17 May 2025 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton – words and pictures by Brad Fry
What pairs perfectly with beef? According to Google, “a robust red wine with tannins that pair well with the fat and savory flavors is a classic choice.” Fair enough. But on a warm autumn night in Rockhampton — Australia’s beef capital — the ideal pairing wasn’t a drop of red, but a full-bodied performance from Lime Cordiale. No sommelier would have suggested it, but the truth was clear: Lime Cordiale was the perfect match.
The Great Western Hotel, a venue as gritty and iconic as the town itself, was bursting at the seams. Over 1,200 fans packed into its arena, and the atmosphere was electric — the kind of anticipatory buzz you can feel in your bones. As part of their Love Is Off The Table tour, the Leimbach brothers brought a kaleidoscope of colour, sound, and boundless charisma to a town not typically on the indie-pop touring map. But Rockhampton rose to the occasion — and then some. If there was ever any doubt about Lime Cordiale’s regional draw, last night put it to rest. Their magnetism isn’t confined to metro cities; it stretches far and wide, reaching even the most rugged corners of Australia (and indeed, the world).
But before the main course, we were treated to something altogether unexpected: Little Green, a solo artist who arrived on stage and promptly shattered every expectation. Armed with a loop pedal, an acoustic guitar, and a flute — yes, a flute — she wove a set that was equal parts soulful, jazzy, and entrancing. Her sound was intricate yet accessible, an aural tapestry of introspection and warmth. From the moment she began, the crowd was spellbound. Smiles spread like wildfire. Her cover of AC/DC’s ‘TNT’ — reimagined with a flute solo that somehow worked — had the whole venue singing along with gusto. Little Green didn’t just win over the crowd; she enchanted them. Authentic, talented, and entirely her own, she is a true artist in every sense of the word.
Little Green – Great Western Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Next up were Sydney’s Le Shiv, who stormed the stage to the unmistakable strains of ‘Love Is In The Air’. Cheeky? Absolutely. Effective? Unquestionably. Their sound, a gritty collision of rock and post-punk swagger, hit hard from the outset. Frontman Pencil (Jacob Voroshine) was a whirling force of nature — prowling the stage, charming the crowd, and pouring every ounce of himself into the performance. The crowd responded in kind, feeding off the band’s tightly wound grooves and surging choruses. Tracks exploded one after another, grungy and visceral but never chaotic. As their set reached its fever pitch, chants for an encore erupted — a testament to how thoroughly they’d won over the crowd. And then came a moment that summed up the night’s energy in full: Pencil, sweaty and beaming, hoisted a young fan from the crowd and onto the stage. The roar that followed? Pure joy. For that kid — and everyone else in the crowd — it was a moment of unfiltered magic. Le Shiv left the stage not as support, but as heroes in their own right.
Le Shiv – Great Western Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Then, at last, it was time. The house lights dimmed, the crowd surged, and Lime Cordiale emerged to a deafening wall of cheers. Opening with ‘Pedestal’, they hit the ground running — and didn’t let up. It quickly became clear that this tour marks a new chapter for the band: still irreverent, still playful, but sharper, more refined. The setlist was a masterclass in pacing — a rollercoaster of fan favourites and bold new material. Every song triggered mass singalongs, while newer songs like ‘Love Is Off The Table’ revealed a deeper, more bittersweet side of the band’s songwriting. Catchy, yes — but also surprisingly poignant.
Lime Cordiale – Great Western Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Oli and Louis Leimbach were, as always, the sun around which the night revolved. Their brotherly chemistry was magnetic, their banter effortless, and their charisma boundless. Watching them perform feels less like attending a concert and more like being swept up in a wild, spontaneous jam session between two mates — except it’s razor-tight and bursting with colour. The stage itself was a hive of movement, especially when all members of Le Shiv returned to join in the mayhem, even sparking a playful wrestling match between the brothers. The musicianship never wavered. It’s that rare alchemy: serious musical chops paired with total, unfiltered fun.
And a huge shoutout is due to the full band behind Lime Cordiale. Though partially obscured in fog and shadow, their sonic presence was undeniable — punchy, precise, and full of flair. They elevated every moment without stealing focus. By the time ‘Inappropriate Behaviour’ rang out to close the night, the crowd was hoarse, sweaty, and glowing. No one wanted it to end. There was a collective sense that we’d witnessed something truly special.
Lime Cordiale – Great Western Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
In a venue steeped in Queensland character — dust, sweat, and all — Lime Cordiale transformed The Great Western into a luminous bubble of joy, heartbreak, and heady hooks. Love Is Off The Table might be the name of the tour, but in Rockhampton last night, one thing was abundantly clear: the love for Lime Cordiale is not only on the table — it’s overflowing.
