The Fabulous Caprettos landed in the historic Astor Theatre in Perth, for the Westen Australian leg of their Live in 25 national tour. The venue’s intimate Art Deco ambiance set the tone for a warm, electrifying evening and the almost full house was buzzing with anticipation from the off and seated early for the opening act.
Perth-based singer-songwriter Jason Ayres delivered a quietly compelling opening set that was made up of originals and well-crafted covers. His original ‘Wild River’ stood out for its emotional lyricism and smooth vocal delivery, but the covers were equally beguiling from Sonny and Cher’s ‘Bang, Bang’ to a soulful take on Chris Isaak’s ‘Baby Did a Bad. Bad Thing.’ Jason closed his set with ‘Coming Back to You,’ winning over the crowd with his authenticity and charm. His set struck the ideal balance: restrained, heartfelt, and perfectly suited to set up the night. Look out for him playing locally with his full band soon.
The Caprettos, tonight comprising Australian music heavyweights Dave Gleeson, Joe Camilleri, Jack Jones, and Rai Thistlethwayte, took the stage to huge applause along with special guest Wendy Mathews whose blond locks gave her a Fleetwood Mac like look. Their chemistry was electric from the opening note.
It opened up very much led by Camilleri and Jones who took us through Black Sorrows ‘Daughters of Glory’ before Wendy Matthews sublime Womack and Womack cover and ‘Woman’s Gotta Have It’ introduced us to tonight’s special guest. The applause was still ringing as Jones delivered Southern Sons favourite ‘Always & Ever’ with pristine vocals and real resonance.
But it was a show where the spotlight was elegantly shifted with Rai’s Thirsty Merc hits starting with ’20 Good reasons’ and later ‘Someday, Someday’ and the evergreen ‘In the Summertime’ that brought both nostalgia and a real youthful exuberance. Their collective command of classic Aussie rock was masterful. Gleeson, always a star, energized the room with rock classics like ‘Helping Hand,’ and later, ‘Better’; while Camilleri’s essential ‘Harley and Rose’ and soulful ‘Chained to the Wheel’ added first timelessness, then bluesy depth.
The set wove through decades of Australian music seamlessly: Gleeson led rousing renditions of Screaming Jets tunes; Jack brought listeners back to the ’90s with heartfelt beautifully-paced ballads; and Rai bridged the eras with a more modern pop‑rock countenance.
Throughout all of it, backing vocalist/drummer Gerry Pantazis and bassist Jason Vorherr added tight rhythm and enriching harmonies whilst staying firmly out of the limelight. The show also teased new material, suggesting possible future Caprettos originals may be on the way.
As a highlight of the evening and very special guest for the tour, Wendy Matthews, known for her smooth vocals she delivered a powerful ‘Day You Went Away’ before her most cherished song ‘Let’s Kiss,’ which brought a touch of elegant pop meets soul to the night. When Matthews performed that song the tone shifted wonderfully with her voice shimmering with intimacy and nostalgia, the audience captivated.
The collaboration felt seamless: Matthews harmonised beautifully with Camilleri and Gleeson during group sections, bringing a refined contrast to the rock-driven energy of the Caprettos. Her presence enriched the lineup with a melodic depth that expanded the night’s rich palette.
The Caprettos delivered a great fun night awash with nostalgia, Gleeson’s playful antics with the tambourine and his impromptu humor was infectious; Rai’s restless energy contrasted with Camilleri’s seasoned charisma and Jack’s soaring vocals have lost nothing over time. The crowd sang along all night, especially during iconic choruses like ‘Hold Me in Your Arms’ and closer ‘Gotta Get Out of This Place’. The Fabulous Caprettos is more than just another show in the calendar it’s a celebration of Australian music heritage. A night of wonderful storytelling, real camaraderie, and incredible musicianship.
Jason Ayres provided an intimate, soulful opening that grounded the show, while the Caprettos offered decades-spanning hits performed with passion and professionalism. An unforgettable night.
Special thanks to Starr Special Events and their team for the hospitality & media access.
GALLERY
