As the scorching Hunter Valley sun dipped into a golden-hour glow, thousands of music lovers gathered at Bimbadgen Estate on the 15th of March for the 80th edition of A Day On The Green —a festival dedicated to legendary acts, timeless hits, and the magic of live music. And what better way to celebrate than with three ’80s powerhouses—Boom Crash Opera, Jon Stevens, and Roxette—delivering a feast of anthems that had the crowd singing, swaying, and dancing from start to finish.

Opening the show with an energy that defied the 40°C heat, Boom Crash Opera wasted no time reeling in the crowd. With a lineup featuring Dale Ryder (vocals), Peter ‘Maz’ Maslen (drums, vocals), Peter ‘Bungie’ Farnan (guitar, vocals), and John Favaro (bass, vocals), the band delivered a tight, powerful set packed with fan-favourites. ‘Great Wall’ set the tone, while ‘Dancing In The Storm’ felt particularly fitting under the relentless Australian sun.

The performance was not without its challenges—Maslen had to dry off his sweat-soaked drumsticks mid-set—but the band pushed through with humor and charisma. Their first new song in 28 years, ‘Latest Hustle’ was met with enthusiasm, proving that Boom Crash Opera’s signature sound still resonates. Closing with ‘Onion Skin’, they left the stage to roaring applause, setting the bar high for what was to follow.

If there’s one thing Jon Stevens knows how to do, it’s command a stage. The former Noiseworks and INXS frontman took the audience on a high-energy, emotionally charged ride, alternating between powerful rockers and soulful ballads. The setlist was a showdown of Australian classics, with ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ emerging as a standout moment—the crowd swayed in unison, singing every word as the sunset bathed the venue in a warm glow.

But it wasn’t all tender moments—Stevens and his exceptional band dialed up the rock spectacle with ‘Hot Chilli Woman’, which had the audience clapping, stomping, and singing at full volume. A mid-set instrumental jam saw Chris Bekker (bass), Johnny Salerno (drums), and Tony Kopa (guitar) take the spotlight, even sneaking in a reggae detour before seamlessly returning to ‘Need You’. Closing with ‘Don’t Change’ and ‘Take Me Back’, Stevens left no doubt that his voice and stage presence remain as formidable as ever.

As twilight settled over the vineyards, Roxette took the stage, delivering an uplifting, emotional, and utterly joyful performance. Led by Per Gessle and Lena Philipsson, alongside a stellar band including original members Clarence Öfwerman (keys) and Jonas Isacsson (guitar), the Swedish icons brought their timeless catalog to life. From the opening notes of ‘The Big L’, the crowd was on their feet, reliving the golden era of pop-rock.

Lena, making her Australian debut, embraced the moment with confidence and charm, dazzling in a look that perfectly embodied ‘Dressed for Success’—and indeed, she had nothing but success winning over the Hunter Valley crowd. The acoustic segment, featuring ‘Vulnerable’ performed with four guitars, a ride cymbal, and delicate harmonies, was a breathtaking moment of intimacy. But it was ‘It Must Have Been Love’, dedicated to the late Marie Fredriksson, that sent chills through the audience, who rose as one in a heartfelt tribute.

The energy surged again with ‘How Do You Do’ and ‘Dangerous’, the latter featuring windmilling guitars, soaring solos, and pure pop euphoria. As the set drew to a close, Christoffer Lundquist surprised the audience with an impromptu rendition of ‘Waltzing Matilda’, an Aussie touch that delighted the crowd. The encore—’Spending My Time,’, ‘Listen to Your Heart’, and ‘The Look’—was the perfect culmination of nostalgia, emotion, and celebratory joy before ‘Queen of Rain’ wrapped the night in a moment of reflection.

From the heat of the afternoon to the glow of the evening, A Day On The Green at Bimbadgen was a celebration of timeless music, legendary voices, and the enduring power of a great live show. With MG Live Touring, Mushroom Group, Roundhouse Entertainment, Mellen Events, Valerie MacIver Public Relations, and Live Nation Australia at the helm, the event was flawlessly executed, allowing fans to experience a lineup of icons in a breathtaking setting. As the final notes faded and the audience spilled out into the warm night, one thing was certain—this was a festival to remember.

Thank you to the Organisers for having us along

Photo gallery: A Day On The Green

Review & Photos by Andy Kershaw