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ROD STEWART
+ Cyndi Lauper
+ Jon Stevens
@ Roche Estate NSW
1st April 2023
(Live Review)

Review and photos  by Jess Miller

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Rod Stewart, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March// Photo – Jess Miller

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We’ve waited three long years for Rod Stewart’s ‘Hits Tour’ to finally reach our shores and oh Lord! It was worth it.

Battling the mid-afternoon spitting rain and limited parking spots, thousands flocked through the gates of Roche Estate, to see Rod’s ‘Hot Legs’ in action.

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Cyndi Lauper, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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While the crowds lined for merch and alcohol, Jon Stevens took to the stage. He opened with ’Touch’, starting a stampede of 50 year old women vying for his attention. Loving every minute of it, he continued to belt out a mix of Noiseworks’ and INXS’s greatest. Ending his set with a passionate ’Take Me Back’, he had the whole crowd on its feet, shouting along and left them begging for more.

Following Jon, Cyndi Lauper burst onto the stage singing ‘Hole in My Heart’, wearing a top hat and three-piece houndstooth suit. She charmed us with her recorder skills during the salacious ‘She Bop’, and between songs, Cyndi told anecdotes and dad jokes in her thick Queen’s accent. She told tales of the start of her career, of Andre the Giant, and of the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun[damental rights] campaign. An incredible story teller, she had us all hooked. Her ’Time After Time’ transported us to that rooftop romance in Strictly Ballroom, and while there was a literal rainbow in the sky, she had us quivering along to ’True Colours’. Finishing her show by sassing the security team – mid song – ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ is proven to still be relevant forty years later.

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Cyndi Lauper, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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As luck would have it, the bagpipes sounded when I was in the portaloo queue. I abandoned my mission and ran back through the mud and masses, back to my seat, determined not to miss a second. 

The zebra striped, rockin’ Rod swaggered onto stage in true Robert Palmer style, flanked by his gorgeous backup singers, to the unmistakable hi-hat beat of ‘Addicted to Love’. The screams from the crowd seemed to surprise and delight him.

‘You Wear it Well’ was next, but Rod’s voice just wasn’t there. It wasn’t him. Unsure if it was due to his illness from the week before or a reflection of his age, concern appeared on faces all around.

Turns out he just needed a warm up, because by ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ he was back! He had us in the palm of his hand and built us up with the insane call and response of “BABY I KNOW!”.

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Rod Stewart, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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This set the standard for next two hours of his greatest hits, favourite songs, and dedications to his loves and his losses; Jeff Beck, Christine McVie, Celtic F.C, Sam Cooke, and Olivia Newton-John just to name a few.

His incredibly talented band and backup singers showcased their worth throughout the night. From saxophone solos and Irish dancing, to the David Lynch lookalike on the keys and a fiddle-off, each of them rightfully deserving of their place on that stage.

The atmosphere of the crowd was overwhelming. All utterly captivated by Rod the Mod, singing along to every word, and refusing to be seated.

Rod told the story behind ‘Maggie May’, of losing his innocence and leaving behind a stain in the shape of Borneo. He flirted playfully with his band and the crowd. He donned a blue shirt and yellow jacket, dedicating ‘Rhythm of My Heart’ to Ukraine and gave a nod to Zelenskyy with a “Fuck Putin” sign off.

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Rod Stewart, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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Rod took the tone down with seated renditions of ‘Have I Told You Lately’ and ’Tonight’s the Night’. And brought it back up again with ‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?’.

Even now at 78 years old, my answer to his question is a resounding “Yes”.

Thousands of voices joined him in closing the night with ‘Sailing’.

As he walked off the stage, we were left with a bittersweet moment and holding back tears. It was a beautiful night, but it’s likely that we’ll never get to see him again.

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Rod Stewart, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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Check out Jess Miller’s full gallery of this event HERE

Check out Deb Kloeden Photography’s full gallery of the Adelaide event HERE

rodstewart.com
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook
Tik Tok – YouTube – Spotify – Apple Music

cyndilauper.com
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook
Tik Tok – YouTube – Spotify – Apple Music

jonstevens.com
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook
YouTube – Spotify – Apple Music

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Rod Stewart, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 29th March // Photo – Jess Miller

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Press Release 24th March 2023 (below) HERE

SIR ROD STEWART
announces rescheduled Geelong date
with special guests
CYNDI LAUPER & JON STEVENS

Tonight’s The Night
Friday 31 March, 2023
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong

FINAL VICTORIAN SHOW!

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AMNPLIFY – DB