On the banks of the Swan River, Perth is welcoming rock royalty: ZZ Top, with their iconic blend of blues-infused rock, Texas charm, and unmistakable beards. Joining them tonight are George Thorogood & The Destroyers, known for gritty vocals, hard-driving blues rock, and high-energy performances. With over a century of swagger between them, get ready for a night of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll as two legendary acts take the stage for one unforgettable evening.
Supporting them across the country is none other than Australia’s own Dallas Frasca, gaining early recognition by winning triple j’s “Light Your Fuse” competition in 2006, she hasn’t stopped since. Having toured with the likes of The Superjesus and John Butler Trio, and releasing six albums—her latest debuting at number 2 on the ARIA Blues & Roots Chart—she’s fast becoming one of the most electrifying and respected voices in Australian blues rock. Bold and confident, Frasca commands the crowd’s attention from the moment she steps on stage.
Exuding raw energy she mixes her set with her own originals & tonight a medley of Led Zepplin, getting everyone excited for what is to come.
Frasca’s blues infused rock is a perfect start to the night, having seen her perform on smaller stages it has to be said .. this larger setup suits her. Don’t get me wrong, she brings everything no matter the venue, but there’s something about tonight’s expansive space that allows her powerful sound to truly soar. Her voice is distinct, her delivery passionate, and she fills every corner with presence and purpose.
The downside to tonights set? At 15 mnutes it just wasn’t long enough!
Strutting on to the stage with a seam of spangles George Thorogood & The Destroyers have arrived. We’re not even halfway through the first song, Rock Party, before people are up on their feet, round the barriers and rocking away! … but … we’re in Perth and security here don’t like that… sit you must (insert sighing facepalm here)
The strength GT & The Destroyers brings is something else, there’s no pretence with them at all. Making up the band we’ve Jeff Simon (percussion) & Billy Blough (bass) – who’ve been with George since the 70’s, – along with Jim Suhler (rhythm & lead guitar) & Buddy Leach (sax). It’s swagger, stomping rhythm and a recognisable blues-soaked sound.
The Destroyers been released on parole to hit Perth for one night only, and so the story begins – a tale of house rent blues, pausing to hear the crowd join in for storytime and in unison a thousand voices echoed Langley Park “One Bourbon, One Scotch & One Beer”.
GT before hitting the opening notes of the unmistakable Get a Haircut he takes a moment to remind everyone “it’s a ROCK N ROLL show & you can only sit in your seats for so long!”
The crowd tonight are definitely keen to join in & with Gloria being sang in unison the energy is electric!
Soft rock, blues rock, boogie rock and just some pure rock! Bad to the Bone, a must have set staple with his signature White Fang, perfect for the distinct honky sound George is known for. His stage banter is loose and charming, peppered with jokes and sly nods to his half century long career.
Encore of Born to be Bad – it’s a celebration of timeless, no-frills rock music done by one of its great showmen. It’s a group that knows exactly who they are & who are built for nights like this.
I hope I’ve energy and power like that at 75!
Setlist
Rock Party
Who Do You Love?
Mama Talk to Your Daughter
I Drink Alone
House Rent Blues / One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
Get a Hair-cut
Gear Jammer
Move It on Over
Gloria
Bad to the Bone
Born to Be Bad
Watching the stage set up for tonight’s headline, you wouldn’t be mistaken to think they’ve brought everything but the kitchen sink! With a tiki tower of drums encompassing 2 kick drums and countless symbols they’re flanked by 16 Matador amps & heads as colourful as tonight’s outfits …
ZZ Top have to be one of the most recognisable bands across the world, some might argue that it’s not really ZZ Top without the late Dusty Hill & with Frank Beard following drs orders to take a break. But don’t doubt it, Billy Gibbons, Elwood Francis, (ZZ’s former guitar tech) &John Douglas capture the sound & exude the stylish, distinct and unmistakable theatrics.
Opening tonight in matching sparkly jackets we know we’re in for a visual feast just as much as auditory! With an immense back catalogue of over 50 years to choose from, opening with Got Me Under Pressure we’re instantly assured that Gibbons hasn’t lost that iconic guitar tone or style of playing.
Swaying & stepping in sync Elwood & Gibbons move straight through their set – they don’t need chat when they’ve sound like this.
A sound they found way back in the 70’s & they haven’t really gone off tangent chasing trends and the like – they’re undeniably ZZ Top.
Billy’s loose stage banter is perfect. Laid-back jokes, knowing winks, and the occasional “How ya doin’, Perth?” between riffs. It’s the kind of effortless cool you can’t fake
With more guitar changes than a fashion show catwalk we are charging through big hits & fan favourites with a set made up of the likes of Gimme All Your Lovin’, Waitin’ for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago, Pearl Necklace, and Legs kept the crowd in their seats for all of about three songs before people started sneaking down front.
With the stage plunged into darkness the crowd cheers & screams for an encore, as time passes, whispers of none are travelling through the crowd – could it be possible, could that be then end? ..
But .. as Gibbons & Elwood appear on stage, Billy takes a moment to explain “they just had to put on their new jackets!”. And so with snazzy bright fuchsia jackets it is just as much as a visual show, with guitars embedded with ipads & iphones showing images the encore begins, and it is one that’s hitting the mark with fans tonight.
Brown Sugar slid in with a bluesy swing, Tube Snake Boogie fired up the dance floor rebellion again, and then with encouragement from Elwood — the inevitable, undeniable La Grange. With the stage filling with bubbles, security gives up & lets the crowds enjoy the space to sing and dance along. La Grange has such a distinct sound that even after 50 years the riff never fails!
And just like that with no extended monologues, no faux farewell speeches. A trademark bow and exit stage right.
ZZ Top might be a little older, a little greyer, but damn — Gibbons is still as sharp and swaggering as ever.
Setlist
Got Me Under Pressure
I Thank You
Waitin’ for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Pearl Necklace
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
I Gotsta Get Paid
My Head’s in Mississippi
Sixteen Tons
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Encore:
Brown Sugar
Tube Snake Boogie
La Grange
With many thanks for the accreditation to Revolutions PR, Mellen Events & Live Nation > With shows still to come get your tickets here!
All photos: Mark Diggins
