What an amazing thing it is to be here tonight. In case you didn’t hear, Saturday night’s original show was evacuated due to a fire and unable to go ahead, but thanks to the absolute legends at Silverback Touring, the band and their crew, they were able to pull together a show for us all two days later. So here we are on a Monday night at a new venue and with an early start time, tonight is just perfect. So a MASSIVE thank you up here to all involved for making this happen.
Here we go. Immediately the band launch into ‘Stick the Knife In and Twist’ and they sound absolutely huge, and this dueling guitar solo is insane, this is going to be a masterclass tonight. Before it even faded out Reb starts ‘Seventeen’ and the cheers go up for one of Winger’s biggest early hits and it still kicks ass. They are making this look effortless and they are most definitely going out at the top of their game, more on that later I’m sure. Straight into the chunky as hell ‘Can’t Get Enuff’ and it’s amazing how much heavier these songs are live, especially with this three guitar assault allowing Paul to move to the keys keeps Reb and John driving it in, it’s insane. Off to the greatest Winger album in ‘Pull’ and I get to hear ‘Down Incognito’ live and I’m stoked. Reb pulls out the harmonica and they just blow this one away, pun intended. I really should mention how good Kip sounds too, he is perfect and that bass tone is something else. I can’t even explain how good this is right now as the band are driving this along as John shreds for us, this is amazing. Reb joins him to show off a bit more and just wow.
Some intros for John and Paul before he starts arguably one of the best power ballads well, ever… ‘Miles Away’ what a winner. Just outstanding and hearing the crowd sing it back to the stage you could see the smiles on their faces. We stick with the second album and into ‘Rainbow in the Rose’ and these vocal harmonies are amazing. As the song fades it builds again and allows the band to let loose. The band take a break from the stage and leave Reb up there and he is playing one amazing solo right now and I’m just shaking my head at how good this man is. This is just such talent. Kip stays off while John takes bass and they do a Reb solo track ‘Black Magic’ bloody hell.
A little more story time before the heavier ‘Pull Me Under’ which is awesome, and without missing a note and an amazing transition into ‘Time to Surrender’ as we go all the way back to the first album, I’ve never heard it sound like this and I’m just flabbergasted. My god this is heavy. Now it’s time for Rod to do his thing and show us just how much of a machine he is on the kit. ‘Midnight Driver of a Love Machine’ from ‘Better Days Comin’ is a surprise and with a woo woo yeah yeah we’re into it. Then to their latest and last album ‘Seven’ it’s ‘Proud Desperado’ and the first and last time I’ll hear that live. That’s a bit sad. Damn that just sank in…
Some huge thankyous from Kip for being here and getting today happening which is awesome. Kip switches to the famous headset mic and ‘Headed for a Heartbreak’ and this sounds perfect. I just love watching the crowd and seeing how they’re reacting to this and it’s perfect. I’ve always loved this solo, damn that was perfection. Oh god here it it’s… I’ve been waiting all night for ‘Easy Come Easy Go’ and it’s so much heavier. This is so good, as Reb and Kip shake hands down front, then Reb takes the second verse. God damn they have played the hell out of that. That was brilliant, as for the lyrics, “this won’t break my heart, don’t you know?” Knowing this will be the last time I hear this live, I have to say it’s just a little broken. ‘Madaline’ starts and Kip can still scream and we’re off. I’m just going to keep saying how good this is. I can’t fault this at all. They’re all jamming this one out and a three guitar harmony solo is out of this world for ‘Saints Solo’ and wow is the only word that comes to mind, as the band go off for a quick break.
Back to ‘Pull’ and the ridiculously good ‘No Man’s Land’ and this is an amazing choice from a brilliant album, what a surprise and one I’ll remember for a while. As we head intro ‘Hungry’ this was the perfect choice to close the set with. I’m standing here just in awe of what I just saw. No bows, no goodbyes, the band leave the stage and with that Winger in essence say goodbye to Sydney.
For a band to go out while they’re still this good is a crime, but understandable. I’m so glad we got to see Winger in Sydney one last time as tonight was a masterclass, an absolute masterclass.
Essential Information
Venue: The Factory Theatre – Sydney
Date: April 7, 2025
Presented by: Silverback Touring
Website: http://www.wingertheband.com
Set list:
Stick the Knife In and Twist
Seventeen
Can’t Get Enuff
Down Incognito
Miles Away
Rainbow in the Rose
Black Magic
Pull Me Under
Time to Surrender
Midnight Driver of a Love Machine
Proud Desperado
Headed for a Heartbreak
Easy Come Easy Go
Madalaine
No Man’s Land
Hungry
