The Stems, Romana Ashton & The Reeds @ The Gov, Adelaide 25/8/2024
What a way to finish the weekend than with some rock ‘n roll at the home of live music The Gov featuring the legendary Western Australian band The Stems supported by one of Adelaide’s finest Romana Ashton & The Reeds. Being a late afternoon kick off meant it wasn’t to late a night and not an excuse to not go. The Stems are celebrating their fortieth anniversary on this tour and with the calibre of songs that they have they are a much underrated band.
Opening proceedings was Romana Ashton & The Reeds who played a tight and classy set and it seemed that it was all over way to quickly with thirty minutes whizzing by. Cult Girl was a big highlight and hats off to the fan that went all out with a t-shirt with that title and a voodoo doll of sorts that was hanging off the microphone, My ears did prick up with the cover of Iggy Pop’s Gimme Danger which was awesome as was brand new single Bring Me. Kiss Me Kill Me was stellar also finishing off their set and a nod to their upcoming gig at The Wheatsheaf on September 20.
Just after five The Stems took to the stage and what a ninety minutes it was. Simply elite! The calibre of their back catalogue is not a matter of what they are playing but what they are leaving out. From a forty year career they do have an abundance of riches to choose from. The Stems are Dom Mariani, Dave Shaw, Julian Matthews and Ash Naylor. No fancy stage production, just killer songs right from the get go with Leave You Way Behind and Just Ain’t Enough.
It definitely is hard to believe that it has been five years since their last visit to Adelaide and with Mariani taking a moment to tune it was on to classic single For Always. Originally getting the songs in the wrong order and being corrected it was on to Surround Me and Move Me. Mariani spoke about new single Fall From The Sky which was their third time playing it live suggesting that “it could fall its arse” and remarking after “that went well”. It was also mentioned that their live album which is out now was recorded at The Gov in 2007.
In a tribute to former member Richard Lane the band powered through Tears Me In Two with Ash Naylor on lead vocals. Some other gems by way of Mr Misery, Never Be Friends and a song that they have only started playing live Get So Bad were great additions. The blistering MC5 cover Shakin’ Street with Naylor on vocals was one of many highlights. She See’s Everything off Heads Up was great finishing the main set on Make You Mine with a teaser of Baby Please Don’t Go.
Returning for the first of two encores the set list showed a a couple of different where it could of gone. Another classic with At First Sight then Naylor on the twelve string playing a ripping version of Stepping Stone. With the crowd making plenty of noise Mariani almost made it backstage before returning for a second encore. Looking at the set list there were so many possibilities but it was Love Will Grow finishing on a sensational cover of The Beatles Daytripper. Brilliant! You know what was experienced that was that good when the likes of Man With The Golden Heart and Sad Girl didn’t make it.
Live Review By Rob Lyon