Project Description

THE ANGELS
“Symphony Of Angels”
@ QPAC
28/12/19
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Tam Schilling

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The Angels, the most iconic Australian pub rock band out there. The Angels have been a band for a staggering 45 years, with the current line up consisting of Dave Gleeson (singer), John Brewster (rhythm guitar & backing vocals), Rick Brewster (lead guitar & backing vocals), Sam Brewster (Bass Guitar) and Nick Norton (drums).

Usually when you expect to go to an Angels gig you would normally be getting ready to head down to your local pub to catch them up close and personal with a packed crowd of fans drinking beers, jumping around and chanting “Angels, Angels, Angels”. But tonight, we were in for a real special treat. Late last year Rick & John decided to put into action what they had thought about doing for years; playing classic Angels songs with an Orchestra behind them. Already successfully having done these special one-off nights in Adelaide, Sydney & Melbourne it was finally Brisbane’s turn to experience a special night with The Angels.

As I arrive at QPAC in Brisbane, I am greeted with a whole different vibe of fans in the foyer. You have your usual Angels shirts getting around the room, whilst you have some glammed-up fans ready to attend the theatre. The age range of fans is huge; whilst some parents have bought along their children to experience a classic aussie pub rock band live, whilst there are people as old as my grandparents who more than likely grew up on The Angels.

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Into the concert hall of QPAC the fans take their seats. That’s right! An Angels gig is fully seated! The Australian Stage Orchestra slowly fills the stage ready for kick off. At 8pm sharp the orchestra, conducted by Rob John starts off the night with “Overture” – a song which was originally written by Rick & John’s grandfather, Hooper back in 1913 whilst Rick, John, Nick, Sam & finally Dave take to the stage.

The first Angels song we are treated to with an orchestra tonight is “After The Rain”. Wow, from the first note I was taken aback. Having an orchestra behind a rock band could either go one of two ways, good or bad. I’m pleased to say The Angels with an orchestra just fits perfectly. It’s a different vibe to your usual pub gig. The orchestra consisting of strings and brass instruments just adds to the band, makes the songs sound so much fuller and a unique experience. The sound inside QPAC tonight was spot on, tops work to the sound guy tonight!

We were then treated to Angels’ classics such as “Straight Jacket”, “No Exit” and “Take A Long Line” before breaking for intermission. That’s right; there was an intermission where everyone got out of their seats! They went out to the bar and grabbed more drinks to come back in ready for the second half.

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John & Rick kick off the second half of the evening dedicating their next song “Love Takes Care” to some great Aussie rockers who left this world too early including Stuart Fraser (Noiseworks), Greedy Smith (Mental As Anything) and two original Angel members, the great late Doc Neeson & Chris Bailey. John & Rick on acoustic guitars accompanied by a full orchestra, this is the song of the night that gave me goosebumps!

For the second half of the evening we are greeted with the Vocal Manoeuvres Academy Choir as well as the Australian Stage Orchestra. We then get treated to an hour long set of Angels classics such as “Be With You”, “No Secrets”, “Shadow Boxer”, “Marseilles” before finishing with “Mr Damage”. Before we got to the end of this set, a lot of fans were lined up in the isles dancing and head banging away as they could no longer sit in their chairs!

The Angels leave the stage, but the orchestra and choir remain on stage. Everyone knows this can’t be the end as they haven’t played the most iconic song of all. Chants start “Angels, Angels, Angels” whilst you can feel the floor of QPAC from the entire room stomping their feet.

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Before long The Angels take the stage again to hit us with another 3 classics “Fashion and Fame”, “Blue Blood” and finally the one I was wondering if they would play in this concert hall tonight “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” to which Dave Gleeson got the almost sold out crowd to scream the classic audience part of “no way, get fucked, fuck off”. Wow, I personally was so happy to hear this song with an orchestra and to see the whole crowd of all different ages singing this well-known audience part of the song! What a moment that would have been for the members of The Angels. A Bigger crowd than usual singing their song with them!

Overall, going into this night I was interested to see what a classic Aussie pub rock band could sound like with a classical orchestra behind them. No, I hadn’t listened to the album put out “The Angels – Symphony Of Angels” as I wanted to witness this first hand for myself. Having an orchestra definitely gives the night a different vibe, but hearing all of the classic Angels songs I have seen played live before with an orchestra was just simply amazing. The Orchestra just adds to the classic songs and puts a totally different feel on them in a good way!

I have to admit, I was a little concerned if Dave Gleeson would be on his best behavior tonight considering the venue we were in, but I am pleased to tell you he pulled all his rude, crude stage antics tonight. Seeing Dave Gleeson head banging whilst an orchestra is playing behind him was a classic moment in time for me.  Even Rick Brewster broke out of his usual character tonight, smiling and giggling throughout the night.

There was so much to look at on stage, all the people in the orchestra and choir looked like they were so happy to be there on stage with such an iconic Australian band. To all the crew working behind the scenes to make this dream a reality for Rick & John Brewster, congratulations is in order for putting together such a big performance as I don’t imagine this would be an easy task to do. These are special shows and are one of a kind. If you haven’t yet had the chance to see “The Symphony of Angels” and you do get the opportunity again, go along and check it out as you won’t regret it, I promise!

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Check out Tam Schilling’s great gallery of this event HERE

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Follow THE ANGELS
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

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THE ANGELS
Announce 2020 Sideshow Tour
with
BOOM CRASH OPERA

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As if The Angels weren’t busy enough playing 27 dates across the entire Red Hot Summer Tour from January through to April, they’ve opted to fatten the schedule even more, embarking on the 2020 Sideshow Tour with special guest Boom Crash Opera. 

Sideshows will take in a variety of venues nationally, both regional and capital, adding a slew of Friday nights to an already brimming Red Hot Summer. It was a case of “while we’re in town…”. Or “when in Rome…”. Or, yeah.. you get it!

The Angels look forward to touring with Boom Crash Opera, who are back in full power mode with Dale Ryder on frontman duties once again.

This tour will be a full blooded rock beast in the great tradition of Australian pubs and clubs, filling the gaps of the already jam-packed outdoor festival run, Red Hot Summer.  With three straight months of touring already in their wake, The Angels will be cooking on five burners as they slay through a set of their greatest hits with some tasty surprises thrown in.  They look forward to levelling said rooms. See you there!

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THE ANGELS
2020 SIDESHOW TOUR 

WITH BOOM CRASH OPERA

Friday 10 Jan The Gov, ADELAIDE

Friday 17 Jan Corner Hotel, MELBOURNE

Friday 31 Jan The Entrance Leagues, BATEAU BAY, NSW

Friday 7 Feb Paddington RSL, SYDNEY

Friday 14 Feb Pittwater RSL, SYDNEY

Friday 21 Feb Triffid, BRISBANE

Friday 28 Feb The Shed, Aussie World, SUNSHINE COAST

Friday 6 Mar The Basement CANBERRA

Friday 13 Mar Castle Hill RSL, SYDNEY

Friday 27 Mar Matthew Flinders Hotel, CHADSTONE, VIC

Friday 3 Apr Bathurst Panthers, SYDNEY

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AMNPLIFY – DB