Culture
Live reviews
Fans waited patiently as Barnesy played his new songs. Then something magical happened
The legendary rocker showcased his latest studio album, Defiant, but it was the old favourites that sparked a crowd sing-along.
- by Will Cox and Jessica Nicholas
Latest
I don’t know what this show was, but it was the most fun I’ve had in ages
Are Pete and Bas actors? An elaborate bit of performance art? And does getting answers to these questions really, actually matter?
- by Will Cox, Cameron Woodhead, Sonia Nair and Karl Quinn
★★★★
Review
Superannuated Supergrass can still put on a fine show
Our critics check out the latest performances around town.
- by John Shand, James Jennings, Shamim Razavi, George Palathingal and Bernard Zuel
She’s a ‘model, actress, whatever’. And in her first Australian gig, her charisma is undeniable
In this all-ages performance at the Athenaeum, the lighting and smoke create an intense ambience that complements Suki Waterhouse’s stage presence.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Leila Lois, Cameron Woodhead, Will Cox and Andrew Fuhrmann
This concert was truly special. What a way to kick off winter.
Peruvian theatre company Teatro La Plaza has created a radical reconfiguration of a classic tale.
- by Karl Quinn, Cameron Woodhead, Andrew Fuhrmann, Tony Way, Will Cox and Barney Zwartz
★★★★
Arts
Spellbinding performance does justice to a masterpiece
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra presented a concert of cogency, wisdom, and beauty.
- by Peter McCallum
The dancing may be a bit cringe, but Katy Perry can still put on an electric show
Despite the distracting spectacle, the US star showed she can still deliver her biggest anthems with poignancy and passion.
- by Bernard Zuel, Michael Ruffles and Millie Muroi
When she starts singing, the crowd falls into complete silence
When Ichiko Aoba plays, even the slightest disruption, such as the crunch of a can or the thud of a footstep, is met with a dirty glance.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Michael Dwyer and Cameron Woodhead
Bangarra’s beautiful moments never quite reach full potential in night of firsts
Illume is Bangarra’s first show in the company’s new home and their first collaboration with a visual artist, but the performance falls short of their finest work.
- by Rod Yates, John Shand and Bernard Zuel
What happens when a famed sinister thriller is stripped back to its bare bones?
This version of The Birds eschews flashy design to focus on intensely rendered performance.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen and Tony Way
Secrets and lies laid bare in this tender two-hander
Our reviewers give their verdicts on the latest shows around town.
- by Kate Prendergast and Peter McCallum
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/live-reviews