Dave Faulkner of Hoodoo Gurus performing at South Perth Sounds.
Camera IconDave Faulkner of Hoodoo Gurus performing at South Perth Sounds. Credit: Supplied/City of South Perth

Hoodoo Gurus wind back the clock in free live show at South Perth foreshore

Matt ZisSouthern Gazette

IT was a show meant for locals of South Perth and Dave Faulkner wanted to fit in with the thousands assembled before him.

“I grew up in Belmont,” the lead singer of Aussie rock legends Hoodoo Gurus reminded them.

“But I spent a bit of time in South Perth.

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“My family rented a house on Coode Street when I was seven or eight years old – just over there.”

Faulkner and his band were the celebrated and certainly appreciated drawcard act for this year’s South Perth Sounds concert, which played out on a beautiful evening yesterday at Sir James Mitchell Park.

Hoodoo Gurus lead singer Dave Faulkner at South Perth Sounds. Darrell Beggs.
Camera IconHoodoo Gurus lead singer Dave Faulkner at South Perth Sounds. Darrell Beggs. Credit: Supplied/Darrell Beggs.

“Even though it’s a free concert, we are doing all the big money songs,” Faulkner decreed midway through their main set, before ramping up with classic anthems Bittersweet, Come Anytime, Miss Freelove ’69 and 1000 Miles Away.

You Open My Eyes, The Right Time, Death-Defying and Tojo were among the well-known tracks already belted out to that point.

But the best came last, an encore triple treat of timeless wonders – My Girl, What’s My Scene and Like Wow – Wipeout! – which had many out of the older generation up and out of their low-back chairs singing and dancing.

Plenty arrived early to South Perth foreshore ahead of Hoodoo Gurus taking the stage. City of South Perth
Camera IconPlenty arrived early to South Perth foreshore ahead of Hoodoo Gurus taking the stage. City of South Perth Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Crowd estimates varied – some said 10,000, others up to 18,000 – but the ‘full-up” sign in the parking area and queues for food and toilets made it clear that organisers at the City of South Perth got the numbers they were expecting and more.

Families had arrived early to picnic and enjoy a drink before the sun set behind the stage, giving great exposure to support act Hot Sand.

The surf rock trio out of CBC Fremantle brought the heat in a way their name suggests they should, playing a fun set of original tunes including one about getting teeth taken out that epitomised their youth.

Perth band Hot Sand performed as the warm up act. City of South Perth
Camera IconPerth band Hot Sand performed as the warm up act. City of South Perth Credit: Supplied/Supplied

In an outdoor events treat for South Perth, big-time music returns to the foreshore precinct again in less than two weeks when pop princess Kylie Minogue headlines A Day on The Green on Saturday, March 9.