I don’t know which year I was in on the night of April 2, but it sure wasn’t 2008.

The Black Crowes are a generational mind-fuck, their soulful blues and at times rock seems fitting for a weed-fest in the early seventies, yet they formed in the mid-eighties, released albums through the nineties, and are touring Australia in the noughties for what I am told is the second time ever in honour of their new album Warpaint. Their last visit somewhere in 1991/92.

Fronted by Chris Robinson, the band brought the goods to the stage, two back up singers, two guitars, bass and keyboards. They attracted a mismatched audience, old rockers, husband and wife teams, and those of us who, when they were here last, were learning how to tie shoelaces. Their music did, however, translate perfectly into a giant love-fest for those who were willing to embrace it. The crowd numbers were the lowest I’ve seen at the Royal Theatre, and it seemed such a shame based on the calibre of their performance.

They had the most of the crowd out of their seats when they played Hard to Handle, a mellowed-out take on an anthemic rock song which had everyone in the audience singing along and pumping their fists in the air along with Robinson.

Their solos, while a little indulgent (but forgivably so), could be felt right in the gut of the audience. Most notably, Gorman – who has been the drummer with the band from its inception – killed a drum solo which had everyone breathless in anticipation, and thunderous applause. Robinson’s nicotine and beer voice belted out gravelly lyrics, with the soulful back up singers inducing goosebumps in their highlight track, Soul Singing, where they succeeded in holding the audience in the palm of their hand.

They managed to get through their back catalogue, playing tracks from Shake your Moneymaker, Lions, and of course Warpaint. It’s a crime that more Canberrians couldn’t get out of their living rooms on this cool Autumn night to have witnessed what was one of the most “rock and roll, rock and roll” shows I’ve ever seen.