The Enmore Theatre is one of the best venues in Australia to watch live music. When it’s packed to the brim with concert-goers, to the point where they are spilling into the corridors, the atmosphere is electric and there are few better music-watching experiences. It felt appropriate that this venue played host to Counting Crows who, returning to Australia after 8 years, gave a performance worthy of the long wait. 

Given the wait, this was an audience who was pumped to see the band back on an Australian stage and this was felt in the energy that emanated through the Enmore from the moment that frontman Adam Duritz hit the stage. Unsurprisingly, the crowd exploded when the opening notes of the iconic ‘Mr Jones’ were played only three songs in. That set the tone for the rest of the show and from then on in, the energy was sky-high. 

It might have seemed a little strange to hear ‘Mr Jones’ played so early, given in most sets, it would be expected as a finale or encore song, but this was broadly reflective of the approach that the band took to their setlist throughout the night. Huge hits like ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ (typically played on the tour) and ‘Accidentally in Love’ (very seldom performed) were missing from the setlist, with the band choosing to showcase some of their lesser-known songs from over the years. 

While the absence of some of the big hits the audience would have been waiting to hear was felt, it gave the opportunity to see a different side to the band. It felt as though the audience was discovering some of the band’s work for the first time and loving every moment, which is a very cool feeling for a band so accomplished. 

Given some of the lesser-known repertoire, the band’s musicianship shone through. From guitars to keys to drums, everything was perfectly in sync and polished. Although Duritz was still recovering from COVID that left him isolated in his hotel room early in the tour and the effects could still be heard a little in his voice, he still maintained the raspy, smoky timbre that audiences fell in love with in the 90s. 

Duritz also possessed a wicked sense of humour that was in full flight in the show. From quips with the audience to anecdotes about his life on the road, some of the interludes almost came across like a stand-up show which drew raptures from the audience. 

Among the bombastic guitar solos and the humorous interludes, there was some tender moments in the show as well. ‘Daylight Fading’, a song rarely performed on this tour, was tender and heartfelt, connecting with the audience on a visceral level. ‘Colorblind’ was also stunningly beautiful and ‘Miami’, interspersed with a story about Duritz’s ex-girlfriend was equally powerful.  The show maintained a good balance of acoustic moments and full band hits, which meant everyone in the audience left with something. 

While most of the audience was there for Counting Crows, they also left incredibly impressed by opening act Frank Turner. With a powerful, punk-rock voice and thoughtful lyrics, Turner could have easily played a full-length set at the Enmore himself, something that he will indeed do when he returns for a headline tour of Australia in November. I found myself particularly intrigued by his work and would definitely like to see more of him, and I believe that sentiment was felt across the audience as well. 

The encore began with ‘Round Here’ which prompted a sea of phone cameras to rise, before concluding with the beautiful ‘Holiday in Spain’ which Duritz dedicated as a “lullaby to the audience.” It was a fitting conclusion to a brilliant show, which had the perfect balance of carefully crafted showmanship and the illusion of spontaneity. It was everything you could want from a rock band show and with Duritz promising the audience “we’ll be back” before leaving the stage, it’s safe to say most of the crowd will be coming back for more. 

Counting Crows – 9th April – Enmore Theatre

Rating: ★★★★