Under The Southern Stars 2022

You know that feeling when you look forward to something for so long and then it happens and it doesn’t live up to your expectations, it doesn’t quite meet the build up you have created? THAT WAS NOT THE CASE FOR UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS !!!

After two and half years of postponements due to Covid and boarder closures, UTSS was worth every second of the wait and Andrew McManus/1 World Entertainment should be immensely proud of the show they delivered and I personally thank them for never giving up on this tour.

The wet and soggy conditions didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits with folding chairs simply replacing picnic rugs in Maitland for the kick-off of the UTSS National Tour, the first national tour with international bands since Covid stole all the fun from us back in 2020.

The crowd was made up of a wide age bracket of punters, consisting of the bands original fans and the now adult children that have been raised on the classic rock staple bands. The inclusion of BRMC also brought in some of the younger metal fans, which made for a well rounded bunch of heavy music lovers.

While Australian band Electric Mary had to withdraw due to Covid issues Rose Tattoo made sure Aussie Rock was well represented, including most of their big hits to the set list, while setting the tone for the rest of the concert, doing what they do best and rocking out.

The first of the big 4 internationals for the Maitland show ( the tour had a rotating headline order for the 12 shows) was Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. BRMC we’re smooth with a super crisp sound and definitely a crowd favourite with cheers and whistles as they took to the stage. Playing hits such as Beat the Devil’s Tattoo and Red Eyes and Tears kept their devotees elated and screaming for more.

Stone Temple Pilots drew their own crowd with the very first strum of Dean DeLeo’s guitar. Jeff Gutt was the epitome of the sexy rock god in his leather jacket and red shirt as he asked the audience to “go easy on him” for his very first event ever in Australia. Corey Britz was also a stand out switching between different guitars that ranged in size from large to XXL. STP played songs from each of their back catalogued albums demonstrating the progression of the band, even playing ‘Meadow’ which was the first song Jeff wrote with band after joining in 2017. While Jeff has had some giant shoes to fill, he has not only slotted into the band but really cemented his own place in the STP history

Naughties heavy weights Bush were up next bringing the consummate front-man Gavin Rossdale to center stage and this is where the bulk of the nights crowd participation came into its own. Playing the best of’s from a twenty plus years career including Machine Head, Swallow, Glycerin and Come Down kept the original fans ecstatic and singing along, even pausing the music to let the voices echo out into the night. The crowd were also treated to new material including Blood River which features on the band’s new album which is out soon.

Classic old skool rock band Cheap Trick closed the night in all the flamboyancy and colour that people expect from one of the original glam bands, playing their famous hits like Beat Police, Want You Want Me and even the world number 1 ballad The Flame. Guitarists Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson threw out handfuls of Cheap Trick guitar picks as souvenirs to the lucky fans pressed up against the barriers.

Again a huge THANKYOU goes to the organizers, 1 World Entertainment, and the bands themselves, BUSH, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, CHEAP TRICK, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS & ROSE TATTOO for persevering to make this event happen and putting on one of the best rock concerts we’ve seen in a very long time.

Our Rating

Public Transport: 🎫🎫🎫

Venue: 🎫🎫🎫🎫

Line-Up: 🎫🎫🎫🎫.5

Amenities: 🎫🎫🎫🎫.5

Food: 🎫🎫🎫

Bars/Alcohol: 🎫🎫🎫.5

Merchandise: 🎫🎫🎫🎫

VIP Package: 🎫🎫.5

Over All: 🎫🎫🎫🎫