There is just something about Australian rock music that unites music fans in this country like few other phenomena. To this effect, to have Ian Moss, Icehouse, Kate Ceberano and Jimmy Barnes on one lineup is a pretty extraordinary feat but that is exactly what the event organisers have managed to pull off for a series of vineyard concerts across 2025 and 2026 commemorating the 40^th anniversary of Barnes’ For the Working Class Man album.

On a scorching 40-degree day out at the Hunter Valley, around 10,000 people flocked to the Bimbadgen vineyard for a special celebration of Australian music. After a short set from orthopaedic surgeon John Rooney, one of Australia’s most beloved icons Kate Ceberano took to the stage to perform a run of Aussie classics, with her powerful voice carrying wonderfully through the estate before Ian Moss appeared in a sweat drenched white shirt as the crowd battled through the heat. He delivered a short and sharp set of some of his biggest hits, delighting the audience with “Tucker’s Daughter” and “Telephone Booth” as well as Cold Chisel favourites “My Baby” and “Bow River.” Moss’s voice was in fine form, and his guitar work was superb as always, showing off the full range of his musicianship. He closed with the iconic “Georgia on My Mind” with the crowd completely behind him as he showed off some of his more soulful vocals. 

Moss was also very funny during his performance, remarking at one point, “Has the wine got any better?” in regard to the Hunter Valley produce. Unfortunately, some of the audience missed his set altogether as many drivers were stuck in an hour-long bottleneck trying to enter the venue with traffic at a complete standstill. It felt like the organisation could have been tighter to ensure everyone made it in more smoothly.

After Moss, Icehouse took to the stage for a set that was hit after hit. The resonance of Icehouse’s discography was made clear when the songs were played back-to-back and Iva Davies’ iconic voice held up extremely well. The band opened with a rousing rendition of “Electric Blue” before moving into “Hey Little Girl” and working through their discography with ease. 

Halfway through the set they brought Michael Paynter onto the stage and he showed off his incredible high vocals in “Touch the Fire”. The band also announced that Paynter will be touring Australia next year performing “The Great Australian Songbook,” which is exciting given just how strong his voice is, though one can hope this does not stop him from appearing in Whispering Jack (the new John Farnham musical) at the Sydney Theatre Company later in the year, for which he would be absolutely perfect in the lead role. 

After Paynter left the stage (he later returned in Jimmy Barnes’ band), Icehouse had the whole crowd up for “Great Southern Land,” which was a wonderful celebration of Australian music that was incredibly well received by the passionate audience.

Things took a dramatic turn after Icehouse left the stage. Following the scorching afternoon, an unforecast blizzard/tornado/storm/freak weather event suddenly hit the venue and nearly blew away the stage, forcing concertgoers to seek refuge in their cars. It was unbelievable how quickly the storm arrived and its ferocity genuinely threatened to cancel the headline set.

Once the chaos subsided, Barnes took to the stage just as the rain eased, performing his For the Working Class Man album in full. The rain only loosened the crowd further and a true party atmosphere formed, with Barnes in incredible vocal shape. 

“The rain nearly blew the f***ing stage away” and “I thought if we die, we all die together,” said Barnes, which drew huge cheers.

He opened with his big hits “I’d Die to Be with You Tonight” and “Ride the Night Away.” His trademark rasping growl came through especially strongly on the latter track with the whole crowd singing along. He moved through some of the album’s slower tracks before getting everyone up again for “No Second Prize” and he eventually closed the album with “Working Class Man.” It was remarkable how well Barnes nailed the song, hitting every high note at the end of the track, which at his age is extraordinary. The audience was stunned and loving every minute and Barnes was probably in the best form I have heard from him in all his concerts in the past few years.

Barnes then performed a slower second set featuring some of his newer work from the Defiant album, with his wife Jane Barnes joining him on bagpipes for much of it. He rounded out the night with two Cold Chisel classics, “Flame Trees” and “Khe Sanh.” Both songs were warmly received and provided a beautiful close to what had been a wild day and an even wilder night of music and the elements.

Overall, this was as good as live music gets: four acts at the absolute top of their game, embodying everything it means to be an Australian artist. If anything, it was only a shame that Moss and Barnes did not combine for a song, which was possibly a casualty of the storm disrupting the schedule (and something fans might see at a future performance). Even with the elements wreaking havoc, it was an amazing performance: a crazy day and one that the thousands of Australian music fans in attendance will never forget.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

Jimmy Barnes, Icehouse, Ian Moss, Kate Ceberano – Hunter Valley – 6 December 2025

All photo credits: Georgia Griffiths – MCH | MUSHROOM CREATIVE HOUSE