The band took there seats just before 8pm and John Farnham came on stage just after singing Age of Reason and after one verse Anthony Warlow came on and sang Phantom of the Opera - he has a really good voice, but where was Olivia I thought? Anyway John and Anthony continued to sing their own songs over the top of each other - an interesting effect then this golden vision appeared on stage - my girl had arrived to huge applause and sang the opening of A Little More Love joined by Anthony and John then the three of them ended the opening of the set singing Age of Reason as a trio. Huge applause followed and I had already taken several photos. John and Livvy left the stage and Anthony too who came back on soon after to sing his own first set including This is The Moment which seemed particularly well enjoyed.

I thought Anthony was going to be a bit tiresome but I really enjoyed him. Anthony left the stage after This is The Moment and we then heard the first bars of "Magic" as Livvy came back on stage to do her first solo set - she looked stunning as usual in a white evening dress with a sort of lacey slip over the top and matching shawl. After magic she said "Hello Sydney, it is nice to be back again, earlier this year I was here with a gorgeous man and had such a good time that I decided to come back with 2 gorgeous men" "Forgive me girls" Next she went into "If you love Me" which I was sort of surprised she sang but she did a great job and towards the end used the microphone as an imitation lasso and danced to the beat of the music (shades of the physical concert in 1982). This went down really well and after our cheering she said that the last two songs were one from a movie she made called Xanadu - needless to say the Livvy fans in the audience cheered so Livvy teased us by saying "oh some of you are older than I thought" and then continued "The last song was an older country song I did at about the same time" (wrong Livvy but we will let you off) I have just been recording in Nashville and I would like to sing you one of the songs from my new album as you obviously like country music"

She then moved over to the piano and performed "Precious Love" and she did that really well but I heard her do it even better on the 4th of the 4 concerts I went to as she added some extra ad-libs at the end that only Livvy can do and have almost become a trade mark of her singing style. This was followed by "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and it is obvious that this is a fave amongst many people fans and non-fans alike judging by the applause heard after the opening few bars of the melody. However towards the end of the song she hit a bum note - but it was probably only obvious to the diehard Livvy fans in the audience. This closed Livvy's opening solo set and she waved to us and said "see yah later" as she ran down the stairs.

Next it was John's turn. He mentioned it was remarkable that the event was happening and that he had been wanting to do things with Olivia for 30 years. He has a big following and was obviously liked but I was glad when his set was over - it was half time by then - I couldn't believe over an hour had already past. The second half of the concert was even better - as it was opened by Olivia in quite spectacular fashion. After the orchestra and band had taken their places we heard the familiar opening of "Don't cry for me Argentina" as Livvy slowly climbed the stage dressed in a long red velvet evening gown and matching shawl (similar to that worn in the new IHLY video) she gave a credible performance of this but for me for part of her performance the lighting was wrong - too much red on her, she ended the song with the stage being elevated and her arms outstretched - quite a dramatic effect - befitting a dramatic song - Olivia still knows how to sell a song! A few fans felt this was their personal Olivia highlight. Last time I saw her sing this was in 1980 when she brought the opera house down! Anyway after "Argentina", John Farnham joined her on stage for duets of "Please don't ask me" and "You're the one that I want" - the latter being particularly well received with everyone clapping along. At the end of "You're the one that I want" John said "isn't she lovely folks"! This was followed by Olivia singing "Not gonna give into it" a surprise inclusion I thought at first but it was a clever segway in what was to follow.

Anthony joined Livvy on stage half way through blowing a whistle and the two of them dancing to a Caribbean style beat and obviously having a lot of fun doing it. Anthony thanked Livvy for writing the song as they placed 2 stalls on stage. "That song was from your album Gaia which you wrote a few years ago when you were going through some personal things" Anthony continued "Yes it was from Gaia which I wrote when I was recovering from some personal problems" Olivia replied "well we both have that in common" (Anthony having battled cancer) and you are still here" Anthony continued - huge applause followed that statement. "You are a lovely lady" Anthony continued, "It's one of my fave songs" Olivia said "and now Anthony and I would like to sing some songs that are favourites written by people who are no longer with us, the first is written by a man who lost his wife just recently it's called Long and Winding Road". Olivia and Anthony then duetted on this - a lovely rendition by Livvy - note perfect with passion and feeling that only she can do. What's more it was performed almost unaccompanied - just with single guitar - very effective! This was followed by "Country Roads" again done very simply and it seems to work really well done like this.

Olivia's legendary "I honestly love you" followed which although my feeling is that it is better sung by just Livvy on her own was not too bad as a duet. John Farnham's backing vocalists providing the harmonies heard on record by Babyface. It is obvious this song is still a Livvy favourite amongst her fans, you could have heard a pin drop when this was being performed. After "I honestly love You", Olivia and Anthony walked over to the piano and Anthony said he liked Olivia's new album and was so happy that she agreed to perform his favourite track from it with him even though Olivia had not written it as a duet. This was to be my personal highlight as Anthony and Livvy sang "Love is a Gift", Goosebumps galore and very teary! I was spellbound by this - it was something very magic! Having heard the Main Event CD recorded in Melbourne, I can only say that she did it even better in Sydney. At the end of the song the crowd cheered enthusiastically and I shouted out awesome! It was! It was now time for Livvy to leave the stage albeit temporarily as she then duetted with John Farnham on his hit "Touch of Paradise" one of the few songs of his I like. Personally Olivia sounds better with Anthony than John, his voice is too loud for Olivia, although I must admit her voice is developing a stronger/harder edge.

John and Anthony performed some more duets and solos including Granada and both making fun of each other and Anthony taking off Frank Spencer - quite credible too. Towards the end of their set together they started "You've lost that loving feeling" in which Livvy joins them half way through the song dressed in black pants, black sparkly top and long ankle length see-through jacket with a long black scarf with silver studs on it around her neck. I really liked this performance of the song and then came the finale which started off with a real boppy hammed up version of "Summer Nights" with all three of them laughing and dancing on the stage. The finale was obviously built around the theme of which guy gets the girl and the chosen songs and play acting worked well. "If not for You" by Livvy followed with Livvy singing part of it to each of Anthony and John. Anthony then sang "Let me be There" and John and Olivia joined in towards the end. "Raindrops keep falling on my head" followed by Livvy and Anthony whilst walking around the stage under a red umbrella. John then sang a few bars of "Banks of the Ohio" before Livvy launched into a rousing and humorous version of "Jolene" with her saying loudly "Jolene please take these men" - really funny.

Then it was more duets/trios of John Farnham songs "Hearts of Fire" "Two Strong Hearts", "Don't you know it's magic" with thatthe lights went on and the three of them took their bows and left the stage to a huge standing ovation which seemed to go on forever - my hands were really sore from clapping by now. They then came back on stage to perform a moving performance of "My Prayer"(which I think has been done by Elvis in the past?) a very soulful performance - pity it is not on the CD. Livvy's voice seemed particularly strong in her solo parts of this song and she held the long notes effortlessly. Anthony then started the opening words of "You're the Voice" which is a Farnham classic and then the three of them gave a rousing performance of the song before taking their final bows and waves from Livvy before leaving the stage to yet another standing ovation but alas that was it, it was all over. Two and a half hours of great entertainment. Farnham for me was adequate, Warlow was surprisingly enjoyable and Livvy was of course the best. Her stage presence was bewitching and she is as gorgeous as ever. I was looking forward to the other 3 concerts right away.

I was one of the last to leave the Entertainment Centre before heading round to the back of the building to wait to see Livvy leave and surprisingly only had to wait about 40 minutes. She finally came out just after midnight with Chloe waved to us and blew kisses and said sorry she couldn't stay before jumping into a car and heading off into the night. Such a magical experience.

John Langdon, 1998