Every time I drive to Penrith I remember that it is an awfully long way away from the city. In fact and I don't mean any disrespect, but, What on earth is there out in the "riff" that would warrant some musical greats to venture out that far? In any case it was the only venue I could see them play apart from some, ahem, "Ute Muster" that the famed Icehouse were to perform. Of course they are due to do some shows with Hall and Oats but I didn't want to wait that long to see my Australian musical hero, Iva, strut his stuff Penrith style!
I knew Icehouse would not disappoint and it was apparent from the very beginning that the band were as tight as ever. Every detail of the sound and lighting and audio visual show had been timed to within an inch of its life. It is so refreshing to see a band take such pride in producing and delivering a quality show that every instrument is balanced and the sound guys appeared to be completely into every note that they mixed to perfection.
Now you might be thinking that being such a big fan that of course I would say something as predictable as "Oh they were so brilliant blah blah blah" but the fact is that I have been to see many a major musical genius in the past and come away wondering what on earth I was thinking some of these highlights include;
Public Enemy, who were crap, walked out half way; George Clinton, so bad I demanded my money back and oh yes who could forget ye olde Barry White who took about an hour off my life which I can never get back. Oh oh and I almost forgot to mention REM where I got the tickets for free through industry friends and fronted up to a completely blacked out Sydney Entertainment Centre except for the floor seating. You don't have to guess how shit that evening was. Stipey needed a Bex and a lie down let me assure you. Actually the truth is by the end of the night I considered taking up a crack habit. So yes Icehouse were fucking brilliant no doubt about it.
So after Iva played all the classics and then some he played "Don't Believe Anymore". The fact is that I honestly felt like I had borne wings at that moment and was floating on the roof. It was superb. The song is pure genius and I have probably listened to it about forty million times and I doubt I will ever grow tired of it or its sentiment. Of course when I asked Iva about it a few years ago he said that he didn't think it was anywhere near as melancholic as he had obviously felt at the time of writing it. Oh yes Iva it is melancholic personified times a thousand. So a long drive to the Riff was worth it and I look forward to seeing Iva again very very soon.
