A review of Mark Seymour and James Reyne’s gig at The Gov in Adelaide on Friday the 26th of August 2016.

Author: Matthew Hayward, Glam Adelaide.

Date: 29 August 2016.

Original URL: http://www.glamadelaide.com.au/main/review-mark-seymour-james-reyne-at-the-gov-fri-26th-aug/

Article Text

The swell of baby boomers lined up early as rock legends Mark Seymour and James Reyne were set to perform to a sold out audience at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. Their first reunited show since their previously successful acoustic tour in 2007 was too good an opportunity to pass up for punters yearning to hear some of the classics from the great Australian songbook.

Like a cool dad decked out in Nimbin University attire, James Reyne casually sauntered out onto the stage dead on 9pm. Flanked by accomplished guitarist Josh Owen, the pair immediately launched into a faithful rendition of The Dingoes country classic Way Out West.

Reyne was chatty and engaging with the audience, warming the crowd up early with some strongly executed puns and stripped back versions of classic Australian Crawl songs and deeper cuts When The Feelings Gone, Downhearted and the iconic Reckless early in the set. Crowd participation and boisterous sing-a-longs accompanied set highlight Errol before Reyne playfully teased Seymour for his support of the oft-maligned Western Bulldogs footy club.

Mark Seymour started in a far more subdued fashion with a pared down three piece, earning acknowledgement from the crowd for reinterpretations of some of his most famous Hunters & Collectors tracks, including a bayou influenced version of When The River Runs Dry and the anti-war polemic What’s A Few Men. Seymour shared his love of the city, conveying the tale of wandering unknowingly into a dingy little bar off King William Street and subsequently writing his most recent single, Courtroom 32, from his most latest album Mayday.

Introducing Holy Grail as ‘the most misunderstood song he has ever had a hand in writing by his own admission’, the crowd were suitably lubricated enough to sing appreciatively along with the passionate and erudite singer.

With both artists now gracing the stage together both Seymour and Reyne performed Crawl classic Oh No Not You Again. A brief misstep with a somewhat hackneyed reggae version of Boys Light Up could be forgiven, followed by a spirited and enthusiastic cover of Dragon’s April Sun In Cuba showcasing both performers vocal strengths.

However it would be the reverence shown to other artists’ songs would be the flavor of the night, with both artists performing a series of covers to close the evening.

Whilst fans of Reyne would have gone home more than happy with their fill, fans of Seymour might have to wait just a little longer until Hunters & Collectors reform early next year (in an Adelaide exclusive) to truly get their fill of their extensive back catalogue.

Reviewed by Matthew Hayward

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