by: MARK BODE in Melbourne
An emotional two-song encore by the remaining members of INXS capped off Mushroom Records 25th anniversary concert at the MCG in Melbourne last night. INXS, performing without lead singer Michael Hutchence, who committed suicide last year, opened with The Loved One, with Jimmy Barnes up front.
Barnes and INXS were joined by a host of other artists, including Kylie and Dannii Minogue, for a rendition of Good Times. Barnes said: "I wish Michael could be here, we all do. He would have liked to have been here." The Who's Who of Australian music took part in the Concert of the Century.
A week of mostly miserable Melbourne weather gave way to blue skies as thousands of music lovers saw first hand the best Australian music has to offer. Fifty-six acts filed onto the stage one after the other in a nine-hour tribute to the Australian music industry. Barnes described the day as very special. Veteran artists relished the chance to renew old friendships and younger performers revelled in the opportunity to meet some of their musical inspirations.
Austalian music enjoyed one of its finest hours with the likes of Nicke Barkers, Chain, Weddings Parties Anything, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, Uncanny X Men and Renee Geyer to Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Peter Andre, Leonardo's Bride, Billy Thorpe, Mark Seymour and The Mavis's taking centre stage.
It was definately a day of musical contrasts such as Dannii Minogue following Uncanny X Men and Paul Kelly following Kylie Minogue on stage. Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski, who put the day together, said the concert reminded him of the old days. "It reminds me of how it was in the early days, before music became big business," he said. "All the artists are just happy to be here and are having a great time."
Transcribed by Kylie "One Thing" - jons_tool@hotmail.com