Red Hot Summer Tour 2020

Port Macquarie, New South Wales 01/02/20

The sun certainly came out in Port Macquarie to reinforce this year’s edition of the greatest Aussie rock festival was going to be Red Hot. In its tenth year, this festival has become a summer tradition for all that love good pub rock.

Hunters and Collectors headed up a who’s who line up that included The Living End, Killing Heidi, James Reyne, Baby Animals, Boom Crash Opera and the Godfathers of the scene The Angels. Dave Gleeson and the boys had the crowd eating out of their hands with everyone singing along with ‘After the rain’ and ‘Am I ever gonna see your face again’. Dave’s charisma oozed with the audience lapping up every minute that the consummate front man was on stage.

Suzi DeMarchi

Suzi DeMarchi, sparkling in her silver jacket proved why she is a queen in the rock industry with total control of patrons as the Baby Animals played their hits including ‘Rush you’ and ‘Early warning’. Dave Leslie strummed the beginning of ‘One Word’ and the cheers echoed through the now singing crowd. Brother and Sister combination Killing Heidi came on next with Singer Ella Hooper decked out in leopard skin and white high tops her infectious energy soon spread and the sitters were now up and dancing. Their songs ‘I am‘ and ‘Weir’ definitely a highlight for most people we spoke to. The stand out for the day for me personally was The Living End. Front man Chris Cheney had a great rapport with the masses which resulted in most songs turning into a full crowd sing-along. They even produced a little ‘pit’ in front of centre stage which was great to see. The audience went crazy when Chris launched on top of Scott Owen’s Double Bass not a missing a note as the three-piece continued to play.

James Reyne’s ‘Fall of Rome’ and BCO’s ‘Onion skin’ brought the late eighties roaring back for most of the fans in attendance as a warm up to Hunter’s and Collectors. Mark Seymour reminisced with the audience about previous trips to Port Macquarie before leading an 8-piece band that had everyone on their feet. An extra 3-piece Brass accompanied H&C’s for fan favourites ‘True tears of joy’ and ‘Throw your arms around me’. Mark and his group closed out nothing short of a Red-Hot day.

Red Hot Summer Tour returns in 2021 with dates already confirmed for 8 shows over 4 states starting in Tasmania next March. It is rumored more dates in more states may be added as things start to stabilize with travel across the borders within Australia.

Our Rating

Public Transport: 🎫🎫

Line-Up: 🎫🎫🎫🎫

Merchandise: 🎫🎫🎫.5

Venue: 🎫🎫🎫

Ammenities: 🎫🎫🎫🎫

Food: 🎫🎫🎫

Bars/Alcohol: 🎫🎫🎫

VIP: 🎫🎫🎫.5

Overall: 🎫🎫🎫.5