In 1981, a young Colin Hay fronted Men at Work on their debut album, Business as Usual. It was a smash hit, producing the perennial radio staples “Down Under,” “Who Can It Be Now?,” and “Be Good Johnny,” while climbing to the top of the Billboard album chart.
In 2026, an older and wiser Hay fronted a new-look Men at Work on a North American tour that included a rare and delightful show within Washington, DC, city limits at the Lincoln Theatre. There, the band performed eight songs from Business as Usual, as well as seven from its follow-up album, Cargo.
The concert was a smashing experience, chock-full of exciting music and light on talk, and it underscored why audiences have stayed with Hay for 45 years and counting.
Now, Colin does indeed perform regularly in the DMV, but he and his Men at Work band more often appear at The Birchmere or opening for the likes of Toto at Jiffy Lube Live. And so it was great to see folks really come out for Colin in the city on Sept. 20.
And speaking of Mr. Hay, Men at Work early in the show played a string of his solo numbers — including “Come Tumblin’ Down” and “Looking for Jack” — before digging wholeheartedly into the enduring Men at Work tunes. At the halfway mark, the band hit one of my personal favorite Men at Work songs, “Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive,” a clever ditty from Cargo that often gets overshadowed by the fantastic “It’s a Mistake” and the equally poignant “Overkill.” (Men at Work really went for the feelings on that second album, didn’t they?) Men at Work performed “Overkill” followed by “It’s a Mistake” as the show entered its final quarter.
Watch the official music video for “Overkill” by Men at Work on YouTube:
The 21st-century Men at Work included a talented group of musicians Hay has recruited in recent years — Jimmy Branly on drums, San Miguel Perez on guitar, Yosmel Montejo on bass, and newer addition Rachel Mazer on saxophone, flute, and keyboards. And, of course, let’s not forget Hay’s wife, the exuberant Cecilia Noël, on backing vocals and cowbell.
The band thrilled the full house at Lincoln Theatre with dynamic renditions of “Who Can It Be Now?,” “Down Under,” and, finally, “Be Good Johnny” to close the show.
Although Colin didn’t talk much (I do enjoy his chattier solo performances quite a bit), he stopped toward the end of the show to thank his audience for being there for him over the decades. But folks are more than happy to come along for the ride because they trust Colin after all of this time: They turn up for those big hits; they sit ready to explore the solo songs they perhaps don’t know as well; and they are confident that his band will truly deliver. And Men at Work did indeed deliver.
Unbeknownst to me, the great Willie Nile was along to open the show at the Lincoln Theatre. I was delighted to catch Nile live, as Parklife covers him regularly — usually at The Hamilton Live in DC — but I had never seen him perform despite appreciating his music. And here, by happenstance, was my opportunity.
Nile has a pensive, weathered expression that suggests he has seen just about everything the world has to offer. And yet, he rose to sing uplifting songs about the human spirit, community, and our capacity to carry on.
Nile released a new album, The Great Yellow Light, last year, and he drew two songs from it for his nine-song set: “Wild Wild World” and “We Are, We Are.” Both were rousing, big-hearted guitar anthems, the sort of songs that might make Bruce Springsteen stop and listen.
In his remarks between songs, Nile made his faith in humanity clear. To me, that optimism captured something essential about his New York punk spirit, even if musically he has always had as much in common with folk rock as punk.
Watch the official music video for “We Are, We Are” by Willie Nile on YouTube:
Nile performed with a strong quartet, and his bandmates served him particularly well on a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane,” which Nile introduced as a tribute to his late friend Lou Reed.
He closed his set with “Run Free,” from his 2020 album New York at Night. By then, the audience was on its feet and dancing.
At 78, Willie Nile remains a fierce, determined live performer. After unexpectedly getting my first opportunity to see him, I recommend that you take yours when it comes.
Here are some photos of Men at Work performing live at Lincoln Theatre in DC on Sept. 20, 2026. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
Here are some photos of Willie Nile performing live at Lincoln Theatre in DC on Sept. 20, 2026. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
