Type: Jazz, Live Music, Nostalgia
If you liked: Rocketman, Bohemian Rhapsody, jukebox musicals, or live “piano man” tributes
King of the Keys: Liam Cooper shows off his skillset as audiences decide who is crowned the greated “piano man” of the last century
When it comes to the greatest jazz and rock ‘n’ roll pianists of the last 60 years, it seems there would be too many to name just one champion. Liam Cooper begs to differ. With a grand piano, killer four-piece band, and passion for musical storytelling, King of the Keys is Cooper’s love letter to the music that he grew up on and for one night in September, it was Melbourne’s turn to decide who would earn the coveted title.
The Palms at Crown welcomed the concert-competition that Cooper admits was born from his own joy and desire to share music. That joy was simply impossible to miss, with Cooper’s sparkling stage presence (aided by an equally sparkly sequined jacket) showcasing this performer as one with a genuine love for the songs he was playing.
What type of show is King of the Keys?
The show was structured around the songs and stories of 15 legends up for Melbourne’s consideration, creating a strong balance for the first act. Drawing on personal reflections from his own discovery and passion for music, Cooper created seamless transitions between each artist. With his detailed and immersive storytelling, those unfamiliar with Billy Joel, for example, would have left this show with a deeper appreciation for the songs and the fascinating history behind them.
This is an endearing aspect of how Cooper has framed this show, making the legends he wishes to share more accessible for audiences old and new. The songs on the setlist ranged from Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to Bruce Hornsby and The Range’s “That’s Just the Way It Is.”
Highlights from the King of the Keys band included Facu Alvarez’s skill on the drums and Noa Kidd’s wind machine-assisted guitar solo. The moment Cooper encouraged all four to engage in a conga line to Peter Allen’s “I go to Rio” was an entertaining highlight and an inspired use of stage space. The five musicians onstage were incredibly in sync, all given solo moments to shine throughout the evening.
From keys to the room, what does a tribute show look like?
The atmosphere in the room took a little bit of time to build up, with some jokes landing better than others. With credit going to Cooper’s charisma and ability to bounce back (and perhaps to some interval drinks), by the second act, everyone was grooving along.
Singing along wasn’t actively encouraged or discouraged, but Cooper kept his audience on their toes with crowd work. These moments where the band was stripped back made it feel like the whole room was singing as one and brought a real sense of community to this show. Being able to sing and connect with the nostalgia and genius of the artists in King of the Keys was a very unique part of the experience that I wasn’t quite expecting.
In some bass-heavy sections, vibrations caused the room to shake, which pulled focus from the music rather than enhancing it. The lighting design made the show pop, with meticulous transitions between songs and blinders that immersed those sitting at any spot in the venue, adding spectacular visual depth.
Is King of the Keys worth seeing on tour?
With the knowledge that Cooper has toured this show aboard cruise ships around the world, Crown’s venue marked a slightly different setup from what this production was used to-and not just because it was on land!
All in all, King of the Keys was an impressive visual spectacle and celebration that had audiences focusing less on comparison and more on how interesting and entertaining this show had been. The reveal of the final result felt less of a verdict and more of a fun finale, acting as a reminder that celebrating music is what this show is really all about.
Tickets and Practical Info for Liam Cooper’s King of the Keys in Australia 🎟️
The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
Season touring cities across NSW and NZ from the 27th of September-31st of October.
Tickets: https://kingofthekeys.com/
The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
Friday 5 September • 7:30pm
Dee Why RSL
Saturday 27 September • 8:30pm
Workers Blacktown
Saturday 11 October • 8:00pm
James Hay Theatre, Christchurch
Wednesday 29 October • 7:30pm
The Opera House, Wellington
Thursday 30 October • 7:30pm
Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland
Friday 31 October • 7:30pm
