Review: Jimmy Barnes in Christchurch
A long-time fan, Metropol’s Nancye Pitt was there to see Jimmy Barnes perform his Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Show in Christchurch on Friday 17 April, 2026.
Jimmy Barnes was in fine form at his Christchurch show at Wolfbrook Arena last night.
The majority of the crowd were 30 years plus. However, there were some very enthusiastic younger ones who had all the right moves and seemed to know all the words to the classics. I suspect they had been introduced to Jimmy while still in nappies and never lost the love.
The opening performance by Ice House and Ian Moss really set the era-defining pub rock scene. Moss was the cofounder of Cold Chisel. Barnes was 16 when he joined Cold Chisel in 1973. I couldn’t take my eyes off how he became as one with the instrument. Very powerful.
And then… the man himself walked on stage with a commanding connection with the entire audience quickly falling under his spell. It felt just like his last visit to Christchurch in 2024 when he performed at the Isaac Theatre Royal to a sell-out crowd.
Barnes is still electric. His energy and charisma show no signs he’s had open heart surgery and hip replacements. He’s still bringing the fire and continues to write new material and tour. It was apt that the 2024 tour was called “Hell of a time.” An incredible man!
He was quick to bring emotion on to the stage expressing his personal reasons why he wrote particular songs to members of his family
The Barnes family; were well represented on stage including Jane, his wife of 45 years. Jane Barnes 68 yrs is a musician and singer in her own right and even busted out the bagpipes in the encore as the show clocked over two hours, and two daughters Mahalia and EJ have great voices.
Working Class Man, I’d die to be with you, Ride the Night Away, Defiant… One great song after the other, guaranteed to bring out the rocker in anyone. Don’t miss this fantastic night with Jimmy Barnes.
