Paul Dempsey, Carla Geneve @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 15/11/2025
Paul Dempsey returns to the Kingdom for another special night of music at the iconic Thebarton Theatre. “We like what they’ve done with the place!” There are some great enhancements to make the fan experience even more enjoyable and more importantly it is great to be back. This show was unlike any other for Paul Dempsey as it was about Shotgun Karaoke Vol. II taking the initial concept even further than an album release going on the road for a national tour. The premise is that the marvellous has been challenged previously, whether that be solo or with Something For Kate, to play some covers, most well know with some being a bit more obscure or personal favourites.
The concept alone is a brilliant with a wealth of scope and opportunity to take the show wherever it needs to go. With an enthusiastic Adelaide crowd Dempsey threw in a few surprises and maybe a twist or two to make this one all the more unique.. Taking to the stage it was “Good evening you lot, Saturday night in the Kingdom” proceeding with MGMT’s Time To Pretend. There is definitely something quite amazing how he presents these songs, raw, honest and packed full of lo-fi charm just Paul Dempsey and an acoustic guitar. Some of the covers chosen takes some big Kahunas to pull off and he did so valiantly.
Stepping up from playing The Gov I couldn’t imagine another venue more perfectly suited for such a performance. With an “infinite amount of entertainment in your pocket” Dempsey acknowledged that people coming to see live music is greatly appreciated. Losing My Religion (REM), Bette Davis Eyes (Jackie Deshannon) were great but it was the likes of more contemporary acts such as Bright Eyes (Light Pollution) that was a pleasant surprise. Jeff Buckley’s Last Goodbye was gold before turning in to a free for all with the crowd yelling out for requests prompting the response “I’ll play it if it’s on the set list, form an orderly queue”.
Bad Religion’s Faith Alone definitely came from left field and the raw intensity of Queen’s I Want To Break Free was brilliant with Dempsey being impressed with the audience participation which was almost as if they got together to practice. The crowd continued to yell out for “the hard ones” with Dempsey suggesting he was not “ruling it out out but needed to work up to it”. His set was loaded with so many great covers but definitely to go past Life On Mars (David Bowie), The Chain (Fleetwood Mac) with Carla Geneve and Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Phil Collins). There was even a teaser of Metallica and despite the encouragement a teaser is all it was. World Party’s Ship Of Fools is always great and as Dempsey pointed out “I bought the ticket, so I got to take the ride” finishing his set Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time.
The encore had one big plot twist with a visitor who had flown all the way from France attending the show and requesting Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball. Even Dempsey even conceded “this is something I don’t do very often” having only played it twice live previously. Brilliant! Insert golf clap! Way Of The World (Max Q) was awesome finishing on “the greatest song of all time” with Don Henley’s The Boys Of Summer.
Kudos to singer songwriter Carla Geneve who opened and no doubt won over some new some fans in the process. Carla has some great tunes in the kit bag that tap in to that raw lyricism, with haunting vocals and is emotionally charged alt-pop and indie rock. Highlights for me were the likes of Better Believe It and Passing. The song that got the crowd’s attention and getting in on the covers action was Tina Turner’s Simply The Best.
This was a great show and let’s hope this turns in to an annual tradition.
Live Review By Rob Lyon