Review: Guy Sebastian proves himself, and critics, wrong at Sydney’s ICC

As a pop artist born of reality TV Guy Sebastian has fought hard to prove himself, but on the road with T.R.U.T.H he shows he’s more than earnt his stripes, writes Jonathon Moran.

Whoever said you had to be a Billboard chart topping international artist to sell out an arena in Australia is wrong.

Guy Sebastian is proof of that.

Now heading into his fifth sell out show at the ICC Sydney, he has broken ticket sale records for the venue.

Sebastian is at ease on stage at the large Sydney venue (capacity 8000) as he is jamming in his home studio in Maroubra. His voice is the hero of the show as the industry veteran is finally on the road after two years of Covid forced multiple postponements for the tour for his 2020 album, T.R.U.T.H.

“I live for this,” he said to the crowd at the weekend, clearly elated and in his element performing again. “This is my favourite point in everything I do.”

Guy Sebastian performs on stage at Sydney's ICC for his national T.R.U.T.H tour. Picture: River Bennett

There are multiple outfit changes, giant LED screens and lots of dancing. Sebastian himself would say he isn’t a good dancer. He is wrong.

His music has always been inclusive, and catchy. He is also playful and doesn’t shy away from interacting with his audience, particularly when many screamed out professing their love for him between songs.

“One of my favourite things is just how aggressive people are with their love,” he joked. “Where else in life do you tell someone like that you love them. It is like stage love, or stage rage maybe.”

Pop artists in this country perhaps more than other genres cop a bad rap, mainly from the indie camp who diss the genre as all show and no substance.

Sebastian too has had to prove himself as a legitimate music talent like so many others coming via the reality TV route. Plus he has the added pressure of being the original Australian Idol winner.

Sebastian’s fans professed their love for the Aussie star. Picture: Alex Arcuri

He’s proven himself wrong, showcasing his singing and dancing abilities alike. Picture: Glen Pokorny

He has more than earnt his stripes and not just as a singer with oh so many hits – you forget how many until you sit through his two hour show – but also as a producer and as someone that nurtures other talent in the industry.

After guiding Bella Taylor-Smith to a series win on The Voice Australia in 2021, she has now joined Sebastian on his tour.

Not only is she supporting his shows but also joins her mentor on stage in one of the highlights of the night to take on Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer. They also smash out a version of his 2009 Jordin Sparks collab, Art of Love.

It is impressive to see how gracious Sebastian is in sharing his moments with others. He does the same with backup singers Carmen Smith and Gary Pinto (who has a new album out), allowing them to step forward and shine.

The Voice winner Bella Taylor-Smith joined her mentor for an emotive rendition of the Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli classic.

All of his big hits are on the set list – Battle Scars, Before I Go, Bloodstone, Like It Like That and Like A Drum.

Everyone knew every word. Men and women in the audience cried when Sebastian sang his emotive hit Choir, written in memory of late friend, Luke Liang, who lost his battle with mental health issues at just 28.

It is a very family-friendly crowd, the type of show a parent would take their kid to as a first concert. It is for adults too – men, women, young and old from all walks of life.

It is a rare and colourful mix of people you wouldn’t see at other gigs.

Guy Sebastian will perform his final of five shows at Sydney’s ICC on June 5. He also has dates booked for Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Bendigo. Additionally, his Higher Sounds mini-festival kicks off in QLD in September and will play Sydney’s The Crescent Parramatta Park on November 26.