Wolfmother, Danger Dolphins @ The Gov, Adelaide 1/2/2024
Wolfmother return to Adelaide for another big show having only announced it earlier in January. I think that spontaneity is great, reducing the lead time, building the excitement not having to wait months months as well as creating a sense of urgency for fans to rush out and buy tickets to avoid missing out.
Opening act The Danger Dolphins are an exciting prospect. Up until this show I knew very little about them even though they had released an album in 2022 Blackfish Blues and some new singles last year. Their clear influence of blues, folk and rock is evident and if you threw early Black Keys and Kings Of Leon in the blender you would have a re-energised brand of rock ‘n roll that is uniquely The Danger Dolphins. They played a spirited set and songs NAH and Searching Blind were standouts for me. Definitely a band that is worth seeking out and I reckon most music lovers will be pleasantly surprised.
It was a big and excitable Thursday night crowd at The Gov that made plenty of noise as Wolfmother took the stage. Loaded with great songs to draw from they wasted no time charging through Dimension, New Moon Rising and Woman. Front man Andrew Stockdale said that they had not played in Australia in a while looking forward to playing here in Adelaide having not returned since November 2022. There was an element of getting reacquainted with Adelaide fans and what a way to do it. They were on song, sounding incredible with the gig hardened line up included James Wassenaar on bass and Christian Condon on drums.
Usual suspects Apple Tree and White Unicorn were all there but it was the likes of Gypsy Caravan and California Queen that impressed. Stockdale asked the crowd if they wanted to “get heavier” on Colossal then taking it down a notch on Vagabond. Feelin’ Love was solid with Stockdale encouraging fans to get on the Midnight Train to Adelaide. Victorious and Rock’n’Roll Survivor were great moments and Stockdale joked that “we’ll be back next week as the new house band” suggesting that he really loves spending time in Adelaide and the surrounds of playing The Gov.
Finishing on Joker & Thief which revved the crowd right up before the chant for one more song started as the band left the stage. Stockdale did say how about a couple more which actually was one leaving some people a bit confused thinking they might come back on again. Nevertheless, if you going to close out a show it doesn’t getting any better than Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll. Looking forward to seeing what’s next for Wolfmother.
Live Review By Rob Lyon