Review by Markus Hamence – Billy Ocean – Performance date: Monday 15 September 2025. Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
Billy Ocean Live in Adelaide for his One World 2025 Tour – Soul, Swagger & a Whole Lot of Groove
Presented by Lennard Promotions and Mellen Events
Billy Ocean hit Adelaide like a wash of soul and nostalgia, and hey – we were more than ready. The Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Theatre space) was packed to the rafters with an audience itching to relive the soundtrack of their lives, and Ocean wasted no time delivering exactly that. Not just a 70’s and 80’s sou icon dusting off old tunes – this was a man still very much in command, radiating a kind of smooth swagger that younger artists would kill for.
“…this was a man still very much in command, radiating a kind of smooth swagger that younger artists would kill for…” – Markus Hamence
But, before Billy Ocean stormed the stage, the night opened with Perth singer-songwriter Jason Ayres, and what a warm way to set the tone. Ayres walked out with a quiet confidence, guitar in hand, and delivered a set full of heartfelt storytelling and smooth, soulful vocals that instantly drew the Adelaide crowd in. Kicking off with his own signature song ‘Trouble Of My Own’ Ayres held the room in the palm of his hand. A couple of covers, done his way; ‘Bang, Bang’ and ‘Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing’ were nailed and fitted his set effortlessly. His songs carried that easy friendly charm – reflective lyrics wrapped in melodies that felt both intimate and radio-ready. He didn’t try to outshine the pre-mentioned headliner; instead, he crafted the perfect prelude, easing the audience into a night of groove and soul. Jason weaves the songs together with eloquent story-telling that is both engaging and tight, and then, the time he wrapped up, you could feel the theatre had softened, opened up, and was ready to be taken higher – and that’s exactly what Billy Ocean did.
From the first notes of a newer hit ‘One World’, the place was moving. You could feel the bass lines pulse through the floorboards and the crowd ignite like they’d been waiting all year for this very moment. Adelaide can be a tough crowd sometimes, but not tonight (though a tad vocal) – Ocean had us in his grasp, grinning that beaming and cheeky grin, playing ringmaster to a theatre full of voices belting back every chorus.
The setlist was a staggering high-octane ride through his greatest hits. Caribbean Queen (The finale) lit the room like neon, instantly transporting us to sweaty dancefloors and beachside radios of decades past. When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going had every single body out of their seats – a full-scale Adelaide sing-and-sway spectacular. And then came the curveball moments, the ballads where the energy shifted. Suddenly in particular silenced the room, all eyes locked on a man who can still deliver heartbreak and tenderness in a single lyric. It was a gear shift that showed Ocean isn’t just about party anthems – he’s about emotional connection, and he knows how to wield it.
“Billy Ocean turned Adelaide Entertainment Centre into a soul session – we sang, we swayed and we partied like it was 1984 all over again.” – Markus Hamence
What 100% stood out though was his energy. At 75, Billy Ocean has no business sounding this good or moving this freely (it puts a few to shame haha) – yet here he was, grinning ear to ear, sliding across the stage, soaking up the Adelaide adoration like it was his first tour. There’s no ego, just joy. He talks to the audience, jokes around, waves like he’s greeting old mates – and it lands. This is someone who still loves performing, and it bleeds into every note.
The band? Razor sharp. The rhythm section thundered, the sax punched through with precision, and the backing vocalists (Including Cherie his daughter) gave everything an almost gospel lift. At times, it felt like we were in a revival – not of music, but of spirit. The sound wasn’t overblown or flashy; it was crafted to let the songs breathe and let the crowd own their moments.
Some newer tracks didn’t land as hard as the classics… But did anyone care? Nup, not for a second. The Adelaide audience was too busy singing, swaying, and dancing like it was 1984 all over again.
“More than nostalgia, this was a lesson in joy, soul and connection – Billy Ocean proved he’s still thriving…” – Markus Hamence
Billy Ocean in Adelaide was a freaking celebration. A reminder of how music can stitch together memory, emotion, and pure joy into one unforgettable night. The man is a living legend who proves you don’t need gimmicks, tricks, or flash – you just need soul, authenticity, and songs that still cut to the heart decades later.
As the final notes rang out and the crowd roared, one thing was clear: Billy Ocean isn’t just still here – he’s still thriving. Adelaide loved him then, and judging by the standing ovation that shook the Ent Cent, we love him now more than ever.
Album Must-Have
Billy Ocean’s Suddenly album, released in 1984, was the record that truly catapulted him onto the global stage. Blending smooth R&B with polished pop production, the album delivered some of his biggest and most enduring hits – including the driving, chart-topping anthem Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run), the heartfelt ballad Suddenly, and the infectious groove of Loverboy. It showcased Ocean’s silky vocals and knack for crafting songs that balanced romance, rhythm, and radio-ready hooks, earning him both critical acclaim and commercial success. Suddenly was a defining moment that cemented Billy Ocean as one of the great voices of the ’80s, proving his reach stretched far beyond the UK and into the international pop and soul scene.
