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Down Under, Stateside: Men At Work
This bill puts Australian pop-rock staples Men At Work, California alt-pop mainstays Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Osaka pop-punk heroes Shonen Knife on one stage.
Three Eras, One Bill
Since the passing of sax and flute player Greg Ham in 2012, Men At Work has toured as singer Colin Hay's sharp new lineup, honoring the originals while letting the arrangements breathe. Expect a compact run of hits like Down Under and Who Can It Be Now?, with Hay's dry stories in between. A Toad the Wet Sprocket set often leans into warm harmonies on Walk on the Ocean and All I Want, with easy dynamics that suit midsize halls.The Likely Songs and the People
The crowd skews multigenerational, from longtime fans in vintage band shirts to younger listeners who found these songs through films and playlists, chatting about gear and favorite B-sides between sets. Trivia fans will note the flute hook in Down Under echoes an old camp song, which later sparked a court case, and that Colin Hay's stripped take on Overkill on TV helped introduce the band to a new era. You might also hear that Shonen Knife once opened for Nirvana, a nod that still shapes their bright, buzzing tone. On this run, the room tends to be friendly and attentive, with pockets of dancing near the aisles and soft singalongs on the biggest choruses. Please note, these song picks and staging ideas are educated guesses based on recent runs and catalog staples.Shonen Knife Pins, Toad the Wet Sprocket Flannels, Men At Work Choruses
You will see a mix of vintage Business as Usual tees, fresh tour shirts with clean fonts, and a few handmade Shonen Knife buttons pinned to denim jackets.
Familiar Threads, New Nights
Many fans arrive early to swap stories about first radio memories or college town shows, and they tend to watch the openers with real focus. During Who Can It Be Now?, the crowd often sings the title line softly, and for Walk on the Ocean they stretch the wordless refrain together without prompting.Quiet Choruses, Warm Smiles
Some Australian expats bring small flags or bucket hats, while 90s alt fans lean toward flannels and broken-in sneakers, so the room reads casual and lived-in. Merch trends toward retro artwork, lyric stickers, and eco-minded basics rather than flashy variants. Between sets, playlists of 80s college rock and 90s jangly pop spark nods of recognition instead of shout-alongs, keeping the tone social but relaxed. The culture prizes melody, shared memories, and an easy pace, which fits how these songs have lived in the background of daily life for years.Men At Work, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Shonen Knife: Craft on Stage
Men At Work now centers on Colin Hay's weathered but steady voice, with the band punching the choruses and letting the verses breathe so the stories land.
Hooks First, Then Heat
Guitars often sit clean and bright, while a utility player covers the famous flute and sax lines, keeping those hooks clear without crowding the vocal. Hay sometimes softens Down Under with a lighter groove live, which gives the whistle-like lines more space and keeps the tempo pocket relaxed. Toad the Wet Sprocket favors tight vocal blends, with Glen Phillips and Todd Nichols locking into simple harmonies that rise in the last chorus. They often add a 12-string shimmer to All I Want or keep Walk on the Ocean mostly acoustic, then open the outro so the room can carry the vowel melody.Small Tweaks, Big Payoff
Shonen Knife bring brisk downstrokes, crisp unison vocals, and short, punchy arrangements that reset the room's energy between the co-headliners. A subtle detail fans notice is how these bands will drop a few keys a half step to suit mature voices, preserving tone while keeping choruses reachable. Lighting tends to follow the music, with warm color washes on big refrains and plain white backlight for the storytelling parts.Toad the Wet Sprocket, Men At Work, and Shonen Knife: Kindred Company
Fans of Crowded House will recognize the melodic craft and wry storytelling that Men At Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket prize.