There’s something about Whisky A Go-Go that exudes rock 'n' roll history. Since its doors first swung open in 1964, this West Hollywood landmark has seen it all—from The Doors as the house band to the infamous acts of Van Halen and Mötley Crüe. It’s a place where music legends are born and where Hollywood's elite have come to either bask in the limelight or fade into the obscurity of the crowd. The Whisky has a storied history of actors trading the screen for the stage, but few have taken to it with the same earnest passion as Russell Crowe. Almost three hours of non-stop music and storytelling left the audience in awe.

Crowe, the Academy Award-winning actor renowned for his roles in Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, and The Insider, has been an enigma of Hollywood for decades. A star who, despite the glitz and glamor of the silver screen, has always harbored a deep love for music—a love that predates his acting fame and has seen him busking on the streets of Sydney to fronting his bands Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts and The Ordinary Fear of God. Now, in 2024, he’s returned with his latest musical venture, The Indoor Garden Party, bringing it to none other than the hallowed stage of the Whisky A Go-Go.

The evening kicked off with a mesmerizing set by Clara Helms, whose beautiful operatic voice was simply breathtaking. Her vocals set the tone for the evening—if hope has a theme song, it should be sung by her. We only had Clara for a few songs before Lorraine O'Reilly, a London-based Irish songstress, took over. Her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics captivated the crowd from the moment she stepped on stage. O'Reilly's performance was a masterclass in understated power; her blend of folk and country influences, paired with a raw emotional delivery, set the perfect tone for the night. She would join Crowe as part of his band later. Accompanied by a minimalist setup of acoustic guitar and piano, she brought her songs to life with a sincerity that resonated deeply with the audience. Her voice, rich and textured, effortlessly filled the room, leaving a lasting impression and proving that she is a talent to watch. Finally, Lennie Loftin brought the introduction to a close with a short set of acoustic folk music. Crowe would later lament how they had to drag Lennie out of retirement for this gig to make it perfect, and he added just the right seasoning to the mix.

As the lights dimmed for the main act and the murmur of the crowd settled into an anticipatory hush, there was an electric energy in the air—a feeling that something special was about to unfold. I have shot dozens of shows at this storied venue over the years, and I have never seen it this electric. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a happening, an event that felt both intimate and grandiose, much like the venue itself. As I jostled for position to get a good shot, I was bumping into one A-list actor or musician after another.

Crowe and his band, The Gentlemen Barbers, have been honing their craft for years, and it shows. The band, comprising long-time friends and collaborators who share a bond forged over three decades, brought a seasoned yet spirited performance that belied the cynicism often reserved for actors-turned-musicians.  There was such a positive tone to the whole evening. There’s no denying that Crowe’s deep, gravelly voice—so often a source of critique—is at home in this setting. I knew from Les Misérables that he had serious pipes, but I was not prepared for him doing it live. Whether delivering his own compositions or reinterpreting classics, he commands the stage with the same intensity he brings to his most iconic film roles. But it was his sincerity that struck me. After the first three songs, he launched into a story about good days and bad days, and Hollywood has seen a lot of the latter recently. His storytelling style reminded me of the days of Jim Croce, where the stories brought meaning to the songs. Here we were getting a reading from a master—it was something special.

The setlist was a rich tapestry of originals and covers, each song accompanied by a story—because if there’s one thing Russell Crowe knows how to do, it’s tell a tale. From the bluesy grit of "Time and Kindness" to the haunting romance of Dire Straits’ "Romeo and Juliet," Crowe and his band navigated genres with a fluidity that kept the audience enthralled. The entire band was nearly flawless. I loved seeing James Haselwood on the full-sized stand-up bass, combining rhythm with Stu Hunter on drums. Stewart Kirwan’s trumpet and Stuart Hunter’s keyboards were on fire all night long. Lorraine O'Reilly returned to the stage to join Crowe in several songs, her powerful vocals blending seamlessly with his, adding layers of depth to the performance. Their chemistry was undeniable, and together they created moments of musical magic that felt both spontaneous and profoundly emotional. Stellar guitar work by Chris Kamzelas and drums by Dave Kelly added to the night's energy. Adding to the nuance of the vocals was the stellar trio of backup singers - Britney Theriot, Susie Ahern & Stacey Fletcher.

The atmosphere was as much about the stories as it was about the music. Crowe shared anecdotes from his life and career, adding a personal touch to the performance that made the evening feel like a gathering of old friends rather than a show from a global icon. He spoke of taking his mother to Rome and getting a special tour of the Sistine Chapel with her after the passing of his father, and how the city connected her with her husband.  The beauty of that moment shared brought us to “Michaelangelo's God”, which made it that much more poignant.  These moments, equal parts introspective and irreverent, gave the audience a glimpse into the man behind the Hollywood persona. It elevated the entire evening to something beyond expectation.

Midway through the set, we were in for another surprise as Crowe’s “Mystery Alaska” teammate Scott Grimes (TED, The Orville, Justified) took to the stage by himself. Again, I was not prepared. I would later learn that Grimes started on Broadway at a young age, but DAMN! His vocal range was spectacular. He combined vocals and keyboards on a pair of songs that Crowe penned himself. The two have collaborated over the years, and to see this live was such a great experience. Who knew Sergeant Malarkey from “Band of Brothers” had the voice of an angel?

From there, the rest of the band took back to the stage for another highlight of the night— the band’s rendition of "Folsom Prison Blues." Crowe’s take on the Johnny Cash classic was less a cover and more a reinvention, with reworked chords and a fresh interpretation that paid homage to the original while making it distinctly his own. Performing on the guitar for the first time in the evening. He talked about how Cash had seen one of his films and sent him a letter praising his work. The letter hung in his home and inspired him to write as if Cash was in the room, taunting him to do better and dig deeper. It was a powerful reminder that Crowe is not just an actor dabbling in music, but a musician with a deep respect for the craft.

The LA studio crowd, which thought Crowe was going to dip in for a few songs and head to the after-party, was in for a shock as the midnight hour chimed and he was still going. One encore and then another. The crowd was fully embracing this happening.

As the night drew to a close and the final notes of "Into My Arms" faded into the ether, there was a palpable sense that the audience had witnessed something truly unique. Russell Crowe may always be known first and foremost as an actor, but on this night at Whisky A Go-Go, he proved that his passion for music is anything but a vanity project. It’s a genuine expression of the man behind the roles—a man who, despite all his accolades, is still just a guy who loves to play music.

The lights came up, and the crowd slowly began to file out into the Hollywood night, carrying with them the memory of an evening where Hollywood’s Gladiator traded his sword for a guitar and gave us all a reason to believe in the power of music once again. After nearly three hours, the actor and legendary performer was dripping with sweat and glowing with the joy of bringing the music to the fans. As the lights faded, all I could think of was the voice of Maximus saying, “Are you not entertained?”—hell yeah, we were!

RUSSELL CROWE SETLIST

1.      Stand

2.      Baby, Don't Be So Unkind

3.      One Good Year

4.      Everything I Touch

5.      Stronger Than Stone

6.      Time and Kindness

7.      Killing Song

8.      You're On My Mind

9.      Take This Waltz (Leonard Cohen cover)

10.    You Should Have Got To Know Me (Sung by Lorraine O'Reilly)

11.    One Small Stone (Sung by Lorraine O'Reilly)

12.    Midnight (Sung by Scott Grimes)

13.    From Here Clear to the Ocean  (Sung by Scott Grimes)

14.    Michaelangelo's God

15.    Let Your Light Shine

16.    Psycho (Amy Shark cover)

17.    A Hazy Shade of Winter (Simon & Garfunkel cover)

18.    Testify

Encore:

19.    Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits cover)

20.    Save Me

21.    Only You (Yazoo cover)

22.    Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)

Encore 2:

23.    My Hand, My Heart

24.    Blackjack County Chain (Red Lane cover)

25.    The Night that Davy hit the Train

26.    Into My Arms