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Review: Adam Newling @ Solbar 25/1/25

January 27, 202510 min read

Iphone picture of Adam Newling.

The first time I heard the voice of Adam Newling it was love at first listen.

This is somewhat of a rarity for me as I can be fairly picky when it comes to new music.

Let’s just say as someone with ADHD, my patience is a bit more short-lived than it should be.

I can flick between tunes hurriedly, in search of ones with more juicy, dopaminergic rewards. Like the ones I know word-for-word or the songs I’ve been vibing with over all summer.

This is because I turn to music for an instant pick-me-up. Like when you need to get enthusiastic about driving angry tweens to yet another soccer practice…

Adam’s voice is an instant mood booster.

I knew as soon as I heard this gruff ‘Caramello Koala’ I needed tickets to his show. And that it would be the perfect excuse for a wholesome evening out with a favourite gal pal.

Throw in dinner and call it the night out of the century for a coupla deranged, sleep-deprived and burnout single mummas.

You don’t have to know their music to see them live

A poster of the Local Legends gig

Hot tip: when an artist I don’t know comes to town I throw a few of their most popular songs onto my latest Spotify ‘mixed tape’ playlist.

It’s a great way to spice up your music collection. Because even if you only like their sound, after the show chances are you’ll be big fans.

The last time I fell in love with a touring act this fast was when Kingswood played at Solbar a year ago. Told you I was picky!

Nevertheless, I grabbed Nikki – a work-colleague-turned-bestie of nearly 20 years, and we headed out for some much-needed ‘us’ time.

But not before a couple of hours whiling away our late Saturday afternoon with some of our best local musicians.

All the cool cats of the scene were playing in a Local Legends gig at The Presynct, Nambour (pictured).

Chamber Lane, Calan Mai, Will Clift, and Jazzella & Chris Ah Gee were there early and having a chin wag. So we lapped up some time getting to know them.

A picture of journalist Penny Brand (who has her eyes closed) with Adam Newling.

But just before the clock struck 8pm, we headed off to the land of dreams and possibilities.

The Coast’s inner-city nightclub strip on Ocean Street, Maroochydore, was only just heating up.

After a bowl of chips at Hello Harry to fuel our dancing feet, it was straight to Solbar where we found Adam at his own merch table.

The guy is powering his whole show and doing an obviously superb job of it.

I patiently waited in line for this photo with Adam, and despite several people offering to take it, and me saying – “all good, I got this one!” – I still managed to look like I needed to be at home in bed.

I had one job…

A ‘gravel-dipped-in-chocolate’ kind of timbre

Iphone picture of Adam Newling

Performing to a 200-ish-person-crowd, Adam is every bit poignant as he is quick-witted.

Accompanied by the raw simplicity of an acoustic guitar and harmonica, he sings rich, lovely songs even your grandmother would enjoy.

He’s flanked in army khakis, boots, a ‘pony’ style hair-cut, and a set of keys dangling from his hip.

We stand mesmerised as Adam serenades us with poignant lyrics and quintessential storytelling.

I’m not sure if it’s hereditary or if Adam is quietly choofing 100 ciggies a day on the road, but his raspy, liquid-velvet timbre is pure magic.

It’s gravel-dipped-in-chocolate and every part Nashville as it is Greek-Australian.

Raised in Cronulla and born to a first-generation Greek mother and Aussie father, Adam is an emerging gem on the alt-country landscape.

Whatever (or whoever) gave Adam that crisp, Cadbury-dairy-milk voice, and cheeky larrikin swagger to boot, provided a true gift to this rising star.

Songs about tragic life events and poetry about his dog

Adam Newling has depth.

He has the maturity to know when to be serious, but is no stick-in-the-mud, and you can tell he’d be a fun friend to have around.

One minute the crowd would be overcome by emotion, the next they’re having a rollicking good time getting more drinks from the bar.

The Newcastle singer/songwriter has written songs about every face of life – from tales about his dog to tragic events such as the Californian fires, and surviving the The 2022 NSW Floods, when he was a resident of Murwillumbah.

Early in the piece, he spoke about a harrowing ordeal of a man, who spent two full days on his rooftop waiting to be rescued. And closing his set, he sung about a close friend’s battle with cancer, admitting it was still too fresh to talk about it.

It sure had us wiping the dust from our eyes.

“I explore the doldrums of life,” Adam says.

“Living with a dream of sharing my insecurities through songs and poetry with anyone that happens to be on a similar voyage.”

A well-dressed Coastal crowd for Adam Newling

Iphone picture of Adam Newling

I like to observe what kind of people these singers attract. And even Adam commented on the crowd being smartly-dressed.

The pleasant, coastal crowd embodied an air of maturity and class – obviously with a healthy respect for songwriting and Adam’s wordsmith wizardry.

It’s evident Adam has real fans wherever he goes.

The natural chorus of the crowd is so endearing to hear, as we squish amid the front-row punters. They provide a distant, background hum as they sing his songs so sincerely to him.

Adam is currently on a regional tour of the country and this gig made for the perfect entertainment on the eve of Australia Day.

While many don’t celebrate the day anymore, the gig was the perfect highlight of our long weekend. And we left celebrating all the things we’re most grateful for.

To me: that’s supporting great musicians like Adam Newling. And experiencing the joy of live music and connection with the ones we love, and new friends.

Adam Newling is going places.

Catch him at an intimate live gig before he’s snapped up by the global stage. Watch out Nashville!

And if you’ve forgotten how to let your hair down, or you’re new to the Coast, be sure to catch a gig near you soon.

If music is food for the soul, you will be well and truly nourished.

All photos taken by me on my trusty iPhone.

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