INXS Introduce The New Sensation Post by: Dan The Internut 5 December, 2011 - 10:38 AM

It would be at least 30 years since we had seen INXS play live, twice in one year, in Perth, on two different tours. Not only two different tours, but with two different lead singers. Hard to believe but true.

But here they were, doing it for the Worlds Festival (ISAF Sailing World Champs). And what a way to open the show.

First up, emerging singer / songwriter Georgi Kay got up on stage to do her solo thing. I met her backstage and she was trying to keep a lid on the fact that she was supporting one of the biggest bands this country (almost this city) had ever produced. And she did a pretty good job. It's a big ask to get on stage, by yourself, and play to a building crowd, and she did so with aplomb.

Next up were the enigma, Grinspoon. You can just tell that the boys are heading in a new direction with their sound, yet hearing songs like Dead catX3 and Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills, they'll always have that mid '90s "is it grunge or is it hard rock?" sound to convey. They were really good though... Phil Jamieson sounded brilliant, as did the band. It was a strange choice as support for INXS, but I spoke to a few punters (younger) who were actually there for Grinspoon, so there may have been a hint of wisdom in the madness.

So, the lights go down and in a complete surprise, the sampled sonic ramblings from the opening of "Communication" filled the venue... one by one, the band that we know, INXS, hit the stage. We hear the opening lines from new singer Ciaran Gribbin, yet, could not see him... but when they launch into the first chorus, the spotlight hits the back of Jon's drum riser and there he was, the new lead singer for INXS. Interesting side note, I had a pre-show beer in the foyer of The Esplanade, and through the foyer walked Gribbin with wife and baby in tow... and not ONE person (well, apart from me and my mate) noticed. When's the last time you reckon the lead singer of INXS could have done that without being noticed?

What's become apparent with the band that they've worked on producing a "show", rather than just a live performance... There's bits and pieces where band members hit certain parts of the stage at certain times, there's female back-up singers doing there thing, it's actually pretty good.

Anyways, on with the show. "Suicide Blonde" reinforced why it's such a great live song, they even let the blonde back up singer sing a line or two... "Heaven Sent" introduced the band as a 6 piece with instruments, the first time ever. That's right, Ciaran donned the acoustic guitar. It's not like they needed it, after all, this band has been playing together for over 30 years, tight is their middle name. But it was a nice touch and a nice breakaway from JD Fortune's legacy.

My only criticism of Ciaran's performance (and it's a minute one), he didn't seem that comfortable in the really low register... "Not Enough Time" highlighted that, but I reckon I was the only one that noticed. That's such an underrated song and proof of the shame that tracks like it and "Communication" weren't more well known.

The big thing I noticed about Gribbin was how gracious he was to be there. It's like it still doesn't seem real to him. He made a big speech about how important this band was to Australia, and how much of an honour it was to be playing in Perth, singing Michael Hutchence's songs to the masses. It was a nice touch.

The band then cranked out their first new song in over 5 years, "Tiny Summer" (co-written by Gribbin). It's a great song and a promising new direction for the band. And you know that Ciaran has made it as a token Aussie when Andrew yelled out "nice one Gribbo" at the end of the song.

Then came more of the hits. "Kiss The Dirt" (with nice local reference to the "Farriss" Wheel), "Elegantly Wasted" was a surprise choice (but too sounded great live), "New Sensation", "Need You Tonight", which really highlighted how great a guitarist Andrew has become and how bloody brilliant Jon Farriss always has been. Ciaran then introduced the band, with clever references to the three "local" boys, Andrew, Jon and Tim... although, I'm pretty sure Ciaran introduced Tim as "the local boy, born and bred in Manly Beach..." I'm pretty sure you meant "Cottesloe" Ciaran... but we'll let that slide.

"Never Tear Us Apart" was the last song of the set and dedicated to the great man, Michael Hutchence. Need we say more.

Like Kings Park, the Farris boys came out by themselves (this time in the encore) to play "Drum Opera" (from Original Sin). I said it last time and I'll say it again... there's something poetic about the three Farriss boys playing a song by themselves and owning it, in the place of their birth. Just brilliant.

"What You Need" was what it is live, a massive party on stage. And when the keyboard strains of "Don't Change" filled the place, there were both cheers and groans... cheers because it's such a great song, groans because we all knew that this was it. During the last song, Gribbin grabbed around 5 or so Dockers themed Sherrins and launched them into the crowd. And I tell you what... INXS' gain is AFL's loss, he had quite the right boot on him. He then managed to throw everything else out into the crowd... Set lists, water bottles... he probably would have thrown Garry out had he managed to pick him up :)

"Thank you so much Perth... Thank you for a night I'll remember for the rest of my life"

Right back at you Gribbo!!!

SET LIST

Communication
Mystify
Heaven Sent
Suicide Blonde
Disappear
Not Enough Time
By My Side
Listen Like Thieves
Beautiful Girl
Tiny Summer
Kiss The Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)
Bitter Tears
Don´t Lose Your Head
Elegantly Wasted
Don't Change
Original Sin
Devil Inside
Need You Tonight
New Sensation
Never Tear Us Apart

Encore:
Drum Opera
What You Need
Don't Change

Did you go to the show? What did you think of the new lead singer?

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