LIVE: THE ROLLING STONES REVUE – Perth, 13 Sep 2024

Shane | 16 September 2024 | Reply

LIVE: THE ROLLING STONES REVUE – Perth, 13 Sep 2024
Starring Tex Perkins, Adalita, Sarah McLeod, Steve Kilbey
The Astor Theatre, Perth
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

We’re unlikely to get The Rolling Stones touring here any time soon – or ever again (especially with some promoters again deciding that the entire Western third of the continent is no longer part of Australia or ‘Australian’ tours) – so the next best thing is Oz Rock royalty dancing and a prancing through some of the most important albums ever released.

This version of the Rolling Stones Revue is led by Beasts of Bourbon and Cruel Sea frontman and dark lord of modern Aussie rock Tex Perkins, Magic Dirt’s high priestess of voodoo guitar Adalita, Superjesus Energiser bunny Sarah McLeod, and The Church’s legendary alternative frontman Steve Kilbey – all out front of a whip crackin’ six-piece rock n’ roll band.

McLeod starts the show, literally bouncing around the stage to Brown Sugar as if she’s had a hit of the stuff herself. Perkins is all bluesy, drug addled swagger and louche brilliance on Sway; while Adalita shows an unexpected penchant for country rock as she and Tex duet Wild Horses, wringing every drop of emotion from the track.

The Revue are touring the 1971 album Sticky Fingers this time round the ride – a classic that went number 1 around the world – and running through the track listing faithfully, so Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ is next, featuring what Tex terms “the greatest guitar intro in the show.” Whilst I don’t have band member names to hand, I can attest that they’re all fantastic, especially the two guitarists (one of whom doubles on congas later in the show) assuming the Keef Richards and Mick Taylor/Ronnie Wood roles, and the sax/harmonica player taking the Bobby Keys position.

All four legends have a hoot and a holler on Fred McDowell’s rag blues You Gotta Move, then we’re on to side two with Kilbey leading the charge through Bitch.

His band is the least Stones-like of the quartet, and this is his first appearance with the Revue, so he’s a bit restrained – uncomfortable looking, at times with his arms folded awkwardly. But when he gets into it, and hearing him singing Bitch… well, it’s practically worth the price of admission in itself.

Tex’s I Got The Blues is as intense as Tex gets (which is pretty bloody intense); then Kilbey tackles Sister Morphine – a subject he used to know his way around – and delivers the song with appropriate gravitas (such that it reminds me of a similarly intense emotional moment watching Debbie Harry writhing on the stage singing The Velvet Underground’s Heroin, using the microphone cord to simulate tying off for a fix).

Adalita romps through that big ole Keef F.U. Dead Flowers and then Moonlight Mile, the latter joined again by Tex, and don’t their vocals work well together (hint, hint – side project, anyone?)

We’re led to wonder, do you need to have had a druggy rock n’ roll life to properly deliver these druggy rock n’ roll songs? The answer, of course, is No – but you can’t deny it gives them an extra shot of authenticity.

McLeod is back to strut her stuff opening the second half with Start Me Up; Tex is all over Honky Tonk Women; Adalita nails Tumblin’ Dice like an alt rock, post grunge Linda Ronstadt; before Kilbey goes space rock on 2000 Light Years From Home.

Another gig, another froth of ignorant twonks in the audience talking about their weekend over the band they have presumably come to see… I’ll never understand it, and I’ll never stop snarling at these dickheads for ruining the enjoyment of all those around them. What we really need is bouncers who’ll evict them – or a special corral at the back for those wanting to talk incessantly through a show.

Adalita cracks out a sparkly, tassled jacket and has a ball with Get Off My Cloud; Tex sticks to the darker numbers with Paint It Black; and Kilbey’s Let’s Spend The Night Together is a fun groove.

The singers swap back and forth through Miss You (Tex), Beast Of Burden (McLeod), It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (Adalita), Sympathy For The Devil (Tex, with backing vocals from Adalita and McLeod and the aforementioned congas), and You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Tex & Adalita).

An encore of all four sharing the stage for Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Gimme Shelter is a thrill – these four voices, iconic parts of our musical foundation, combining to lead into the climax of the night: the obligatory Satisfaction. Fantastic.