Live Review: Robert Forster, Jason Katsaras & Ricky Albeck

Former singer of The Go-Betweens Robert Forster chose Adelaide to kick off the solo leg of his 2019 world tour. While attendance at the Wednesday night show at The Gov was rather poor, the mutual adoration between artist and audience was clear and the Australian music icon put on a superb show.

Openers Jason Katsaras & Ricky Albeck from two local bands (Dead Roo and Ricky Albeck & The Belair Band) were the perfect warm-up act. The duo played with confidence and style, showcasing their country-folk style. Their set seemed all too brief but did whet the appetite for their respective bands.

Robert Forster took to the stage shortly after, with just an acoustic guitar. Opening with Baby Stones from his 1990 debut solo album, Danger In The Past, he joked, “I’m the hardest-working person in show business.” His dry sense of humour was evident throughout the night, his between-song banter both entertaining and enlightening. Introducing Born To A Family he stated, “If you don’t know much about me, this song is a nice introduction as to who I am.” While introducing I Love Myself (And I Always Have), he explained, “This next song is my most requested song. Some people base their lives on it.”

The second microphone on the stage and the open violin case behind him was a hint that his wife Karin Bäumler would be joining him. She did so around five songs in, adding violin and glockenspiel.

Forster’s new album was released early this year, and songs from it such as Inferno (Brisbane In Summer) and One Bird In The Sky were brilliant. The audience response to each song grew as the show progressed and the singer seemed genuinely pleased with how warmly the material was being received.

Of course there was the inevitable selection of Go-Betweens' classics. The House Jack Kerouac Built received a huge response and Spring Rain was another standout. Here Comes A City from the group’s final LP also impressed. Surfing Magazines, one of his best pop songs, served as a beautiful singalong finale to this night of great songs and superb storytelling.