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IAN MOSS
@ Hindley Street Music Hall,
Adelaide,
16th May 2025
(Live Review)

Review  and photos by Michael Selge (@oz.craftypics)

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Ian Moss needs no introduction to Australian music fans having been in the industry for over 50 years and not surprisingly his show at the Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide as part of his “One Night, One Guitar Tour“ was sold out way before the scheduled date. Despite being an allocated seated show, fans were there early before the doors had opened with the line stretching around the corner of Hindley St.

As the lights dimmed it was just Ian Moss on stage with his acoustic guitar playing a stripped down version of “Angel Eyes”, dedicated to his recently departed sister and this was one of her favourite songs.

The rest of his band joined the stage for the second song and were introduced to the audience, Zoe Hauptmann on the double bass, Harry Sutherland on keys, and Kerry Jacobson on the drums.

Between songs, Ian shared anecdotes and insights into his musical journey and by way of introduction to the second song we were told that Don Walker wrote the track “Piccolo Bar” about a coffee shop in Kings Cross. Ian then shared a story relating to the Piccolo Bar where his brother in law who was studying organic chemistry at the time allegedly purchased acid in the late 60s.

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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With the band members backlit from 5 large Cinematic type floodlights as well as shafts of light from overhead they played another of his solo hits “Telephone Booth”.

With such a choice of songs to draw from it was no surprise that many Cold Chisel songs would be included with “The Party’s Over” followed by a song written by Steve Prestwich, “When The War Is Over” starting the first of many singalongs.

“State Of My Emotion” was the next track up and surprisingly included a mid song change over from acoustic to electric guitar. Despite the shows title being one guitar there was always going to be more than one on stage and throughout the night various acoustic Maton guitars were taken to the stage including one fitted with a whammy bar that got quite the workout.

When the opening notes of “Flame Trees” started there was no doubt that his voice has held up really well over the years and the new arrangement gave the song his own mark. The interpretation masterfully delayed the start of the vocal phrasing and then delivered the lyrics in quick succession. The band members provided backing vocals in conjunction with the crowd singing along to the chorus with Ian encouraging the audience not be shy.

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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The set list comprised of quite a few covers that Ian had a connection with including the more melancholy “Cry” which was based on a version of the song that he liked performed by Ray Charles but originally written by Churchill Kohlman around 1951 according to Ian.

The first of the 2 sets came to an end with a rendition of a song “Never Before” from the Cold Chisel album East,  followed by at short break where we were encouraged to go get a drink and prepare for the 2nd set. Many of the songs were reinterpreted and rearranged to make the most of the superb work by Zoe plucking away on the double bass,  Kerry playing drum parts with brushes rather than sticks and interspersed with short keyboard solos from Harry.

The stage setup meant that Ian had to be seated whilst singing so when the second set commenced it was an opportunity for Ian to stand up to play the Instrumental track “ Islands” before getting seated and introducing the second song, the emotional track Janelle.

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Following on was another one from his solo album, “Such a Beautiful Thing” followed by a cover of an older song by Sammy Fain with Ian lamenting that the song had chords beyond his ability but he was going to play it anyway and that was a cover of “ I’ll Be Seeing You”.  Not being familiar with the original I’m not sure how true that was as it sounded pretty good to the audience. He expressed that he always wanted to play/sing that song.

We were then treated to the bluesy “The Last Time” from his latest album “When The River Runs Dry” with his electric guitar getting a workout.

His Cold Chisel bandmate, Don Walker had received many mentions during the night and next up was a cover of Don’s recent solo work.  Ian told a story about the Gympie Muster and seeing such a dance hall before breaking into the track “Empty Dance Hall”.  “Rosaline” followed and then another cover from the 50s which over the years has featured prominently in his shows, “ Cry Me A River” with the slow brushed drums. The tempo went up a notch for the final song of the second set with his most commercially successful track “Tucker’s Daughter” getting the crowd in full sing along mode.

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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You knew there was going to be an encore but it didn’t stop the audience from rising to their feet for a standing ovation and sure enough we were in for 3 more songs, the first from his self titled album “Broadway” which Ian said was inspired on a plane after departing Sydney airport when he had that “blue feeling” missing his young lad even though he was also looking forward to having some time away.

The final two songs of the night needed no introductions, “Choir Girl” and of course the final song of the night “Bow River” one of the most popular songs written by Ian Moss which had the crowd in full voice.

Ian Moss’s “One Guitar One Night Only” performance at Hindley Street Music Hall on May 16, 2025, was a masterclass in intimate storytelling. Many of the versions played were rearranged and sparse in places to allow the words and music to shine through. This special show showcased Moss’s versatility, blending his iconic hits from solo albums, songs from the Cold Chisel days and quite a few covers from the 50s. Many of his shows on this current tour are already sold out but there might be tickets left to a few performances if you are quick.

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Check out Michael Selge’s (@oz.craftypics) full gallery of this event HERE

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Follow  IAN MOSS
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Press Release 2nd March 2025 (below) HERE

Ian Moss + Trio
One Guitar One
Night Only Tour

Final shows added – Brisbane and Perth

Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD – NEW SHOW
Saturday, 10 May 2025 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD – SOLD OUT
Sunday, 11 May 2025 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD – SOLD OUT
Friday, 16 May 2025 – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA – SOLD OUT
Saturday, 17 May 2025 – Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth WA – SOLD OUT
Sunday, 18 May 2025 – Heath Ledger Theatre, Perth WA – NEW SHOW
Saturday, 24 May 2025 – City Recital Hall, Sydney NSW
Friday, 30 May 2025 – Theatre Royal, Hobart TAS
Saturday, 31 May 2025 – Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne VIC – SOLD OUT
Sunday, 1 June 2025 – Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne VIC

All tickets available at ianmoss.com.au/tour

Rivers Run Dry and Live At The Enmore are available on Vinyl, Deluxe CD & Digitally HERE

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AMNPLIFY – DB