Men At Work (MAW) are an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in 1979. They were best known for breakthrough hits such as "Down Under", "Who Can It Be Now?", "Be Good Johnny", "Overkill", "It's a Mistake" and "High Wire". Its founding member Colin Hay remains the frontmen of this group that back in 1983 were the first Australian artists to have a simultaneous No. 1 album and No. 1 single on the United States Billboard charts. They also won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1983 and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2026, they remain an engaging live act although they have had plenty of personnel changes since their founding. Their current touring lineup reflects Hay's recent "quest of discovery" to see whether Men At Work still had an audience - a quest he says has been answered by fans of all ages who continue to find joy in the songs.

Colin Hay (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) is the foreman of the group. In Nashville, he admitted that a lot of folks don't really know who he is. Therefore, he named one of his solo projects Man @ Work (2003) which blended his material with his Men At Work legacy. He has also kept his name in the mainstream with multiple appearances in Ringo's All Starr Bands. Hay has been invited back a number of times since he has an instantly recognizable voice, an ability to deliver Men At Work hits with humor plus he has a good rapport with the former Beatle and Colin's storytelling style works well within Ringo's upbeat, nostalgic show format. His long solo career - now more than 35 years - has also kept him active between Men At Work tours, including the recent release of Man @ Work: Volume 2 in 2025.

There are also a number of Woman at Work in the current MAW lineup — Cecilia Noel on backing vocals and percussion along with Rachel Mazer who has multiple functions including flute, keyboard, saxophone and backing vocals. The rest of the capable crew is Jimmy Branly – drums; San Miguel Perez – lead guitar, backing vocals; and, Yosmel Montejo – bass, backing vocals. Hay has noted that this international lineup featuring Cubans, a Peruvian, an American and himself - has brought fresh energy to the classic catalog while staying true to the spirit of the original recordings.

In Nashville they played a good mix of classic Men At Work songs along with some of Colin's solo stuff. They also expanded the instrumental parts in spots adding twists and turns to the tunes that people come to hear. Yes we heard - "Be Good Johnny", "Down Under", "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", "It's A Mistake", "Overkill" and "Who Can It Be Now". Men At Work concluded a diverse night of music on an engaging note. Hay's recent reflections echoed through the performance — that the songs have "clearly stood the test of time", still heard "in the street, on the radio, in supermarkets" - and still capable of filling venues more than four decades after their debut.

Toad the Wet Sprocket is an alternative rock band founded in Santa Barbara, California, in 1986. They had chart success in the 1990s with singles that included "Walk on the Ocean", "All I Want", "Something's Always Wrong", "Fall Down" and "Good Intentions". Their name is based on a Monty Python comedy sketch called "Rock Notes" in which a journalist delivers a nonsensical music news report. Their early rise was helped by record‑store clerks who championed their first albums, placing Bread & Circus and Pale into the hands of curious listeners and comparing them to R.E.M.

In Nashville and beyond fans are responding warmly to Toad the Wet Sprocket as they are delivering crisp, concise sets that balance their 1990's classics with deeper cuts. Glen Phillip's voice sounds like the records and is enhanced by the backing vocals of the rest of band. Their songs still speak to people so that emotional connection heightened their performance. We also liked that the sound was mixed well so that you could hear the B3 as sometimes the more subtle instruments can get lost in the rhythms. They played the hits including an expansive "Walk on the Ocean" to close their crowd‑pleasing set on a solid footing. Their longevity mirrors Men At Work's - a band whose earliest albums were recorded DIY‑style for just $600, yet still resonate with audiences decades later.

The night kicked off with Shonen Knife, a Japanese pop‑punk band formed in Osaka in 1981. They were inspired by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, the Beach Boys and early punk rockers such as the Ramones. The ladies are known for stripped‑down songs with simple yet unconventional lyrics sung in both Japanese and English. At The Pinnacle the trio came out in matching outfits and presented a set of punk‑inspired songs. They had a number of tunes about food and they got the crowd to chant the word "candy" - after all who does not like candy. Folks seemed to enjoy their vibe and gave the group a standing ovation as they exited.

Shonen Knife's appearance also underscored their remarkable four‑decade journey as ambassadors of Japanese rock culture. With Naoko and Atsuko joined by their newest member Risa on drums, the trio continues to tour internationally, carrying forward the spirit found on albums like Sweet Candy Power - a record Naoko described as filled with "enjoyment, entertainment, joyful and delightful" energy inspired by daily life and touring. Their history of sharing stages with Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Redd Kross added depth to their role as the night's opening act.

The three‑band lineup at The Pinnacle showcased a genre‑blending and nostalgia experience. Men At Work brought the '80s pop‑rock classics. Toad the Wet Sprocket centered the show with melodic, emotional alt‑rock while Shonen Knife presented energized Japanese punk‑pop. Together, the tour represents exactly what Colin Hay described - a summer journey with "musical compatriots", connecting generations of fans who continue to find joy in songs that have endured across decades and continents.

Related Links: For more information on MEN AT WORK and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Men At Work | Toad the Wet Sprocket | Shonen Knife | Men At Work Get the Job Done and Then Some at the Ryman in Nashville | The Pinnacle