Ed solo before opening band: I Am A Patriot, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ed with Betchadupa: History Never Repeats
Set List: Can't Keep, Save You, Hail Hail, Corduroy, Grievance, Ghost, Cropduster, Dissident, Given To Fly, Even Flow, I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, Wishlist, Thumbing My Way, Better Man, Lukin, Insignificance, Rearviewmirror;
1st encore: Bushleaguer, Daughter/(War by Edwin Starr), Black, Do The Evolution, Alive;
2nd encore: The Kids Are Alright by the Who, Yellow Ledbetter

Well what can I say? An incredible performance just from hearing it, as I didn't go to the show, unfortunately, because i live in Melbourne and I was working at McDonald's at the time, would you believe. I heard during work that they were going to broadcast the show live and I was disappointed that I couldn't tape it at home, which I was going to because there were some words around that they were going to broadcast it, but didn't happen, anyway it's complicated.

On with the show, the radio at work wasn't very good but good enough to hear what was being played. I tried to keep it on loud and most of the time it was. They opened with Can't Keep which I suspected that they would, then on with Save You which didn't expect so soon and was caught off guard, though I heard it and, my word, it was explosive. This song should be played every night! Then came Hail Hail a great song, it sounded really good, followed by the now usual combination of Corduroy and Grievance, with nice solos by magnificant Mike! By this time I could hear the crowd and they were going off; it would have been amazing to be there. Before Ghost Eddie talked a little about how the show was being broadcast and said hello to everyone in Australia and then from what I heard, went through some bad words and if they could say them.

Cropduster was next then Dissident which was a great surprise, Eddie mentioned that they haven't played it for a while. Then came Given To Fly, always great. Then the one I was waiting for - Even Flow! It was played the best so far on tour I'd say, with a mad solo from Mike at which point I was told to stop bludging and get away from the radio, which took me some time to do. Following that came I am Mine and Love Boat Captain which went for a little longer, I guess because there was a lot of feeling in the band. Wishlist was next, very well done with great short solos by the three guitarists. Then came Thumbing My Way and Better Man all played very well. Next Lukin, which I then immediately thought Not For You would be next, but got a pleasant surprise when Insignificance came on. It sounds more mature than the versions played last tour. Then to close the first set, RVM which is always great with the jam in the middle; the guitar sounds excellent and I wish i could make sounds like that.

As they went off, the crowd were nuts and so should they have been; it was a fantastic start, just so much energy, i guess it being broadcast and being the last Sydney show contributed.

1st encore, they came out, no words just guitar fiddling, it was hard to say what they would play but it ended as Bushleaguer. I love that song, don't know if Ed wore the mask though. Then came Daughter which I think Eddie dedicated to hometown Seattle. The tag was War, What is it Good For? A great tag, I was so jealous of the fans there as then Ed told them to sing with them and they did so F!!#in loudly. I just stood on the spot. I hope they play that one for us in Melbourne Wednesday. Then came perhaps my favourite Black, with an awesome solo, nice keyboarding, though a little less energetic Ed, oh well as long as they played it. The DTE, again sounded very mature and a little different.

Then followed a little pause to which I heard, if I'm not mistaken, Ed saying, "we're gonna try somethin", and then began the open chords to Alive. Wow, lucky Sydney, they went crazy, though quite quiet during the song from what I heard, in respect i think. The solo was perfect, which I heard from the radio dj was played behind Mike's head. Gee he is awesome. They went out again and came back shortly after with Eddie talkin bout the possible war and I think about George Bush, I didn't really hear what he said, but I'm sure it will be written in another Fanview. They played The Who's, The Kids Are Alright. Well Ed did I think cos there were no drums and other guitar I think. Then they finished with Yellow Ledbetter and perfect way to finish a just incredible show. Eddie thanked the crowd for 3 nights in Sydney and they left. The best show so far this tour was over.

This is just as you can see a brief review of the show from what I heard on the radio, I cannot imagine how it must have felt to be there, that will be described by Fanviews from people who went, I'm sure everyone who reads these will get more out of them. I cant wait for Weds and Thurs here in Melbourne. I'll write a better review for those. Thanks.

Peace,
Chockes