The Stranglers – Fifty Years In Black Anniversary Tour 2025

Enmore Theatre, Newtown – March 19, 2025

After half a century of snarling basslines, ominous synths, and anthemic punk energy, The Stranglers stormed into the Enmore Theatre for a night that proved they’re still as vital as ever. With a loyal following spanning generations, the crowd packed into the Sydney venue, brimming with anticipation for a band that has defied the odds, outlasted its peers, and maintained a presence both powerful and menacing.

From the moment the lights dimmed, the stage setup spoke volumes. A classic rock layout anchored the night—drums and keyboards elevated on risers, Baz Warne’s twin Marshall stacks looming like sentinels, and Jean-Jacques Burnel’s thunderous Ashdown bass rig standing tall. The lighting followed suit: moody, atmospheric, and deliberately restrained early in the set, only to explode into life in key moments—particularly during the hypnotic ‘Golden Brown’, where the interplay of shadow and light gave the track an almost hallucinatory quality.

Opening with the unmistakable recorded strains of ‘Non’, ‘je ne regrette rien’ and ‘Waltzinblack’, The Stranglers wasted no time launching into ‘Toiler on the Sea’, its galloping rhythm a perfect table-setter for what was to come. ‘Grip’ followed, a reminder that even after 50 years, the band still packs a punch with one of punk’s most infectious riffs.

The night was a journey through The Stranglers’ rich history, touching on both their snarling punk origins and their more experimental, new-wave leanings. From the slinky menace of ‘Nice ‘n’ Sleazy’ to the brooding atmosphere of ‘The Raven’—dedicated to fallen bandmates Jet Black and Dave Greenfield—every song felt like a piece of history being reanimated before the audience’s eyes.

If there was ever any doubt about the devotion of Stranglers fans, one glance at the Enmore audience erased it. The demographic was exactly what you’d expect—seasoned fans who had followed the band for decades, alongside younger converts discovering the raw power of their music for the first time.

Perhaps no one captured the spirit of the night better than Ivan, a bloke with a towering grey Mohawk, who had driven to the show in a convertible with the top down—because a standard car simply wouldn’t accommodate his masterpiece of a hairstyle. Baz Warne, ever the showman, made sure to acknowledge him mid-set: “Mate, you must have balls of steel to carry that off—long out of my reach.”

It wouldn’t be a Stranglers show without some banter, and both JJ Burnel and Baz Warne delivered in spades.

JJ, ever the realist, acknowledged the band’s longevity with a mix of gratitude and gallows humour: “Glad to be back in Australia after two years away—we’ve gotta keep coming back because we don’t know when it will be our last time!” The audience, many of whom had travelled from the UK for the show, roared their approval.

Baz Warne, never one to shy away from a bit of self-deprecation, admitted to a typically Stranglers-esque night out before the gig. “Went out drinking last night, it wasn’t pretty—we remembered where we were, and thought we’d better do what the locals do… and get messed up.”

Musically, ‘Walk On By’ was a revelation, its extended organ solo and subsequent guitar workout turning the Burt Bacharach cover into a towering psychedelic epic. ‘Peaches’ was, as expected, the crowd’s favourite, its filthy bassline sending waves of excitement through the room. And when it came time for ‘No More Heroes’, the entire Enmore Theatre was bouncing—a fitting climax for a show that was both a celebration and a defiant statement of intent.

Returning to the stage, JJ made sure the night ended with a nod to the band’s earliest days: “To celebrate 50 years, we’d like to play one of our first songs—we stole it from many sources. It’s a rock & roll song.” ‘Go Buddy Go’ followed, its raw energy proving that The Stranglers, even at 50, still know how to bring the house down.

And with that, a final bow. Baz, ever cheeky, left the audience with a parting thought: “We’ll see you in another 50 years.”

Unlikely, sure—but after a night like this, you wouldn’t bet against them.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 – A triumphant celebration of The Stranglers’ past, present, and unbreakable legacy.)

Thank you to The Stranglers, SBM Presents, Maric Media and the Enmore Theatre for having us along

Photo Gallery The Stranglers - Fifty Years In Black

Review & Photos by Andy Kershaw