29 July 2023 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Harbour
You know when Eagles of Death Metal (EODM) announce a tour that it’s going to be a good time. Pairing up with Southern River Band was a masterstroke of genius as these gigs were going to be as entertaining as hell.
When I arrived at the Tivoli, it didn’t seem that packed (last word was only a few tickets left). Any of you who didn’t turn up for Southern River Band really missed out. Last time I saw them I was reviewing The Darkness tour last year and I was really looking forward to seeing them again.
Southern River Band – The Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Hailing from Thornlie (a suburb of Perth for those playing at home), Western Australia, Southern River Band rock hard and when they leave the stage YOU KNOW they have put every ounce of being into that stage show so they were a good match for EODM. If you have never come across them before, frontman Cal Kramer’s mullet is well worth turning up early for and you will stay for the great music and show Southern River Band put on. With a set that included ‘Cigarettes (Aint Helping Me None)’ and ‘Chasing After Love (I’ll Burn a Hole in your Shoe)’ it was a great way to warm up for EODM.
The Tivoli filled up quickly and then the lights dimmed, The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s ‘Time Warp’ started to play, the lights went up and Jesse Hughes bounded out on stage wearing a red cape and proceeded to lead the crowd in the ‘Time Warp’ dance. The rest of EODM, Scott Shiflett, Jennie Vee and Leah Bluestein followed more sedately.
Eagles of Death Metal – The Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
After checking in with the crowd, EODM kicked off with what they do best – playing a damn good rock show. Starting off with ‘Got a Woman’, Hughes lost the cape and used every inch of the stage and brought the audience into the performance, no one was getting left behind tonight. They then played my favourite song ‘I Only Want You’ – being on double duty as photographer, it was hard to not stop and dance to that one. The first trio of songs wrapped up with ‘Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)’.
Time seemed to be going super quickly and we flew through ‘Anything ‘Kept the Truth’, a Boots Electric cover (Complexity), ‘Silverlake (KOSFM)’, ‘Heart On’ and ‘Secret Plans’, all the while Hughes gesturing to the punters and inviting them into his world.
‘Cherry Cola’ another crowd favourite from their 2006 album Death By Sexy had the crowd moving and ready for ‘Flames Go Higher’ and ‘Now I’m a Fool’. But nothing could top the reaction for ‘I Want You So Hard (The Boy’s Bad News)’. Hearing that one live again hit me like freight train.
We were on the home stretch with ‘Whorehoppin (Shit Goddamn)’ and ‘I Love You All the Time’ and the set came to an end with ‘Moonage Daydream’ a great cover of the Bowie classic. It felt like the time had flown past us all and of course they returned for an encore of ‘Speaking in Tongues’ played jam style.
Eagles of Death Metal – The Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
EODM put everything into their shows and make sure that every part of the audience is having a good time, with Jesse Hughes pulling out all the stops and making contact with every corner of the venue. It goes too quick and leaves you wanting more. It was a great return to Australia.
