Live Review: Tex, Don & Charlie, The Ahern Brothers

Although there were still quite a few Beasts Of Bourbon, Cruel Sea and Cold Chisel fans clearly peppered in the crowd, tonight was not a night for classic rock.

Instead, tonight's chill vibe was essential and masterful - a harping back to the pre-rock times of country and blues and music that doesn't need 45 pedals and nob to 11 to make it hit you in the guts. Opening duo The Ahern Brothers channelled Simon & Garfunkel with their tight harmonies and story-led songs. Their sound was familiar and warm, with the biggest surprise coming from the Australian twang of their accents as they chatted between tracks. A soothing sonic whiskey to open the evening, indeed.

Tex, Don & Charlie, accompanied by fine bass, drums and guitar, hit the stage at 9.15. Perkins took to the mic centre stage straight up; Walker stage right on keys and Owen stage left with a series of magnificent guitars and slides - framing the songs and switching the spotlight when they needed. The bulk of the set was from their latest You Don't Know Lonely, shining in particular with A Man In Conflict With Nature, One Step Ahead Of The Blues, Summer and Just Your Luck, with a familiar crowd, happily obliging. Towards the end when Perkins announced I Couldn't Lie the rabble up the back made a rare interruption with "I bet you could!". Keeping himself nice, and maintaining the tone of the evening, Perkins took time to respond from under a raised eyebrow "…only under certain circumstances…"

The new additions fit perfectly with older gems like Whenever It Snows, Postcard From Elvis and Paycheques. During Harry Was A Bad Bugger, Walker pushed Perkins onto 'keys' (or more accurately, playing one key at a time), showing that the incredible country meets Aussie mongrel vibe comes from many places in the band. When Sitting In A Bar lead the encore, next to the recent Plan B, even the weary weeknight warriors couldn't deny the continued quality of these three and their chemistry. Let's not leave it another 12 years for the next one eh, boys?