Billy Ocean @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 27/6/2023
The legendary Billy Ocean finished his Australian tour last night in Adelaide at the iconic Thebarton Theatre. The Thebbie was absolutely packed and it might of been a Tuesday night but there was there was a fantastic energy in the venue for what would be an awesome show. Seventy three years young Billy Ocean is at the height of his powers and with an elite band in tow the next two hours was a real treasure trove of gold playing all the hits from a stellar career.
It was an unusual to have everyone packed in and seat when the inclination of the fans was to want to get up and dance and shake those hips. Taking the stage just before nine Billy Ocean looked a million bucks in a blue suit blowing a kiss to the crowd before opening with the title track from new album One World. Thanking our saviour Jesus Christ he asked the crowd how their was and if it didn’t go well he would make it better. That he did with single Love Really Hurts Without You which lifted the collective mood of the crowd.
Nights (Feel Like Getting Down) followed and someone yelled out ‘love you Billy’ to which he replied ‘I love you more’. There was plenty of admiration for this legendary performer singing his out heart out on There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) and Love Zone. Being jovial Billy said to get to the love zone you got to get in to my car which served as a perfect intro to Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car. Reflecting on the last three weeks in Australia and that Adelaide was the last stop on the tour suggesting that a return might be much sooner.
Going back to the 70s it was Red Light Spells Danger followed by Bob Marley & The Wailers cover No Woman, No Cry which got the crowd singing. Enjoying the touring life Billy took a moment to say how much he enjoys life and how many shows they have ahead of them saying ‘I might not know where I’m going or where I have been but I know where I am’ praising Adelaide, albeit a little cold, and the ‘pretty’ name akin to a beautiful lady with beautiful children.
Plenty more moments of gold with Mystery, Suddenly and Loverboy. Trying to shake off a cold picked up in Sydney he said that wasn’t enough to stop the show. Prompting the crowd after saying ‘When the going gets tough’ and yell back ‘the tough gets going’ the crowd were up and out of their seats for the final number When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going. Returning for an encore which started with band intros and bringing it home with Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run). Definitely an awesome way to spend a Tuesday night.
Live Review By Rob Lyon