Everyday People

INXS, Simple Minds & Arrested Development, SEC.

A long week at work came good in the end, at least outside of hours...

I clocked off on Friday night and met Craig at Town Hall and we went for some impromptu cheap chinatown shopping before heading toward Darling Harbour and the Sydney Entertainment Centre - one of the last big venues I'd yet to visit in Sydney.

The event was a bit of retro night as acts that have been around for over 15years joined forces to put on a big blast from the past. First up, as we walked in the door, was Arrested Development belting out the classic Mr Wendall followed by their other hits and a cool cover of Redemption Song. I was really surprised how good these guys were, and wouldn't have thought they were even around after this long.

They left the stage and soon it was the turn of the Scottish 80's legends; Simple Minds. Jim Kerrs voice was spot on for the gig and he seemed genuinely impressed with the Sydney crowd. This was one of Craigs top things to do whilst here, so he was in his element watching these guys, especially once 'Don't you Forget About Me' and 'Alive & Kicking' ended the set.

I'd spotted one of Craigs friends sitting a few rows in front of us with, as luck would have it - Jim Kerrs mum & dad. After a few words, Jims mum invited us to go backstage with them. So with a bouncer escort, we were shown from our seats and through the stage doors.

So there we are sitting around a table backstage with the Simple Minds lead singers parents, with Arrested Development wandering around when Jim walks in. It was a slightly surreal and definitely unexpected moment of the evening! So after chatting about the state of the roads in the Eastern Block countries, lawn bowls and Scottish weather, we got pictures and our tickets autographed before heading back to our seats to watch the last act of the evening.

This was a little wierd, with Michael Hutchence obviously missing from the INXS lineup - the American Rock Idol winner instead in his place. His voice no doubt impressive, though his stage presence was a little odd, especially since the rest of the band are probably nearly old enough to be his father.

Never the less, they played all there hits of old mixed in with a few new ones and the crowd went nuts.