Cold Chisel's Ian Moss performs for the crowd during the Red Hot Summer Tour.
AUSSIE rock frontmen Mark Williams and Adam Thompson say there was something unique, theatrical and very special playing to the masses at Kryal Castle on Saturday night.
Mid-set, Thompson, the lead singer for Chocolate Starfish, left the stage for an impromptu pole-dance routine on flagpoles bordering the VIP barricade.
Playing at the Castle has given him ideas for a return next year.
“I might have a medieval king’s costume and strut out to You’re So Vain,” Thompson told The Courier.
“I love it (the Castle), because I’m theatrical, it’s the type of thing I love.”
Gathered in Castle Arena – the replica medieval jousting yard – the Red Hot Summer Tour pieced together a strong roll-call of Aussie rock music in Dragon, Chocolate Starfish, Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss, Baby Animals and legendary headliner Jimmy Barnes.
Hard-core rock enthusiasts barely had half-an-hour to take a breather between acts.
Thompson said the line-up fitted well with this group of artists.
“Each sets the standard for the next,” Thompson said.
“Once the crowd are into it and really active it’s fantastic, but they need to be led.”
More than 2000 people gathered within the Castle walls.
Dragon lead singer Mark Williams said the whole event felt massive.
“I loved it. I couldn’t believe it, the vibe there, it was absolutely superb,” Williams said.
“It was such a huge arena, chock-full of people and such an unusual venue.
“The visit was therapeutic for our drummer – he was scared by the place as a school kid and it was great for him to go back and see how great it can be.
“The place is an icon and it’s such a good idea to have concerts there.”
Williams said Dragon arrived early in Ballarat to walk through the city and have lunch before venturing out to the Castle.
The band could hardly wait to return to Ballarat later this month, this time at Lake Wendouree for Lakeside Twilights on February 23.
Red Hot Summer Tour promoter Duane McDonald, who brought INXS to the castle last year, said the weekend’s turn-out was huge.
McDonald said the Castle was a fantastic rock concert venue and he encouraged fans to mark the tour in their diaries again for the first week of February next year.
melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
