Entertainment

Music Review: Andrew Strong

By Tracey Korsten

Posted on March 9, 2018

Andrew Strong knows how to deliver: he sings like a Guinness-soaked angel and shreds a guitar like he’s channeling Rory Gallagher.

Stalwart of the Irish music scene, Andrew Strong always garners a sizeable and appreciative audience here in Australia. With his Gov show on March 22nd sold out, he slipped an extra Adelaide date into the beginning of his tour, on Tuesday night.

Opening for Strong and his band was local outfit Jessie and the Beating Hearts, playing some pleasant country-folky pop. Check them out here.

Strong opened up with the compulsory Midnight Hour, seguing nicely into Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle.
Backed by a tight, high-energy band, Strong settled into a great night of old favourites, sprinkled with his own originals. Songs included Dark End of the Street, Take me to the River, Treat her Right and the “anthem”, Mustang Sally.
A surprise addition to the night was another Strong offspring, sister Niamh Strong, who is a little stick of dynamite, blasting out I Can’t Stand the Rain and Never Loved a Man, as well as delivering backing vocals.

The much anticipated encore consisted of I Feel Good and Try a Little Tenderness.

Andrew Strong knows how to deliver: he started on time and finished on time; he was personable, warm, confident yet humble; he didn’t bang on too much between songs; he sings like a Guinness-soaked angel and shreds a guitar like he’s channeling Rory Gallagher; his energy on stage is unflagging and utterly infectious. He is a masterclass in how to be a professional musician.
His March 22nd gig is sold out, but you never know your luck with returns/no-shows.
But if you missed out this time, I am sure he will be back soon to entertain his adoring and every-growing Ozzie fan base.

Check out his website here.