A Rodriguez performance is special. His original songs are thought provoking, his covers are inspiring and his message about the environment and politics is articulate.
So, why I ask, was the audience littered with yobbos? About a dozen of both male and female fans for some reason thought that their voice was equally of importance to that of the brilliant artist on the stage. One woman stood and yelled her love for Rodriguez from mid-way back in the theatre. She was embarrassing.
That was the only negative report from the show. The performance from Rodriguez was stunning. The 74-year old Detroit singer songwriter may have only made two albums 45 years ago but the words he sang on ‘Cold Fact’ (1970) and ‘Coming From Reality’ (1971) still resonate today.
In South Africa and Australia Rodriguez can command audiences of 3000. Back home in the USA, he is unknown. The movie ‘Searching For The Sugarman’ was made about his legacy in South Africa where he rivals Elvis Presley. South Africa was so cut off from the rest of the world in the 70s that they thought he was dead.
The 2016 Australian tour spent as much time on well-chosen covers as it did on the two classic albums. Midnight Oil’s ‘Redneck Wonderland’ was an interesting inclusion, chosen obviously by way of introduction a few tours back when he was back by The Break, featuring most of the members of Midnight Oil.
Sam Cooke’s ‘Chain Gang’, The Doors ‘Light My Fire’ and Jefferson Starship’s ‘Somebody To Love’ showed the template from where he came.
Rodriguez is touring Australia for Frontier Touring.
Rodriguez tour dates
Friday 11 November – Lyric Theatre Qpac, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 12 November – Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane QLD
Monday 14 November – State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tuesday 15 November – State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Thursday 17 November – State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 19 November – Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley NSW ^
Monday 21 November – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart TAS
Friday 25 November – Plenary, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 26 November – Plenary, Melbourne VIC
Tuesday 29 November – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Wednesday 30 November – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Fri 2 Dec – Sat 3 Dec – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry NSW ^
Monday 5 December – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 10 December – Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth WA
(All shows all ages)
