A positive review of the 2025 Red Hot Summer concert series, featuring Mark Seymour with Vika and Linda Bull.

Author: Rod Thompson, Newcastle Weekly.

Date: 27 October 2025.

Original URL: https://newcastleweekly.com.au/gallery-hunter-concert-scene-welcomes-a-red-hot-summer/

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The concert season is well and truly in full swing, if the weekend’s Red Hot Summer Tour was any indication.

A “full house” sign welcomed revellers to Roche Estate on Saturday night when music icons Crowded House returned to the Hunter with a dynamic 90-minute set, backed by Angus & Julia Stone, The Church, Mark Seymour and Vika & Linda, and The Waifs on a stellar program.

From the opening track When You Come and follow-up Mean To Me, Neil Finn, Nick Seymour and the guys had the audience wrapped around their fingers.

Throw in World Where You Live, Fall at Your Feet, Something So Strong, Four Seasons in One Day, Distant Sun and Weather With You… and you immediately realise why everyone loves them so much.

Of course, the pièce de resistance was the band’s mega hits Don’t Dream It’s Over and Better Be Home Soon, which delighted the massive crowd.

But, for me, hearing Finn perform Message To My Girl, from his Split Enz days, just iced the Chocolate Cake.

The man’s a pure genius, whether as a songwriter or a vocalist.

Speaking of brilliance, the acclaimed sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone impressed all and sundry, too.

Some pundits couldn’t work out why they were second on the bill.

However, they shone brightly like the stars above them.

Big Jet Plane clearly hit the mark, as did their terrific covers of Sam Smith’s Stay With Me and The Go-Betweens’ Streets Of Your Town.

With Julia’s sensual on-stage presence, combined with her brother’s cool demeanour, the pair deserves many more years of success.

I keenly look forward to a new album in 2026.

Steve Kilbey once remarked how much he hated performing his old classics, The Unguarded Moment and Almost With You.

But, with his enduring group The Church, he appeared to enjoy himself thoroughly.

Sharing a joke or two with the punters, Kilbey delivered the goods with those two rock anthems and the ultimate gem, Under The Milky Way.

Metropolis and Reptile capped their playlist, along with a new offering.

Meanwhile, Mark Seymour remains the ultimate professional.

As lead singer of Hunters and Collectors, he’s well and truly earned his place in our nation’s folklore.

So, joining forces with Vika and Linda Bull for the likes of Say Goodbye, Holy Grail and Throw Your Around Me, a combined ensemble of sorts, was a stunning move, which met all expectations.

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