Billy Ocean, Jason Ayres @ Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide 15/9/2025
The legendary Billy Ocean returned to Adelaide bringing his “One World Tour” to the Entertainment Centre for a night of timeless classics and greatest hits. It might of been a Monday night but that did not deter a bumper crowd turning out on mass. At seventy five years young there’s no signs of slowing down either and his voice sounded sublime. He was in elite company with an incredible band and backing singers elevating this performance. The Monday night vibes might of been enhanced further by getting rid of the seats and giving those who wanted to get up and dance and shake those hips rather than being wedged in.
Hats off to opening hat Jason Ayres who battled valiantly and no doubt it is difficult playing to someone else’s crowd. It is unfortunate that most felt the need to talk the whole through his performance rather than give him their respect by paying attention. This may of been made harder given that it was promoted as having no support with show goers thinking it might of have been an early night. Nevertheless, Jason’s thirty minute set featured some really good songs based on lived experience and some well considered covers. Rather than just walk out and knock out these songs he made them relatable sharing personal experiences and how they shaped the songs. Opening with Troubles Of My Own which was followed by Bang Bang and as Ayres put it “it’s a fine line between a cover and writing an original”. The reflective tune The Highway was focused on what’s important and the Chris Isaak cover Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing was a pleasant surprise. Wild River was another gem in his set and as he left the stage he asked the crowd to make some noise to make him feel like the rock star.
Billy Ocean needs no introduction and whilst you can’t dismiss the nostalgia factor with the fortieth anniversary of landmark album Suddenly the show is also very much about his newer material from 2020s One World. Oozing charm and charisma Billy took to the stage looking a million bucks in a blue suit and with his trademark smile. Opening with the title track from his most recent album One World the show was off to a flyer. There was a brief moment of reflection thanking our saviour Jesus Christ and then asking the crowd how their day was and if it didn’t go well he would make it better… that he did!
The collective spirits were lifted on Love Really Hurts Without You which was followed by Nights (Feel Like Getting Down). There was plenty of love in the room for Billy with crowd members yelling “love you Billy” to which he replied ‘I love you more’. There was plenty of admiration for this legendary performer singing his out heart out on Stay The Night and Red Light Spells Danger. Despite taking two days to get to Australia there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude where “everyone in Australia has a good time”. Being jovial Billy said to the faithful you got to get in to my car which served as a perfect intro to Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car.
Bob Marley & The Wailers cover No Woman, No Cry was a special moment which got the crowd singing and was prefaced by Billy’s reference to Adelaide being the “city of living churches”. Enjoying the touring life Billy took a moment to say how much he enjoys tour shirking any thought of retirement and the prospect of his wife “driving him crazy” at home. Newish tune Mystery is a winner but the hits got that continue to excite this crowd. Suddenly was brilliant and Billy took a moment to acknowledge the anniversary saying that it was this song and album that was able to fulfill his dreams. Plenty more moments of gold with Loverboy and When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going o finish the main set. Returning for an encore which started with band intros and bringing it home with Daylight and another career shaping hit in Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run). How was your Monday night? Mine was mighty fine.
Live Review By Rob Lyon