Air Supply Delivers Timeless Magic at OLG Stage on 50th Anniversary Tour
Via 519magazine.com
Fifty years into their career, Air Supply proved that longevity in music isn’t about luck at OLG Stage in Fallsview on May 30, on the first of a two sold-out night stand. The Australian duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock delivered a performance that seamlessly blended arena-rock spectacle with living-room intimacy, reminding a packed crowd why their soft-rock anthems have endured across five decades.
The Fallsview venue provided the perfect backdrop for what Russell and Graham repeatedly emphasized was their golden anniversary tour. Opening with “Sweet Dreams,” the duo immediately established they weren’t here for a nostalgic victory lap, but rather to prove their songs still carry emotional weight in 2025.
The evening’s early momentum built steadily through “Even the Nights Are Better” and “Just as I Am,” with Russell Hitchcock’s soaring vocals proving that time has been remarkably kind to his four-octave range. The crowd seemed genuinely surprised by the power and precision still evident in these opening numbers.
Graham Russell’s between-song commentary provided much of the evening’s charm, displaying the kind of self-deprecating wit that’s kept the duo grounded through decades of success. “Where have you been for fifty years?” he playfully chided the newcomers in attendance, adding with characteristic timing, “I know you wanted to wait till the last minute. Well, it’s not last minute, but thank you for coming anyway”.
The mid-set stretch featuring “Every Woman in the World” and “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)” showcased the duo’s knack for crafting songs that feel both universal and deeply personal. Russell’s vocals soared effortlessly through the familiar melodies while Graham’s guitar work provided tasteful accompaniment that never overshadowed the songs themselves.
Russell Hitchcock took center stage during several numbers, his stage presence commanding yet approachable. The interplay between the two Russells felt natural and unforced, the product of what Graham described during the show as becoming “the most incredibly unique of friends” who have “never had an argument in all these years ever”.
The evening’s most intimate moment came during Graham’s solo segment, dubbed “G’s Spot,” where Russell departed for his customary tea break. “It’s quite normal around this time. Russell goes off, has a cup of tea over there. Meanwhile, I get to do whatever I want for about four minutes,” Graham explained before launching into a bit of poetry and then a rare performance of “Just Between the Lines”.
Graham’s introduction to “Just Between the Lines” provided genuine insight into Air Supply’s origin story. “I wrote the song two weeks before I met Russell, and it always reminds me of that time,” he shared, describing their first meeting in a Sydney rehearsal room with 34 strangers and one empty chair next to him.
The crowd participation reached its peak during “Two Less Lonely People in the World” and “The One That You Love,” with the audience singing along so enthusiastically that Russell noted, “You guys have done an awesome job for singing along with this tonight”. The connection between performers and audience felt genuine rather than manufactured.
Production values struck the right balance between polish and intimacy. The duo surprisingly took time to acknowledge their crew by name, creating an atmosphere that felt both professional and familial.
The evening’s emotional centerpiece came with “Lost in Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All,” two songs that demonstrated why Air Supply’s catalog has remained relevant across generations. These weren’t museum pieces being dusted off, but living songs that still carried emotional weight for both performers and audience.
The encore opened with their cover of Badfinger’s “Without You,” a bold choice that showcased their interpretive skills before closing with the crowd-pleasing “All Out of Love.” Russell’s honest admission that “we don’t know what to expect any time we step on any stage” felt refreshingly candid from performers who could easily coast on reputation alone.
Throughout the evening, Air Supply demonstrated that some partnerships transcend mere professional collaboration. Their genuine friendship, evident in every interaction, created an atmosphere where nostalgia felt fresh and familiar songs carried new meaning. For a duo celebrating their 50th anniversary, they showed remarkable vitality, proving that authentic chemistry never goes out of style.
