The Art House, Wyong
15 June 2023
10cc | Agum
Reviewer / Photographer : Kevin Bull
When the press release for the current 10cc tour came through months back with a local show included, the first thing I did was add it to the diary. I have nothing but positive memories of seeing the band supporting Roger Hodgson back in 2010, so it was a given that I’d try and make it happen. Turning up to a sold out Art House, it would appear that there are a large number of us on the Central Coast who also have fond memories of ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ and ‘I’m Not In Love’ on the radio. Apparently the entire tour has been really well attended and deservedly so.
Being the remaining founding member of the band, Graham Gouldman caries a heavy weight on his shoulders, though the band is well rounded out with long term members Paul Burgess (drums) and Rick Fenn (guitar). Special mention must go to lead vocalist, Iain Hornal, who took on original 10cc vocalist, Eric Stewart’s part so successfully. Except for a couple of covers, the setlist tonight was culled from the band’s 1970’s albums, a period of time where 10cc was regularly on the charts. That decade produced six studio albums, with the original 4 founding members of 10cc being there for the first 4. Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme gave us the ‘Rubber Bullets’, ‘Art for Art’s Sake’ and ‘I’m Not In Love’. With Godley and Creme’s departure, Gouldman and Stewart stepped up with ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ and ‘The Things We Do For Love’. These five standout tracks were naturally played during the night, with Gouldman’s regularly acknowledging his former band mates and co-creators of these classic songs.
The night began with a song that has opened many a 10cc show over the decades. ‘The Second Sitting for the Last Supper’ is fast paced and frantic, and definitely announces that the band is serious. ‘Art for Art’s Sake’ appeared early to remind us of what a great song this is. A couple of deeper cuts were personal favourites, I’ve always had a soft spot for ‘Good Morning Judge’ and The Wall Street Shuffle’.
You see, 10cc were a band that I sent a bit of time listening to back in the late ’70s. ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ was all over the radio, and I was in Year 8. I bought Bloody Tourists, then Deceptive Bends, and over the next 5 years had picked up second hand vinyl copies of the first four.
The sound of the band was full and crisp, all super talented musos, and the memories for most of us here never sounded better. ‘I’m Mandy Fly Me’ has always out a smile on my face, and an encore acapella performance of ‘Donna’ was special. Closing the night with the rollicking ‘Rubber Bullets’ brought many in the room to their feel. Good memories again from 10cc.
