The Vandastruts from Wollongong kicked things off tonight. I must admit that I had never heard of them until tonight. This five piece of twenty somethings took me by surprise. Their thirty-minute set sent me back to the late eighties and early nineties and the thrill of finding a new band that would go on to have a lengthy career and become a part of Australian rock n roll DNA.
While what The Vandastruts do hasn’t reinvented the wheel, they have refined said wheel by taking the best elements and influence of the last fifty years of Aussie rock and putting it in a big old spit ball that is uniquely theirs.
When you look at their name it kind of spells it all out for you. Well-crafted songs not unlike those that came from the Vanda & Young stables, there is an energy and urgency to what they do. Borrowing from the DNA of artists like Billy Thorpe and AC/DC through to Jet and Wolfmother while adding their own flair.
The Vandastruts set was tight, they know their set so well it allowed them room to truly give off that live anything can happen spirit, something that I love. The guys come across as loveable lads, a little loose in their persona yet super tight musically and so much fun. Being hand-picked by Jon Stevens too for this run just adds a further stamp of confidence in the appeal of what they do. Well done guys, I can’t wait to hear and see more from you.
Setlist : Cigarettes And Champagne, Lucy Lu, That’s Alright Mama, I’m Not Playing Games, No Good, Into The Unknown.
The Vandastruts Gallery
Anyone who has ever seen a Jon Stevens gig whether it be with Noiseworks, INXS, The Dead Daisies or solo you know that every performance of his is an experience and event within itself. This is only show eight of the massive run that is the Noiseworks & INXS Collection 2026 and if it is anything to go by you this run will be unlike any other before it.
The show is an extended version of what we have seen before, it’s two hours long, and the set is packed with twenty-five songs and refuses to let up. Now I have lost count of the number of times I have seen Jon live. Tonight there was something different. Not only is the show longer than any other of the Noiseworks and INXS collection tours, but it also dives deeper into both bands catalogues. The revamped set isn’t the only change either and you can’t help but think that the addition of three new players in the band might have had something to do with it.
I don’t think there was a coincidence in opening with ‘I Send A Message’ tonight, it was full of intent, and the message was loud and clear that we were about to experience something very special tonight. The alternation of INXS and Noiseworks hits were impeccable and the pairings were a triumph, the flow and sequence masterfully designed.
The new twin guitar attack of Simon Hosford and Troy Downward give the band a new attack and approach. Both players are elite in what they do, and their resumes are simply incredible. Hosford notably a touring member of Men At Work, Daryl Braithwaite, Electric Mary, Birtles Shorrock Goble to name a few along with Downward who has played with Tina Arena, Daryl Braithwaite, Russell Morris, Tim Rogers, Kate Ceberano, Cody Simpson and Danni Minogue bring something very special to the band and the way the songs present themselves. There is a synergy and connection between the two sharing the load of rhythm and lead duties equally and seamlessly with an attack that gives this collection of songs a new drive live. They play the original parts so damn well and give those parts and the original players full respect adding their own special sauce along the way, I think that is a huge part of the magic tonight.
Hosford’s backing vocals along with those of long-time bassist Chris Bekker and Troy Downward are nothing short of amazing. I found myself looking around the stage to see who was doing what with the harmonies as they really did fill out these songs, lift them and breathe new life into them so well.
Hugo Lee who was called up last minute to cover the shows of longtime keyboardist and Saxophonist Glenn Riether who unfortunately had his time on this tour cut short after just one show due to an injury that has had to see him sit out the remainer of this year’s shows. Now Lee you might and should know as the Keyboard/Saxophone player in Icehouse. Lee is a real talent in his own right, but in this configuration of Steven’s band fills Riether’s shoes perfectly and adds some of his own flair to it all. He has this presence and confidence about him that extends and continues to shine beyond Icehouse, tonight Lee was nothing short of brilliant.
I can’t write a review without mentioning the rhythm section of Johnny Salerno and Chris Bekker. These two lock in so well together and have this magic that they create that I just love. They get better each time I see them and tonight was no exception. They are both technically precise and know each other so well that you would swear they are joined at the hip. They have been doing this with Stevens for a long time now, it has to be close to a decade and it has been incredible watching the engine room become so tight and drive the feel and energy the way they do.
While it has also been a moment since I last saw the Noiseworks & INXS Collection as a tour of its own, there has been no shortage of multi band appearances I have caught with Noiseworks or Jon and his band in that gap. Stevens has never left me disappointed; he is one of this country’s finest rock voices and frontmen, he never ceases to impress me and has done for four decades, something I cannot say about many. Then you have his presence on stage, as a performer Stevens pulls you in with his natural charisma and charm, pulling you into the songs. I never got to see Stevens front INXS live in person, i can only imagine the how the magic would have felt. If it was anything like his performance tonight it would have been spellbinding.
Make no mistake this is the best I have heard this show done. That takes nothing away from past members of the band and their ability. There have been some absolute blindingly good performances in the past, but as I said before tonight there was something different, something new has been unlocked and unleashed. Everything you could wish for was there tonight, the biggest hits, deep cuts and new additions to the set are just a huge breath of air, making this show the strongest it has ever been. So much so there was an energy from Stevens that I hadn’t seen in years, he simply beamed and there was an sense of real pride spilling from the stage.
Hearing deep Noiseworks cuts like ‘It’s Time’, which Noiseworks never performed live and ‘Love vs Money’ gave this show a real depth and dared to step out of the safe song choice lane. Something I truly do love when artists do. It’s respect to not only the songs and legacy but a true testament to how songs from decades ago still have very relevant and relatable message even though the times are so very different.
The INXS side of the set is further enhanced too with the addition of ‘Burn For You’, ‘By My Side’ and ‘Just Keep Walking’. These selections are perfect for the show. As a fan sure there are song I would have loved to hear, there are so many INXS songs that I could have thrown in to make my dream setlist, but when you look at the architecture of this show they possibly don’t work as well as this selection does. The same goes for the Noiseworks songs chosen, they all have a place and fit so perfectly.
The mix by Shane Rae was perfect tonight, detailed, loud and clean, everything sat as it should regardless of if you were up front or right at the back. The lighting and production by Glenn Falloon was impeccable and showed that when lighting is mapped out this well and executed in the way it was it adds to the mood and energy of a show. The lighting tonight added that final coat of gloss to the whole show. Never too little, never too much, something that I hope this tour never loses focus on and adapts to each different environment.
The Forum in my opinion is the best live music venue in this country; I always feel connected to the place and when the show is this good it is nothing short of perfection and I want to do it all again immediately.
This all might sound a little one sided and too good to be true, believe me it’s not. Just ask any of the two thousand others in attendance and I can guarantee they will all say the same thing. The Forum at capacity must be experienced to be fully appreciated. The Forum with Jon Stevens and his band delivering a show like this, there truly is nothing like it.
The capacity crowd tonight soaked up every moment and sang loud and proud, they danced, clapped and had the best time. The power of great songs presented so well is the best therapy for the head, heart and soul. The smiles on people’s faces were wide and bright as they entered the foyer to exit at the end of the night, the chatter of personal highlights passing by is uplifting too. It made my smile, smile a little brighter too.
If I must pick a negative from the night, it would be that there was no merch for sale from either The Vandastruts or Stevens. I love walking away with a souvenir from a show and sadly I left empty handed. Whether it be a CD/Vinyl, a tour poster, stubby holder or shirt it’s always nice to show some extra love and support to the artists.
As we left The Forum tonight the guys from The Vandastruts were loading their gear into their van and were clearly on a high and deservedly so. They connected with a new crowd with ease, and are a great young band who are doing the first twenty shows of this tour, fully embracing the opportunity. I know I will be watching them closely, again proving to myself it is essential to turn up early and check out the support band as you never know what you will discover.
There were a couple of young fans waiting outside the stage doors, one with the first two Noiseworks records in his hands hoping that Jon might sign them on the way out. The Vandastruts guitarist upon finishing loading their van proceeded to hand these two fans stubby holders which surprised them in the best way. The band then continued to hand out stubby holders to anyone in the vicinity that wanted one, it was the perfect PR move, it connected them to the fans. It made you take notice and ensured that you remembered them. It’s such a simple thing to do and sets them apart. I love it when bands seize an opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Setlist : I Send A Message, Voice Of Reason, Suicide Blonde, Burning Feeling, New Sensation, Touch, Burn For You, Miles & Miles, What You Need, Love Somebody, Original Sin, It’s Time, Never Tear Us Apart, Love Vs Money, Just Keep Walking, No Lies, Devil Inside, Hot Chilli Woman, Don’t Change.
Encore : Need You Tonight, Heart & Soul, By My Side, Freedom, Kick, Take Me Back.
A huge thank you to Sas Lyon and the entire Jon Stevens team for having us along.
Jon Stevens Gallery By Shot By Slaidins Photography
