Grinspoon, Private Function, Press Club @ Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide 23/12/2023
If you were experiencing Grinspoon withdrawal symptoms after experiencing one of their best shows ever a week ago they were back in Adelaide last night rocking the Theatre at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Adelaide really can’t get enough Grinspoon turning out in big numbers just shy of Christmas. Being all ages it was great to see plenty of youngsters in the crowd get to take in and experience one of Australia’s best and finest live acts. People have said to me you only just saw them a week ago, what’s different? Bigger show, bigger production and the show was that awesome the first time why not go again.
Press Club were solid openers and they had plenty of supporters in the crowd topping off what has been a big 2023 for them. Catching the tail end of their set highlights included Endless Motion and Suburbia. Private Function seemed to relish playing a bigger venue bringing even more chaos and manic energy than the week before. Touted as their “Christmas Show” it had all the makings of a spectacular with special guests Frosty The Snowman, Father Christmas, a Christmas Tree, Christmas songs and presents thrown out in to the crowd. Singer Chris Penney bared his arse again on Grabbing My Butt. Set highlights included I Dunno What I’m Doing Anymore, Talking to Myself, their big hit in Spain Albury-Wodonga and the cover no one will be forgetting quickly being Coldplay’s Yellow.
It was another killer performance by Grinspoon and there was no putting the cue in the rack heading in to the Christmas break going full throttle from go to woe. As the curtain dropped show two of the Easy Detention tour in Adelaide was in full flight. If you saw last week’s show there was no surprises with the set list but hearing some of these songs that don’t always get played was what it was all about. They went bang with Anyday, Anyhow followed by Lost Control, American Party Bomb and Rock Show. Front man Phil Jamieson was up and about wishing Adelaidians a Happy Saturday asking the question “Are You Ready” ploughing through Ready 1.
This tour was very much about celebrating two significant Grinspoon records Easy and New Detention which have been pressed to vinyl. Like I’ve said before just when you think you have seen the best of Grinspoon they find that little bit extra. Tonight was no different. Tang is wicked live and set staples No Reason, Secrets, Chemical Heart, 1000 Miles with the ‘go-go-go’s” went down a treat. Overdriver featuring Pat Davern, Joe Hansen and Kristian Hopes was killer followed by Phil going down the back of the venue to play INXS cover Don’t Change acoustically. Definitely was a huge highlight hearing that and seeing everyone’s mobile phone lights on lighting up the room.
The tail end of their set was gold with classic Grinspoon all the way with Hard Act To Follow, DC X 3 (perfect time for a sing-a-long and described as the best singing on tour with that youthful energy) and Just Ace. The encore topped off another awesome Grinspoon show with Champion and More Than You Are. Who wants to do it all over again next at Cry Baby? And at the Big Bash? A big yes from us!
Live Review By Rob Lyon