FRINGE WORLD FESTIVAL REVIEW: DOWN UNDER: THE SONGS THAT SHAPED AUSTRALIA – 30 Jan 2025

Shane | 31 January 2025 | Reply

FRINGE WORLD FESTIVAL REVIEW: DOWN UNDER: THE SONGS THAT SHAPED AUSTRALIA – 30 Jan 2025
State Theatre Centre Courtyard, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar

Led by singer Michelle Pearson and guitarist/harmonica/singer Brendon Williams this show – formerly known as Mix Tape, now as Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia – is an all gold, maximum singalongable collection of great Aussie songs which were not only hits but also have cultural significance.

Midnight Oil are an obvious choice, of course, and Blue Sky Mine is the first track off the rack. Paul Kelly’s To Her Door – a song about overcoming alcohol problems, Cold Chisel’s post-Vietnam lament Khe Sahn, Goanna’s Solid Rock, The Whitlams’ Blow Up The Pokies as well as more from Divinyls, Kylie Minogue, Tina Arena, Daddy Cool, Easybeats, INXS and more all make an appearance. With so many classics to touch on, many are presented in medleys – Jet, Silverchair, Powderfinger, for instance.

There’s even the surprising addition of The Angels’ Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and the audience’s spirited chanting of THAT response is the only moment that isn’t family friendly here.

It’s the social conscience on display which sets this show apart – makes it something special, more than just a cover band playing a few old radio favourites. The band address cultural cringe, societal change, our national identity and shame, all through a musical prism.

There is one notable exception which surprisingly isn’t included: Warumpi Band’s Blackfella Whitefella would have sat comfortably in the repertoire.

The show finishes with Down Under (of course) and then Long Way To The Top, singing and dancing – and nobody could ask for more than that.