Live Review: 10CC in Perth 2025 – Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour
4th of August 2025, Astor Theatre Perth, Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
The harmonies synchronise with the clockwork of an angelic choir, while the main vocal oozes with the undertone of obsession, masked by denial as a defense mechanism. Together they deliver a cocktail of emotion – contradiction and vulnerability through an explosive lyrics, yet a restrained display of a 70s quintessential band.
The heavenly touch of the singers and guitarists, the hymns, and the iconic “pam pam pam” are as enchantingly as the melody and melody – reaching into the D range and transporting the boomers into a dreamy, introspective realm. Their soft, breathy vocals weave through an ethereal soundscape, turning back the clock and swerving fans back in time to their first love, one that’s blended with manic infatuation.
“Big boys don’t cry, big boys don’t cry, big boys don’t cry…”
In those four minutes, baby boomers, gen X, and even a few millennials were emotionally transported, taken back to the time of love addiction and possibly demise. They have lived through the emotional cataclysm and survived, as the memory surfaced from the subconscious at this very moment.
That track is 50 years old. Indeed, I’m Not in Love remains one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Last night, we rode through a half-century journey with members who have been part of 10CC since the 1970s. Graham Gouldman the founding member, now shares vocals alongside multi-instrumentalist Andy Parks – who has been carrying the weight of vocal extremes, thanks to soaring falsetto range. Paul Burgess on drums and Rick Fenn on guitar have been the staple of the band’s soundscapes since the band’s heyday. To the left of the stage stood keyboardist and guitarist Keith Hayman.
As fans entered the theatre, they were drawn to the colourful stage that was showcasing a set of multi instruments. Guitars, and more guitar lining shoulder to shoulder across the stage like on the display section of a music shop. It was a cold and wet wintery monday night. Thankfully, the performance commenced just after 7:30pm – an early start that was appreciated by the average audience.
It began with the fast-paced The Second Sitting for the Last Supper, followed by Art for Art’s Sake and Life Is a Minestrone. Like a true 70s rock band, each song was performed at length, with the first 3 tracks lasted over 15 minutes, setting the tone for a night of long, immersive chapters.
So far it was a celebration of the 70s, with more classics like Good Morning Judge, The Dean and I, and Old Wild Men – the latter introduced with a joke from Graham about their age and how they’re “still wild.” The harmonies were watertight, the lead vocals powerful, as Gouldman delivered with flair.
Most songs had a preface, a story behind their creation, filled with characters and nostalgia. Only one track from outside the 70s made it to the stage. Gouldman shared the story of asking Brian May of Queen to collaborate on his latest track, Floating in Heaven, inspired by the James Webb Telescope. May agreed.
“…So, ladies and gentlemen, Brian May… is NOT joining us.” The crowd laughed.
The frequent sight of the front three members plus Hayman creating a wall of sound always sparked excitement. With their guitars aligned, they chanted the crowd with their musical flex, swishing the guitar heads up and down. There were solo rounds: a scintillating bass performance from Gouldman and a guitar solo from Rick Fenn that spelled guitar rockstar, while Burgess stood up in appreciation after his performance.
Then came the songs that reached commercial heights and still receiving airplay among love birds.The Things We Do for Love showcased Hornal’s vocal tone and range, perfectly replicating former 10CC’s Eric Stewart’s delivery. But for most, it was I’m Not in Love that resonates the most. Parks transported the fans back to 1975, despite looking like someone born two decades after the song’s release. He conveyed the message of denial and lovestruck vulnerability, someone afraid to venture into love for fear of rejection. His sincerity was palpable through his story telling flair.
The audience was in trance, and just like that, the mood shifted from stalker mode to the cheery Dreadlock Holiday (“We don’t like cricket—we love it!”). Gouldman sang the track that has been adopted as the anthem of Nine’s Wide World of Sports during summer, and it’s as Australian as it’s Jamaican during the cricket season.
Their very first single, Donna, was performed a cappella during the encore. Stripped of instruments, the four men – without drummer Paul Burgess, sang under the soft blue hues of the spotlight. The harmonies were dreamlike, caressing the conscious mind through highs and lows, with Andy Parks playfully exploring his vocal range. It was a masterclass by one of the greatest bands from the UK.
The night ended with the rock song Rubber Bullets, as Graham invited fans to the front of the stage as once again the night lit up.
10CC released several albums and singles in the 80s and 90s – reflecting a shift toward adult contemporary and pop-rock styles. But their innovative production and genre-blending of the 70s is quintessential 10CC. The night was a 17-course banquet from the golden era, and that’s exactly what the fans wanted.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank David Roy Williams, IPS Sounds Production and 10CC for the Media Accreditation
Setlist 10CC Perth Australia
- The Second Sitting for the Last Supper”
Album: The Original Soundtrack (1975) - “Art for Art’s Sake”
Album: How Dare You! (1976) - “Life Is a Minestrone”
Album: The Original Soundtrack (1975) - “Good Morning Judge”
Album: Deceptive Bends (1977) - “The Dean and I”
Album: Sheet Music (1974) - “Old Wild Men”
Album: Sheet Music (1974) - “Clockwork Creep”
Album: Sheet Music (1974) - “Feel the Benefit”
Album: Deceptive Bends (1977) - “The Wall Street Shuffle”
Album: Sheet Music (1974) - “Floating in Heaven” (Graham Gouldman solo)
Album: Floating in Heaven (2022) - “The Things We Do for Love”
Album: Deceptive Bends (1977) - “Silly Love”
Album: Sheet Music (1974) - “I’m Mandy Fly Me”
Album: How Dare You! (1976) - “I’m Not in Love”
Album: The Original Soundtrack (1975) - “Dreadlock Holiday”
Album: Bloody Tourists (1978)
🎤 Encore
- “Donna”
Album: 10cc (1973) - “Rubber Bullets”
Album: 10cc (1973)
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK etc with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro (pictured below), Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) and of course Tommy Buoy of Yachtley Crew plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
