Great Australian Concerts - Season 1

After 10 years, Cold Chisel call it quits and embark on a farewell tour called The Last Stand, culminating in a final show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre just before Christmas, 1983.

In 2013, legendary songwriters Paul Kelly and Neil Finn get together to deliver a moving performance at the Sydney Opera House. There is a large and appreciative audience, yet the evening feels cozy and intimate.

In 2017, led by the inimitable Iva Davies, Icehouse puts on a stunning 40th Anniversary show amongst the grape vines of the Roche Estate Winery. The show is brilliant, as is the repertoire of amazing songs belted out by Iva and his terrific band.

Tina Arena has been dazzling listeners with her amazing voice literally most of her life, including when she put on an extraordinary performance at the State Theatre in Sydney in 2004.

The Angels rhythm guitarist, John Brewster, and his brother Rick, on lead guitar, had always dreamed of splicing their rock band with an orchestra. In 2018 it happened. The band played at the Adelaide Festival Centre, backed by an orchestra and a 40-person choir. 

Missy Higgins was just 15 and still at school when she wrote her first big hit All For Believing. By the time she played at the Sydney Opera House in 2006, she had a lot more hits under her belt.

When The Living End first played Festival Hall in 1996, they played support for US mega-band Green Day. Frontman Chris Cheney concedes it was not the best night for the band. 10 years later, it was time to make amends.

In 2008, Mark Lizotte and his band Diesel put on an extraordinary show at The Palms at the Crown Casino in Melbourne. The title of the concert stemmed from Mark wanting to sum up his long and varied career. His band was joined by a quartet and his daughter Lily sang backing vocals.

In 2003, alternative-rock-post-grunge band Grinspoon played a series of blistering concerts at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.

On May 23, 2005, the Hoodoo Gurus play a one-night-only gig at the Powerhouse Museum as part of the Sydney Vivid Festival. It is the festival's very first sold-out show.

In 1989, Richard Clapton performs in front of industry luminaries while recording his brilliant live album The Best Years of Our Lives. The night was also filmed and is especially memorable because a few other music legends join Richard on stage, including Jimmy Barnes, Venetta Fields, Kirk Lorange, Jon Farriss and Garry Gary Beers.

In 2008, a bunch of musicians come together to share the stage with Kev Carmody. Paul Kelly remembers this concert as one of his all-time favourites.