Who would’ve thought the Urban legend would need to buy-in the street cred of Ash Grunwald, as support? Still, I’m glad he did, as it gave my partner and I something substantial to chew on, as we’d only qualify as sub-Urban fans, at best. Whether ‘watered down’, in the way one suspects supports often are (or are asked to be), or not, the characteristically explosive Grunwald seemed that little bit more chilled than is usually the case; which isn’t to say he didn’t present a typically engaging set (in itself no mean feat, as winning over an essentially one-eyed ‘we want Keith’ crowd, in a not overly cosmopolitan satellite city, like Wollongong, is quite an ask).
It was a long wait, pressed against the BlueScope Steel wall, in P13 & 14, Section 22, at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (indeed our view from Mt Olympus was so distant, I’ve little more than a printed ticket to verify it was actually Keith on stage). And when the moment finally came, after around 2 hours of waiting, we couldn’t have been more underwhelmed. But that, apparently, was, or is, just us, because, all in all, I probably haven’t witnessed a more ardent response since Nuremberg.
Since I, to my knowledge, had never heard a single KU song, until this concert, I was a long way from shouting cheers of recognition, let alone singing along, Countdown-style. This should have made the impact, potentially, greater and the effect invigorating and fresh, but, alas, not. And don’t think I’m withholding on the basis of some arbitrary sense of cool. I’m at constant war with such pretensions. It’s just that, despite exhibiting flawless musicianship and professionalism (Keith, alone, is a stylish and accomplished axeman), the songs (other than a playful piano cameo, in the indelible form of Blister In The Sun & a surprising, if inferior, cover of Dragon’s Are You Old Enough) failed to engage, let alone enrapture.
Of course, the barn-like acoustic of the WEC did nothing to assist, for the most part, since vocals were, predominantly, indecipherable.
But it goes deeper, or, rather, not nearly deep enough: neither my best girl or I were affected; touched; moved.
Urban, as songwriter, embodies all that is revered in commercial country-crossover. But not in this country.
Urban’s is American country, played and sung by an Aussie. He is the Jon Bon Jovi of that genre, right down to his rock-God stylings and preened blond hair. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, if you like that kind of thing. But while enthusiasts, of all ages, surrounded us, dancing, clapping, throwing back bourbon and, at the height of mindlessness, shouting ‘my girlfriend wants to see your dick!’, we remained substantially static, feeling keenly out of our element.
The mesmeric atmosphere was such we could have been seeing, for all we knew, Garth Brooks, or at Hillsong; it felt synthetic and anonymous. Yet the near full house lapped it up. Which led us to ponder, ‘why?’ (Given the lack of connection, I found myself with plenty of time to ponder, my mind wandering aimlessly; for example, ‘shouldn’t Hitman Harding be known as Hardman Hitting?’) The ready conclusion we drew was that Urban’s is music resoundingly familiar (’though not to us), relaxed and comfortable. It’s music, I dare say, for unashamed neocons and Urban might as well go by the name Ronald McDonald, such is his bland, mass appeal.
How much keener I’d be to bolster the Urban legend, if only on the basis he’s an Aussie, married to 'our Nicole'. But, try as I might, I can’t quite, in all authenticity, bring myself to do that. Yet he seems like a decent guy (he even gave away a guitar). Maybe that’s the problem. It’s all a bit cleancut. But, hell, Keith Urban doesn’t need my endorsement.
KEITH URBAN
Sydney
Hordern Pavilion
Wednesday 26th March - Sold Out!
Wollongong
WIN Entertainment Centre
Friday 28th March Tickets: Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
Sydney
Hordern Pavilion
Saturday 29th March Tickets: Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849
I must say that you must have been the only two people at this concert who didn't think it was great. All reviews from others who attended were full of praise for Keith Urban's talent and energy performance.
What is it with the Australian media and Keith Urban? Is there a hatchet that needs to be buried somewhere?
I was THERE, it was great, Keith played up a storm as usual, he is a wonderful musician, the crowd were all up dancing for the whole time, he did six encores, crowd were still calling for more, he autographed and gave a guitar to a woman in the audience, the band were great,the sound was good, it was a great show. You don't have to like country crossover to enjoy a good band.
Hi, I came all the way from NZ to see Keith in Sydney on the 26th, and I throught that he was BLOODY BRILLENT!!!,as for Ash, Where Keith got him from,he should have left him there as he was TERRIBLE!! Keith can do much better than Ash! I look forward to Keith's next concert in Oz as I will be back accross to see him.(Thats only because he wont come to NZ) Thanks Keith's biggest fan in NZ
I wasn't fortunate enough to be at the concert, living in Nth Qld and work commitments made that too difficult, but I have been to four Keith Urban concerts and was certainly enthralled by each performance. But like you say, each to their own, I personally can't go to other performers concerts now because they are a let-down after seeing Keith & his band. Here's a challenge for you. Get a Keith Urban CD and play it more than once you might just change your mind.
I would think that if you were going to be writing a review of someones music, you would be at least be familiar with it. I sounds like you spent your whole night trying to NOT enjoy the show! Your loss...as you stated he dosen't need your praise or approval...he has millions of FANS who get it!
Sounds like it was too clean cut for you? If you'd seen him doing shots on stage, would you have liked him better? I've heard nothing but raves about his shows. I guess it is a good thing that he isn't looking for your endorsement.
I was at the Wollongong Concert and i must say it was amazing. I took a friend that hadnt even listened to any Keith Urban music BUT after seeing what the man is like she is now an avid fan and will attend many more concerts to come.We were in the front row and it was fantastic just to watch and see how much fun he and the band were having. LOVE KEITH URBAN but each to their own opinions
I must admit I knew nothing about Keith Urban until he married Nicole Kidman (please don't use the phrase "our Nicole" as I find her genuinely NOT sincere enough to be an Aussie). My husband and I ventured to have a listen due to the hype but I must agree with the reviewer; I find nothing special in the music (middle of the road) or the performance (seemed terribly predictable). His vocals were fine (meaning tolerable) but overall, I'm left with the impression that the hype was just that, perhaps due to marrying someone well known to us. He strikes me as merely a tame entertainer, not an artist with any real substance. We were disappointed and question America's obsession with this man, other than "our Nicole".
I was there and granted being down the front it was a different experience. I loved it and am a major Keith fan.
Mr. Syke - PLEASE don't pigeonhole Keith fans as neocons/Hillsong types? Are you joking, you say you battle against music-snobs but it seems you have here.
For a start I am 28, live in inner Sydney, have worked in the music industry across many genres for a decade now, belong to the SA and the ATC, rage againist organised religion particularly that of the fundamentalist variety and I think Cheney, Bush and Rove are the real enemies out there... a neo-con? Don't think so, I was there with a bunch of people who are similar to me - I also know many Keith Urban fans from MANY DIFFERENT walks of life.
I'd suggest removing that chip and maybe read the well respected writer/critic Kathy McCabe's review of the first Horden concert in the DT last Thursday? Now,there is a music writer who has a genuine love of music and one without pretence.
McKabe's review is more like a plot summary! 'Without pretence' - more like, without position! I thought critics were meant to give opinions...
I agree with Debra: Urban is middle-of-the-road, made-for-money, mediocre.
Personally, I got nothing positive out of the concert. Fancy lighting, impressive musicianship, catchy but hollow music.
Stephanie, I think you missed the point entirely.
It always makes me wonder why people have to bolster their opinions with credentials. But hey, for what it's worth, I don't play any instruments, I don't write music, I've never, nor do I plan to work in the music industry, and yet, I'm an ardent music-lover, who thinks Keith Urban's music is Top-40s mediocre.
Six encores! I'm glad we left after the first one.
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Who would’ve thought the Urban legend would need to buy-in the street cred of Ash Grunwald, as support? Still, I’m glad he did, as it gave my partner and I something substantial to chew on, as we’d only qualify as sub-Urban fans, at best. Whether ‘watered down’, in the way one suspects supports often are (or are asked to be), or not, the characteristically explosive Grunwald seemed that little bit more chilled than is usually the case; which isn’t to say he didn’t present a typically engaging set (in itself no mean feat, as winning over an essentially one-eyed ‘we want Keith’ crowd, in a not overly cosmopolitan satellite city, like Wollongong, is quite an ask). 
