Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Friday 04 July 2025, The Gov, Adelaide, South Australia
A Soul-Soaked Celebration at The Gov
Last cold and wintery Friday night in Hindmarsh, the walls of The Gov pulsed with ten years’ worth of rhythm, soul, and stories. Wanderers, Adelaide’s beloved soul-rock maestros, turned the legendary venue into a kaleidoscope of musical nostalgia and fresh energy. Their 10 Years of Music celebration was a gig certainly, but, also a party – it was a moment, a milestone, and a musical memoir rolled into one.
From Backyards to the Big Stage
If you’ve followed Wanderers since their early days (Wasted Wanderers), you’ll remember the stripped-back, garage-style sessions – songs that felt like secrets being whispered through the amp. Fast forward a decade, and the sound is bigger, the grooves deeper, the experience more layered. But that same heart, that authentic pulse, still drives every beat.
At The Gov, it was clear they hadn’t just grown musically – they’d evolved into showmen, storytellers, and sonic alchemists. From the opening chords to the final encore, it was a full-circle moment. Frontman Dusty Lee Stephensen even paused mid-set to reflect: “Ten years ago, we were playing for beers and couch space. Now we’re here. With you.”
Cue crowd roar.
Dusty Lee Stephensen: Frontman, Philosopher, Firestarter
Let’s talk about Dusty. Equal parts soul preacher and rockstar, he commanded the stage like a man born to do nothing else. Whether he was shredding a solo or crooning a heart-thumper of a ballad, he brought the vibe. At one point, he leaned so far into the crowd, mic in hand, that the audience practically became part of the band.
His between-song banter was charming and heartfelt – shout-outs to former tour mates, tales from international stages, and musings about Adelaide’s ever-shifting music scene. It was Dusty unfiltered, and it made the whole show feel incredibly personal.
From Wanderers, to 27 Club, to Adelaide Guitar Festival… Dusty is a diamond in Adelaide’s music scene.
The Setlist: A Bangin’ Timeline
Wanderers played songs – and they also curated a journey. The setlist was like flipping through a well-loved photo album, each track a snapshot of the band’s evolution:
- ‘Loco’ and ‘Off My Back’ had the whole room bouncing, tight grooves driving the floor into frenzy.
- ‘What I Do’, with its hauntingly smooth melody, reminded us why we fell in love with their early EPs.
- Brand new single ‘Dancing With Yourself’ (with cameo by Adelaide music scene legend ‘Lancealot’ – next time, just keep the jacket on, lol) made its live debut – and yes, it already feels like a future fan favourite.
Every song was stretched and sculpted in the moment – nothing felt stock. Live horns added soul flourishes, keyboard improvisations kept things spicy, and the rhythm section was so tight it practically snapped.
The Band Behind the Magic
The full Wanderers lineup brought serious heat. Saxophone solos curled through the venue like incense. The drummer laid down grooves so hypnotic you could feel them in your chest. And let’s not forget the keys – bringing that warm, vintage soul tone that’s become part of Wanderers’ signature sound.
The line-up:
Drums – Matt Birkin
Bass – Milush Piochuad
Percussion – Simon Possingham
Keys (left) – Logan Watt
keys (right) – Jack Strempel
Horns & Trumpet – Josh Chenowith
Sax – Jack Degenhart Trumbone & Annie Isackson
Guest singers – Danny Leo, Sophie McKay & Brittany McKay
They played like a unit forged in fire and friendship. Ten years of touring will do that.
The Gov: A Fitting Venue for a Hometown Triumph
The Gov’s cozy, crowd-loving layout brought an intimacy that bigger venues often lack. It’s no accident that Wanderers chose this spot for their anniversary bash – it’s home turf, both physically and spiritually. The room was packed, shoulder to shoulder, but the energy was electric, not claustrophobic. Old friends hugged, new fans danced, and everyone sang like they’d written the lyrics themselves.
As Dusty put it, “This isn’t just a gig – it’s a reunion.”
Support Acts and Surprises
The night kicked off with stellar sets from Terry’s Pocket and Caressa, both local acts with real flair. Caressa’s jazzy vocals floated through the room like a welcome mat for what was to come. And Terry’s Pocket brought the bluesy backbone that primed the crowd for Wanderers’ soulful rollercoaster.
There were also whispers of some familiar faces from the Adelaide music scene joining in backstage, making the night feel like a full-blown musical family reunion.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Milestone
Ten years is no small feat in the Australian music landscape, especially when you’re pushing a genre that doesn’t always fit neatly into radio boxes. But Wanderers have never played for categories. They play for connection, for craft, for the sheer thrill of a well-timed chord change.
And that’s what this night was all about.
As the final notes of their encore echoed out and the lights came up, you could feel it: this wasn’t the end of a chapter – it was the beginning of the next act.
So here’s to ten more years of Wanderers. And if you’ve never seen them live, do yourself a favour: make it happen. There’s something dangerous, something sacred, about the way they make soul music feel brand new. Let’s do it again, soon, please.
Check out our Photo Gallery of the night here!
