Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Saturday 02 August 2025, Norwood Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia
When a muso known for wedding bangers and pub classics suddenly announces an all-original gig with the suggested tagline ‘Less wedding bangers, more emotional damage’, you can’t help but raise an eyebrow and get keen – and then clear the calendar. Enter Ben Whittington’s Better Late Than Never… LIVE, which hit Norwood Hotel’s Osmond Terrace Function Centre like a glitter bomb of feels, flair, and full-tilt talent.
The Support
Sliding into the support slot with all the cool confidence of a vintage vinyl find, the Tave Bragg Trio kicked off the night with a set that oozed effortless charm and rich, rootsy textures. A good bunch of seven’ish songs and blending jazzy licks with folk-pop flourishes, they set the sonic scene like seasoned pros – think John Mayer meets Norah Jones at a backyard Adelaide wine bar. Bragg’s vocals were smooth and smoky, while the trio’s tight musicianship gave the crowd something to sway to before the main event. Subtle, but yet striking, their performance was the kind of slow-burn set that makes you searc them on Insta before the second song ends. One to keep watching, for sure.
A Venue with Vibe (and Decent Acoustics!)
The Norwood Hotel may have a rep for being a bit hit or miss when it comes to crowd control (shout out to TripAdvisor’s spicy reviews), but let me tell you – on this night, it hit. The Osmond Terrace Function Centre was transformed into a no-frills, all-thrills sound chamber, perfectly matched to Ben’s high-octane energy and intimate storytelling. Lighting was on-point, the bar was stocked, the audience and vibe were freakin’ cool, a real mixed bunch. There were people who clearly ditched their regular Saturday plans just to see what this whole ‘original Ben’ moment was about. And, dear friends, it was worth it.
Ben Unplugged (But Still Plugged In)
Gone was the set-list packed with Britney Spears and Nirvana. In their place? A personal, heartfelt, cheeky, and occasionally brooding collection of original songs that dug deeper than your average Top 40 cover ever could. Ben sung big and loud and he told the stories that we were eager to hear. Each song a chapter in a slightly chaotic, deeply relatable diary. From soulful songs about love and found courage to bangin’ toe-tappers that wouldn’t be out of place at Splendour in the Grass, his originals carried the night, totally, 100%, but, yet also, sat well with the sprinkled thrown in covers that we lapped up, naturally.
Some tracks – newer than a TikTok trend – were super raw, but in the best way. Something’s cool, electric about hearing a song unpolished, before it’s been algorithm-approved. Feelin’ like you are in on the secret. Credit!
Some OG’s that made the set were ‘Leave Me Be’ and the BRILLIANT ‘Find Us A Way’. Some covers that Ben and friends put unique stamps on were, Matchbox 20’s ‘Real World’, Elton’s ‘Bennie And The Jets’ and Kylie and Robbie’s ‘Kids’ (with Sarah Day making a spectacular cameo).
The set-list packed punches all the way through and every song relatable.
Backed by the Band, Carried by Charisma
Let’s not even skip over the band. They were equal collaborators. Each of them brought finesse without showboating, a kind of intuitive tightness that only comes from serious rehearsal (or maybe just that Adelaide muso telepathy we’ve all heard about). The drums kept things grounded, the bass hummed with attitude, and the guitar work? Chef’s kiss.
Lee Nash, Zillah o’Connor, Russell James & Kyle Sambell owned their moments and their spaces. And they ALL got their spotlight, frequently.
Ben, of course, was the glue. Equal parts cheeky frontman and earnest songwriter, he bantered like a pro between songs, poking fun at himself, the crowd, and occasionally, the entire idea of trying to put out originals when the world wants the familiarity (Relatable much?).
The Standouts and the Slow Burns
While every track had its moment, a few really stuck the landing. A mid-set number – ‘It’s All ADream’ – was a lush blend of indie-pop and lyrical grit, practically begging for a Triple J Unearthed debut. Another track, ‘Not Enough’ a stunner clearly ripped straight from Ben’s deepest emotional vault, had the crowd collectively holding their breath. He even snuck in a reimagined version of a classic pub track as the finale ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night’, twisted into something more introspective and all his own.
No doubt about it – Ben’s original work isn’t just filler between covers. It’s the future of his live sets. And we’re here for it. ‘Aching’ for it.
Not Just a Gig—A Declaration
Better Late Than Never… LIVE isn’t just a cheeky gig title. It’s a declaration of independence from the local cover scene grind. Ben Whittington isn’t just your go-to wedding crooner anymore – he’s crafting a sound, a vibe, and an identity that deserves more stages, more ears, and yep, more Spotify spins (get those originals recorded, my friend!).
The night had no imperfections. The rawness and authenticity made it great. It was real. It was Adelaide. It was the kind of night you’ll look back on and say, “I saw him when.” And, we did.
Final Thoughts: A Star Recalibrated
In the world of local live music, moments like these are gold dust. Ben Whittington is shifting gears and letting the world in on what he’s really capable of – and it’s sounding pretty bloody great tbh.
So next time you see his name on a gig poster with ‘originals only’ slapped all over it, don’t hesitate. Show up. Sing along (if you’ve memorised the Instagram snippets), and let yourself be swept up in whatever Ben’s got brewing next, cos, it’s gonna be great.
On Your Markus Rating:
A whip-smart pivot from covers to creativity. Heartfelt, humble, and high-voltage in all the right ways. It might be ‘better late’, but it’s definitely better now. Kudos.
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