Sebastian simply a nice guy
Concert
Guy Sebastian
Perth Arena
February 28
3 stars
REVIEW PETER KERR
Guy Sebastian is a nice guy.
Even his support acts - like Melbourne chanteuse Fatai - say so. Repeatedly.
So nice in fact that during the final show of his Australian Madness Tour at Perth Arena he couldn't quite go the whole hog while cleverly weaving the Macklemore mega track Thrift Shop into his routine.
"This is frickin' awesome..." was the furthest Sebastian would wade into bad language waters.
Not that the young crowd in the half-full Arena cared. They thought he was nice too.
Man of faith, hit machine, inaugural Idol winner, incredible voice, father of two, founder of the Sebastian charitable foundation, and more, were all on display as the R&B star wrapped up a month on the road, before taking a well-earned break.
Bathed in grey light, wearing a grey hoodie and surrounded by giant grey screens, Sebastian launched his high-energy act with the song Madness, while inadvertently capturing the Fifty Shades zeitgeist sweeping the globe.
Like a Drum from his new album followed and had the crowd jumping, helped by the backing band's tight brass section - a highlight of the show.
A smattering of new material included the song Light and Shade that, in a saccharine self-help moment, Sebastian explained was about urging people to stop looking at the world through their smart phones and enjoy the moment.
Hopefully the approximately one third of the crowd that was filming the homily on their smart phones at the time will get the message when they play it back.
While it's easy to knock Sebastian's path from Idol winner to superstar, there's no doubting his talent and range; especially when playing piano on Why Can't We All Just Get Along or guitar on Like it Like that.
Despite his patchwork back catalogue, Sebastian also writes some fine songs - Linger is one. Elevator Love is not.
But like his other big early hit Angels Brought Me Here, the crowd erupted when it was sung.
In a nice touch the original film clip played behind the band; reminding everyone that supermodel Jennifer Hawkins was the girl in the elevator a decade or so ago.
Sebastian's work has a harder edge these days, and maybe his early fans haven't quite worked out if they like it yet if the underwhelming crowd numbers were any guide.
A polished Linger - with Sebastian reprising US rapper Lupe Fiasco this time - rounded out the main set with the band loosening up as the show went on.
The international smash Battle Scars (which even reached No.2 in Norway) was an obvious encore opener before the night finished off with the punchy Gold and Mama Ain't Proud.
We'd beg to differ on the latter, and Sebastian announced his mum, aunty and cousins were at the show too.
What a nice guy.
