Jimmy Barnes Shutting Down Our Town At Rod Laver Arena

Jimmy Barnes - Official was in full flight at Rod Laver Arena. There were way too many gig highlights to mention. Watching Jimmy singing a duet with Jet's Nic Chester during 'Good Times' was an obvious one. I wasn't expecting a cover of John Lennon's 'Working Class Hero' and it was an eye-opener. There are only a handful of Aussie singers that can sell out stadium show as large as Rod Laver Arena.

Watching the consummate professional frontman, Barsney pulling out all of the stops, was such a joy to watch. I look around and next to me there is gentleman waving his arms dancing and doing some major air guitar chords. I did a double take when I realised it is Michael Gudinski. The vocal crowd sang along to 'Working Class Man', 'Flame Trees', 'Khe Sanh' and his latest solo classic 'I'm In A Bad Mood'. A GOOD TIME was really had by all. Then before we knew it....it was 'Goodbye Astrid' waving us all a good night.

Jet was one of the first BIG bands that I got to photograph 10 years ago. I remember being really nervous, as they were playing a secret show at the now demolished East Brunswick Club. I got escorted through the crowd by their tour manager. I fumbled in the pit, as I captured my photographs over three songs and then I got kicked out into the cold hard street, all within 12 minutes. It was exhilarating and I had no idea if I had one decent photograph. IT WAS A BUZZ! I was hooked! I was using a pesky little 10 megapixel Canon 40d digital camera and these days most mobile phones have 12-16 megapixels. 1,000 gigs later, it was truly great to see JET bangin' out the hits at Rod Laver Arena. Chris Cester is sick and missing behind the drum kit and I am wishing him a speedy recovery. He is replace by former Dallas Crane drummer Shan Vanderwert. Shane these days owns one of Melbourne's best music venues, The Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood. Chris' brother Nic is still one of Australia's best rock'n'roll vocalists. The band were TIGHT! Nic Cester's soaring voice during 'Cold Hard Bitch' made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! YEAAAAAHHHHH!

WOW! It was a truly mesmerising blues performance from Karen Lee Andrews at Rod Laver Arena. An exciting trio from Sydney, blew me away.