Live Review: Live, Birds Of Tokyo

Not many bands can suffer an acrimonious break-up, only to get back together and come back firing. Pennsylvanian band Live has seemingly done just that, with singer Ed Kowalczyk and co burying the hatchet and treating fans to a short reunion tour late last year. Thankfully, the band has backed it up with a return visit in 2018, and tonight they performed a resplendent greatest hits set to the Adelaide 500 after-race crowd.

Birds Of Tokyo performed a 50-minute warm-up set and kept the fuelled up motoring enthusiasts mostly happy. Singer Ian Kenny oozes charisma and is entertaining to watch. Looks-wise he reminds of comedic actor Will Arnett (we couldn't get Lego Batman out of our head). While the band's new material sounded promising, it was fan favourites Plans and Lanterns that captured the crowd's attention.

When Live took to the stage shortly afterwards, it finally dawned on us that 'this' was really happening - a band we thought we would never see again in original form was here before us. As they launched into All Over You, from 1994's amazing Throwing Copper, it was like an emotional blast from the past.

Operation Spirit (The Tyranny Of Tradition), Pain Lies On The Riverside, The Dolphin's Cry and Selling The Drama followed - and it was quickly evident that tonight was to be a tour-de-force of the band's finest, not to be sullied by new material, solo outings or obscure album tracks.

If there was any animosity remaining between band members, it wasn't evident. Kowalczyk was all smiles throughout. Guitarist Chad Taylor was also clearly revelling in the moment, deferential to the singer, one time bowing and doffing his hat. No mention was made of the group's decision to perform and record without Kowalczyk during the split, the only acknowledgement of the rancorous years being the comment, "We took a little break, but we're back… we'll spare you all the gory details."

Kowalczyk has lost none of his youthful vigour and star quality, but made sure to introduce the band early in the night, including both drummers - yes, there were two drum kits in use at all times. "Two for the price of one," the singer joked.

A musical tribute was paid to Johnny Cash (I Walk The Line), as well as to Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell (I Am The Highway). Kowalczyk returned to the stage alone after the encore break and, referencing his children, performed a beautiful acoustic version of Heaven, encouraging the crowd to sing along and looking genuinely pleased when we did so with gusto. An acoustic version of Turn My Head followed, with Taylor joining him part way through, later disclosing that they had been friends since kindergarten. And, of course, there was no better way to finish the night than with their classic, Lightning Crashes. 

This band has so many great songs and tonight they played them all.