Wests Leagues Club, Newcastle
Friday July 25, 2014 :
Although he still technically resides here, Morgan Evans seems to spend more time living out of a suitcase than on Novocastrian soil of late and there are very good reasons for this. 2014 finally saw the launch of a full album after putting his toe in the water with a couple of well played EP’s. It has taken the former rock singer a while to find his true country roots. Talking to his mum before the show she revealed it was a Keith Urban gig at Newcastle Workers many years ago that definitively turned a young Morgan into a future country star, and a star he is now really becoming.
The release of the album, well sourced lyrics and song writing skills combined with a powerhouse management team have all assisted the undeniable raw talent to move to the next level. I personally have seen him come of age twice this year and could not be prouder. For me playing the main stage at CMC Rocks the Hunter in March hit home to even the harshest critic that this is where he belongs. I was also lucky enough to catch him in Nashville in June playing the riverfront stage to over 20,000 people.
So how well was this homeboy received on Friday night? To be completely frank, bloody well. Over 500 people turned up to watch a full throttle gig that was barely contained in the smaller venue. The band was tight and Evan’s metamorphosed throughout the evening from the now concert standard “acoustic set” to loud country rock backed by a solid four piece band. Evans is now a clear stand out, on his own in regards to Australian male country performers. As a writer I truly have to be careful when saying this as there are a couple of elder statesmen that may take offence.
As for the show, the set opened with ‘One Eye For An Eye’ and finished with a great cover of the Elton John classic ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’. Throughout the gig, songs from the debut album were obviously featured. ‘Live Each Day’, the now well know Evan’s song featured early much like the CMC hit ‘Like A Tornado’ which has just spent five weeks at number one on the country charts.
So what really makes Evans better? I believe he has that unique artist ability to capture a crowd and take them along a journey all within the confines of a 90 minute set. Evans’ high octane energy combined with his true appreciation of fans gives the individual concert goer the illusion he is playing solely for them. Sure like many good looking country artists he has his groupies but a closer look at the audience mix revealed people of all ages singing and joining in. This to me is the mark of a true performer and one with plenty of longevity for this gruelling business.
So where to now? Seeing how comfortable Nashville made him feel, the compass will be pointing towards North America. Perhaps an assault on the lucrative Canadian market first then onto the USA. After watching Evans grow, I have no doubt it will not be long before Australian’s will be watching this guy in a stadium reflecting on the time he played Wests Leagues, perhaps a headlining gig at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre may just complete this fantasy. Only the future will tell, great gig.
Reviewer and Photographer: David Jackson
Set list
One eye for an eye
Live each day
I wanna go
Like a tornado
Another goodbye kiss
Feel like a woman
Carry on (with Ashley Dallas)
The cape (with Ashley Dallas)
Love you home (Acoustic with band)
Childhood heart (Acoustic with band)
Wide open road
All in this together
Song for the radio
Big skies
Best I never had
Encore
Best of me
While we’re young
Saturday night’s alright for fighting
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