Forty Years, Still Loud
He came up fronting
Cold Chisel before launching a solo run built on rasp, heart, and straight-ahead rock. This anniversary centers on
For the Working Class Man, the era that turned barroom grit into stadium singalongs. Expect anchors like
Working Class Man,
No Second Prize,
Driving Wheels, and a nod to his roots with
Khe Sanh. The crowd skews multigenerational, with long-time fans in faded tour shirts standing beside newer voices who learned the choruses at home. You will hear people harmonize on the big refrains and swap stories about first shows while waving at friends across the floor. Trivia heads will know
Working Class Man was written by
Jonathan Cain of Journey and later popped up in the film Gung Ho. Another deep cut note is that
No Second Prize was dedicated to crew members lost early in his career, which gives its sprint an extra charge live.
Songs, Stories, Speculation
Take this as an educated read on likely songs and production touches, since the mix can change from night to night.
The Scene Around It: Denim, Patches, and Full-Voice Choruses
What People Wear, What They Share
You will spot vintage
For the Working Class Man tees next to fresh anniversary prints, plus flannel shirts, denim jackets, and a few hi-vis work shirts straight from the day. Plenty of folks bring teenagers or grown kids, and they trade lyrics across rows like a family code. The beer lines hum, but most people stake out a view early and nod along to the openers while catching up with mates.
Rituals That Stick
Before the encore, the room often claps in steady time and shouts the first line of
Working Class Man until the band reappears. Merch leans practical and bold, with black-and-gold shirts, trucker caps, and stubby holders that match the poster art. Between songs, you might hear stories about first gigs at suburban pubs or road trips to see him, told with the calm of people who have been here many times. It feels friendly and grounded, the kind of night where strangers trade earplugs and setlist opinions without fuss.
How the Band Hits: Grit, Swing, and Big Choruses
Voice Like Gravel, Heart On Sleeve
The voice sits upfront, rough-edged but clear, and the phrasing leans hard on long held notes before a sharp drop into the next line. Guitars carry a thick midrange crunch, with one player locking the riffs while the other colors with bends and short, singing lines. Drums keep a solid four-on-the-floor pulse that speeds up slightly on the climaxes, and the bass glues kick to guitar so the choruses feel bigger.
Arrangements That Punch
Keys add Hammond swells that lift pre-choruses, and two backing voices bring a gospel tint when the hooks need extra shine. Live, many songs run a shade faster than their studio takes, which makes the final refrains feel like a release. It is common to drop a key by a step on older staples, letting the roar sit comfortably while keeping the melody intact. Expect a short false-stop in
Working Class Man before the last chorus, a simple trick that turns the room into one loud choir.
Kindred Road Dogs and Why They Fit
Pub Rock DNA
Fans of
Cold Chisel will feel at home because the songwriting spine and blunt, soulful delivery come from the same well.
Hoodoo Gurus make sense too, sharing hooky guitars, dry humor, and a loud-but-melodic stage mix that fills mid-sized rooms.
Shared Singalong Spirit
If you like the clean, big-chorus rock of
Bryan Adams, you will appreciate the tight band feel and steady, radio-smooth tempos.
Ian Moss connections run deep, and his blues-tinged leads mirror the balance of bite and warmth that this show trades on. These artists draw crowds that show up for songs, not spectacle, and they reward volume that still leaves room for a story in the verses.
