Paul Kelly delivers sublime show in triumphant return to Kings Cross for intimate gig

James JenningsAugust 31, 2026 — 11:08amMUSICPaul Kelly★★★★★Potts Point Hotel, August 30Reviewed by James JenningsPaul Kelly is no stranger to playing pub gigs in Sydney, having lived in Kings Cross and various other suburbs during the 1980s, when he would perform at places such as The Strawberry Hills Hotel to early crowds of around 10 to 20 people.Forty years later, he’s back for a special one-off show at the Potts Point Hotel, before a small audience of fans lucky enough to win tickets in a ballot.Paul Kelly returned the Cross with nephew Dan Kelly for an intimate gig and triumphed.Sitthixay DitthavongYou could say it’s just like old times, except now there’s a massive mural of Kelly on the pub wall outside, he has 17 ARIA Music Awards to his name and is widely regarded as Australia’s finest singer-songwriter, with multiple songs woven into the cultural fabric.Considering Kelly was playing the 21,000-capacity Afterpay Arena on this date last year, it’s a rare thrill to see the Adelaide-born, Melbourne-based musician play an intimate gig that’s not all that far removed from a living room performance.The Paul Kelly mural in Kings Cross – the intimate gig was part of the launch of the mural. The air is already charged with emotion before Kelly even plays a single note, but then he opens with a heartfelt cover of the late Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, and the writing’s on the wall that we’re in for something special.Joined by nephew Dan Kelly on electric guitar, Kelly pulls from a deep bench of classics that are lovingly greeted like old friends: Before Too Long, Dumb Things, To Her Door, How to Make Gravy, From Little Things Big Things Grow and – of course – From St Kilda to Kings Cross, among many others.Kelly shared many memoirs of his time living in Sydney, delighting the small audience. Sitthixay DitthavongIt’s almost unfair for any new Paul Kelly song to have the aforementioned tracks to compete with, but it’s a testament to Kelly’s consistency as a tunesmith that the fresher material, like the tender ode to his granddaughter, Happy Birthday, Ada Mae, more than pull their weight.He also knows how to play to the crowd and prove his local bona fides, telling charming anecdotes about living in Sydney and name-checking our beaches and pubs.What’s so striking about seeing Kelly this up close is how at ease he seems playing incredible song after incredible song, as if it’s as natural as breathing. It’s a captivating thing to witness and comes with a healthy amount of pinch-me gratitude from everyone in the room.At 71, he may no longer be the young buck playing 1am sets at the Cross, but he now has something far more valuable than youth: timeless songs that are received with adoration at this sublime, you-had-to-be-there show.Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.From our partners