Pure Gold Live Delivers Australian Songbook In Three Hour Show

Empire Touring’s Pure Gold Live format is a bonafide hit with real music fans who appreciate longevity in an artist and their songs.

Over the course of a three hour show, Pure Gold Live capsulated 32 hits from 17 acts plus an all-star encore paying tribute to the late Stevie Wright.

The focus point for the 2016 event was the formed Kids In The Kitchen performing live again for the first time since 1988. Kids In The Kitchen’s first show in 28 years saw the band fall immediately back into place, sounding tight and ready for a string of shows over 2016 including the guest spot on the upcoming Culture Club Australian tour.

For the first time in 28 years Kids In The Kitchen for Pure Gold Live @PalaisTheatre pic.twitter.com/iDsqnKbLCg

— Paul Cashmere (@paulcashmere) May 13, 2016

Pure Gold Live reminds music fans how great Australian music is, especially in that golden age of pop and rock from the 70s to the 90s.

Richard Clapton took it furthest back with his top 10 hit from 41 years ago ‘Girls On The Avenue’ and Chocolate Starfish were very much the new kids of this block with the newest hit of the night, their Carly Simon ‘You’re So Vain’ cover from 1993.

In between Pseudo Echo, who are forever still playing live, have just got better and better with time with Brian Canham paying tribute to Prince and accolades to AC/DC weaving ‘1999’ and ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ into Funky Town.

Swanee started the night with his hit cover of ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. The biggest criticism of his performance was that there just wasn’t enough of it. With 17 songs on the bill, Swanee was designated just one song. What he didn’t do (Temporary Heartache, Lady Whats Your Name for starters) who have been perfect.

Same with Sharon O’Neill. What a talent, what a catalogue and we see her live so rarely. The crowd wanted more.

Also same with David Sterry of Real Life. We do not hear him near enough live. Granted we did get ‘Send Me An Angel’ last night but Real Life were one of Australia’s international success stories in the 80s. That song was a hit in the USA and a few more Real Life songs would not have gone astray.

Goanna’s Shane Howard provided the first crowd moment when the entire audience stood for his classic international hit ‘Solid Rock’.

Unfortunately, the producers do not have all night to play with and sacrifices have to be made with so many acts on the one bill.

Pure Gold Live is a great value ticket. It plays in other parts of the country under various names associated with a local radio station. Melbourne lucked out with this much Gold all in the one room.