After 2024’s 50th Anniversary celebrations last year the Angels are back with their ‘Go For Broke’ Tour, and show no signs of slowing down. Hitting Fremantle and Perth back to back this weekend they were sublime.
John and Rick Brewster are of course the heart and soul of The Angels. Their raw, electrifying guitar work helped define the band’s powerful sound. Rick’s ferocious lead guitar riffs, paired with John’s solid rhythm, create an intense dynamic that has inspired countless fans and musicians alike. Through years of highs and lows, their brotherly bond has kept The Angels’ spirit alive in their music, creating some of the most iconic tracks in Australian rock history. Tonight at a packed Rosemount it’s incredible to think that we’re now exploring the second fifty!
The Angels’ Go For Broke Tour stop at The Rosemount was a no-nonsense showcase of why this band remains one of Australia’s most formidable live rock acts. Leaning heavily on fan favourites, yet boldly inserting new material, the setlist was a tight, expertly paced mix that satisfied die-hards and casual listeners alike.
The night kicked off with “No Exit” and “After the Rain”, setting a raw and urgent tone. These are songs that resonate immediately in a live setting—brooding and punchy, giving the Brewster brothers plenty of room to stretch out their signature guitar sound. From there, the crowd energy surged with early placement of the all-time classic “No Secrets” and the enigmatic “Fashion and Fame”, both of which lit up the room with big choruses and loud singalongs.
One thing that we have to mention is of course the line-up that takes us into the next 50. Nick Norton’s continued growth as The Angels’ lead vocalist has been one of the most remarkable elements of their ‘Go For Broke’ tour. It has of course been an unexpected and no less formidable step up into a new role as vocalist. It can’t be hard to follow, as he has, in the footsteps of legendary vocalists like Doc Neeson and Dave Gleeson.
So after a tentative start on previous outings it was clear tonight that Nick’s voice and stage presence have evolved significantly since he first jumped from holding the fort at the back behind the drums to front and centre. His vocals, which started out with a bit of hesitation in earlier shows, have now matured : there’s a compelling rawness to it—gravelly, yet melodic—that complements the band’s heavy guitar-driven sound perfectly. It was particularly evident on tracks like “Minor Truth” from the latest album (ten years in the making) and excels on wonderful rendition of “Face the Day,” where Nick’s real depth came through, proving that he can deliver both power and vulnerability with equal conviction. Quite unexpectedly Nick has rather quickly carved out a space for himself, delivering his own unique spin on the band’s iconic sound.
When Nick first took over as frontman, there was some understandable pressure from fans, who understandably held Neeson’s distinctive tone and raw intensity in such high regard, but even the supremely hard task of following the consummate frontman Dave Gleeson would have been a challenge to anyone. But over a remarkably short space of time, Nick has grown more comfortable with the material, and his delivery now feels less like an imitation and more like a natural extension of the band’s spirit and his own identity.
In interviews, Nick has spoken about the responsibility of fronting a band with such an established legacy, but his performance on this tour makes it clear: he’s not just carrying the torch, he’s adding fuel to it. His growth as a vocalist and performer is undeniable.
Slotting “Ninety Nine (Go For Broke)” mid-set showed confidence in the band’s newest material—it didn’t feel like filler it sounded like a Blues classic. The title track from their 2024 album punched just as hard as the older cuts, a reminder that The Angels aren’t just coasting on nostalgia; they’re still writing with urgency and real intent.
The heart of the show included anthem after anthem and the crowd loved it – unable to stop themselves dancing, raising their arms and singing along. : “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” (complete with crowd-led profanities), “Face the Day”, and the hauntingly powerful cover of “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” was another highlight—more defiant than ever in the current climate, delivered with menace and heart.
The back third of the set was just as relentless: “Comin’ Down”, “Hue and Cry”, “Be With You”, and “Shadow Boxer” reminded everyone why The Angels have endured for five decades. Each song bled into the next with little punctuation, maintaining a high-octane energy that peaked with “Take a Long Line” and the always-explosive “Marseilles” to close.
After a brief break, the encore delivered exactly what the crowd hoped for. “Mr. Damage” was savage and expansive, whilste “Straight Jacket” closed things with a mix of chaos and precision—a fitting end to a night that celebrated Australia’s greatest rock band in al their pomp and glory. This setlist wasn’t just a trip through the past. It was a reaffirmation that The Angels, even in 2025, still go for broke. A packed and raucous Rosemount Hotel clearly agreed.
Support tonight, as well as on the rest of the tour, came from the wonderfully fun ‘Disgraceland’, a Punk Elvis covers band who had the crowd more than ready for The Angels with their high octane covers of Neil Diamond, John Denver and The Vapors. The only surprise was the surprising low number of Elvis tracks in the set…
