CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE.

On entrance to The Tivoli tonight, it was apparent Ryan Adams was either:

a) Taking the proverbial piss.

b) Hoping that a random choice of support act would help entice the crowd into becoming more involved with the show.

c) Of the belief that tonight’s support act was actually quite brilliant.

Whatever the reason, the mid-sized audience showed enthusiastic appreciation (whether it was 100% sincere or if it was just to take the mickey out of the group is another thing) for the three-piece Australian bush band, aptly titled The Rantan Bush Band, who were joyously performing on stage. Set against a cleverly lit backdrop resembling a bushland forest at sunset, the trio, handpicked to open for The Cardinals personally by Adams himself, played traditional Australian bush tunes such as The Road To Gundagai and Home Amongst The Gum Trees, complete with childish pantomime, as well as slightly more contemporary numbers in the vain of Tie Me Kangaroo Down. It sure was a welcome change from the usual type of support act, albeit slightly frivolous, but hey, if it’s good enough for Ryan Adams, it’s good enough for me.

As the curtain rose to reveal a large model of the cardinal symbol from the cover of latest album Cardinology, accompanied by two blue rose-shaped neon lights on either side, the crowd erupted into applause as The Cardinals made their way onto stage. Opening with Natural Ghost, the group treated the crowd to a set full of incredibly performed songs and good-humoured banter, in what is the last tour Adams will probably partake in with The Cardinals. Battling members of the crowd yelling out requests in vain and a duo of American hecklers, Adams took the annoying crowd calls in his stride rather than go into meltdown like he is renowned for.

Aware of his last performance at the venue, as well as his 2005 Splendour In The Grass set, which both saw him depart stage earlier than expected; Adams was determined to provide the Tivoli’s numerous patrons with a two-and-a-half hour tour de force, which focused on Cardinology as well as a nice number of older favourites. The band’s interpretation of Wonderwall takes the song even further than their recorded version ever did, as the Oasis hit is melted in a slow wall of guitar strains and ambitious vocals. Likewise, Cardinology track Cobwebs is brought to life in full grandeur, establishing itself as this reviewer’s song of the night.

Musical representations of the two neon roses in the backdrop of the stage, both Cold Roses and Goodnight Rose continue to send a shiver down the crowd’s collective spine in their own unique way. The quartet effortlessly generates a beautiful tone throughout the building, with each song creating new depth and character to the already profound performance. However, Beautiful Sorta seems to signal the end of the set, at least until Adams assures us that they will be back after a relatively lengthy break. It seemed less like a gap before an encore and more like an intermission between acts.

Living up to their promise, The Cardinals swoop on stage for one last block of tunes which sees the clock strike 11:15 by night’s end. Let It Ride begins the finale, as Please Do Not Let Me Go and Freeway To The Canyon continue to leave the crowd in a mesmeric wake. Many no doubt have now realised the evening will soon be at an end. Making the most of the crowd’s euphoric support, Shakedown On 9th Street serves as a perfect penultimate track, before I See Monsters finalises proceedings, sending the awed mass out onto the streets with their jaws still well and truly planted on the ground. To quote the great man himself, “Listen to the music, it’s like magick.”