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YOU AM I
+ Magic Dirt + Church Moms
@ Unibar, Adelaide
06 May 2022
(Live Review)
Review by Colin Reid

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You Am I // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Outside it was the first bitterly cold night of the year but inside it was a hot, sweaty night of Aussie rock n roll greatness for the first genuinely packed house that the venerable old Adelaide Uni Bar has hosted since before pandemic restrictions. 

Opening up were local band Church Moms. Normally a 3 piece they were down a member tonight but still generated a huge amount of sound. ‘Fight Me’ and ‘F#%k you and the horse you rode in on’ were stand outs.

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Church Moms // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Magic Dirt were on next and the venue became packed. The crowd wasn’t disappointed. They were so tight and in synch with each other. It was a wall of noise backed up by impeccable stage craft and great timing whilst remaining super comfortable within the audible chaos they were weaving.

There is something special about a Magic Dirt gig. There is true chemistry and comedy on stage between Adalita and Raul, surely one of the nicest guys in rock and roll, who at only 25 years in the band is still joking referred to as the new guy. The story of shutting him in a sofa bed was recounted with warmth and humour. Adalita asked the crowd if they remembered the last time that Magic Dirt played the Uni Bar and the voices from the crowd were spot on down to the very day. True fans in the crowd here for the long haul and loving every minute of it. As tall as Adalita is there is something truly special when she climbs an extra inch onto her toes, throws her hair and delivers that powerful voice into the microphone!

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Magic Dirt // Photo – CDR Imagery

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There is a real chemistry with the fans. A shout out for Deano, former member who passed away from cancer in 2009, came from the crowd and was met with a heartfelt response from Adalita “Thank you random fan, I can’t see your face or know your name but thank you”.

Banter with the crowd continues punctuating the blistering set. “What was your first drink? Tequila huh? We’ll have to talk later!”. “I love Adelaide, whenever I’m here I want to move” the crowd responded with renaming her Radalita! There is truly nothing like the experience of watching a great Aussie band on top of their game in a small venue that is packed to the rafters when the crowd and band really connects. This is one of those nights.

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Magic Dirt // Photo – CDR Imagery

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The upcoming election is discussed and the lyrics of 2000’s big pop-hooked cross over hit “Dirty Jeans” were changed to incorporate voter lyrics. It seemed like they were improvised and it worked really well.  The set closed out as it began with the band on fire and Adalita passes the microphone into the front row to sing the refrain as she adjusts her guitar pedals before joining the crowd to end the set.  It had all been so good, see you on the flip side Radalita!

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Magic Dirt // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Next up was You Am I. There was a small eternity in this fans heart as the change over of equipment happened. Looking around the room it was weird to see so many faces lite up by the blue light of the screen, a sea of middle-aged faces illuminated by their phones all posting about how great Magic Dirt had been and wondering what exquisite outfit Tim Rogers would be wearing tonight?

We have to long to wait and weren’t disappointed on either front. They kicked off with the singles “Tuesday” followed hard on its heals with “Rumble”. Straight away the full house was into it!  Tim was resplendent in the most incredible H Bar C style western shirt which matched perfectly with sparkle blue eye shadow, a pair of crushed velvet flared pants and gold boots with just the right amount of heel to make them rock n roll but still camp at the same time. He joked with the crowd about the outfit throughout the show. “These boots are Mott the Hoople 1972” and “We spent all our royalties on my pants and have to catch the bus back to Melbourne because we can no longer afford the airfare”.

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You Am I // Photo – CDR Imagery

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A twenty track set was delivered to the packed crowd, heads bobbing and swaying while the band were rocking.  We were encouraged to dance with the band as well as being introduced to guitar tech / roadie Nic who we were instructed to view as a potential romantic partner! Followed by Tim breaking into a northern English accent to parody a comedy routine from a Butlins Holiday Camp which probably went over most people’s heads but to me was gold.

As with Magic Dirt this band have been around and there is real chemistry. Tim had banter with Davey Lane or 2 or 3 occasions rechristening Davey as other musicians, “its Davey f#%king Lane” was the response from the crowd! As the set wore on Tim and Davey continued their good humour, at one point trading little kick backs and dance moves. Tim won, of course, as he had the right footwear for that routine! “Let’s dance mother lovers!”

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You Am I // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Shout outs were provided to the opening bands and the length of the friendship between You Am I and Magic Dirt acknowledge. There is real history between these two great bands.  There was a voice from the crowd “you’re really old”; I thought this a bit rich, we are all that age, I know I saw your faces lit up by your screens at half time. Tim responded with a quip about every line and crack on his face being a mark that was well earned with a much enjoyed sin!

The gig ended with the rock and roll version of Heavy Heart which is fantastic and suited Tim’s shirt to perfection before the finale, an unforgettable version of Berlin Chair. It had been a great gig and truly worthy of that full house.

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You Am I // Photo – CDR Imagery

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Check out the CDR Imagery gallery of this event HERE

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Follow YOU AM I
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Follow MAGIC DIRT
Website – Facebook – Instagram

Follow CHURCH MOMS
Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – DB