The Animals @ The Gov, Adelaide 28/2/2024
Good times guaranteed! The legendary founding member and Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Famer John Steel of the infamous UK rock group The Animals returned to Adelaide playing to a full house at The Gov. This was a great show, filled with great tunes that connect and resonate with music lovers just as much now as they did when they came out. It was a really great vibe in the room and one of those shows that appeals to all ages with iconic hits from one of the most important bands in the British invasion.
Promoted as being their sixtieth anniversary and farewell tour might be putting a premature end to the band who are sounding as great as ever and running like a well oiled machine. The legend and great man John Steel is drumming sensationally and there is no way he can be in his eighties playing with so much zest and vigour. The smile on his face as he looks out to the crowd is priceless. Front man Danny Handley (vocals and guitar) runs a tight ship and his joined by elite musicians Barney Williams (keys) and Norman Helm (bass).
Two sets with a short break in between with back to back hits was what was in front of punters. The crowd took a bit of coaxing to get in to it but once they warmed up it was fantastic. Baby, Let Me Take You Home opened and the crowd found plenty of voice on It’s My Life. So many great songs and it seemed as if they went from page to page or chapter to chapter of the greatest rhythm and blues songs ever written to arrange them in to a neat package for this show.
The hit machine fired out the likes of Bright Lights, Big City, I Believe to My Soul, I’m Crying and Bring It On Home. There was still plenty in set one with Don’t Bring Me Down, Big Boss Man and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.
Set two really did zip along after the band took a short break with one of many highlights being Hey! Bo Diddley / Who Do You Love? F***ing fantastic! Handley mentioned that they had recorded a live album here at The Gov last year and “if you were here, you’re on it” (must have CD). Finishing set two with Night Time Is the Right Time, Boom Boom and We Gotta Get Out of This Place.
Returning for an encore John Steel stepped down from the kit to thank the crowd and the support selling out two shows at The Gov, and formerly introducing front man Danny Handley. The insight behind the finale by Steele is great and who knew they “knicked” it from Bob Dylan and “fiddled” with it making it their own. What a closer in House Of The Rising Sun, it speaks for itself and another song of theirs that continues it grow its own legacy. If you get a chance go see ’em, they are great and I’m dead keen to go back next week.
Live Review By Rob Lyon