Liam Cooper – King of the Keys

Australia’s own King of the Keys, Liam Cooper, made a triumphant Melbourne debut on September 5, 2025, at The Palms at Crown, Melbourne. Performing to a sold-out crowd of 870 enthusiastic fans, Cooper delivered a high-octane, heartfelt, and often hilarious musical celebration of history’s greatest male piano-playing performers. And by the end of the night, one thing was clear: Liam Cooper isn’t just paying tribute to legends — he’s well on his way to becoming one himself.

Backed by a powerhouse four-piece band — guitarist Noah, drummer Facu, saxophonist Jimmy, and trumpeter Angus — Cooper took the audience on a whirlwind journey through 40 songs. The show paid homage to the legendary artists - Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, Barry Manilow, Peter Allen, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Hornsby, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, A-ha, Europe, Meatloaf and more. From start to finish, the energy was electric, the musicianship flawless, and the atmosphere infectiously joyful.

Crowd favourites included soaring renditions of A-ha’s Take on Me, Europe’s The Final Countdown (complete with keytar played atop the grand piano), the theatrically epic I Would Do Anything for Love by Meatloaf and Billy Joel’s Piano Man (where Cooper played a mean harmonica). During the night the audience are encouraged to scan a QR code to cast their pick for the ultimate King of the Keys. Unsurprisingly, Sir Elton John took the crown — a fitting tribute, especially after Cooper’s dazzling performances of Crocodile Rock, Rocket Man and Pinball Wizard.

Cooper’s talents on the piano are undeniable, but what truly sets him apart is his stage presence. Larger than life, endlessly charismatic, and blessed with an uncanny ability to balance musical precision with cheeky showmanship, Cooper had the crowd at The Palms literally in ‘the palms’ of his hands. His humour was on full display through playful props — maracas, oversized glasses, a bubble machine, and even a leaf blower used to send guitarist Noah’s hair flying during his solo in Bohemian Rhapsody. At one point, Cooper and the band employed a conga line, and yes — more than once, someone ended up performing on top of the grand piano.

The show struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and novelty. Cooper’s anecdotes between songs added warmth and context, giving fans insight into his musical inspirations while keeping the energy high. His vocal range was impressive, effortlessly shifting from the soulful stylings of Ray Charles to the rock theatrics of Meatloaf.

Although the show is a family-friendly affair, the demographic skewed older — unsurprising, given the eras of the artists featured. The cozy, cabaret-style atmosphere of The Palms added a unique charm, evoking the feel of a world-class cruise ship show gliding through decades of iconic hits — fitting, given that Cooper regularly performs aboard luxury liners across the globe.

As the final notes rang out, many in the audience showed their appreciation in a standing ovation — a tribute not just to Cooper and his band’s talent, but to a night that felt more like a celebration of timeless music and old-school showmanship than a typical concert.

Jonathan Cox