Cold Chisel-Roche Estate, Pokolbin 30 November 2024
by Rob on 9/12/24Roche Estate - PokolbinLooking at the weather map, earlier that day, I thought that we would get absolutely drenched, however, although we initially had light rain, it eased off to a drizzle for the last couple of hours. We arrived later in the afternoon just as Birds of Tokyo were starting their set and also got to see The Cruel Sea. Both great bands as I’m sure were the musicians before them. However, I was there to see my favourite Australian band (for the third time!) From playing in the corner of a wine bar in Armidale (1974), then to a moderately sized hall at the University of New England (1982) and finally to this massive outdoor concert at Pokolbin, they have matured like a good wine, but still have the kick of a rough red! And what a concert! They were as energetic and brilliant as they have always been and their musicianship superb. Jimmy Barnes is the consummate showman and still a powerful vocalist. Ian Moss’s guitar playing (and voice!) is out of this world. Phil Small holds the whole band together with his powerful bass lines and Don Walker is as enigmatic and brilliant as ever. It was sad that Steve Prestwich, their original drummer and great songwriter, is no longer with us, however, their current drummer, Charley Drayton, is awesome! Barnes paid a lovely tribute to Steve Prestwich. Jimmy told us that when he was wondering how to celebrate their 50 year anniversary, he mused that they could go out to dinner, have a few wines and reminisce. “F… that” he thought, so he proposed a tour, and the others had all been thinking the same thing. The rest is now history😀 The greatest thing for me was to be there with my son, and to realise that he was enjoying the concert as much as I was. I have (metaphorically) travelled with Cold Chisel through the ages and feel so lucky to have had the connection with them that I feel I have.