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ROD STEWART
+ Cyndi Lauper
@ Qudos Bank Arena Sydney
29th March 2023
(Live Review)

Review by KayCee Cool

Photos by Jess Miller

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Rod Stewart // Photo – Jess Miller

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Sir Rod Stewart, a man who needs absolutely zero introduction has finally brought his The Hits Tour down to Australia, touring across the nation through March to April with Cindi Lauper and Australias’ own Jon Stevens alongside.

Starting the night now strong with Jon Stevens getting the crowd warmed up with rock classics from INXS and Noiseworks. At one point even having to stop his set when security tried to get patrons to stop dancing, telling security “They’re having a lovely time, let them have a lovely time! That’s what we’re here for!” before continuing on with Hot Chilli Woman.

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Cyndi Lauper // Photo – Jess Miller

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After over four decades in the industry there’s no denying that Cyndi Lauper still has one of the strongest and most recognisable voices in the game. During her short but sweet 11 song set, Cyndi transported the crowd back to the 80’s with her eccentric style that we all know and love. With classics like The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough – my personal favourite – and Time After Time. Even taking a minute to touch on a more serious subject, girls just want to have fundamental rights, using her platform to advocate for women’s basic human rights. From top hats, purple mohawks, a recorder solo and civil rights, Cyndi’s set had it all.

Taking the stage promptly at 8:40pm, Qudos Bank Arena was more than ready for Sir Rod Stewart. For the next almost two hours Sydney was in awe watching the man himself. Opening with Scotland The Brave in to Addicted To Love, accompanied by his 12 piece band – notably including a harpist, a saxophonist and multiple violinists -, screens surrounding both sides as well as above his stage and Rods undeniable stage presence, its clear to see why his career has spanned over 60 years.

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Cyndi Lauper // Photo – Jess Miller

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Something you’ll notice rather quickly in to the night is that Rod absolutely loves to showcase his band and rightfully so, from dance solos to many guitar & saxophone solos, even at some points letting his backup singers claim the stage for the own renditions of I’m So Excited and Lady Marmalade, they truly were an integral part to the nights overall performance.

In a recent interview with Richard Wilkins, Sir Rod Stewart proclaimed “This will be the last time time for all this stuff, I won’t be singing all these songs again.. I’m not retiring but I just wanna move on to some jazz.. So it’ll be the last time to hear these songs.” So after the “pesky pandemic” as Richard called it, it’s third times the charm for Rods’ The Hits Tour to finally reach Australian shores and it was well worth the wait.

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Rod Stewart // Photo – Jess Miller

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From numerous glitzy outfit changes, making jokes about his first ‘six second sexual encounter’ to kicking footballs in to the crowd, a night with Sir Rod Stewart is definitely one to remember because even after all this time he is anything but predictable. Closing out his set with a bow, ever so grateful as he thanks his crowd.

After 6 decades it’s clear to see that the rock legend is a veteran when it comes to performing. His voice speaks for itself and his undeniable charm and ability to enthral a crowd are unmatched, add in to the equation his 20+ song set, this was a show you didn’t want to miss.

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Rod Stewart // Photo – Jess Miller

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Setlist

Scotland The Brave – Introduction Addicted To Love
You Wear It Well
Twistin’ The Night Away
This Old Heart Of Mine
Forever Young
First Cut Is The Deepest
Maggie May
I’d Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Downtown Train
Rhythm Of My Heart
I’m So Excited
Handbags And Gladrags
You’re In My Heart
Tonights The Night (Gonna Be Alright) Have I Told You Lately
Lady Marmalade
Stay With Me
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?

Encore

Sailing
One More Time – Outro

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Rod Stewart // 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 // 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