Jimmy Barnes

livemusicsydney
Dec 31, 2025
2 min read

Wednesday 10th December 2025

Sydney Opera House Steps

40th Anniversary of "The Working Class Man"

with special guest Kate Ceberano

Jimmy Barnes turned the Sydney Opera House into a cathedral of pure Aussie rock, celebrating the 40th anniversary of For The Working Class Man with a powerhouse front-to-back performance of the iconic album, that felt both powerful and deeply nostalgic.

Kate Ceberano opened the evening with effortless flair, weaving through a vibrant tapestry of Australian favourites — The Models, Icehouse, Silverchair, INXS, Divinyls, Split Enz — while shining just as brightly on her own classics like Brave, Bedroom Eyes, and Pash. Her fearless take on a Cold Chisel anthem classic brought the crowd to life and set a vibrant,

electric tone for everything that followed. Kate Ceberano's current touring band features guitarist/producer Harts (Darren Hart) and guitarist Kathleen Halloran, forming the sensational trio.

Jimmy Barnes stormed onto the stage opening with I’d Die to Be With You Tonight then launching into the albums entirety with the raw strength and unmistakable spirit that have defined his decades-long reign. Highlights like Ride the Night Away, American Heartbeat, Promise Me You’ll Call, and No Second Prize lit up the Opera House steps, but the true emotional peak came with Working Class Man. The entire crowd erupted into song — thousands of voices rising together beneath the iconic sails, phones glimmering like a constellation.

And just as Jimmy joked about being the “bringer of rain,” a gentle drizzle drifted over the crowd — not an inconvenience, but a touch of atmosphere, cooling the night and adding its own quiet magic. With a tight, dynamic band and the warmth of family woven into the performance, Barnes delivered a night rich with energy, memories, and the enduring heart of Australian rock.

Even as I left the audience spilled out into the harbour, the soft rain didn’t dampen the joy — crowds danced along the foreshore, Aussie anthems echoing into the city night. A perfect evening, cooled by a hint of rain and lifted by unforgettable songs.

What a night, What a setting, What an extraordinary celebration of music and being a part of the "40th Anniversary of "The Working Class Man"

The Band

Jackie Barnes - Drums, Lachey Doley - Keyboards, Clayton Doley - Piano, Ben Rogers - Guitar, Danny Spencer - Guitar, Jimmy - Lead Vox, Michael Paynter - Acoustic guitar and backing vocals,