I couldn’t think of a better way to finish off my Easter long weekend than being at the Bridge Hotel, Rozelle, with two of Australia’s best home grown bands, Models and Boom Crash Opera. This current ‘Double A side Tour’ is a cracker and, from what I have since discovered, evolved from what was meant to be a one-off gig in Melbourne. Lucky for us, they were both able to squeeze in two consecutive nights at the always welcoming, and full of life, Bridge Hotel, making this one very memorable Easter Sunday.
Apparently, the night before was a phenomenal gig. I have seen Models before (who I love), so I knew how great tonight would be but, ‘tsk, tsk’ (me wrapping myself over the knuckles), I was yet to see Boom Crash Opera live and was very eager to experience what I had been missing.
The very joyous and music-loving crowd at the Bridge were fantastic. With a packed room here tonight, the Models sounded great, crisp and clear. Sean Kelly, Andrew Duffield, Mark Ferrie and Ash Davies all showcasing their well-honed skills and obviously still loving what they do. The Models unique mix of rock/punk/electro and pop has stood the test of time and these songs sound as fresh as they did when I was a kid. There are so many wonderful tunes tonight that I’m caught up dancing with the crowd, and haven’t stopped, to tracks like ‘Evolution’, ‘Two Cabs At The Toucan’ and ‘Big On Love’, which is one of many favourites.
Then the lovely ‘Hold On’ is up next and it’s difficult not to reflect as it’s so beautifully sung by Kelly, with a heartfelt shout out to the dearly departed, and deeply missed, James Freud. To think we are closing in on 15 years since Freud’s passing is unbelievable, but we are all extremely happy that the rest of the Models continue the band’s legacy and we still get to enjoy all of this fantastic music.
How to follow up the sadness but with some uplifting and quirky ‘Happy Birthday IBM’, which leads us into Duffield’s ‘You Know What I Like About That Guy (nothing)’, then some ‘Atlantic Romantic’. I love the eclectic creativity of the Models. You are hearing one band’s set list but get this musical journey of genre crossovers while, at the same time, you can’t stand still and feel this intense pull to dance.
There is more to come and I do a mental checklist of what I would still like to hear tonight. Then the Models give us another golden tune, with the wildly famous ‘Out of Mind, Out of Sight’ from the mid eighties, and the fans just erupt. Drinks in hand and those dancing shoes firmly on, no one has missed a beat. It’s such a pleasure to let loose with band and fans alike. This continues with their early reggae-influenced song ‘Pate Pedestrian’ and then we are taken back to the mid eighties with yet another hit, ‘Barbados’. The memories of hearing these songs, watching Models perform on Countdown, plus all the music videos from times past, come flooding back. What a rich musical history we Aussies have. Models then top off the rest of this set with yet another classic, as we step back into 1983 with ‘I Hear Motion’. The keyboard tease from Duffield begins and everyone looks at each other with a big ‘yeaaaahhhhh’ as we all jump in to dance and sing in unison.
That was a stellar set from Models as they receive a well deserved ovation, with cheers and whistles galore. We all stop to take a breath and get ready for what’s to come next, a set from the legendary Boom Crash Opera.
I know many BCO songs but am yet to see and hear it all live so my anticipation is a little different from their devotees here tonight. The gritty and intimate scene at the Bridge is perfect for my personal newbie musical adventure and the fans go crazy as Dale Ryder, Peter Maslen, Peter Farnan and John Favaro make their way onto the stage. I noticed the most ardent haven’t moved from their coveted front spots since the beginning of the night, and they all go nuts at the same time when ‘Great Wall’ thunders through the venue. With that mix of thumping Maslen drums, wonderfully layered harmonies and each instrument earning it’s place, this is a great start to the set. I’m already noticing that BCO deserve their loyal following and know that I’m going to be more than happy to be recovering the next day, as this is shaping up to be one spectacular set.
They continue the momentum with ‘Gimme’ and ‘City Flat’, until the very well known guitar cords of ‘Dancing In The Storm’ begin. The venue is alight, fans jumping together and everyone is singing along to this wonderful tune in sheer delight. I spy grown men grooving away with total abandon as they belt out the lyrics along with Ryder “Here we go, here we go for one more turn” with fists in the air, which is great to see. Once again, we have a band that can mix styles of rock/indie/pop, with a slice of folk music thrown in, and it all blends perfectly. BCO are fantastic live, slick and in tune with each other, along with Ryder holding the crowd like putty in his hands, his vocals and energy not wavering. I’m enthralled, to be honest, and really enjoyed what was noted as “their first song released in 28 years”, ‘Latest Hustle’. The night then progressed with ‘Her Charity’ and ‘I’m Not Like You’.
Without missing a second, BCO move into ‘Bettadaze’ and onto some band solos which includes a Maslen ‘Maz’ drum solo. It must be the weekend for powerful drummers hammering a part of their kit off sideways as I saw this happen the night before with a different band. Everyone laps it up and the Bridge is now an enjoyable sweat pit as BCO keep the fans thrilled with more tracks like ‘End Up Where I Started’ and ‘Get Out the House’ featuring Aussie music great and special guest ‘Jak’ Housden on guitar. The crowd goes wild, which is a familiar scenario tonight as BCO are bringing it ten fold. Yet there is more to come as we all start to wipe the sweat from various parts and are in need of more hydration.
No one is stopping as we then hear the faint sounds of strumming that swells into yet another hit, ‘The Best Thing’. I didn’t think the blokes in the audience could get more animated but this is a sight to behold. The ladies swooning and giddy, men jumping and singing, as Ryder revels in the music along with the fans and the harmonious guitars. I found myself thinking that this was another of my many favourite moments tonight and, after developing a new found appreciation for the band, I was already looking forward to going to another BCO gig in the future.
The next song needs no introduction, another classic in ‘Onion Skin’, which sends the venue into a frenzy and rounds out this powerful set. Good grief, the passion from stage and floor is so crazy that by the time the song ends, I wonder what else can the band muster for the fans. Their crowd wants more and are just screaming and hollering for an encore. But BCO do have more to offer with an encore of ‘Caught Between Two Towns’ and a fitting finale of ‘Hands Up In the Air’ as the fans raise their arms and chant ‘nah, na, na, na, na, na’. A perfect ending to a perfect concert, it’s another ovation for Boom Crash Opera tonight. As everyone finally lets the band finish up, fans swap words of joy and satisfaction with each other, feeling elated by what they’ve just experienced.
Post gig, I found that I wasn’t the only person who was at a BCO gig for the first time. Briefly chatting with some ladies, who were vocal in their excitement for the bands, one exclaimed that it was her first time seeing Boom Crash Opera and I replied ‘me too!’. We both Hi-fived each other and expressed our desire to see them again after being blown away with tonight’s performance. It’s never too late to be a newbie, christened into this club.
Tonight was a wonderful celebration with two of Australia’s best, awarding-winning and beloved bands, Models and Boom Crash Opera. Both bands were brilliant and it felt as though the decades had barely passed as everyone looked, played and sang with such vigour and energy that they would be putting younger bands to much shame. This is the type of tour that may need another extension of dates and it’s no surprise how sold out each gig has been around Australia.
© 2025 MARINA KNEZEVIC – All Rights Reserved
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