CityLife

AUSTRALIAN rockers Airbourne wowed a packed Academy on Saturday with a high-octane performance, leaving a breathless crowd and a sweat and beer stained stage.<br /> <br /> Kicking in with opening statement Stand Up For Rock 'n' Roll, the antipodeans sprint out of the blocks and by second number Hellfire singer/guitarist Joel O'Keeffe has dispensed with his shirt and is drenched in water.<br /> <br /> O'Keeffe is clearly the star of the show with his high-kicking and visual antics, climbing speakers and jumping off the stage whilst firing off his lead licks.<br /> <br /> The other members are no slouches either as second guitarist David Roads and bassist Justin Street cover every inch of the stage themselves as a foil to O'Keeffe's energy.<br /> <br /> Rock dock<br /> <br /> Airbourne will certainly never be in the rock dock accused of subtlety as they bludgeon through debut album tracks Fat City and nothing to the imagination Diamond In The Rough.<br /> <br /> O'Keeffe's between song patter is reduced to a helium squeal though he does show a nice line in opening beer cans by smashing them against his head.<br /> <br /> Showing a capacity to showcase a stripped down riff on Whats Eatin You they have clearly taken on board the influence of fellow Aussies AC/DC and Rose Tattoo, with a song akin to an unholy alliance between DC`s Young brothers and the Tatts formidable Angry Anderson.<br /> <br /> As they finish on encore Blackjack O'Keefee disappears offstage yet again before re-appearing behind the bar playing a furious guitar solo and leaving the top shelf in mortal danger.<br /> <br /> Airbourne. Young, dumb and very possibly full of rum.<br />