It’s been four long years since Counting Crows were last in Australia, and even then it was as a support act for The Who.
Now the American rock band has finally returned on their latest tour, hitting Brisbane’s QPAC theatre. Playing tracks from their latest release, covers album Underwater Sunshine, the group – led by Adam Duritz – played to a full room much to the delight of Brisbane punters.
In the country for the mammoth Bluesfest, the band kick-started the tour in Brisbane with support from Australian local Jackson McLaren, who is also playing songs off the back of a new release.
Tonight though was all about the ‘Crows’, as they’re affectionately known with diehard fans, out in force to support their favourite artists.
Starting their set with “Sullivan Street”, the band get off to a fantastic start capturing the audience’s attention from the get go. Songs such as “I Wish I Was A Girl” and “Rain King” come out early in the set before one of the crowd favourites in “Colorblind” attracts large applause.
Duritz makes it clear to the masses early in the night that he is in fact recovering from some illness, forewarning poor vocals, but that is not the case at all.
With strong and impressive singing, Duritz leads his fellow musicians through a set full of great music and laughter. The brilliant musicianship from the various members ranging from accordion to piano is near perfect, proving why they have been added to one of the biggest festivals in the country.
By the time they have reached the last song of their set in “Hanginaround”, the band have also played three covers, though no “Big Yellow Taxi”, arguably the biggest hit they’ve had with a cover.
Speaking of biggest hits, the two largest in the band’s career have yet to be heard either, prompting screams from fans for the songs during the encore.
As the three song encore plays out with “Washington Square” and “Omaha”, the crowd are chanting for “Mr Jones” but alas, it never gets played – to some fans dismay.
Never the less a great set that has left the audience, for the most part, pretty satisfied.
