LIVE: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS with POST MALONE – Perth, WA 12 Feb 2023

LIVE: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS with POST MALONE, Perth, WA – 12 Feb 2023
Optus Stadium, Perth, Western Australia – Sunday, 12 February, 2023
Reviewed by Melanie Scrafton
Photography by Damien Crocker

Perth did not know what to expect after the previous Red Hot Chili Peppers/ Post Malone Australian shows have been reported in such a negative light by our national press.

As usual though, like the most touring bands, they had saved the best ’til last.

Optus Stadium was packed with a diverse demographic of music consumers spanning several different generations. Post Malone started his set on time at 7:15 and played for over an hour straight. I have to say, ‘I like you, I do’ – this man was incredible.

Conversation with the crowd was fluid: for every banger he performed, he spent several moments engaging with the audience, showing his truly humble character. Vocally this man is talented with a unique and incredibly diverse range, singing, rapping and growling effortlessly. Postie also threw in some beautiful moments of expressive connection with our country and he performed all his crowd-pleasing bangers against quality backing tracks.

There were plenty of visual effects, including pyrotechnics and fireworks, and he was able to charm the locals by performing not just one but two ‘shoeys’ on stage. Malone went on to smash up a perfectly innocent acoustic guitar, taking his time to distribute the pieces amongst the front of house crowd after ‘Rockstar.’

Towards the end of his set, whilst humbly praising the opportunity to be on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he also asked who had come to see him – the crowd roared their approval at the opportunity to share space & time with him, and it’s clear throughout this amazing experience that Perth loves Post Malone as much as he loves our town. Maybe this is a place he could call another home one day!

There have been several articles claiming his behaviour on this tour was ‘worrying,’ but I can report there was absolutely nothing worrying about this man’s performance in Perth. Maybe he just fits our vibe a bit better than everywhere else? End-of-tour fatigue was only slightly visible towards the end of his energetic and full-on set, which might be the only critical feedback I could give if I was pushed. Hurry back to us, Postie.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bought their ‘A game’ to Perth. Some critics of their tour have complained that the setlist mostly showcased their latest two albums, Unlimited Love and Return To The Dream Canteen, released last year. However, I don’t remember these shows ever being promoted as any kind of Red Hot Chili Peppers greatest hits show, so fans expecting only tracks from their classic back catalogue were probably being unrealistic.

Each member of the foursome brought the goods, and of course the one who was most friendly was manic bass player Flea. With his mad hair colour and royal blue skirt, the former Aussie was a joy to witness throughout the show.

Having followed reports of their tour, the best part about watching them live at Optus Stadium was the set list, with Perth being treated as special. We got the tracks that the rest of the country was craving to hear: ‘Suck my Kiss’ and ‘Under The Bridge’ being fan pleasing highlights. The continuous stage visual effects, lighting and sound were astonishing, making the band a joy to watch & hear.

Alongside Flea’s Energiser bunny antics, Anthony Keidis also defies their vintage, animatedly roaming the stage as robustly as he did 30 years ago. These guys know their craft and make it look easy, and obviously there is plenty more gas in the Chili Pepper tank, with the Perth crowd showing their enthusiasm at being in the company of legends.

Setlist – Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Intro Jam
Can’t Stop
Scar Tissue
Here Ever After
Danny’s Song
Snow ((Hey Oh))
The Drummer
Whatchu Thinkin’
Tell Me Baby
Carry Me Home
Suck My Kiss
Nobody Weird Like Me
I Could Have Lied
Tippa My Tongue
Californication
Black Summer
By the Way
Encore:
Under the Bridge
Give It Away

Setlist – Post Malone:
Wow.
I Like You (A Happier Song)
Better Now
Psycho
Candy Paint
Goodbyes
I Fall Apart
Stay
Circles
Take What You Want
Rockstar
Cooped Up
Sunflower
One Right Now
Congratulations
White Iverson

 

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries