Under The Southern Stars @ Bonython Park, Adelaide 20/3/2022
Day 3! Under The Southern Stars turned it on again with another splendid day of rock ‘n roll action. The weather for all three days was stellar and whilst we might of been a little fatigued and a tad sun kissed a bigger crowd gathered to enjoy the final day of some of the best bands going around. I hope that people after experiencing this festival and hearing about how awesome it was that they feel confident about buying tickets and heading out to enjoy live music after limited opportunities over the last couple of years. Hats off to die hard fan Leanne who had been to every UTSS so far on the tour, golf clap there.
The theme of the day was to escape the heat and any ounce of shade was seized. By all accounts Dallas Crane got things absolutely rocking and Electric Mary continued on in much the same vain. I really dig the way these guys go about it. Sweet Mary C was a cracking tune and the dedication to front man Rusty Brown’s late father Luv Me was fantastic. Not sure if punters got a bit freaked out when Rusty mentioned that there was a snake down the front on the previous day.
The Badloves, such awesome band with a treasure trove of hits. Green Limousine was a real treat but it was moments such new single Midnight Sun, The Weight (performed with Jimmy Cupples from King Canyon and set closer Lost complete with audience sing-along were real winners for me. Hot damn Killing Heidi brought their A-game to UTSS. After playing at half time at the Adelaide Crows game against Fremantle it was a mad dash to Bonython Park to play a really tight, high energy and rocking set that included the likes of Mascara, Live Without and Heaven Sent. Jesse Hooper told the crowd to pace themselves as they hadn’t finishing off their set with Superman Supergirl and monster hit Weir.
Rose Tattoo have played three solid nights at UTSS bringing plenty of muscle and grunt to the stage. Their set was loaded with hits including Out Of This Place, Juice On The Loose, We Can’t Be Beaten, Sweet Love, Bad Boy For Love and Rock ‘n Roll Outlaw. Even Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen was full of admiration of Rose Tattoo’s front man Angry Anderson saying they would prefer to tour with them than being stuck with Rod Stewart.
Cheap Trick! Cheap Trick! Cheap Trick! Undoubtedly they live up to their intro being the best fucking rock band in the world. Opening with the aptly titled Here Comes The Summer it was a surprise Beatles cover Magical Mystery Tour. He’s A Whore and Dream Police went off and with Rick Nielsen saying don’t accept no substitutes they did slow things down on Ballad Of TV Violence. Carnival Game was a surprise inclusion. Boys & Girls & Rock & Roll was played with much gusto and the big highlight was their global hit The Flame. What a way to finish their set with If You Want My Love, I Want You To Love Me and Surrender. Then it was Goodnight, I seriously hope we get to see them again.
Bush rocked and I reckon they upped their performance compared to Saturday night. It was a barnstorming opener with The Kingdom. Front man Gavin Rossdale thanked Adelaide for their support having tried getting to Australia three or four times since their last tour here with Soundwave. Machinehead and Blood River were great with Rossdale commenting on the positive vibe of this touring circus. Plenty more fire power with The Chemicals Between Us, Quicksand and an opportunity to reflect on where it all began on Everything Zen. Rossdale asked the crowd to learn the new record and follow them to the next show in Wollongong. Glycerine, Flowers A Grave and Comedown finished off their set perfectly.
Hard to believe we were at the end of the Under The Southern Stars run of shows in Adelaide. It was about this time that fireworks could be seen heralding the end of a lot of other events in Adelaide from Fringe to Adelaide Festival. I’m still in disbelief that I have been able to Stone Temple Pilots twice in as many days after waiting a lifetime to see them. New front man and singer Jeff Gutt complements the band so well and honours the legacy of the late Scott Weiland well. All the hits were there playing a very similar set to the previous night including the likes of Vasoline, Big Bang Baby, Down and Big Empty. My favourites Plush, Interstate Love Song and Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart were fantastic. Gutt commented that Adelaide is a beautiful city and that they have had a really great few days here finishing on Sex Type Thing.
Well done to the organisers behind Under The Southern Stars. A well put together festival, great productions and fingers crossed it comes back even bigger next year.
Live Review By Rob Lyon