If you ever have the opportunity to see Richard Marx in concert, you should take it. You honestly owe it to yourself to see this master in person.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve crushed on him during your teenage years and had his posters up on your wall, grew up listening to him as a kid (as I did), or are freshly jumping into his music for the very first time. With so many accolades and achievements under his belt, one cannot deny Richard Marx’s contributions to the music industry and how important he is as a musician and songwriter. With stunning vocals, an infectious smile, vibrant charisma and stellar songwriting, whenever the talented American artist comes to town, you know you’re in for a real treat.
Playing at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre as part of his special solo show ‘Richard Marx: Live In Concert 2024’, proudly presented by Face To Face Touring, Richard Marx spent a lovely and intimate evening in Melbourne, masterfully showing off what he does best.
Beginning the night with ‘Believe In Me’, Richard Marx took to the stage in a white collared shirt and black pants. Looking dashing, he hit the ground running with his band. Dishing out hit after hit, the music master exhibited a sincere radiance and energy to be performing a full unlimited set for his greatest Aussie fans. Marx is currently doing an outdoor festival circuit with Australia’s Tina Arena, and this Palais Theatre concert was his only solo show of his 2024 Australian visit, which he wholeheartedly relished in. “I just want you to have the best time.”, Marx stated with a genuine honesty and affection to his Melbourne audience.
From the very start, Richard Marx had fans animated, singing and clapping along whenever he willed it. No stranger to Australia, Marx warmly thanked his Melbourne audience for their attendance, and proudly stated that this 2024 visit was his 17th trip to Australia overall, and that he was “so incredibly grateful” to return. Almost his second home, Marx pronounced ‘Melbourne’ correctly and prolifically praised his long-time industry friend, Australia’s John Farnham during the concert, even singing a little bit of Farnham’s hit songs ‘Burn For You’ and Farnham’s rearranged ballad version of The Beatles’ ‘Help!’.
Exhibiting his stellar songwriting with ‘This I Promise You’, which he wrote for 90’s boyband NSYNC, and ‘Long Hot Summer’, which he co-wrote with Australian country music superstar Keith Urban, it was great to hear the singer-songwriter’s own versions of the songs that he had created for others.
Richard Marx’s own music was wonderful to hear live too. ‘Hazard’ was a crowd favourite, as was ‘Angelia’, the latter of which Marx heartfully shared a unique tale about writing the iconic track. Back when we didn’t have smartphones, Marx stated that he had the idea for the song in his head and ended up ringing his own phone number to sing at a public phone to his voice machine to record it. The effort made and his creative process alone for this song made me love ‘Angelia’ even more than I already did. This fantastic story also reminded me that Richard Marx is by far one of the best songwriters in the business.
A man of many words and stories, Marx beamed with pride when speaking about his sons Brandon, Lucas and Jesse, all talented musicians in their own right. For his 60th birthday, Richard Marx shared that he had requested for his sons to write, sing and record a song together with him. The result was ‘Days To Remember’ which Marx powerfully sang to the Melbourne crowd whilst his heart was so full.
However, my favourite part of the night was when Richard Marx sat on a chair to slow it down with a medley of ballads, consisting of songs ‘Hold On To The Nights’ and ‘Now and Forever’. Marx was either accompanied with an acoustic guitar that he held, or left it alone to sweetly serenade audiences with just his voice. His vocals seemed to majestically glide through the atmosphere of Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, and it felt welcoming, like a familiar embrace from a friend that you haven’t seen in a while but know so well.
Also hearing an acoustic mixed acapella rendition of ‘Like The World Is Ending’ made for a wonderfully exquisite moment. Marx admitted that he had never played the song live before and Melbourne sure was lucky to be the first to hear it. Sharing that the song was a requested by a young fan named Elly who he had met prior to the show, he thanked Elly for her request before excitedly finding her in the audience. From hearing the cheers that Marx received after playing the rare live song with his strong, smooth and gorgeous falsetto, Marx considered to his band, “Maybe we should add it to the setlist?”. And honestly, he should. It was so beautiful to witness.
Concluding the night with the catchy ‘Should’ve Known Better’ and his signature hero tune ‘Right Here Waiting’, which turned Melbourne patrons into Marx’s own personal choir, Richard Marx’s special Melbourne concert was entertaining, masterful and effortless. Whether he be impressing the Melbourne audience with his long notes, enchanting patrons with his charms, or playfully throwing back to fans with his wicked banter and cheeky humour. Gifted, talented and a natural on stage, the American contemporary and pop-rock singer-songwriter’s Australian return has reminded everyone that the music never left him. It has always been a part of his entire being.
Seeing Richard Marx live again made for a fantastic evening that both lucky Melbourne patrons and Marx himself won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Richard Marx: Live In Concert 2024, proudly presented by Face To Face Touring, was a one-off, one night only special concert in Melbourne at the Palais Theatre on Friday December 6. Richard Marx is currently touring Australia together with Tina Arena.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://facetofacetouring.com.au/current-tours/richard-marx-palais-theatre
https://facetofacetouring.com.au/current-tours/tina-arena-and-richard-marx-dont-ask-again-tour-2024
https://www.richardmarx.com
https://www.instagram.com/therichardmarx
Photography by Grant Alexander.
