Roachford, Jack Bratt @ The Gov, Adelaide 17/5/2025
Dynamite! This was the soundtrack to the perfect Saturday night out with one of the most compelling and consistent soul artists the UK has produced, ROACHFORD who finally returned to Australia for the first time since 2004. This was sold out and the vibe at The Gov was electric for the night ahead. Even contemplating the set list for this tour is a staggering thought considering the volume of awesome songs Andrew Roachford has to draw up. That said the focus of this show was on new album Then And Now featuring a few new tunes plus revisiting some of his greatest hits.
Honourable mention to support act Jack Bratt who had a tough assignment opening for such a legendary act as Roachford. Always tough playing to someone else’s crowd but Jack took it in his stride winning over a few new fans in the process. Hard to believe he has not played here since 2008 but more than made up for lost time playing songs from 2022 release Slow Release to which he encourage fans to buy a copy of to help pay off some “traffic infringements”. Hendrix cover Little Wing was an awesome inclusion.
Roachford stage presence is immense and you could sense that as he took the stage sporting a white suit and his trademark swagger with a few fist punches in the air. Sitting front and centre on the keys he built that connection with the crowd right from the get go and there was definitely something in the air with the band noticing the crowd energy which they fed off making for one hell of a show. Opening with The Doctor, Roachford jokingly said “thank you and good night, what a crowd!”
High On Love was followed by The Way I Feel were scintillating and with the promise not top talk AFL scores as he “wanted to live another day”. Crowd sing-a-longs were a plenty and were next level, even Roachford and band were impressed. That energy was all over Love Remedy and there was a fantastic take on the Bill Withers cover going “Roachford-style” on Ain’t No Sunshine which was was prefaced by Roachford saying “this is fun, sorry I brought the weather with me”.
Roachford was jovial saying “we haven’t had a few drinks backstage, we have had a lot!” Even suggesting that Australia has the “best hecklers”. New tune All The Love was fantastic with Roachford thanking the crowd for not going to the bar when they heard the words “new song” which makes people thirsty. Another classic in Ride The Storm was there and with Jackie Barnes on drums (amazing by the way!) Roachford said he wasn’t afraid to play a Jimmy Barnes cover but opted for a stunning cover of The Teskey Brothers Carry You. Wow! Time flies when you are having fun and it was hard to believe the end was fast approaching finishing on two epic hits Lay Your Love On Me and This Generation which literally raised the roof off The Gov.
The encore was something special and one of many highlights with Roachford returning solo starting with Cry For Me. What was to come was soul and a whole raft of influences listed on the set list as Andrew’s Solo Bit but one hint to what was played that would be remiss not to mention was Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark. With the band returning it was the cover of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ which was a pleasant surprise. The energy lifted again of Get Ready and the room whipped up in to a frenzy with monster hit Cuddly Toy which knocked the socks of everyone. Saying Adelaide was one of the best and that they would be enjoying a short break here they left with another huge number one hit Only To Be With You wrapping up an amazing night and a promise to be back much sooner.
Live Review By Rob Lyon