Watch Springsteen Pay Tribute To INXS & The Easybeats In Sydney

February 20, 2014

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band continue their run of shows across the country, while playing tribute to some of Australia’s most influential musical acts. During a typically lengthy three-hour show in Sydney Wednesday night, the packed out Allphones Arena was treated to a high-energy version of INXS‘ 1982 new wave hit Don’t Change as well as The Easybeats’ Friday On My Mind.

The first was an unexpected cover from the Boss and the mighty E Street Band, who are well-known for their spontaneous and varied setlists. Last night, Springsteen roughed up the glitzy Hutchence hit with his raspy anthemic vocals.

The band, which included the ever-stoic Max Weinberg on drums and guitars from the prolific Tom Morello and ever-charismatic Steve Van Zandt, replaced INXS’ synths with a heavier, guitar-laden rock edge. The cover was played toward the end of Springsteen’s set, segueing into gig staple Born to Run.

Before this Australian tour kicked into gear, Springsteen pledged he would pay tribute to Australian artists along the way, a promise he has been delivering on. The Sydney show kicked off with a rousing cover of the Easybeats‘ 1966 classic Friday On My Mind, while at previous shows he paid tribute to The Saints with Just Like Fire Would and covered AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, even enlisting the help of Peal Jam’s Eddie Vedder at his Melbourne show.

Having just toured the country last year, Springsteen and his band have christened another tradition on their australian tour – revisiting an entire album mid way through their three-hour sets. Melbourne were treated to full version of Born In The USA and Born To Run, while Sydney got a full version of 1978’s Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

Watch: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band – Don’t Change (INXS cover)