Ian Moss – Hollywood Avondale: December 19, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)

Aussie rocker Ian Moss kicked off a two-night stand at Auckland’s Hollywood Avondale last night with a solo set of old favourites and the stories the went with them.

My apologies to Hina, who opened the show with a band led by the mighty Dave Khan. I missed the set…I only caught one song of hers at Others Way…but promise to be one time next time. Fortunately 13th Floor photographer Chris Zwaagdyk was not so slack and came up with these fine photos.

Ian Moss

What can I say about Ian Moss that you probably don’t already know? The veteran guitarist/singer/songwriter is now 70 years old and has been making music for most of those years, most notably with Cold Chisel, the band he formed in Adelaide in 1973 with Steve Prestwich, Les Kaczmarek, Don Walker and later, Jimmy Barnes.

For these shows, Moss is going it alone…just one man on stage with a microphone and a couple of acoustic guitars.

Along with the 14 songs he performed, Moss’s dry wit and passion for songwriting were on prominent display.

Introducing the first song, Angel Eyes, he quips that it was written “in about 1946”, before getting serious, dedication the song to his sister who has recently passed away.

Moss is in good voice and his guitar playing is outstanding…so powerfully plucking that acoustic guitar that it threatens to overcome the vocals.

But it doesn’t.

In fact Ian is very vocal throughout the set, at one point taking well over 10 minutes to introduce Nullarbor Plain, telling the story of a gang of hooligans on wheels, in a 351 Shaker Car…a muscle car from the 1970s.

At this point in his career, Ian Moss can be allowed to be a bit self-indulgent.

The crowd stayed with him…singing along with Choir Girl and swooning to a cover of Cry Me A River…the old Julie London hit from 1955.

Moss’s other cover was another tearjerker…Green Grass Of Home, best known by Tom Jones…was the first of three encore tunes that ended with another old classic Georgia On My Mind.

Many of these can be found on Moss’s latest album, Live At Anitas…or you could just rock up to the Hollywood tonight as Ian will cast his spell over the Hollywood Avondale once again.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:

Ian Moss Setlist:

  1. Angel Eyes
  2. Rivers Run Dry
  3. Such A Beautiful Feeling
  4. Out Of The Fire
  5. All Alone On A Rock
  6. Broadway
  7. Nullarbor Plain
  8. Choir Girl
  9. Cry Me A River
  10. Telephone Booth
  11. Tucker’s Daughter
  12. Green Grass Of Home
  13. Bow River
  14. Georgia On My Mind

 

 

Marty Duda
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