Live Review: Jon Pardi in Melbourne 2025
19 March 2025 at Margaret Court Arena
Review by Jeana Thomas
Photography by Jeana Thomas Photography
Frontier Touring and Chugg Entertainment
Jon Pardi at Margaret Court Arena: Country Cool Meets Down-Home Vibes
March 19, 2025, was the night Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena got a serious dose of country swagger, courtesy of Jon Pardi. The venue a sea of boots, hats and beaming fans, all buzzing for a guy who’s got honky-tonk in his veins and a modern edge in his step. Pardi rolled into town with his signature sound, think dusty trails, neon nights and a playlist that hits you right in the feels and turned the arena into a full-on country party with soul.
The crowd was a mash-up of hardcore Pardi Heads mixed with newbies just vibing and you could feel the excitement crackling before he even hit the stage.
If you don’t know Pardi yet, here’s the scoop: he’s the California kid who’s been kicking up dust in Nashville since the early 2010s. Born in ‘85 in Dixon, he grew up on Strait and Haggard, picking up a guitar and a dream before most kids ditch their training wheels. His debut, “Write You a Song”, dropped in 2014, but it was “California Sunrise” in 2016 that blew the doors off with bangers like “Head Over Boots.” Now, with a Grand Ole Opry nod and a fresh album, Honkytonk Hollywood, on the horizon, he’s the real deal, blending old-school twang with a slick, contemporary kick.
Pardi strolled out, cowboy hat tipped, boots scuffed, grin dialled up and the place erupted. Right off the boot the hits kicked off and bam, you’re hooked. He’s got this laid-back cool that’s less “untouchable star” and more “buddy with a six-pack and a story.” Between songs, he’s cracking jokes, dropping little nuggets about his life. It felt like you were riding shotgun through his world of heartbreak, barstools and good times.
Pardi’s music is a love letter to country’s roots with a wink to the now. Think Merle Haggard’s grit meets a rock ‘n’ roll pulse. His band? Absolute fire. They’re a crew of pros who can shred a barn-burner like “Dirt on My Boots” then flip it to a slow-burner like “She Ain’t In It” without missing a beat. The energy’s flying, they’re riffing off each other, tossing in a steel guitar flourish here, a drum kick there, making every song feel alive. Then “Heartache on the Dance Floor” hushed the room, Pardi’s gravelly croon cutting deep, proof he’s not just a party starter, he’s got heart.
A few tracks lit up the night like fireworks. “California Sunrise” was pure gold, Pardi pouring nostalgia into every note, the crowd swaying like they could smell the Pacific. Then the encore, “Dirt on My Boots,” turned the arena into a full-on stomp-fest. Fans were screaming the lyrics, dancing like nobody’s watching (well trying to as it was crowded on the floor) and Pardi was right there with them, feeding off the chaos. It was the kind of closer that leaves you buzzing, humming the hook all the way home.
You may ask yourself, what makes a Pardi show pop? It’s the vibe. He has a talent for blending adrenaline-fueled anthems with emotionally charged ballads all wrapped in a style that’s 100% him. The band’s locked in, playing like they’re having as much fun as the crowd and Pardi, he’s the glue – authentic, engaging, the guy who makes a 5,000-seat gig feel like a backyard jam. This was a night where everyone, fans, band, Pardi – clicked into one big, rowdy family. We got to witness several of the band members doing some short solo parts at the end of the runway, so everyone could have see them.
It was a slick showcase of country swagger, gritty, genuine and a total blast. Pardi’s out there tipping his hat to the icons while nudging the sound into new territory and Melbourne couldn’t get enough.
When the show finished, we were left with the feeling that we got a full-on country fever dream, dripping with swagger and soul. This was a neon-soaked, boot-scuffing bash where Pardi played ringleader to a crowd of rebels and romantics, all riding the same high. With his velvety growl and a band that tore through every riff like it was their last, he turned the joint into a juke joint wonderland, classy enough to sip whiskey to, wild enough to dance ‘til your soles smoked. He branded it with a honky-tonk heart and a grin that said, “Y’all ain’t seen the last of me.”
When Jon Pardi rolled into Melbourne he brought along two of country’s freshest firestarters: Zach Top and Larry Fleet. These aren’t just warm-up acts, they’re the kind of talents who could steal the spotlight and leave you buzzing before the headliner even struts out.
Zach Top: Twang Meets Fresh Flair
Zach Top strutted out and flipped the switch to electric. This Washington State wonderkid, fresh off a CMA New Artist nominee, served up a cocktail of retro twang and modern snap that had fans hooked from the first chord. Think ice-cold brews and backroad beats, his debut Cold Beer & Country Music brought the place down with hooks sharper than a switchblade.
Starting his set with the electrifying “Sounds Like Radio” a track that perfectly captures the essence of his raw, authentic sound. He followed with the soulful “Kinda Woman” a smooth and catchy song about finding the right kind of love, which had the crowd swaying along. As the set progressed, he delivered “Never Lie” a powerful anthem about honesty and vulnerability, before wrapping up with his fan-favourite “Cold Beer.” This track, with its laid-back, country-rock vibe, brought his set to a close with a sense of celebration and camaraderie. The audience was deeply engaged, reflecting the emotional depth and versatility of Zach Top’s song-writing.
Zach’s got that effortless cool, tossing out tunes with a wink and a strut, like he’s daring you not to dance. He’s the spark that set the night ablaze, a hip, high-octane opener who made supporting Pardi look like a headliner’s gig. Classy? Oh yeah. Unmissable? Bet on it.
Larry Fleet: Soulful Grit Lights Up the Night
Larry Fleet took the stage after Zach Top, and damn, did he bring the heat. This Tennessee titan’s got a voice like aged bourbon, smooth with a kick and he poured it all out for the crowd. He delivered a performance that was both intimate and powerful. Fleet’s smooth blend of country and southern rock filled the venue. The strumming of his guitar and the warmth of his voice, created an atmosphere that was both personal and expansive. His songs were like he’s spinning tales of life’s raw moments with a voice that could melt a steel guitar.
Bassist Eric “Crazy Legs” Harley-Brown brought the funk to Larry Fleet’s performance, laying down smooth, groovy basslines while getting the crowd moving with his signature dance moves. His infectious energy was the heart of the rhythm section and his funky footwork had everyone in the audience tapping their boots. Alongside him, the rest of the band delivered their own magic, with a rock-solid drummer keeping the beat and the lead guitarist adding fiery solos that electrified the crowd. Together, they created a perfect blend of country, rock and a little bit of soul, making the performance feel like one big, toe-tapping celebration.
Fleet is all swagger and sincerity, rocking the mic like he’s spilling secrets in a late-night dive bar. He’s the guy who’s been around the block, blue-collar roots to Nashville neon and his set felt like a classy dive-bar confessional, equal parts heart and hustle.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and Jon Pardi for the Press Accreditation
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 170 of the hottest acts including Coldplay (Perth), Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.
