Sebastian Bach - Down Under Tour 2025

Stepping into the Melbourne Forum on November 27th, I had that familiar feeling of electricity coursing through me. At 51, dusting off the Doc Martens and pulling on my black jeans felt like an exercise in nostalgia that might end with me being one of the oldest blokes there, but I was so very wrong! The moment I walked in, I saw a sea of black t-shirts, worn leather jackets and patches, and hair that I havent seen for a few decades. The crowd were majority survivors of the late '80s and early '90s rock explosion, ready to prove that the Youth Gone Wild spirit doesn't fade away.

It was not so much a concert, but more a trip down memory lane back to a time when Skid Row's first album was the soundtrack of my life. We're all a little worse for wear than we were the late 80's. But Sebastian Bach, although aged more at 56, walked out with the presence of a true rock star—still magnetic and demanding attention. He commanded that stage with an energy that had me exhausted just watching him. But the real question that was on my mind…Could he still hit the notes. I remember listening to an album many years ago and the glass on my table shattered from his piercing voice. The answer was an ear splitting yes. He launched into the classics, those signature high-pitched screams and the raw power that defined Skid Row were all there.

The sheer power and commitment he put into every song—especially 18 and Life and, of course, Youth Gone Wild — were undeniable. The setlist was a journey through the songs we came to hear. Hearing I Remember You sung by thousands of Gen Xers was a genuinely moving moment that gave me goosebumps!It wasn't just a tribute act; it was a powerful reminder of how vital and important that music was to us. Bach's band was tight, hitting the gritty, powerful notes of Sabo and Hill brilliantly. They gave the material the respect and hard-driving edge it deserves. Was a touching bonus the Sebastian’s own son was on the drums and played them to perfection!

Walking out into the late Melbourne night, ears ringing, back slightly sore (it's those Docs, not the headbanging I swear), I felt fantastic. I hadn't been the oldest guy there. I'd been a part of a collective moment with likeminded music lovers of my own generation. Sebastian Bach at the Forum was more than a nostalgia trip, it was a testament to classic glam rock. He proved that he's still got the ability to hit notes, have passion and energy.

The Youth Gone Wild is still alive and well, just a little wiser and loaded with Ibuprofen.

Thanks to Sebastian Bach, DRW Entertainment, Metropolis Touring, John Howarth and the Forum for having us along.

Review by Ron Marshall for Music Kingdom Australia