Meeting Jimmy Barnes

I have been very fortunate to meet some amazing people online. One of those people is Jane Barnes. Jane is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, who is not only responsible for getting Aussie rock icon Jimmy back on his feet, but is also a wonderful human being as well.

I met Jane through another friend I met online, Ian Graves. Ian and I had been mates on Twitter for quite sometime before we finally met at the Now and Forever concert in 2023. Since then we’ve been really fortunate to attend several concerts as guests of Jane, something which we are both deeply grateful for.

On June 14th 2025 we had been invited to see Jimmy Barnes and his band play a show at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda. Jane had organised multiple tickets for us, and so I was able to invite my partner, Eleisha along, as well as some other online friends, as well as Ian of course.

We caught up with another group of people prior to the show at The Cross in St Kilda. I’d been there before when I went to see Midnight Oil, and it’s a short walk from there across to the Palais, so it’s a good spot for a feed and a beverage prior.

I was in high spirits when we arrived around 3pm, and proceeded to get even higher, if you get my drift. A few drinks and snacks, and I was feeling really pumped for the upcoming show.

Just before 6PM I got a message on Bluesky from Jane

“Hi Dave. If you and Ian want to come backstage for a very quick photo with Jimmy I may be able to organise someone to grab you at 8:15. Please keep in touch and send me your mobile number.”

OMG!

So it was with great anticipation that we eventually headed down to The Palais. Around 8pm I got a text message explaining where we needed to be, and both Ian and I were very excited as we waited by the side curtains for the stage manager to come and guide us backstage.

Jimmy was amazingly gracious, and spent lots of time chatting to Ian and myself, and Jane was her typical friendly self. They’re both really nice people, and it shows.

Everyone had an amazing night, and meeting Jimmy was very special, and something I am very grateful for.