Cold Chisel performs first ever concert at Bankwest Stadium Parramatta
For those who prefer music over sport, watching Cold Chisel was the first opportunity to visit Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium, where the rock legends performed the inaugural concert there.
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Volunteer fireys, loyal Cold Chisel fans and even grandmothers coaxed into going to the gig were among the first to witness the legendary band anoint Bankwest Stadium with its first concert on Friday night.
Northmead’s Shan McNamara snapped up one of 12 tickets her son Josh received for free as a Rural Fire Service volunteer.
Last week, the State Government and Cold Chisel donated 2500 tickets to the RFS as a way of thanking them for their heroic efforts battling the bushfires that have ravaged the state.
Mrs McNamara said her son Josh, who lives at Dyers Creek and has been driving the crew truck to blazes at Nabiac and Gloucester on the mid north coast, was unsure if he could make it to Parramatta in time for the concert, which ran just under three hours.
“He said ‘I don’t think I can come mum because I’m on call’,’’ Mrs McNamara said.
Fortunately the 27-year-old, who is an incomplete quadriplegic, made it on time.
“It’s a bit of a reward for him and his partner since they’ve been fighting fires since October last year,’’ Mrs McNamara said.
The concert was the first time she visited Bankwest Stadium and dragged along her 79-year-old mother-in-law Evelyn Saywell to the raucous event, which boasted the Hoodoo Gurus, Busby Marou and the Birds of Tokyo as the support acts.
“Chissy’’ now has a new fan in Nanna Saywell.
“She had the time of her life,’’ Mrs McNamara said.
The 49-year-old is considering buying tickets for the Elton John concert at the same venue on March 7 after describing the stadium as “awesome”.
The highlight was seeing her son have a blast and her favourite track Khe Sanh, belted out.
“I got up and rocked it,’’ she said.
“I grew up on Jimmy Barnes. I think the atmosphere was amazing. People from the ‘70s and ‘80s got up and enjoyed it.’’
Kurrajong 23 year old Kyle Brennan was also visiting the stadium for the first time and was stoked to be watching “the heroes of music” Cold Chisel after receiving the tickets as a gift.
“Live bands always absolutely kill it,’’ he said.
“Everyone gets up more than a standard DJ.’’
He also relished the shorter commute to Parramatta for gigs.
“I think it’s excellent,’’ he said.
“To get to Central Station is about an hour 40 on the train so it cuts travel time.”