REVIEW: Here’s What Went Down At Fire Fight Australia

Arriving at the mammoth Fire Fight Australia event was kind of like stepping back in time ten years with a different era of concertgoers. Gone was the glitter, Instagrammable outfits and festival shirts - back were the Australian flag tattoos, the wide-brims and kids on shoulders. From the moment the gates opened and Lee Kernaghan kicked off proceedings, the mood was celebratory. 

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By the time Baker Boy (real name Danzal Baker) took to the stage, there were well over 35,000 people through the gates and in place to witness the Arnhem Land sensation. The energy brought by Baker and hip hop contemporary Illy was unmatched. Hip hop's reign over new live music continues, and Fire Fight was all the better for it, heavy backbeat jams getting punters from six to 60 jumping up and down like lunatics.

Baker Boy @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

Former Idol contenders Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian brought R&B vibes while between acts there was no drop in energy. From videos showing the likes of Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Prince William and more expressing their support for the cause, to crowd interviews (much like a sports event), including occasional skits by host Celeste Barber - who was clearly putting all her willpower into not dropping an F-bomb at the most G-rated music event of the year - Fire Fight didn’t want you to take your eye off the ball for a single second. 

Pete Murray’s Opportunity and Delta Goodrem’s In This Life were highlights, choir backing and a full string section making '00s ballad euphoric. Tina Arena’s set was a masterclass in working a crowd, hits Chains, Heaven Help My Heart and a scintillating cover of Divinyls' classic Boys In Town bringing the entire stadium to their feet.

Tina Arena @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

By the time shock-rock king Alice Cooper took to the stage to really kick off the evening, the air had become electric. The stage couldn’t have been better set for Cooper to bring a slice of traditional heavy metal and theatrics to the gathered throng, and he did so with aplomb. Making the most of the catwalk, and backed by his ferociously energetic band, Cooper’s performance of Department Of Youth, Poison and, of course, School’s Out felt like genuine headliner material, such was the reception each tune received.

Alice Cooper @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

Following Cooper was Amy Shark, with her smash hit I Said Hi really winning the crowd over. Local darlings 5 Seconds Of Summer grabbed the crowd from the first hint of She Looks So Perfect. 5SOS sit in between pop and rock comfortably, but that didn’t change the crashing Youngblood from feeling like a genuine rockstar moment - the perfect curtain-raiser for what was to come.

Amy Shark @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

Many talk in hushed tones about Queen’s legendary 1985 set at Live Aid, where they provided 22 mythic minutes of stadium rock in front of a 70,000+ crowd at Wembley Stadium. When the first notes of Bohemian Rhapsody began, singer Adam Lambert providing a mesmerising take on Freddie Mercury’s iconic parts, things felt similar in stature. However, it was when the band transitioned out of that song mid-way into Radio Ga Ga that the penny dropped that they might be recreating that iconic set. What followed was a living slice of rock and roll history - Hammer To Fall, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions - which Lambert made completely his own. Strutting around, sidling up to Brian May and showing off his own dance moves, it was a special performance that won’t quickly be forgotten.

Queen + Adam Lambert @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

Throwing to Michael Buble sliding around the stage of Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne was a risky move, given the enormity of what had just passed, but punters happily danced away as Sway played on the big screens and buffered Hilltop Hoods' unenviable job of following Queen. Kicking off with Leave Me Lonely, the Adelaide crew brought the feel-good energy to get people engaged and dancing, wrapping up with Cosby Sweater.

Kd lang brought the crowd to tears with her rendition of Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah. ICEHOUSE and William Barton had people remembering classic pub jams, Great Southern Land and Electric Blue feeling epic. But it was John Farnham - Whispering Jack himself - who ended the night on the perfect note.

Kd lang @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.

Farnham teaming up with Olivia Newton-John for Two Strong Hearts was always going to be one of the most talked-about performances of the night, but his masterstroke was bringing out Queen guitarist Brian May, Mitch Tambo, a didgeridoo player and bagpipers for the most incredible rendition of You're The Voice imaginable. The combined performers for the final chorus to close the event felt like a true, classic stadium rock experience.

With over $9 million raised and some excellent performances, Fire Fight well and truly exceeded the expectations of organisers and fans alike, with the stars aligning for a day that will take some digesting for those lucky enough to be there.

John Farnham & Olivia Newton-John @ Fire Fight Australia. Photo by Josh Groom.