THE STRANGLERS – Brisbane, Australia 9th February 2020
It’s not lost on some of us oldies that in this year of the rat, how lucky we are being able to recall the excitement of 1977 when The Stranglers released their first album ‘Rattus Norvegicus’. Now after 43 years, still having the opportunity to witness one of the UK’s finest New Wave/Punk Rock bands live on stage at Brisbane’s Tivoli music theatre.
It was Newcastle’s (Aus) highly energetic and rockin’ The Gooch Palms duo, Leroy and Kat, who with their unique dress and blend of punk, yet melodic vibes, got the crowd warmed up for the main event. They departed the stage to rapturous applause with Leroy displaying to the crowd what was under his kilt – he’s not a Scotsman!
Bang on nine o’clock it was a tense, yet excited sold out sweating Tivoli audience who welcomed the iconic The Stranglers on to the humid Brisbane stage. Dressed in their usual dark foreboding attire, the band enthralled the patient crowd with their initial track of the night ‘Duchess’, from the onset we were encapsulated.
Although approaching his 68th birthday later this month, Jean-Jaques Burnel commanded the Tivoli stage, his bass confidently carrying and providing the heartbeat for the band. They had the packed and bouncing crowd eating out the palm of their hands, exciting them with their classic sounds such as ‘No More Heroes,’ ‘Peaches’, ‘Always the Sun’ and many more. For us oldies, it’s difficult to not reflect on the previous and now absent presence of Jet Black and Hugh Cornwall, both of who were an integral part of the band’s original success.
However, do not be mislead, this is not a band who survive living on past glories. This a band who with their brilliance, passion for their trade and ability to forge on their original musical style have, with the blessing of Jet Black and the now presence of Baz Warne (outstanding on lead vocals and guitar), Jim Macaulay (drums) and the ever present multi talented Dave Greenfield on keys, synth and vocals, continued to entertain and mesmerise sell out audiences around the globe.
After more than 43 years in the music industry The Stranglers have managed to maintain their original style, dignity and musical integrity. It was a bucket list pleasure to be in the audience and witness this Brisbane live music crowd be entertained and enthralled by this iconic band. As the night flew by and the highly entertained crowd departed, classic lyrics poignantly sprang to mind “From far away, stays for a day, never a frown, with Golden Brown”. Live music at its best, long live The Stranglers.
Review & Photos: Terry O’Hagan @terry_ohagan
