Photo: David Burness

As the double ‘80s-nostalgia package erupts at The Tivoli, I can’t help but think someone else has booked the Kedron-Wavell tonight. Back in 1986-87, Wa Wa Nee’s teen idol Paul Gray used to pack the Boondall arena; these days, they barely fill three-quarters of The Tiv’s bottom floor. Long shorn of the notorious mullet, Gray mock-wistfully groans “my hair ... what was I thinking?” in between rocking his keytar. The jobbing rhythm section providing a fat backbeat, hits I Could Make You Love Me, Sugar Free and Stimulation are still quite funky in that oversaturated ‘80s way, however the covers medley of KC & The Sunshine Band’s Get Down Tonight, Michael Sembello’s Maniac and Van Halen’s Jump feels simultaneously half-arsed and cheesy.

Eric Weideman is also sporting a different hairstyle these days (dreadlocks), but otherwise he’s hardly changed since 1927’s glory days and his voice is in a great nick. With Gray on keyboards, 1927 Mk. 2 perform their 1989 multi-platinum debut ...ish in its entirety; alas, the majority of those upbeat pop-rock cuts don’t stand the test of time very well. Flickers of old magic finally appear on Compulsory Hero and That’s When I Think Of You, while the immaculately-performed Aussie classic If I Could has numerous couples swaying and singing along. You can’t ruin a good song.

DENIS SEMCHENKO

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