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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES
+ Jaron Jay
@ Hamer Hall, Melbourne,
15th February 2025
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Lucas Packett (@lucas.packett.photography)

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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since The Brand New Heavies hit the world stage in earnest with their iconic ‘Brother Sister’ record. On Saturday, at a pumping Hamer Hall in Melbourne’s iconic arts precinct, they reminded the theatre of adoring fans why it was not just a great record in its day, but has stood the test of time through three decades.

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JARON JAY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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The vibe was set by support act ‘Jaron Jay’, who delighted the crowd with his smooth vocals, particularly strong in falsetto. Jay engaged the crowd by demanding participation, and they seemed all too willing to oblige.

At 9pm, enter The Brand New Heavies with a funk intro, and straight into Have a Good Time, which had the audience immediately on their feet and spilling out into the aisles for maximum hip-freedom.

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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Straight into crowd favourites Dream on Dreamer and Midnight at the Oasis, the audience were lapping up the grooves and singing along. At this point it became clear there was a significant vocal harmony missing from the mix, and it was so for the entire gig, but aside from this, the tunes were solid, and reminiscent of the original record, which delighted the crowd. No unnecessary vocal gymnastics – just the tunes performed the way the audience knew them, which meant maximum audience participation.

Of the 20 tracks, the band played the bulk of the Brother Sister record, ending with an encore of other well-known favourites, ‘Stay this Way’, ‘You are the Universe’, and ‘Dream Come True’. This writer would have loved a live rendition of ‘You’ve Got a Friend’, but could not ask for more really, with such a comprehensive set list and exceptional performance.

The Brand New Heavies will be delighting crowds for years to come.

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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Check out Lucas Packett’s (@lucas.packett.photography) full gallery of this event HERE

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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Follow THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES
Spotify – Apple Music – Facebook
 Instagram – X – Website

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THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Press Release 5th February 2025 (below) HERE

Australian vocalist and
audacious songwriter
JARON JAY
joins
THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES
on their Australian Tour
this February

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AMNPLIFY – DB