After a sold-out, all seated night at the Astor, the final show of The Animals’ Australian tour at Fremantle’s Freo Social felt different, but in all the right ways. The room was more spacious, the crowd a little thinner, but the passion was unmistakable. Younger faces stood beside long-time faithful who’ve carried this music with them for decades — the kind of crowd where the songs feel inherited, almost woven into people’s DNA. That blend of generations gave the night a special warmth, the sense of a tradition being passed on in real time on a balmy Fremantle night.
Danny Handley was in wonderful form from the moment he stepped up to the mic. His humour, warmth, and relaxed wit have become central to the modern Animals identity, and his banter made the crowd feel part of the show rather than spectators. Early in the evening he recalled the band’s last appearance at this venue, back when it was the Fly by Night, with the stage on the opposite side of the room — a detail that instantly connected the band with Fremantle’s long and loyal gig-going culture. Later, when John Steel introduced him as the man on the microphone and guitar, the man stepping into the Eric Burdon role, it felt absolutely earned. There’s no imitation, no theatre, just a frontman delivering these songs with a passion, humour, and genuineness that feels completely natural.
All night long, there was a quiet reverence in watching John Steel play. Sixty years behind the drums this year, still steady, still anchoring the music with that unmistakable Animals swing. His and the band’s gratitude to past members — including those no longer with us — added a moment of reflection to an otherwise electric atmosphere. It reminded everyone that this is a band with history, but also one that refuses to live only in the past.
Barney Williams on keys is a continuing revelation. His playing flowed with such ease it seemed almost elemental, giving each song a fullness that elevated the entire performance. When he stepped forward for lead vocals on “I Believe to My Soul” and later on “I’m Going to Change the World,” he delivered them with both authenticity and style. Norman Helm’s bass work was equally vital — thick, warm, and pulsing, giving the songs a heartbeat that kept the dance floor alive. Together they created a sound that was unmistakably Animals but also unmistakably now.
The first set grew steadily in energy. The room lit up on “Baby, Let Me Take You Home,” and “I’m Crying” drew an early sing-along. “Bring It On Home to Me” filled the venue with warmth, and “Don’t Bring Me Down” carried the grit and bite that has defined this band since the ’60s. It all built beautifully toward “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” which closed the first set in joyous, full-voiced fashion. The whole crowd sang it as though it had been waiting all night for that very moment.
This is where the difference between last night and tonight really became clear. At the Astor, with a seated crowd, the second set opened with a spell of acoustic blues — perfect for that setting. But tonight the dance floor at Freo Social was packed, and while the older fans might not move with quite the same frenzy as they once did, the appetite for rock ’n’ roll was unmistakable. The band read the room perfectly and hit the accelerator rather than downshift.
The second set opened with a storming run of songs that made it clear that this was going to be a full-electric affair: “Inside Looking Out” expanded into a fiery jam with bass, keyboard, and guitar solos; “She Said Yeah” tore through the room with raw energy; “Night Time Is the Right Time” glowed with late-night swagger; and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” turned into one of the loudest, most unified sing-alongs of the entire tour. This sequence made the point better than any argument: line-up changes mean nothing when the spirit, skill, and vitality are this strong. These players don’t preserve the legacy — they extend it.
At one point, a dancer named Star jumped up onto the stage, grooving beside the band in pure, joyful spontaneity. Danny, grinning, said, “You come to Australia and that happens. It’s been a few years since we last had a go-go dancer on stage!” The crowd erupted, the band leaned into the moment, and the whole room lifted another notch. To add to the moment it turned out that Star, the dancer was from Morcombe in teh U.K. just down the road from
The encore brought with it the familiar, spine-tingling power of “The House of the Rising Sun.” No matter how many times you hear it, there’s something profoundly moving about witnessing it live, with John Steel laying down the pulse and the whole audience singing as though the song belongs to them personally. And in a way, it does.
After the final notes faded, John addressed the crowd with humility and warmth, thanking everyone before mentioning they’ll be back next year. Considering he’s just completed a grueling five-week tour — travelling, playing long shows, and meeting fans for hours after each performance — it’s almost unbelievable. The tour manager noted afterward that at 83, he never complains, never slows down, and never fails to give everything he has. It says everything about the man’s character and his devotion to the music and the people who love it.
Nights like this remind us why live music remains essential. These songs, decades old, still land with force and meaning; they still move bodies, stir hearts, and unite generations. The Animals continue to prove that timeless music grows richer with age, and that great musicians keep its flame burning bright. No matter how many times they return, the crowds will always be there — because the music is eternal, the feeling is life-affirming, and, at the end of the day, it’s a damn good night out.
See you next year for the next Final tour, John is good for another 20 years Danny confirmed after the show…
