The Whitlams & The ASO @ Festival Theatre, Adelaide 10/4/2026
The Whitlams returned to Adelaide playing the first of two huge shows with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at the recently refurbished Festival Theatre re-imagining some of the biggest hits in an orchestral format. One thing is for certain is that the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra are an elite outfit who flex plenty of muscle making an artist or band they partner with walk ten foot taller.
This was a truly exceptional performance and whilst the focus might of been focused on Gather Round football festivities just over the bridge, hearts and minds were won over in the Festival Theatre. It was a far more civilized and sophisticated affair compared to their usual stomping ground of The Gov. Conductor Guy Noble keep the night’s proceedings running smoothly and quite remarkable considering that there was only a three hour rehearsal earlier in the day to pull this all together.
Opening with Beauty In Me and Ease Of The Midnight Visit both were sublime with the first part of the performance more poignant and emotive. Speaking of the recently refurbished Festival Theatre Tim said it was all about your “ears” (new sound system) and your “bum” (new seats) then drawing a connection to the opening by Gough Whitlam and Don Dunstan.
The sequence of Charlie songs Charlie No. 1 then Buy Now Pay Later (Charlie No. 2) followed by Keep The Light On before completing the trilogy of Charlie No. 3. Tim was at his witty best with the occasional jibe at conductor Guy Noble and the Wayne Weidemann name tattooed on his chest, to the football bogans in Rundle Mall for Gather Round to resorting to staying at the infamous Scottys Motel given that accommodation was at a premium.
Nobody Knows I Love You from Sancho and the heart breaker Fallen Leaves were both classy offerings. Cries Too Hard was followed by the fun fact that the album Torch The Moon turns twenty five next year with a vinyl release and a tour. The first set ended on Two Little Boys and The Curse with the encourage of some “competitive drinking” during the intermission with Tim adding that he enjoys a drink to two and “falling in love with someone else’s wife!”
The second set saw all the crowd favourites that we have grown to love starting with Blow Up The Pokies and Melbourne. The “protagonist little fucker” Up Against The Wall was stellar but tonight’s highlight and magic moment was Out The Back featuring some absolutely exquisite music. Seeing the ASO in full flight with the might of The Whitlams was brilliant to watch and the crowd response recognised how great this was.
The crowd found voice when Whitlams staples No Aphrodisiac, Thank You (For Loving Me at My Worst) and Gough made their way in to the set finishing another moment of gold with You Sound Like Louis Burdett to wrap up the second set so they can get back to “Scottys Motel”. The crowd stood up in appreciation which lasted until they returned for a encore playing Band On Every Corner before sending us in to the night to cross paths with the “fat vagabonds in footy gear” with the match that just finished.
Absolute classy performance from The Whitlams and the ASO.
Live Review By Rob Lyon