Live Review: Chris Isaak, James Reyne

When James Reyne and co. hit the stage we immediately notice that the Australian Crawl singer has successfully dodged middle-age spread. Hammerhead is an early highlight and Reyne's diction seems to have improved with age; who knew the chorus lyrics were, "You've been hanging with the nicest people"? Reyne coaxes, "We're here to warm you up, so you may as well get warmed up, do you know what I'm saying?" Downhearted flows into Reckless (that lilting guitar solo!) and these songs carry a distinct sense of place. Lyrics (see: Oh No Not You Again) have more substance than we gave credit for back in the day. Fall Of Rome evokes Billy Idol's White Wedding. Disappointingly, not a single lighter is raised skyward during swashbuckling closer Boys Light Up. These tunes evoke that surf coast holiday during which you first discovered goon.

Chris Isaak's band wander out on stage clad in matching suits, but express themselves through individual footwear choices — bassist Rowland Salley's red winkle-pickers! Isaac materialises — in a similar-but-more ornate, Swarovski-encrusted suit — and fist bumps all members of his backing band. During Somebody's Crying, Isaak wanders over to Scott Plunkett and sniffs the contents of his keys player's red cup before substituting chorus lyrics to become, "Somebody's drinking". Isaak's humorous banter is consistent throughout the night. He thanks us for coming out to watch live music rather than sitting at home in front of the TV, because otherwise he'd just be wandering around the streets wearing "this suit". Introducing drummer Kenny Dale Johnson as "his life coach", Isaak then roams up into the balcony, through the crowd and across to the opposite balcony to hug random folk and pose for selfies (singing all the while). Kiss Me Like A Stranger is the ideal song choice for this section, that is until Isaak sits on Dannii Minogue's knee! Isaak lavishes attention on the fellow X Factor judge and, after returning to the stage, dedicates Oh, Pretty Woman her way. Minogue is all smiles and whips out her cellphone.  

The Arena hush during Wicked Game is rudely interrupted when a punter hollers and starts clapping outta time. Shush now, spell-breaker! Fortunately, peace is restored just in time for us to drink in that sustained note. Isaak's voice is in top form as he effortlessly, and without warning, slips into falsetto. He introduces Georgia Denton (former X Factor contestant) to the stage for a Can't Help Falling In Love duet. Yep, the teenager sure can sing. During Great Balls Of Fire, Plunkett demonstrates his best Jerry Lee Lewis-inspired moves on the honky tonk piano, even playing while leaning forward and with his back to the instrument. Isaak's spontaneity is next-level; "Where are you going? It gets better!" he calls out after a lady caught leaving the floor section, mid-song. Those synchronised moves — The Shadows-style — during Blue Hotel prove just how unhip this band really is, but they sure can play! Not many artists out there could get away with slowly unfastening their tie (while singing the first verse of Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing) the way Isaak does — dreamboat alert.   

Isaak returns for an encore wearing a mirrorball-inspired suit so reflective that it's actually impossible to photograph. Ring Of Fire sees the crowd surge forward for a boogie, filling all available space between the first row of chairs and stage. There's a short tribute to Merle Haggard, all bow and then Isaac's suit acts as a beacon to guide the rest of his band down the stairs and through backstage corridors.