By cave 
Don’t Change, Don’t Change a thing for me
Sometimes you put on a live album that’s more than just a recording of a performance. It’s a snapshot, a glimpse of a band on the verge of becoming something greater. That’s exactly what makes Recorded Live At The US Festival 1983 (Shabooh Shoobah) by INXS so fascinating.
I hit play without too many expectations. Of course, I knew the INXS classics — “Need You Tonight,” “New Sensation” — but this recording predates all that. This was before the international superstardom, when they were still a young Australian band trying to break through. The concert was recorded during their tour for Shabooh Shoobah, their third album from 1982, and the first that started gaining them attention outside of Australia.
What immediately strikes you is the raw energy. This isn’t a polished, smoothed-over live album — it feels real, unfiltered. “The One Thing” bursts out of the speakers with a rhythm that pulls you in instantly. The guitar riff sticks with you, and the groove is irresistible. You can hear a band hungry for more — bigger crowds, bigger stages — and that ambition is present in every note.
But it’s “Don’t Change” that really gives me goosebumps. Live, the song gains an extra dimension: it’s not just an anthem, it feels like a declaration — a manifesto from a group that refuses to be shaped or held back. Michael Hutchence sings like his life depends on it. His voice is both powerful and seductive, and you immediately understand why he would become such an icon. His stage presence radiates from the recording, even without seeing him.
What also stands out about this album is how it bridges the old and the new INXS. There are earlier tracks here too, still rooted in post-punk and new wave. You hear where they came from — and just as clearly, where they’re headed. There’s a hunger in their playing, a sharpness, that bands often lose once they’ve made it.
The rest of the band deserves just as much credit. The Farriss brothers, together with Kirk Pengilly, form a tight unit — rhythmic and melodic at the same time. There’s a discipline in their playing, but also enough spontaneity to keep it exciting. And while this is a festival recording — which can often sound a bit rough — the sound quality is surprisingly good. Everything sits nicely in the mix, and you can feel the energy of the crowd behind it all.
For me, this album is a bit of a hidden gem. Not because it’s perfect, but precisely because it isn’t. It’s raw, intense, and full of promise. You hear a band that’s just about to conquer the world — but hasn’t quite realized it yet. That tension makes this recording so compelling.
For INXS fans, this is essential listening. But even if you’re just curious to hear what a band sounds like just before they explode onto the global stage, this is absolutely worth your time. This isn’t a greatest hits live record — it’s a look under the hood of something huge that was just about to happen.
Tracklist
A1 Soul Mistake
A2 Here Comes
A3 Jan’s Song
A4 Spy Of Love
A5 To Look At You
B1 The One Thing
B2 Old World New World
B3 Black And White
B4 Don’t Change
Vinyl Specs
| Label: | Petrol (2) – 00602448273239 |
|---|---|
| Format: | Vinyl, LP, Album |
| Country: | UK & Europe |
| Released: |
Links
https://www.discogs.com/release/24975178-INXS-Recorded-Live-At-The-US-Festival-1983-Shabooh-Shoobah