Chris Cornell returned to Melbourne to headline his last Australian show before jetting off to the States for a US tour.
There had been questions raised about the state of Cornell's voice (could he really still sing like he used to?), but in this two and a half hour show, any doubts were shot clear out of the water.Opening with the mighty 'Let Me Drown', the opening track off his first band Soundgarden's legendary 'Superunknown', Cornell led his extremely excited band through what could only be described as the perfect set list for a Cornell fan.
A solo acoustic set in the middle of the show is usually where the audience runs out to take a leak, but as Cornell belted out 'Blow Up The Outside World' and 'Burden In My Hand' amongst others with only the help of an acoustic guitar, the audience remained transfixed.
Audioslave also were highlighted, although he stuck mainly to the singles. 'Show Me How To Live' followed the two opening Soundgarden numbers, meaning it was four songs in before he touched on his solo record.
Even Temple Of The Dog got a mention as he played the band's title track.
As if the set hadn't started off strong enough, an encore consisting of 'Black Hole Sun', an enormous sounding 'Loud Love' and a cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love' left the audience stunned.
Such a set list left it difficult to remember that he does in fact have a new solo album to promote, but like it or lump it, the fans wanted to hear the classics and the fans got to hear the classics. (Let that be a lesson to bands who choose to lump it!)
So next time someone tells you Chris Cornell is past his prime, slap 'em in the face for me.
