There’s nothing quite like a night of rock ’n’ roll laced with moments of reflection – and that’s exactly what an evening with The 27 Club delivers.

The show has earned rave reviews across the globe, from Adelaide to Edinburgh, Melbourne and now Perth. The 27 Club celebrates the extraordinary talents of those we lost at just 27, brought to life by an outstanding line-up featuring Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus, Dusty Lee Stephensen and Carla Lippis, backed by a phenomenal band.

It’s the perfect mix of timeless anthems intertwined with stories of the legends who wrote them, and the sobering realisation of how much they achieved before leaving us far too soon. Winehouse, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison, Hendrix and Robert Johnson – names that stir nostalgia, joy and heartbreak in equal measure.

The opening nights at FRINGE WORLD can be unpredictable as fans and festival regulars navigate the sheer scale of the month ahead, but a healthy crowd of 150+ filled the industrial-style Rechabite on Northbridge’s William Street. As the band took their places, Robert Johnson’s image and unmistakable voice set the tone before Dusty Lee Stephensen tore into Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit with all the snarling grit of the original. The eclectic audience instantly became a sea of nodding heads as Stephensen growled through the verses, powered by Ben Todd’s thunderous Grohl-esque drumming.

The stage lights flared as Carla Lippis strode into the spotlight and ignited the room with Hendrix’s Fire, giving Stephensen the chance to shred his guitar like Jimi himself – seriously impressive stuff. Lippis is a force of nature; few performers can make you grin from ear to ear one moment and then stop you in your tracks with a spine-tingling vocal the next. She did it time and again tonight, especially during her stunning take on the Amy Winehouse songs, starting with Rehab.

As the spotlights blazed, the energy in the room soared once more as the effervescent Sarah McLeod burst onto the stage in a crisp white shirt and skin-tight, glossy black trousers. She launched into a rousing rendition of Joplin’s Cry Baby – a track that suited her perfectly if you’ve ever listened to some of her own rock ’n’ roll-infused solo work. All the while these monumental hits are shaking the room, they’re punctuated by stories of the icons who created them – including a few surprises (who knew Hendrix once discharged himself, quite literally?) – before the next classic crashes in.

Performances like this don’t happen without an exceptional band. Drummer Ben Todd, bassist Milush Piochaud and Perth’s own Chris Travaglini on keys and guitar were faultless throughout, laying the foundations for an unforgettable night.

The natural chemistry on stage is undeniable, with seamless harmonies and effortless handovers carrying The 27 Club through an epic setlist. Expect classics like The Doors’ Break on Through and Light My Fire, Cobain’s Lithium and Come As You Are, Hendrix’s Foxy Lady and All Along the Watchtower, Joplin’s Me & Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz – and plenty more that we won’t spoil.

For me, the standout moment came mid-show with an achingly beautiful rendition of Winehouse’s Back to Black, delivered with flawless perfection by Carla Lippis. The room was united – captivated, motionless, speechless… a true goosebump moment.

A special mention must go to The 27 Club regular, Jebediah’s Kevin Mitchell, who sadly had to withdraw from this year’s festival due to family matters. The Rockpit sends our sincere best wishes to Kevin and his loved ones.

Having been a regular at Perth Fringe over the years, I’ve been fortunate to catch some truly outstanding shows – but hand on heart, The 27 Club really does have it all.

This is a five-star experience not to be missed, and with performances running throughout the entire Fringe, there’s absolutely no excuse not to see one of the many shows. Exceptional.