Rockwiz Live @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 5/8/2023
It was a popular choice for Saturday night when a full house of “Rock freaks, nerds and knackers” arrived at the magnificent Thebarton Theatre for the well-loved comedy music trivia show Rockwiz, a show that most of us generally watch in our pyjamas from the comfort of our living rooms (which may or may not involve too many Tim Tams).
Rockwiz has been getting around as a touring show for over ten years, along with a mainstay on SBS and now fresh new episodes on Fox8, however this time the Rockwiz team were marking the very important milestone in music history of fifty years of Mushroom Records.
Featuring insightful and hilarious trivia about Mushroom’s most iconic music and artists, along with some colourful tales of the legend himself, founder Michael Gudinski; Julia, Brian, Dugald and the impeccable sounding Rockwiz Orkestra delivered a top night of entertainment and music from Australia’s rock n roll golden age. Throw into the mix a few special surprise guests such as Mark Seymour (Hunters and Collectors), Dave Larkin (Dallas Crane), Vika and Linda Bull, soul songstress WILSN and newly signed actress/singer Eva Seymour, and it was a jam-packed evening of comedy and singing.
Guest artists performed some of their own hits recorded under the Mushroom label as well as a vast catalogue of some of the biggest hits from the likes of Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs’ Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy, Sunnyboys Alone With You, Choirboys’ Run to Paradise and a heartfelt version of Leonardo’s Bride’s Even When I’m Sleeping performed by Mark Seymour. Audience favourites Vika & Linda stole the show with a performance of their popular 1994 track When Will You Fall for Me along with a slapping cover of Skyhooks’ Living in the 70s.
The set list was not only incredibly diverse and nostalgic spanning decades of much-loved Australian music, but performed flawlessly with an incredible amount of energy and within the glorious acoustics of one of Adelaide’s most treasured venues. The entire three hour show was engaging and festive, a fantastic showcase and celebration of Mushroom Records, with the audience loving every minute.
As expected the comedy was on point and even geared to the locals (the grand prize involving a six week Quilting holiday in Port Pirie was especially hilarious). Volunteers from the audience were selected through a speedy elimination round to compete and the regular categories including Who Can It Be Now? and Million Dollar Riff were featured, while guest artists teamed up with them between performances.
Essentially, everything you have come to love and know from decades of this unique and significant Australian Television show but bigger and louder. 10/10 worth leaving the pyjamas and Tim Tams at home for.
Live Review By Bec Scheucher