Live Review: The White Album Concert

No one is here expecting to see The Beatles reincarnated – only a fool would think rock'n'roll's GOAT could ever be replicated. Instead, today's about celebrating some of the most amazing songs ever written, and, with the help of The Living End's Chris Cheney, Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson, Tim Rogers of You Am I and Josh Pyke, celebrate we do.

The Beatles 1968 self-titled record, universally known as the 'White Album', is an encompassing body of work; a double LP, 30-song collection that almost acts as an encyclopaedia to modern music as we know it, such is the expansive level of genius the Fab Four show throughout the record. Making sure every original sound is done justice is a large backing band – multi-player horn and string sections, two drummers, guitars and bass, backing vocals, keyboardist and pianist – who take their place across the stage before Chris Cheney strolls out, and without any real introduction gets straight to it with Back In The U.S.S.R. His white shoes and dress shirt matches the exquisite piano to his side, although his vest and spiked hair still hang on to his rockabilly roots. Phil Jamieson appears next for Dear Prudence, looking unexpectedly dapper in a grey suit jacket and bow tie, but only when Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da starts up to do all the four men make themselves known.

Still, it's chemistry here which is most entertaining

They don't hide any joy in the performance; they're all clearly having a riot on stage. Josh Pyke is dressed up in a darker version of Cheney's dress shirt/vest combo, but it's Tim Rogers who stands out like a painted thumb, appearing to cheers after a few verses of the song in a mustard plaid suit, admitting afterwards, before tackling Wild Honey Pie, “I may dress like a circus clown but thankfully I sing like the bearded lady.” These moments of togetherness are few, however; the show, instead relying on individual performances from the main stars, who play to their strengths with gusto: Cheney thoughtfully soloing within While My Guitar Gently Weeps and revelling beneath bright technicolour after intermission during Birthday; Jamieson exploring every space of the stage, on his knees during a gorgeous I'm So Tired and catting around the front row while taking on Yer Blues.

Pyke and Rogers best encapsulate the two sides of The Beatles, however, showcasing the beauty in these songs, as well as the eccentric creativity behind them. Pyke's take on Blackbird, complete with whistles, is stunning, though he remarks with a laugh before playing Long, Long, Long, “I love coming on after Chris' songs,” Cheney having just channelled the devil with Helter Skelter. Rogers, meanwhile, toys with the audience while he itches and moves around the stage leading Happiness Is A Warm Gun, and rocks the cow bell during Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey following a suit change at half-time to a more apt vanilla number.

Still, it's chemistry here which is most entertaining: Rogers getting Rocky Raccoon going from a sit-down start before Pyke takes over on the mic, Tim cameoing on the Jamieson led Don't Pass Me By, and the show-stopping encore of sorts, featuring the guys trading harmonies as the band do more than justice to A Day In The Life, before a barnstorming Revolution redux has the venue on its feet, dancing in the aisles.