Mr Fanning carries the weight of expectation well. Playing to a home crowd can sometimes be the most daunting gig for a singer/ songwriter, with nowhere to hide if the reception isn’t favourable.

Luckily for Bernard, the response was raucously warm and welcoming and with a median age of 45, it was an older crowd, faithful fans who have followed Fanning since Powderfinger days. They also seemed to be loving the Bundy cola cans (the drink of choice for the night it appears).

Supported by Vance Joy and Big Scary, the crowd watched politely while both played their sets, but it was obvious most were waiting for the headliner.

When he walked out on stage to catcalls, wolf whistles, screaming and clapping, it was obvious how devoted his fans are. Starting with a sparse band of three, Fanning launched into a mix of songs off his new album 'Departures' and his old 'Tea & Sympathy', almost going one for one for the first half of his set.



It was a few songs in before he even spoke to the crowd but once he started bantering, he peppered conversation between most songs. Adding an extra couple of musicians for the rest of his set, he was an easy showman on stage, completely in the flow of his music with a grace that belies his pub rock roots. With a voice that sounds exactly as it does on his albums, it was effortless to listen and the crowd were captivated. With years of touring and playing gigs all over the world, Fanning has no problem addressing hecklers or rude punters, at one stage confronting a woman who talked through one of his most emotional tracks and the crowd roared its appreciation at her telling off. So for Fanning, as for most of his fans, it is always about the music, the story that comes from his simple and sincere lyrics and the easy hummability of each tune.

To view more photo's from the gig visit Scenestr