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Eagles of Death Metal – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 29th July @ The Tivoli, Bris QLD

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Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Aug 1, 2023

7 min read

Eagles of Death Metal
The Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
July 29, 2023
Support: The Southern River Band

Its been 7 years since Eagles of Death Metal last visited Down Under. The Tivoli was literally packed to the rafters with a full crowd all the way up to the top of the gallery balcony. Walking into an already packed room to see an array of Eagles of Death Metal shirts of various prints, the room abuzz with the excitement of the impending show. I love it when fans pull out all the stops in support of their favourite bands at their show.

It was also my first time at The Tivoli and I have to say what an awesome venue! The staff were wonderfully friendly and well organised. I do love that balcony.

First up for the night was The Southern River Band. Hailing all the way from Western Australia, the band is not new to the stage having been together since 2015. Self-described as Rock ‘n’ Roll with a dash of Boogie Woogie and a sprinkle of Country, I’ll add a splash of sparkle! I have to say those sequin star-struck flares that vocalist Callum Krame was sporting were superb and I think I need to make myself a pair.

If you haven’t heard them before, the band has a super cool 80s Van Halen, Lynard Skynard, Foreigner kind of rock vibe. The band would be right at home on the Supernatural sound track. For 45 mins the group rocked out, hair flicks right left and centre, with a show full of energy and laughs. Callum dropped more C bombs than I could count – my type of human!

The band finished their set, the crowd breaking away and heading to the bar or outside for a breath of fresh air.

I've said this before and I’ll probably say it again – one of my favourite parts of the night is those moments before the main act grace the stage. Sitting on the barrier fence, listening to the conversations of excitement, the retelling of their favourite band moments or stories or memorable moments from previous tours. The excitement and anticipation builds the closer to go time it gets.

Then it all goes quiet for a second. The first few beats of 'Time Warp' starts up. Everyone laughs and cheers.

Vocalist Jesse Hughes appears to almost float to the front of the stage, donned in a flowing satin red cape and his trademark suspenders, he certainly made an entrance, moving from one side of the stage to the other making sure to say hello to all sides of the room, closely followed by the rest of the band, each making their way to their spot, and getting down to business.

It was 90mins of high octane Eagles of Death Metal, with the whole band bouncing around the stage like bunnies on a Pogo stick. The group's crowd interaction skills are on point. Another thing I love about live shows is when the band takes the time to really interact and talk to the crowd. It’s not just another day in the office so to speak. They are not just going through the motions. They are there, present and making each person out there watching feel like, as a fan, they matter.

The whole set was showered with gratitude and love with Jesse saying at one point:

“You can drink love. Give him a love glass. Pour a little bit in the bottom and say that's all you can drink. Hell, no. You can't promise a 24 hours a day, seven days a week love and only show up on Wednesday. And that's all you're going to give him? Hell no. The way I love you is like this. I love you all the time.”

[videopress wQh2wSRI]

Hozier's ‘Take Me To Church’ came to mind while I was there watching the show. It was almost like watching those early morning service shows on TV – only instead of “Church” this was Rock Gods Eagles of Death Metal! Bassist Jennie Vee was the epitome of super cool rock goddess with a splash of style and grace. Bouncing around the stage having the time of her life, blond hair trailing behind her, not missing a beat and in heels no less (a feat I am unable to do!). Leah Bluestein was just amazing, smashing her heart out on those drums never missing a beat, the joy of playing live evident on her face.

They disappeared from the stage for what seemed like an eternity, the crowd eagerly waiting for the encore they knew was coming. And back they came with an epic finale.

Jesse then climbed his way up the stairs onto the gallery level, making his way through the crowd grabbing hands and saying hello to all the fans as he passed by, settling in the middle of the balcony going back and forth in a duel of ‘Speaking in Tongues’ - with guitars instead of swords. It was like a tennis match back and forth with guitarist Scott Shiflett on stage.

The fans were captivated, the whole room top and bottom glittered like a starry night as the crowd pulled out their phones and hid record. Jesse eventually made his way back through the crowd, down the stairs to join his fellow bandmates, with them all taking to the stage for a bow and to thank us all again for being there and making it in Jesse’s own words “The best show so far”.

The tour caps off its Australian leg in Perth tonight night before heading to NZ for their final part of the tour.

Set List

Time Warp - Intro
Got a Woman
I Only Want You
Don't Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)
Anything 'Cept the Truth
Complexity (Boots Electric cover)
Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M.)
Heart On
Secret Plans
Cherry Cola
Flames Go Higher
Now I'm a Fool
I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)
Whorehoppin' (Shit, Goddamn)
I Love You All the Time
Moonage Daydream (David Bowie cover)

Encore

I Like To Move In The Night
Speaking in Tongues (extended guitar duel)

Review & Photo Gallery by Bec O’Reilly. Find Bec on Facebook and Instagram.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Bec O’Reilly if you repost.

The Southern River Band

Eagles of Death Metal