LIVE REVIEW: JD FORTUNE + ALEX KOSENKO @ THE TRIFFID 08/10/25

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi. Photos Sarah Gilpin

For seven years from 2005 to 2011, JD Fortune was the front man for INXS. He sang and wrote songs on their final studio album, ‘Switch’. He returned to Brisbane at the Triffid and reconnected with his Australian fans, playing the music that changed his life: from his love of AC/DC, his time with INXS, and now his own chapter with his own original songs.

The evening commenced with local Redcliffe musician Alex Kosenko and his classy blues set of songs. His high-energy blending blues, rock, and roots music with a dynamic acoustic and electric sound was a captivating one-man band performance. He kicked off the evening with a well-known cover of Canned Heat’s ‘On The Road Again’. Alex Kosenko has a lovely, clear blues voice. His mastery of both the acoustic and electric guitar, drum kick, and harmonica was impressive. He played a mix of covers and original songs.

Alex Kosenko was playing the Triffid for the first time. His original songs ‘You Can’t Slow Me Down’, a response to his career choices ‘Moving On’, and the funny ‘Sleep Deprivation Blues’ about life with a newborn were clever, and their arrangement was skilled and engaging. Alex Kosenko really demonstrated his busking abilities with the delivery of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ with added AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ added into the mix.

Then, Alex Kosenko performed a cover of Robert Johnson’s ‘Cross Road Blues’, a lovely original fast paced ballad to his mum in ‘Let It Out’ on his acoustic guitar: that got lots of ‘ahs’ from the mums in the crowd. His engagement with the crowd was gentle and genuine. He closed at his set with a battle between the guitar on the harmonica on ‘Harmonica Solo’. It was an impressive and classy opening set.

After, a short wait as Alex Kosenko and the stage crew move instruments, the stage was reset. Alex Kosenko let the crowd know that being a solo performer is great as there are no arguments, but packing up after a gig is not great. Water, beer, and setlists were put down and leads were checked. Then, the band: Adam (drums), Peter (bass), Chris (keys) and Randall (guitar) came out and checked the instruments.

The crowd waited. During the wait, I thought about JD Fortune’s unusual history. Imagine stepping into the shoes of Michael Hutchence and into one of Australia’s biggest, and most beloved, rock exports in INXS. I know that I talked to him about that, but it really is the most surreal set of circumstances for the Canadian vocalist and songwriter, JD Fortune.

Then, the introduction music started as ‘TNT’ by AC/DC blasted through the venue, a favourite band of JD Fortune. The band settled into their instruments, and as the song faded away, the opening chords blasted out of ‘Suicide Blonde’ as the lights pulsed in unison. There was another explosion of light as JD Fortune yelled out: “We’re gonna pound you, grind you, and rock ‘n’ roll you” as ‘New Sensation’ was delivered. ‘Devil’s Party’ followed quickly after.

JD Fortune, then, stated: “Tonight is about thrills, spills, and chills”. Then, he performed ‘Beautiful Girl’ and ‘Afterglow’ in rapid succession. He stopped for a quite beverage break as he hit the beer. He addressed the crowd with the meaning behind one of his favourite INXS songs, ‘Listen Like Thieves’. He told the crowd: “I liked this song when I was young. Now, I love it. If you don’t know this song – then get the f**k out!”.

JD Fortune and his band, who were incredibly tight, especially the saxophone player who really added that classy distinctive INXS sound, then, delivered the huge INXS hits ‘By My Side’ and ‘Disappear’. Between the songs, beer was consumed, the crowd were offered beers as “beer makes your f***ken’ troubles disappear”. During this part of the set, there were some technical difficulties with the drums but the band were so professional they continued on.

The crowd really hadn’t noticed the technical problems as the huge sing along to the songs had started much earlier but really kicked in with ‘Mystify’ and ‘Need You Tonight’. JD Fortune was surprised by the singing of the Brisbane crowd and it was huge. He was even taken aback and looked emotional when, during the encore of ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ was performed – the crowd’s singing was so beautiful, and the love in the room for him and the songs were hitting their peak.

It was really great that JD Fortune took a break from the INXS songs and performed his own original music. His songs ‘Open A Beer’ and the debut of ‘A Million Ways To Live’ that was performed live for the first time were well received. It was great to see him play acoustic guitar and share what he is doing now.

The last three songs of the regulation set were performed: ‘Devil Inside’, ‘What You Need’ and ‘Pretty Vegas’. The crowd were almost at boiling point. The band said goodnight and left the stage. The noise asking for the band back was deafening. JD Fortune and the band were back within a minute as the encore started.

The first song was ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ that saw JD Fortune end up on his knees as the crowd sang the song back to him. He was emotionally moved by the song’s impact. He addressed the crowd and asked two questions: 1) Did you have a good time, tonight? There was a roar back. Then, he asked 2) Did you have a f**ken’ good time, tonight? The crowd blasted a huge roar back at him. Then, JD Fortune and his band delivered the last song of the set and closed out the brilliant ‘Don’t Change’. The crowd exploded in song and bouncing!

It really was a f**ken’ good time. Don’t miss JD Fortune on his Australian Tour.