Powerful duo Peking Duk are one of Australia’s most exciting live acts. Currently on their biggest national tour yet – with shows in Adelaide and Perth still to come this Friday and Saturday – the boys have built up quite a name for themselves after showcasing sets at Falls Music Festival, Splendour In The Grass and Mountain Sounds.
I was lucky to attend Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Friday night and party along with the 5,500 strong crowd.
It is no secret that I am a big fan of the Canberra boys Adam Hyde and Reuben Style. Despite two artists succeeding them at FOMO 2017, I named them as the highlights there and also at Falls.
The boys did not disappoint with their ‘Wasted Tour’ that packed all their hits, an electrifying DJ set, a few special guests and an awkward marriage proposal (don’t worry – she said yes!).
Whereas in the past the boys would engage a celebrity such as Karl Stefanovic and David Hassleholf to do a video intro – the boys did it themselves and asked us to “MAKE. SOME. NOISE.” from the set of their just released ‘Reprisal’ film clip.
As we mentioned in our post on Friday the clip contains two new songs (‘Fire’ and ‘Distant Arizona’) which they premiered live and were received well.
The set opened with their most recent hit ‘Wasted’. And though it was awesome, I was a little bummed that they didn’t teach us the fun dance from the video (watch the clip HERE).
High energy single ‘Say My Name’ followed and had the crowd jumping as did mammoth 2017 hits ‘Let You Down’ and ‘Fake Magic’.
With four of their biggest hits down, the boys kept up the intensity with an electric DJ set that included ‘Mr Brightside’ by the Killers, ‘Rockstar’ by Post Malone and the delightful Celine Dion smash, ‘My Heart Will Go On’.
Intermittent in this set was their early track ‘The Way You Are’ which I had loved fondly since hearing it at Falls.
A sample of The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ prompted the boys to ask the entire crowd to sit down before an insane drop got them jumping up and going crazy. Whilst fun to partake in, the novelty of a sit down/jump up wears off if you have done it elsewhere before.
They closed the main set with their first hit single ‘High’ – what I had considered their best hit – which I was surprised to see did not get much of a reaction from the mostly young crowd.
A special candlelight encore for ‘Take Me Over’ recreated a moment that I had seen at Falls. This time around, however, unfortunately could not compete. Adam confessed the moment had him feeling like Keith Urban which set the scene for an unknown couple that were brought out on stage.
Touted as ‘Meet and Greet’ winners who hadn’t yet met the boys, the man used the opportunity to get down on one knee which came across as tacky and awkward – but nevertheless, I’m happy for them.
Supported by special guest Safia, live vocalist Michaela Baranov and American rapper Kwamé earlier in the set, the boys really showed that they can put on an amazing live show.
They reflected on how just a couple years ago they were playing at the intimate Oxford Art Factory and how humbled they were to be able to play the Hordern Pavilion.
Peking Duk then launched into their final track, the 2017 ARIA Song of The Year, ‘Stranger’. Blasting with confetti, the boys once again showed how they are deserving of a long career.
Easily one of Australia’s most successful singles artists in recent times – I feel like its finally time the boys put out an album of hits to solidify their fanbase. The six singles since 2014’s ‘High’ have all gone platinum to triple platinum, with latest hit ‘Wasted’ now certified gold.
Throw in the just-released ‘Reprisal’ (‘Fire’ and ‘Distant Arizona’) with 2012’s ‘The Way You Are’ and you’ve got a really strong album that the boys could launch overseas. With the impact of streaming, it seems all Australian artists are struggling to survive with the last Australian No.1 single landing in July 2016 (The Veronicas’ ‘In My Blood’) and the last Australian top 5 hit being Amy Shark’s Adore at #3 in February 2017.
Peking Duk deserve to be worldwide superstars and it would be a shame to see them fade out with more one off singles.
Catch Peking Duk at one of the following dates on their ‘Wasted’ tour later this week;
May 18 : Adelaide (HQ)
May 19 : Perth (Metro City)
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