionally but mid set she grabs a mic and comes center stage and sings a duet song with the male lead and they played their parts well, it was incredible to watch. Their set on a grandiose big sounding song that was the perfect ending and switch to the headliners.
Enter Shikari, the reason we all came out tonight, they bring with them a message of human kindness and disgust at the corporate/capitalist ideals, anyone who has listened to them or seen them live know they carry this mantra or outlook in life. Their crowd have the same vibe, the entire night, everyone is friendly and there to experience the ride of the show. Coming out to The Great Unknown, the crowd immediately starts singing and it doesn’t let up until the end of their set. Rou sets the rules, forget the outside world for the time of the show and 2nd rule is dance like nobody is watching, which everyone did. They blast through a great set of classics and latest material like The Pressure’s on, Dreamers Hotel and Juggernauts. When playing Destablise and Anaesthetist, the venue physically shakes when it hits the breakdown sections and the crowd are jumping, a man-made earthquake, there is no other feeling like it. The band take to the crowd towards the end of the set during Mothership, Chris and Rory jump down for a mosh and then Rou goes rogue and runs around the entire venue jumping through the crowd and crowd surfing everywhere. They end their set with a crowd singalong to Live Outside with and amazing coloured light show to match.
As previously mentioned, the Enter Shikari message carries some weight to it these days, it’s a reminder that you should be kind to each other, we are each human individuals that should be looking out for each other instead of having this ideal that we are against each other in all aspects of life. To live in the moment of the show and forget the worries of the outside world for 90mins is a small reprieve that they like to remind people. I don’t tend to get preachy in these things, but these guys live by their message, check them out if you haven’t already, well worth the listen.
[Gallery] George Thorogood @ Forum Theatre, MELBOURNE 28/10/2022
George Thorogood
Hamish Anderson
[Review] Tony Hadley @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne 26/02/2020
Music venues do not come any better than The Forum Melbourne, it is steeped with nostalgia and sets quite a fairy-tale feel as you descend towards the stage. I love coming to shows here and hearing the comments from the performers I think they love it too. Tonight it is New Romantic royalty Tony Hadley, of course, we all know him as the former frontman for world-famous Spandau Ballet but this evening he is here flying solo. Giving us a front-row seat to his new album Talking To The Moon and his back catalogue of hits while with Spandau Ballet.
I hit the age demographic square on the jaw and was pleased to be amongst like-minded souls ready for a night of eighties infused tunes and a trip down memory lane. While I think many had their feet firmly stuck in the eighties it made for some very interesting people watching, but when I caught sight of a dynamic duo rocking a double man bag I was quickly brought back to 2020.
Gold Coast youngster Chloe Styler opened the night’s proceedings, she has been on tour with Tony across Australia and was very gracious for the opportunity. Dressed in the prettiest of pink dresses she was accompanied by another guitarist/backing vocalist and they got straight to business. Giving us a 45 minute set of lovely tunes. Chloe’s voice was quite unique and had a memorable tone that everyone enjoyed. Her guitar playing was well suited to her sound and it came as no surprise when she said she had been brought up on music at home from a young age. Her cover of Landslide was a lovely addition to her set and she certainly warmed up the crowd ready for the main attraction.
Kicking the night off with one of my favourite Spandau Ballet song, To Cut A Story Short, who can forget the tartan infused film clip from 1980, thankfully there was not a kilt in sight tonight, just a dapper Tony Hadley sporting a suit and looking a million dollars. Highly Strung then Killer Blow from the new album was up next If you are yet to give Talking To The Moon a spin, what are you waiting for?! It is a brilliant album and you will be well impressed. Tony still holding the long notes with ease, it was such a pleasure to watch him in action, making everything look so easy. He worked the stage like the professional he is, getting the banter/singing ratio just right. Then jumped into a winning trifecta of Only When You leave, Round and Round and I’ll Fly For You, giving all the Spandau Ballet fans something to scream about. The dance floor was full of eighties tragics cutting moves like they did way back when, if it was their only night out for the year they were making the most of it.
The lighting was of the highest standard as was the sound, the two came together to make the perfect setting for Through The Barricades, it is Tony’s favourite song to sing and he had a straight-up double jack to accompany him until percussionist extraordinaire Lily Gonzalez jumped front and centre to sing. Talk about chills! They flew to celestial heights spotlighted in white looking angelic as they sang with such purpose and gave this beautiful song the recognition it deserved. Tony’s voice is like chocolate syrup, rich and smooth, proving that he still has what it takes so many years after the inception of Spandau Ballet. Another great addition from the new album was Tonight Belongs To Us, there was so much to love about this whole set. So many terrific songs on the setlist and with Queen currently in Australia we were treated to a fabulous version of Somebody To Love getting the crowd up and about bringing their singing voices to the front.
Tony’s band were brilliant but I feel I didn’t not give them the attention they deserved, but Mr Hadley held my gaze for the entire show, he was suave, sophisticated, and that voice like velvet….. anyway, kudos to all on stage you made the show what it was with your sensational musicianship, thank you. Instinction, Chant No 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure One) and the one that got all the hands in the air True. Arms swaying from side to side, Tony’s delivery was absolutely faultless, it is a lovers song and I think the couple next to me stepped back in time to their local Blue Light Disco. I get a cheeky snog, but they were next level, get a room next time! True really was beautiful and the show could easily have ended there, our singing voices were exhausted, but lucky for the packed house, Tony had a few left. LifelIne had the floor bouncing, then with no encore it was straight into the jewel in the crown, GOLD! The lighting turned a stunning liquid amber as Tony belted it out with gusto the floor was pounding, the fans taking over the vocals “YOU ARE GOLD!! ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOUR SOUL, YOU’VE GOT THE POWER TO KNOW, YOURE INDESTRUCTIBLE”. Such pertinent lyrics in today’s day and age, remember people always believe in yourself. Tony left looking on with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He struck a pose looking quite ‘James Bond’ on a few occasions, maybe there is something in that, can you act Tony?!
After the final bows were taken to rapturous applause the fans streamed out of The Forum all enjoying that step back in time for one night, feeling young and free in the music of their youth. There was so much to love above tonight’s show, Tony Hadley far exceeded my expectations, and I am walking away one very happy lady. Do the eighties songs still cut it today, you bet your Sony walkman they do!
