RADelaide

Had organised a 6 week holiday beginning this month, only to find out that Kris Kristofferson is touring the country. The lone Australian date he had scheduled before I was due to fly out is in the goddam city of churches itself, Adelaide. Realising he’s pretty old (83, I think) and probably won’t be touring again, I figured it’s really now or never if I want to see him perform live. He’s one of my favourite songwriters ever. While he might never be described as a vocal powerhouse, his limited singing ability is aspirational for me. Plus the gig is at Thebarton Theatre, which I’d heard of and had a vague desire to visit. This is a two for one, So I bit the bullet and booked an overnight in Adelaide the night before I’m flying out to The Europe.

I’m typing this having just got in from the show/a quick nightcap at the pub (Prancing Pony do a very agreeable amber ale, almost make you think you were in Middle Earth or some shit). Mixed feelings, I wanted to see him play, and I did. He was better in the second half, the crowd got into it a bit more; still very subdued, it was very much an older crowd. For me ally his stereotypical country breakup songs he has, took a different meaning. Like he was saying goodbye in a much more definite, final and mortal way. Particularly when he played For the Good Times near the end of the whole show, I got a little teary. It felt like an old man at the end of his powers almost playing his own last rites.

Scott Joss (check spelling) as part of the backing band was brilliant. He mostly played fiddle, including one blistering solo that left his bow trailing a few hairs, but also some guitar and took lead vocals on a few tunes. Vocally was much more at the height of his powers. Not quite the bass of Kristofferson, but had an almost Nelsonesque warble, clear and commanding. I could’ve probably quite happily listened to more of him, if it weren’t for the fact the Kris was the man I’d come to see, and see him I did.

I could go on, but I’d just be rambling. If you have the opportunity to see him on the rest of the tour, then do it. And if you find yourself daring to think that maybe he’s over the hill, then make believe you love him one more time...for the good times.

My phone died while I was waiting to board the plane in Brisbane, but luckily I found a potato in the gutter out side the theatre. Please enjoy these spuds eye views of the concert