[Live Review] BERNARD FANNING (Sydney)

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State Theatre, Sydney
Saturday October 22, 2016 :

Bernard Fanning is a living Australian legend, a triumphant return to the live circuit at Sydney’s State Theatre. Promoting his latest outing Civil Dusk, Bernard was on top form. His band played a tight set and his banter was refreshingly personal.

Opening with lead track ‘Emerald Flame’, he comfortably conversed with his audience and did not disappoint. As his set gathered momentum he rolled out the highlights including ‘Wish You Well’, ‘Songbird’ and ‘Watch Over Me’ from 2005’s Tea & Symphony to the crowds delight. Taking a dig at the lack of success in his second solo outing Departures, Fanning took a brief pit stop. He repeatedly gushed about playing the State Theatre, his first gig there, not even with Powderfinger. Bernard has a solid fan base and they didn’t let him down.

Closing the proceedings with a hybrid of Powderfinger favourite ‘These Days’ and Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’, was pure perfection. Not finished just yet … Brutal Dawn due early 2017.

Reviewer and Photographer : Richard Hedger

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