Live Review: The Fabulous Caprettos in Perth 2025
24 July 2025 at the Astor Theatre Perth Western Australia
Review by Krystal in the Crowd (Krystal Galloway)
Photography by Linda Dunjey Photography
Five legends. One stage. An unforgettable night.
When it comes to Aussie live music, few line-ups hit like The Fabulous Caprettos. With five well-loved artists joining forces, Thursday night’s show at the Astor Theatre wasn’t just another gig. It was a living, breathing celebration of careers that have shaped the soundtrack of generations. Outside, Perth was doing its best impression of a deep freezer, but inside the Art Deco beauty of the Astor, the vibe was really warming up.
On a night better suited to Ugg boots and the couch, hundreds of music lovers rocked up in their fluffiest coats and trendiest leather jackets, ready to defy the chill. And thank goodness they did. What unfolded was nothing short of musical alchemy. The Fabulous Caprettos, made up of Australian music heavyweights Dave Gleeson, Joe Camilleri, Jack Jones and Rai Thistlethwayte, took the stage to a wall of applause, joined by the ever-graceful Wendy Matthews. A fiery collaboration of Aussie rock royalty lit up the room and blasted away the winter blues. This was exactly what we needed to heat us up and power through the final stretch of a freezing cold week.
The evening began with local talent Jason Ayres, whose tender, inviting set hushed the room with anticipation. He played his originals, Wild River and Coming Back to You, that had every member of the audience mesmerised by his charm. Ayres proved he has the charisma to hold his own on any stage. He then launched into Chris Isaak’s Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing, and in a playful twist ignited his guitar with fairy lights, drawing audible delight. The mood was set with dark reds and blues from the lighting rig, a subtle hum of excitement building in the dimly lit theatre.
Around 8.20 PM, the moment arrived. A roar swept through the crowd as the full band emerged, smiles wide, greeted by rapturous cheers. With powerhouse drummer Gerry Pantazis and groove master Jason Vorherr on bass laying the foundation, The Fabulous Caprettos charged in with Daughters of Glory. Right from that first note, it was clear we were in for something electric. Wendy Matthews was the first to turn the crowd to mush as she commanded attention with the night’s second song, Woman’s Gotta Have It. As the first woman ever to join the Caprettos lineup, she brought a powerhouse voice and a cheeky comedic spark, gliding across the stage, looking like the ringleader of a rock and roll circus. Dressed in a wide-brimmed black hat, crisp white shirt with puffed sleeves under a tailored black waistcoat with gold buttons, and playing a bright yellow tambourine which added a playful pop of colour to her polished, stage-ready look. During her rendition of I Don’t Want to Be with Nobody But You, Joe Camilleri’s sax solo left jaws hanging. A masterclass in bluesy groove. Later, when Wendy poured her heart into The Day You Went Away and Let’s Kiss, her voice shimmered with raw vulnerability and soul.
One of the most surprising vocal highlights of the night was Dave Gleeson. Often celebrated for his wild energy and raspy rock tone, during Wendy’s songs he stepped up with a performance that showed off a whole other side. The voice of The Screaming Jets soared with clarity and control, switching gears between grit and soul in a way that caught many off guard. He was not just singing; he was storytelling. The crowd erupted after each line, hanging on every note, some moved by the way he gave familiar songs a brand new pulse. Dave’s hips swung and swayed beside Wendy like a mischievous rock and roll brother, moving with rhythm and flair. He brought both style and swagger, effortlessly blending rock grit with soulful groove. He glided onto the stage in his signature black Dr. Martens, fitted black jeans, and a long-sleeve, embroidered black shirt with subtle flair. Seeing this rock legend grooving like a soul sister transported us back to the time of 70s soul sisterhood.
The hits kept coming. Each one a jolt of pure nostalgia. For this reviewer, Jack Jones’s delivery of Southern Sons’ Always and Ever was a deeply personal highlight. A track that has lived on repeat in my Spotify playlist for a very long time, hearing it live felt like a much-needed hug from an old friend. Jack shared a heartfelt story about his last visit to Perth and thanked the crowd for their support during a difficult time. It was a powerful moment that created an unbreakable bond between artist and audience. Hearing his voice singing Heart in Danger, was felt in the souls of fans of the 90s era of love song ballads. He joked about giving people a toilet break as it was the point of the show he would normally be singing Hold Me in Your Arms, however decided to give us a treat to hear one of his new songs, titled “Gold” which the crowd enjoyed knowing one of our favourite artists still has the ability to bring the 90s into 2025.
The heartfelt mood continued with Thirsty Merc’s Rai Thistlethwayte, bringing a modern pop rock flair to the crew with 20 Good Reasons. This cool cat with effortless charm and long dark Rapunzel-esque locks that flowed like the smooth tunes he played on his keyboard showed us he has the charm to convince us he will never need to ask us 20 good reasons as we will never let him go. Right after, Dave Gleeson stepped up to the mic and bellowed “Rock on.” That was when the room truly exploded. The unmistakable whistle beginning of Helping Hand by the Screaming Jets echoed across the theatre, sending goosebumps down every fan’s arms. When Dave sang, I don’t even know my own name, a fan from the front row yelled “Dave!” to which he burst out laughing and replied, “Thanks, Mickey!” A perfectly unscripted moment of rock and roll intimacy. Watching him live, it is impossible not to feel like you are at the world’s best backyard party if your mate happened to be a rock icon.
Joe Camilleri and Jack Jones were a visual and sonic delight, two denim-clad icons standing shoulder to shoulder like the cool uncles everyone wishes they had. Joe, in his signature cap and rugged bluesman energy, radiated seasoned swagger. Jack, with that familiar quiet intensity and precision on guitar, let his playing do the talking. Watching them lock in beside each other, Fender necks almost touching, was like witnessing two eras of Aussie rock casually jam it out on your front porch. No fuss. Just pure groove. Camilleri, who mentioned that he has penned over 500 songs, was equal parts showman and statesman. The crowd went wild for Black Sorrows’ Harley and Rose, a tune that has been hummed for generations and a soundtrack to many afternoons in Australia. During The Shape I’m In, he coaxed the balcony crowd into sliding side to side in unison. From the floor, it looked like the entire top balcony was one massive wave of nostalgia and movement, a true spectacle that pulled everyone into the shared experience.
As the night went on we were treated to the biggest hits of the legends on stage in front of us from years gone by. The show built to an electrifying crescendo, and this crew of funny talented musicians closed with the iconic Chained to the Wheel. The crowd, now a unified body of pure adrenaline, stood, cheering, clapping and roaring for more. When the band finally walked off stage, not a single soul moved. They knew the night was not over. After a solid few minutes of applause and excited foot stomping, the crew returned to the stage, bursting into one of the greatest songs they could have chosen: The Angels’ We Gotta Get Out of This Place. The theatre erupted in smiles and cheers, leaving the night on a total high. As the crowd streamed out, the chitter chatter was filled with exclamations of how fantastic the show was.
What makes The Fabulous Caprettos more than just a nostalgic supergroup is their genuine connection. They weren’t just taking turns at the mic. They were backing each other, swapping harmonies, playing each other’s riffs, and offering cheeky grins with banter like old schoolmates in a garage band reunion. Whether you came for the classics or just to feel something real in a room full of strangers, the Fabulous Caprettos delivered. It is rare to see this level of legacy and humility on one stage.
This wasn’t just a gig. It was a celebration of Australian music, its rich history, its thrilling evolution and its unwavering, powerful heartbeat. What made the evening truly special was not just the talent on display, but the sense of connection. These artists, each iconic in their own right, offered more than just a performance. They invited us into their world, shared their history, and reminded us why live music matters. The Fabulous Caprettos do not rely on flashy effects or modern tricks. They let the music speak. In doing so, they proved that great songs, sung by great voices with genuine feeling, still hit the hardest. It was a concert, yes. But more than that, it was a tribute to the power of shared moments, shared songs, and a love of music that spans generations.
And Perth, we felt every word of it.
The Fabulous Caprettos continue their Live in 25 national tour with 2 more shows. If you have even a flicker of love for classic Aussie rock, do not miss it. Tickets are available from The Fabulous Caprettos.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Estellar PR, Start Special Events and The Fabulous Caprettos for the accreditation
About the Writer: Krystal in the Crowd lives and breathes music. Based in Perth, she’s seen over 150 live acts in the past decade alone, each one feeding her jukebox brain and deepening her love of music. With a heart that beats in time with the songs being played and a writing style that’s raw, real, and full of crowd-coloured detail, Krystal captures the essence of a gig from the fan’s point of view. She’s been in the crowd for Foo Fighters, L!ve, KISS, Eminem, Blink-182, The Screaming Jets, The Angels, The Birds of Tokyo and more, always chasing the magic, and bringing it back in words that hit home.
About the Photographer: Linda Dunjey is a seasoned live music photographer whose work regularly appears in magazines and news publications. With a keen eye for emotion and atmosphere, she has spent over a decade refining her skills in natural light photography. Beyond the concert stage, she also specialises in portraiture—capturing the essence of events, families, maternity moments, and newborns with warmth and authenticity. Before dedicating herself fully to photography, Linda worked as a nurse, bringing a compassionate lens to every subject she photographs!
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 190 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Robbie Williams with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem and Tina Arena 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. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
