Live Review: Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers

When Adelaide decided to honour its greatest musical exports by naming city laneways after them, four names made the cut. By a happy coincidence, two of them are ringing in 2020 together at the beach. Paul Kelly and Cold Chisel have soundtracked many Australian summers, and a cool, overcast day does nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of attendees at By The C.

By the time The Teskey Brothers take the stage there are already standoffs between the deckchair brigade and punters standing on the sand. But a southerly wind keeps everyone cool as smooth Hammond organ and rough vocals from Josh Teskey combine for some vintage soul.

The Teskey Brothers @ Glenelg Beach. Pic by georgiekattephotography

After a Welcome To Country, Paul Kelly emerges with an acoustic guitar and launches into From Little Things Big Things Grow. His ageless voice is gradually joined by the rest of the band, with the biggest cheers reserved for Vika and Linda Bull. Before Too Long and Careless complete an opening trio few acts could compete with and Kelly is having as much fun as anyone. “What a beautiful summer day in Adelaide,” he jokes. “Just like I remember.”

But he isn’t in the mood for reminiscing and launches into a brace of tunes from his most recent solo record, Nature. While the older numbers are treated with reverence, spirited renditions of Bastard Like Me and With The One I Love show a harder edge. As the set reaches its climax Kelly channels the rising wind, even pulling out a windmill on Deeper Water before handing the mic over to Vika Bull for a ferocious rendition of Sweet Guy.

Paul Kelly @ Glenelg Beach. Pic by georgiekattephotography

Few musical acts can claim to be as embedded in the Australian musical consciousness as Paul Kelly, but Cold Chisel is part of that select group. Jimmy Barnes’ trademark scream is on display from the outset as he warms the crowd up with a few classics. In full flight he’s a sight to behold, the veins on his forehead standing out as he gives it everything but there’s more to the band than lead singer. Barnes and Ian Moss trade vocals on Choirgirl, while its author Don Walker is typically undemonstrative behind the keyboards.

Though they have a wild reputation, Walker’s writing has always been strong on introspection and Four Walls has the entire crowd singing along. The greatest hits set (sprinkled with a few newer tunes) combines hard rock, tender soul and muscular, preening blues and all three elements collide on a fast and furious version of Bow River that precedes a short break.

Cold Chisel @ Glenelg Beach. Pic by georgiekattephotography

The inevitable encore is more intimate, and When The War Is Over and Flame Trees prompt thousands of tattooed arms to be thrown around muscular shoulders. During a second encore, they further showcase their musical diversity with the unmistakable reggae lope of Breakfast At Sweethearts before acknowledging missing member Steve Prestwich with a heartfelt Forever Now. Then all that’s left is a frenetic version of Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye) to ensure everyone leaves with tinnitus.

Earlier in the evening, Paul Kelly noted that it’s been 30 years since the last time he played with Cold Chisel. “I think it went better this time”, he said with a wry smile. After spending a night in the company of two Australian music legends, we're inclined to agree.

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