The Gov
Thursday 24 November 2022
Words – Geoff Jenke
Photos – Robert McArthur
With only about 10 days’ notice of this show, fans had to race to get tickets and race they did. The Gov was packed for Wolfmother. It has been nearly 3 years since Wolfmother last played Adelaide and their popularity hasn’t waned. But has it really been 18 years since the release of their debut album? The debut album was a breath of fresh air to the 2005 scene in Australia, old style rock for a new generation or for those of us who remember the 70’s hard rock bands.
First up on stage were South Australia’s own, Druid Fluid, a band I wasn’t familiar with, but after listening to their swirling, psychedelic, soundscapes I will be definitely hunting them out again.
Wolfmother walked on stage to the sounds of Europe’s, The Final Countdown, and a deafening applause from the punters.
Andrew Stockdale started the gig with Dimension by being “lead singer”, sans guitar and took the role seriously, throwing his arms in the air and pointing at the crowd. He did quite a few songs by just being lead singer and seemed quite happy in the role. New Moon Rising followed with Andrew now on guitar, the song transforming into a taste of Eagles Hotel California, much to the crowds delight and surprise.
The 2005 debut album was well supported tonight, with approximately half the set dedicated to the album. Woman, White Unicorn and Apple Tree all coming out early in the set. A newer song in Rock Out did what exactly what the title said, leading to Andrew removing his T-Shirt.
Minds Eye, with it’s keyboard intro is the closest thing you get to a ballad with Wolfmother and to show the band are not slowing down, they rolled their latest single Feelin’ Love, rocking as hard as they ever have.
Halfway through the set, the band played what was an obviously unplanned, Doors Love Me Two Times and as they led into Vagabond the song ended up sounding like a garage band warm up with Eagle Rock, Champagne Supernova, Sweet Home Alabama and some Neil Young all thrown in. Wonderful.
After Love Train they rolled out another cover, this one planned, in Black Sabbaths Paranoid, possibly to show everyone where the Wolfmother power chords came from originally.
California Queen, Colossal and of course Joker and the Thief ended the main set, with band members taking photos and video of the audience on their phones. They were enjoying the night as much as we were.
Encore commenced with a tease from Bobby Poulton (bass & keyboard) as to how many songs they would play, one or two? In the end it was three starting with a new song Midnight Train, allegedly recorded in Andrew Stockdale’s bedroom.
2019’s Rock and Roll Survivor came next and the show ended with a blazing version of Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll.
The ARIAS may have been on the TV at home, but the people who enjoy real rock and roll were at The Gov.
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