Review by Markus Hamence, Friday 15 August 2025
If the very idea of a 40‑year‑strong career distilled into song sounds like cultural heaving, buckle yourself in – Kate Ceberano’s latest is a joyride through the Aussie musical psyche, and it’s nothing short of electrifying.
“Divinyls, INXS, Models, Sia, Silverchair, Paul Kelly – you name it, she’s paid tribute…” – Markus Hamence
A Loving Tribute, Tongue‑in‑Cheek Charm
I’ll say it outright: Australian Made – Live is a love letter from one Aussie icon to a whole pantheon of them. It stitches together Kate’s major solo smashes like ‘Pash’, ‘Brave’, and the ever‑classic ‘Bedroom Eyes’ with reinterpretations of tracks from the likes of Divinyls, INXS, Models, Sia, Silverchair, Paul Kelly – you name it, she’s paid tribute. It speaks volumes about her place within this mad, creative nation that she can stand tall while letting others’ voices shine through hers. Credit.
Tracks & Tour – A Seamless Pair
Dropped August 15, this album mirrors her sold‑out ‘Australian Made’ tour in both spirit and setlist – if you’ve been at one of the shows (or live‑streamed in your lounge), you know how visceral the energy is. At the Astor Theatre in Perth, reviewers said the tour “reminds you why music matters,” calling it “a celebration of four decades on the road, curated with the love, grit and soul that only someone like Kate could deliver”.
The Highlights: Heart, Homage & Sheer Star Power
- Emotional heartbeats: The album pulses with a genuine affection for both the music and the journey. It’s clear Kate is relishing in reliving, remembering and re‑speaking the narrative of Australian music.
- Wry stories and wit: On tour, Kate hooked the audience with cheeky anecdotes before diving into each song. That narrative charisma transfers right onto the album. Kate is a master of this.
- Musical versatility: From pop‑soul originals to bold cover renditions, she moulds each track with her distinctive voice, too – in her hands, each song feels at once familiar and reimagined.
In Context: A Fitting Milestone
Look, any seasoned follower knows Kate isn’t new to reinventing herself: she’s sailed through jazz, pop, cabaret, musicals, orchestral ventures (like My Life Is a Symphony) and at least 30 albums worth of risks and rewards. Australian Made – Live may feel familiar, but it’s also a bold statement – summing up four decades of breadth and influence, while unabashedly loving every note.
“…but with zero self‑indulgent fluff – because this is Kate, and she’s never done fluff…” – Markus Hamence
Final Note: More Than a Concert Album
If you want a record to press play on and feel proud to be Australian, this is your ticket kids. It’s not just Ceberano performing – she’s acting as a vessel for the country’s soundtrack, weaving her story into the wider Aussie narrative. Roughly a rainbow‑bright portrait of her career, but with zero self‑indulgent fluff – because this is Kate, and she’s never done fluff.
Grab Australian Made – Live as much for the history lesson as for the star performance. It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s heartfelt – and most of all, it’s defiantly, unashamedly Australian made.
Long live our Australian Music Treasure and our Pop/Rock Royalty.
