Riverside Theatre, Perth | Sold Out
Support: Taylor Sheridan
On a crisp evening at Perth’s Riverside Theatre, Australian rock royalty Jimmy Barnes delivered a blistering performance to a sold-out crowd, proving once again why he remains one of the country’s most enduring and beloved performer. With his latest album Defiant front and centre, Barnes showed no signs of slowing down – and the audience was more than ready to keep up.
But before the main event, the evening began with a standout performance from Taylor Sheridan, a solo artist hailing from regional Victoria
Sheridan, who recently released his new single “Stories,” captured the audience’s attention immediately with his warm presence and soulful voice. His set was sprinkled with humour – sharing anecdotes about buying bath salts for his mum’s birthday and getting roped into watching a musical performing of “Mamma Mia“, which led into an unexpectedly brilliant cover of ABBA’s “SOS.” – it engaged the crowd with a FULL HOUSE sing-along. I didn’t realize that this was Karaoke, but I didn’t care – it was a bloody good cover!
He also spoke about becoming a father for the first time, and the funny story behind naming his song “Troubadour.” (You need to hear it; it is a cracker of a story lol). By the end of his set, the entire theatre was clapping along as his impromptu backing band. Sheridan’s charm and vocal talent left a real impression, with smiles from ear to ear littering the sold out crowd – keep an eye on this guy as it won’t be too long before he is doing his own national tour (mark my words).
Then came Jimmy Barnes – what an ovation he received and rightly so!
He hit the stage like a shot of adrenaline, opening with the high-energy track “Flesh and Blood,” and immediately set a tone that never dipped for the rest of the night. Between songs, he kept things light and engaging, joking about the “relaxed” energy in the room during “Taylors” set. “I’m here to shake this fucking place up and get people moving – because that’s what I do,” he said with a grin. No one was about to argue.
Jimmy didn’t just stick to the hits. The new album Defiant got a solid airing – a bold move, but one that paid off. He told the crowd that even his wife Jane had questioned whether Perth wanted to hear ten new tracks in one show her exact words were “Sure you are not thinking of playing 10 new tracks off the Album LIVE are you fucking crazy“. “Perth can handle it,” he replied. “Watch me.” The crowd responded with laughter and applause – and he delivered in full.
Jane Barnes joined him on stage with bagpipes, and during their duet “Beyond the River Bend“, the chemistry and playfulness between them was clear and heartwarming. It felt personal, honest, and real – a refreshing moment in an otherwise high-octane set.
The Song “Defiant” feels like more than just a new release – it has the soul of a classic. The songs are powerful and immediate, and Barnes’ delivery was raw, passionate, and full of conviction. At one point, he leaned down for a quick selfie with fans in the front row – a small gesture that got a big cheer.
He shared a few stories, including one about working briefly at the Holden factory in his younger days – for exactly two days, before deciding that wasn’t quite his calling. Safe to say, he made the right choice.
The setlist was a seamless mix of new and old favourites – “Dig Deep,” “Never Stop Loving You,” “Sea of Love,” “Flame Trees,” “Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t,” and “Lay Down Your Guns” all made appearances, and the crowd sang along to every word.
To close the night, Barnes delivered a triple bagger that brought the house down: “Working Class Man,” “Driving Wheels,” and the anthemic “Khe Sanh.” It was the perfect ending to a night full of energy, nostalgia, and new memories.
This wasn’t just a concert – it was a celebration of everything Jimmy Barnes represents: resilience, dedication, love, and rock and roll. “Defiant” is an album worth paying attention to – and as a live experience, this tour is absolutely one to catch.
Bravo, Jimmy. Perth won’t forget this one.
The Defiant Tour 2025 is currently touring the nation and is a show that you need to see if you love quintessential Australian Rock. Jimmy and his super talented troop are amazing to watch. You will get lost in the moment and it will be a night that you will never forget. For tickets hit the link below.
To check out Jimmy’s latest offering “Defiant” you can buy a physical copy on tour, retailers or on major streaming platforms
To check out Taylor Sheridan back catalogue, check him out on his social media platforms and all major streaming services
Special thank you to Jimmy Barnes’s team, Frontier Touring and the staff and Riverside Theatre in Perth.
