LIVE: AIR SUPPLY – Charlotte, NC, USA – November 22, 2025
Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)
Ventured out on a Saturday night with one thing on my mind… check out another new to me band that has been on my radar for a long time. Australia’s own Air Supply found themselves in Charlotte, NC performing at a packed Ovens Auditorium and I was braced for an amazing show full of hits. Arriving with time to get situated for the opening act, I readied my camera and shot off some photos while listening to some cool acoustic guitar driven music from Kurtis John. The Nashville-based singer / songwriter found himself opening the show and delivered a handful of songs that were warmly received by the crowd that grew from the time he hit the stage until the time he left. Be put down the guitar to also play some keyboards, letting his voice carry each track above whatever instrument he was playing at the time.
Like clockwork, Air Supply hit the stage, albeit in phases. Kicking off the process, the drummer took his spot and was followed in order by a pair of cellists, keyboardist, bass player, and finally guitarist. The music cranked up with each new band member on stage and soon the longtime vocal duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock took their places at the front of the stage armed with a guitar, their voices, and a catalog full of memories and hits. So many performers sprinkle hits throughout their set helping keep the audience engaged and singing along throughout the evening. Air Supply had so many hits and crowd favorites to play, they sprinkled in a couple lesser-known tracks. Kicking the door wide open on the evening, the duo and their merry band of music makers jumped into it with the one-two punch of “Sweet Dreams” and “Even the Nights Are Better.” The vocals were as strong, if not stronger, than I ever remember them being. The songs got punch from the more than ample… dare I say rocking… band supporting Russell and Hitchcock. While the former played guitar and punctuated songs with his fret work, the fretwork and solos from Aaron McLain’s guitar were perfect gave just enough little extra to add some rock and roll to the equation, especially on the opener that seemed harder and stronger than anticipated. Next up came a torrent of hits including “Every Woman in the World” and “Here I Am” followed by the beautiful “Chances.” Drummer Pavel Valdman and bassist Doug Gild perfectly anchored the songs as the different aspects of rock, soft rock, and ballad washed in and out of the set. A pocket of songs I was less familiar with (forget the crowd… they seemed to know EVERY track) were bookended by hits as “Goodbye,” “Wrap My Arms Around You,” and a new favorite of my “I Can Wait Forever” guided us through the middle section of the set.
Next up was a poetry piece read by Graham in a part of the show he referred to as “G’s Spot,” and the entendre was not lost on the capacity audience before he fell back into song. He sang solo on “I’ll Find You” accompanied by a tandem of cellists Cassie Olson and Kat Findlay. Not to be omitted, the band is nicely rounded out by keyboardist Mirko Tessandori who keeps the music flowing, adding his swirling keys to the sonic mix. Some storytelling of the duos meeting and introduction to touring bridged the gap between the front half (or more) of the show and a hit-packed close. After some banter, “Two Less Lonely People in the World” washed across the venue from the stage through the sound system. This song was everything I remember it to be, and it hit me as hard tonight as it did back in 1982 when I first heard it. It simply doesn’t get better than this moment, or does it? A trio of monster hits “The One That You Love,” “Lost in Love,” and the phenomenal “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” closing out the set perfectly. How is it we are all 40+ years older than when we first heard these songs? You wouldn’t know it from the energy on the stage from Graham and Hitchcock as well as how great they sound singing the songs we all know and love. Closing the show with a cover of “Without You” and mega hit “All Out of Love” was a fitting end to an incredible night of music. Not sure why it took me so long to finally see these guys but let there be no doubt… they rocked the evening — 100% of it!!
Setlist: Sweet Dreams – Even the Nights Are Better – Just as I Am – Every Woman in the World – Here I Am – Chances – Goodbye – Wrap My Arms Around You – I Can Wait Forever – G’s Spot – I’ll Find You – Two Less Lonely People in the World – The One That You Love – Lost in Love – Making Love Out of Nothing at All – Without You – All Out of Love
COMPLETE SET OF AIR SUPPLY PHOTOS
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