THE ANIMALS REVIEW
Last night, Sydney got a taste of pure, old-school rhythm and blues as The Animals took the stage at The Bridge Hotel, and they proved that classic rock never fades, it just got louder, tighter, and more soulful with age.
From the first few notes of “It’s My Life,” the crowd was on their feet, and they were clapping along and singing every word. The band’s timeless energy filled the room, blending gritty vocals, bluesy guitar riffs, and that unmistakable sound that made The Animals legends in the first place. Danny Handley brought a rough-edged and soulful voice to the stage and delivered every lyric with heart and conviction. Whether shouting through a high-energy anthem or pulling back for a slower, emotional moment, the vocals carried power.
Between songs, frontman Danny Handley kept the mood light with witty banter, while original drummer John Steel reminded everyone that the heartbeat of The Animals still pounds strong.
The setlist mixed the classics, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and “Bring It On Home to Me” with a few blues-rock numbers, and it proved the band is still amazing. The guitar and drums thundered with power, and the beats were tight and commanding, and drove the music forward with unstoppable momentum. Each snare hit cracked like lightning, while the kick drum rumbled deep through the floor. The keyboard crashed at just the right moments, adding bursts of energy that matched the band’s intensity perfectly.
The band walked off stage, and the crowd cheered for one more song, and the band walked back on stage and played “House of the Rising Sun", which was the showstopper. The haunting intro drew cheers before the first verse even began, and by the time the final chord rang out, the entire venue was singing in unison. It was a goosebump moment where the fans connected over a song that still feels as raw and powerful as when it was first played.
As the end of the night came, it was clear The Animals hadn’t just played a concert, they delivered a full-blown celebration of rock history. Sydney walked away buzzing, reminded that the spirit of The Animals is very much alive and growling, and it was a nostalgic night that roared with life.