Chris Cornell, Matt McHugh @The Palais Theatre, Melbourne(19/10/2011)

Tue 25th Oct, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Punters queued for hundreds of metres outside St Kilda’s Palais Theatre on a warm Wednesday evening to see their old friend Chris Cornell, last here four years ago. He’s since gained a bit of hair, his shaggy mane a throwback to his 90’s heyday, but the man looks just as young as he ever did, and sounding better than ever.

Matt McHugh of The Beautiful Girls opened, charming the crowd with a pleasing set of laidback acoustic numbers. He knew his place though and occupied the far left of the stage, never really commanding attention above the various conversations and phone calls. The man needed a band, and while playing along to his own guitar loops was impressive, something was lacking. McHugh was an appropriate opener if only to highlight the comparative strength and brute force of Cornell that was to come.

The audience was a curious mix of bogan flannelette wearers, their equally bogan girlfriends, discerning music connoisseurs and everyone in between. Even radio personality Andy Lee (minus his other half) was in attendance. All were extremely appreciative, the thunderous applause that greeted Cornell almost overwhelming, as were the constant song requests shouted out from worshipping fans of 20+ years.

Cornell was clearly in a good place, mentally and physically, and was more than happy to oblige, indulging in audience requests throughout the night.

Stirring opener (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? paved the way for a night of gallant covers, old Soundgarden/Temple of the Dog hits and modern future-classics. And one song from Scream, his collaboration with hit-maker Timabaland.

Cornell was cheery, joking about the Palais Theatre being a former court house, then a theatre for gold miners, and the place where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

In between the banter, of course, were the songs. Cornell sang with the power and might of a six piece band, and it was a true testament to his ability and longevity that he sounded just as good as he did twenty years ago, perhaps better.

Highlights were constant, every song was delivered with equal doses of potency and passion. Surprises came in the form of lesser songs being transformed into stand-outs when stripped down and served raw. Doesn’t Remind Me went from being a standard Audioslave number to commanding set closer, while Can’t Change Me, never his best song, became one of his finest when everything was removed bar that voice and guitar.

Predictably, songs from Temple of the Dog received the biggest reception and didn’t disappoint. Cornell belted out Call Me a Dog, Hunger Strike and Wooden Jesus in a row; the latter he apparently hadn’t played in 21 years. Who knows why he chose this particular evening to do so, but who were we to question? Say Hello 2 Heaven, performed as part of the encore, was just the icing on the cake.

There were a few poignant moments alongside the cheer and triumph. Cornell sung When I’m Down, from debut solo album Euphoria Morning, accompanying a record of the piano track from Natasha Schneider, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago after a battle with cancer.

Cornell also explained the red telephone at his side, a fixture at solo gigs, once belonged to Jeff Buckley and was passed to Chris from Jeff’s parents.

In the end, the gig was nothing but a ringing success.

Hosting the gig at the Palais Theatre was a genius move, the acoustics were fantastic and the historic surroundings proved a nice backdrop to a man who has more than a bit of history himself. There was little in the way of spectacle, but the raw emotion that permeated throughout his performance was all that was needed.

Anyone that had walked into the show unsure or slightly hesitant about this aging rockstar was converted. All past misgivings, Timbaland included, were forgiven. The extended standing ovation that concluded the set was proof, we were the congregation to this rock god.