Jebediah, Sunsick Daisy @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 16/10/2025
There’s definitely an affinity with much loved band Jebediah and Adelaide and it only seemed natural that the “Thirty Odyears Tour” started here in Adelaide. It was a full house, beers flowing, merchandise sold out and plenty of good time Thursday night vibes in a packed Lion Arts Factory. Hats off to Jebediah – Kev Mitchell, Vanessa Thornton, Brett Mitchell and Chris Daymond – celebrating an incredible milestone with the same original line up, a feat not many bands achieve. This tour they have literally turned their set list upside down and giving it an almighty shake playing a whole host of tunes rarely played if at all.
First up the attention was on local support Sunsick Daisy who had a tough assignment winning over this crowd who I dare say didn’t know who they were until now. They powered through with great confidence playing their blend of “eclectic whimsical, shoegaze, rock”. Having seen them play a few times now they keep evolving and upping their game. The kit bag has some great tunes but for me their standouts were It’ll Be Alright and new tune Pale Blue.
What a way to kick off your show than with the iconic 20th Century Fox intro theme followed by the Family Ties theme song from Without Us (performed by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams) before knocking over Smiler and Benedict. Kev Mitchell proclaimed “It’s a pleasure to be in the wonderful Adelaide. The rule in place is to play Adelaide first, that can’t be broken, learn to be the best!” With that sentiment the band could not put a foot wrong treating Adelaide to the uber popular Animal before adding that they would be playing some songs they haven’t played in a while suggesting “we’ll see how it goes”. Evidence of that was In Orbit and Trapdoor and then taking a break from nostalgia to whip out a new one from newish album Oiks in Motivation.
Please Leave was another one of those fan favs and a song that does not feature on any of their records Weekend Away was a nice surprise. The set list covered all corners of their esteemed career some more great moments in She’s Like A Comet and Nothing Lasts Forever. Puckdefender was a beauty commemorating Vanessa’s birthday, complete with a rowdy happy birthday sing-a-long, twenty-eight we were told! Also one of Vanessa’s favourite songs as she gets to start it. Kev reflected on “30 farkin’ years” and the magnitude of the occasion was not lost on them thanking the fans for their support. Run Of The Company was another good ‘un with Kev pointing out that the original intention was to compose this one for a twenty-four piece orchestra to show they were “serious musicians”. Whilst they didn’t have an orchestra the heavy lifting was left to Chris to pick up the extra parts.
The encore was like mighty fine compilation of all their greatest hits and if there was ever a moment to reminisce and get nostalgic this was it. If the crowd weren’t already riled up they were now with Leaving Home followed by Fall Down, the anthemic Harpoon, Military Strongmen and Jerks Of Attention. It’s clear the strength of their back catalogue is the songs left out but nevertheless this was a great show. Here’s to the next thirty!
Live Review By Rob Lyon