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
well I must say your hard to please then and you must live under a rock.. I flew down from QLD with 2 of my kids and went to all 3 shows and Keith rocked everyone..Wollongong was amazing to say the least.I have no idea why you would post such comments. everyone I know around me even first timers at a Keith concert were blown away by his voice and his talent. Keith you were amazing and your one very talented man..and to compare you to Jon Bon Jovi hell thats awesome in itself. your a very talented performer, singer, songwriter and musician in your own right matey and you deserve all the praise you can get. congratulations on all 3 shows. you kicked our arses and we love you for it.see you next time.
Woolonging rocked and Keith and the guys were amazing..relaxed, full of fun and interaction with the crowd..they connect with everyone and make sure that no matter where you are sitting you are assured that Keith appreciates your precence...Keith Urban is an amazing musician and it is about time Australia realised what Americans have for years.. I have been a fan of Keiths for about 18yrs and he only gets better...and he has a band that is second to none..Good on you Keith and guys you gave us what we came for and more...
Oh God, the Urban fanatics strike again. They just don't understand that there are some people who don't find Keith Urban as amazing as they do. They are obsessed.
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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). 
