As we settle into Hamer Hall's plush orange velvet seating, we wonder where everyone is since it's nearly advertised showtime. Tonight is the final performance of this leg of the Primitive Colours Tour (songs from Primitive Man and Man Of Colours, geddit?) and attendees have dusted off their finery, befitting this seated theatre venue. Wally Kempton wanders out and we wonder if he's tour managing. But then he straps on his bass and we're up for an unexpected dose of Even, which could never be a bad thing – especially on Cup Eve(n). It appears frontman Ash Naylor called Iva Davies to ask what colour the headliners' drum kit is so he could coordinate his shirt (we say it's purple, though Davies later describes the kit as “pink”). Naylor points out that one of Even's songs, Black Umbrella, reached number 86 on the ARIA Singles Chart back in the day and then tries to prove he's 'current' by discussing things like “YouTube”. Someone (a plant?) in the crowd yells out, “You're a legend, Wally!” Shining Star (not an INXS cover) is a standout. It has to be said – Even are a good, solid group. It's pleasing to see many Even purchases going down at the merch desk at intermission and discussion turns to tonight's “Obsession Zone” ticket price, which is a bargain at a mere $20 extra.

Icehouse frontman Iva Davies arrives on stage in perfect performance attire for his age, the feature of which is a shimmering shirt in flattering cut, i.e. silver fox. Glam opens proceedings and incorporates some very Adam & The Ants stick-clickery. Red lightning bolt visuals punctuate the beat and beautiful lighting design is executed to perfection throughout the show. The energetic We Can Get Together is an early highlight. These stellar songs roll out one after the other and Davies is in fine voice, particularly obvious in Crazy's elastic-range choruses (during which we discover it's fun to insert “Cray-cray”). Davies flings his guitar around to wear it across his back when not in use, which creates an appealing silhouette.

The faithful song renditions belted out by the band have never sounded better, with harmonies and BVs worth special mention. Wishing not to be reprimanded by the seated patrons behind us, it's time to investigate the option of dancing in the aisle down front – yes, it's permitted! Street Café is atmospheric and quite simply rocks. Will we get grossed out in a 'pensioners having sex' kinda way during Love In Motion? Thankfully, no. And what a stunningly sultry track it is. Drummer Paul Wheeler looks more like a member of Blondie or The Knack rather than Icehouse tonight. Electric Blue was never a fave so it's time to replenish those beverages. Great Southern Land raises the communal goosebumps (almost as much as it did at Sound Relief).

A lesser man than Davies would be hesitant to allow Michael Paynter, who tonight models an authentically '80s über-flat top 'do, to sing lead vocals on My Obsession. He's a wee bit musical theatre, but so accomplished that we don't even notice the Icehouse frontman coming back onstage! Instructing us to yell out the “O”s throughout Can't Help Myself is a not-so-subtle orgasm reference and also a tad lame. There's a fuck-up during this song, which Davies points out and then blames on guitarist Paul Gildea, who previously shocked us all by using the term “rooting” – yep, into the mic. What's with the chewie, Davies? Beats us how he doesn't swallow it whole while singing and this chewing's a little distracting.

T Rex cover Get It On is the perfect (second encore) closer and its riffs call to mind this evening's opening track Glam. So much more than a funky sidestep – with variations – down memory lane, showcasing these two Icehouse albums serves to reiterate this great band's hit-heavy legacy. And the material doesn't even sound dated. Our feet barely touch the ground as we ascend the stairs to St Kilda Road while The Human League's Love Action plays, in keeping with the demographic.