Great Australian Concerts with Diesel

Duration: 12 x 55 mins

Year of Production: 2024

Production Company: Beyond Oz

Broadcaster: SBS Viceland & SBS On Demand

Host Mark Lizotte (aka Diesel) revisits some of Australia’s greatest, most loved concerts.

This 12-part series, hosted by Mark Lizotte – aka Diesel – revisits some brilliant Australian rock and pop concerts, exploring the intriguing stories behind them and what specifically made each show so special.

By talking to people who were there; band members, tour managers, authors and musicians from other bands – Mark sheds light on the special circumstances that led to each of the concerts featured, becoming such extraordinary, memorable events. Through Mark’s terrific understanding of song writing, performance and music history, the viewer is transported on a journey of musical discovery. Viewers get to relive wonderful concerts virtually in their entirety and hear recollections from people who were there, including the fascinating behind-the-scenes circumstances that combined to create these exceptional evenings.

Each concert is unforgettable and unique due to a distinct set of circumstances and Mark Lizotte, who has himself spent many, many nights on stage – helps us to re-experience these distinctive musical moments with insight and a healthy dose of curiosity, irreverence and wit.

Watch Great Australian Concerts with Diesel, now showing on SBS On Demand

In December, 1983, Cold Chisel play a farewell show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the special evening recounted by band members Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss.

In this episode legendary songwriters Paul Kelly and Neil Finn tell the story of their collaboration on a beautiful and moving concert at the Sydney Opera House in 2013.

The remarkable Iva Davies and fellow Icehouse members celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary by playing a brilliant concert at the Roche Estate Winery in 2017.

In 2004, Tina Arena uses her amazing voice to great effect performing all the songs she helped write in a spellbinding performance at the Sydney State Theatre.

A wonderful night of music sees The Angels team up with an orchestra and choir to perform the so-called Symphony of Angels concerts at the Adelaide Festival Centre in 2018.

Host Mark Lizotte’s band Diesel perform an entrancing concert of all Mark’s greatest hits at The Palms in Melbourne as part The 4 Corners Live tour in 2009.

In 2003, Lismore band Grinspoon belt out a string of hypnotizing, post-grunge hits at the Enmore Theatre, as recounted uproariously by Phil Jamieson and Pat Davern.

At the tender age of just 21, the gifted Missy Higgins overcomes her nerves to deliver a wonderful and captivating concert at the Sydney Opera House in 2006.

The story of The Living End playing an explosive, high-octane concert at Festival Hall as part of their State of Emergency Tour in 2006, featuring Chris Cheney and Scott Owen.

The story of the Hoodoo Gurus re-uniting every bandmember who had ever been in the band for a brilliant one-night-only gig at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney in 2005.

Legendary musician Richard Clapton puts on a terrific show for a crowd of music industry insiders while recording his superb live album The Best Years of Our Lives in 1989.

Kev Carmody and a bunch of esteemed musicians gather at the Sydney State Theatre in 2008 for a terrific show celebrating Kev’s remarkable songwriting career and life.