Go West, Debbie Gibson @ The Gov, Adelaide 31/8/2026
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that nostalgia is a wonderful thing! It might have been a Monday night but that didn’t deter a massive crowd turning out to see Go West and Debbie Gibson. Go West have toured here regularly in recent times and they have this uncanny knack of picking a support that works brilliantly. This pairing was just that, brilliant! It was a really good energy and vibe in The Gov and irrespective of everyone’s troubles out there it was great to see how much joy a few hours of music can bring leaving everyone feeling better than how they arrived.
It was definitely first time’s a charm for Debbie Gibson playing here in Adelaide which was made all the more special celebrating her birthday here also. Debbie melted the hearts and minds of the Adelaide faithful and for many the next sixty minutes was proof that dreams can come true. The energy was that excitable Debbie went live on Instagram saying “this crowd is rowdy, happy birthday to me Radelaide.” Plenty of energy to get everyone moving on Dance 4U before asking “are you ready to shake it?” The iconic single Shake Your Love was a winner only begging the question why hasn’t Debbie Gibson been here sooner. Well, she more than made up for lost time. Talking about the 90s which “seemed like a drive by” Debbie was able to showcase her entire back catalogue going from the high energy pop hits to the more piano driven ballads.
Plenty of gold in the set list with the likes of Lost In Your Eyes, Anything Is Possible, We Could Be Together and the song that started it all Only In My Dreams. How good was Electric Youth? Wow! It was a rampaging finish as well with what I called it as the Debbie Girl Power Mix that was the cream on the cake and a mash up of Right Back Where We Started From / Dont Stop Til You Get Enough / Love Don’t Care / Can’t Get You Outta My Head / I’m Coming Out / The Hustle / Nights on Broadway / Espresso / Xanadu / Last Dance. Great set and I reckon another tour won’t be far off next time.
Go West need no introduction either with a career that spans some forty four years with some of the most iconic hits from the 80s and 90s. Their enduring appeal is a testament that great songs will always stand the test of time. Sadly, no Richard Drummie this time either managing illness but nevertheless this band are tight, smokin’ hot, well drilled and gig hardened. It was a killer opener by way of mega hit single Don’t Look Down followed Sam Sparro cover Black and Gold. Front man Peter Cox ‘s first words were “Good evening Radelaide, forty years since our debut” then adding a comment from someone at the meet and greet “thanks for the great music over the last one hundred and fifty years”.
It was a really good set playing the hits and well known songs but also going a bit deeper also. Eye To Eye was popular as was solo gem Too Far Gone which was a song about “blissful obsession”. Faithful described as their second biggest hit was another big sing-a-long moment with Cox saying “if you know the chorus, sing-a-long because I probably can’t”. Slowing things down with a ballad Goodbye Girl from their debut album it was on to Pocket Call which Cox wasn’t sure how to introduce it asking the crowd if they were familiar with the ‘ole “butt call”. Tears To Late from Indian Summer featured and a song about a cheating partner who is only sorry when caught. The great moments kept coming with S.O.S. and a cover of The Miracles The Tracks Of My Tears. With the end nearing the big guns were wheeled out with Call Me and We Close Our Eyes. There was no ducks and drakes with an encore staying on stage for one more. If there was one magic moment that you’d remember this gig by it would be the iconic King Of Wishful Thinking complete with the Adelaide faithful singing along. Fantastic!
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing…
Live Review By Rob Lyon