Live Review: David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed

"David Bowie would be proud!" was the cry, emanating from somewhere near the front. Which David Bowie? Ziggy Stardust, the resident alien? Aladdin Sane, the same being now transformed by American fame? Was it The Thin White Duke, the haunted aristocrat and fascist romantic? Or was it the elusive mercurial star in his final decade? None of these personas would regard this toothless tribute with much thought. They would respond kindly, but perfunctorily. This was not for Bowie, though. Not much of everyday life was, probably. It was for us, by us and in that way it succeeded.

The whole event was slick and well organised. There was an inescapable cruise-ship vibe that delicately flavoured the whole thing, but there were some good performances from personalities large enough (hey Tim Rogers!) to elevate it into something approaching edgy. Sydney Symphony Orchestra sounded great and the arrangements were well conceived and executed well. Lots of small details and tonal shifts felt easy and natural. Where it fell down was in the vocal department, but more on that shortly.

The talent pool was strong. iOTA opening with Space Oddity was fantastic (everything he touched was gold - Life On Mars was bloody brilliant), Deborah Conway performing Ziggy Stardust brought the Hall to life and Tim Rogers' version of Lazarus was powerful. Adalita was forced to shelve her gothic style in favour of far more dynamic material and she just couldn't rise to it. Her pieces (Rebel Rebel, The Jean Genie) felt severely mismatched and fell flat. Jack Ladder towered over the others, trying on a lounge act for Loving The Alien and Stay, but neither really took off. Steve Kilbey was understated as always, doing decent work with Changes and Diamond Dogs. Seeing Rogers in a white flared suit singing Young Americans would be anyone's highlight at any time, tonight being no different. He chewed up the stage, thoroughly enjoying himself. And he didn't fail to thank us for "giving a couple of kids a chance".

The mix, however, didn't work. The vocals fluctuated, letting artists down in crucial moments, with weak volume competing with a full orchestra and backing band. Often singers sounded flat and washed-out. Ladder has a rich baritone, but it was lost in a sea of sound. Even by the last song, Heroes (with all personnel on deck), the sound desk hadn't adapted.

Technical faults aside, the crowd enjoyed themselves. It was a solid best-of setlist featuring all of his various creations and, at the very least, highlighted what a versatile and talented songwriter Bowie was. Any deeper sort of reading was left to us individually, which, ultimately, is the way it always was.