Long Way to the Top - Dave Gleeson

Australian rock was in safe hands on this balmy Friday evening, as Dave Gleeson brought his high-energy show Long Way to the Top to the incredible outdoor stage The Fantail at Gluttony. He and his 5 piece band and 2 backing vocalists were there to celebrate Australian music and take the audience along for the ride. Best known as the powerhouse voice behind the Screaming Jets and later in his career The Angels, Gleeson oozed charisma and soon had the crowd on side.

The outdoor setting added to the atmosphere. Gleeson’s humorous banter came easy showcasing his experience. The band powered through a set packed with iconic hits, featuring Long Way to the Top (ACDC), The Boys Light Up (Australian Crawl), Beds are Burning (Midnight Oil), Shout (Johnny O’Keefe), Dumb Things (Paul Kelly), Friday on my Mind (The Easybeats) and many more.

Screaming Jets biggest hit Better was accompanied by guest drummer, James Gleeson, son of our host. With its recognisable rift, the crowd went wild with over half of them on their feet by this stage.

This was more than a tribute show - it was a celebration of Australia’s rock heritage. The band was polished and looked like they were having fun. The backing vocalists added depth and were given the opportunity to perform centre stage with hits like Weir (Killing Heidi) and I Touch Myself (Divinyls).

By the end of the performance the crowd were singing along to every chorus, proving that this collection of songs still carry the electrifying spirit decades later. An encore of Good Times, by INXS and Jimmy Barnes was a perfect way to salute the rock gods of Australian music. The hour flashed by and left this music lover wanting more.

With many performances still left, the music lover in us all should see this show. It’s a banger!

Kerry Cooper

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