Russell Crowe performs with his band in London

He’s the Oscar winning mega star known for blockbusters such as Gladiator and Cinderella Man.

But those films must feel like a lifetime ago for Russell Crowe, who looked almost unrecognisable while playing a gig on Thursday night. 

The 53-year-old muso was seen playing with his band Indoor Garden Party at The Union Chapel in London.

Is that you? Russell Crowe looks almost unrecognisable as he performs an intimate gig with his band Indoor Garden Party

Russell cut a laid-back figure at the intimate gig, wearing an all black ensemble consisting of a blazer, polo shirt and slacks.  

He was seen playing an acoustic guitar and giving it his all as he belted out some tunes for the small audience.

The Gladiator star appeared to break out in a sweat after a few songs, as he put the guitar down and stepped back from the microphone momentarily.  

Sing your heart out! The 53-year-old was seen playing with his band Indoor Garden Party at The Union Chapel in Islington, in London's north

The Gladiator star was seen playing the intimate gig on Thursday night

Sing your heart out! The 53-year-old was seen playing with his band Indoor Garden Party at The Union Chapel in Islington, in London’s north

A new look: Russell cut a laid-back figure at the intimate gig, wearing an all black ensemble consisting of a blazer, polo shirt and slacks

A new look: Russell cut a laid-back figure at the intimate gig, wearing an all black ensemble consisting of a blazer, polo shirt and slacks

The show was the first of a brief three leg tour, which will see Russell and his band play in Leeds on Friday, and Dublin on Sunday.

It comes a month after Russell revealed to Nova FM’s Fitzy and Wippa, that he was going to spend Father’s Day – which was held on Sunday, September 3 in Australia – alone.

Working up a sweat! Russell was seen slinging on an acoustic guitar and giving it his all as he belted out some tunes for the small audience

Working up a sweat! Russell was seen slinging on an acoustic guitar and giving it his all as he belted out some tunes for the small audience

Catching his breath: The Gladiator star appeared to break out in a sweat after a few songs, as he put the guitar down and stepped back from the microphone momentarily

Catching his breath: The Gladiator star appeared to break out in a sweat after a few songs, as he put the guitar down and stepped back from the microphone momentarily

Hitting the road: The show was the first of a brief three leg tour, which will see Russell and his band play in Leeds on Friday, and Dublin on Sunday

Hitting the road: The show was the first of a brief three leg tour, which will see Russell and his band play in Leeds on Friday, and Dublin on Sunday

‘My children are busy this weekend,’ he told the hosts.

The Australian icon shares sons Charles Spencer, 13, and Tennyson Spencer, 11, with ex-wife Danielle Spencer. 

Surprised by the announcement of their absence, co-host Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald probed: ‘What, they haven’t planned anything for you?’

'Just me and the dog': It comes a month after Russell revealed to Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa , that he was going to spend Father's Day - which was held on Sunday, September 3 in Australia - alone

‘Just me and the dog’: It comes a month after Russell revealed to Nova FM’s Fitzy and Wippa , that he was going to spend Father’s Day – which was held on Sunday, September 3 in Australia – alone

Can't make it: The Australian actor who lives in Northern NSW, shares sons Charles Spencer, 13 (R) and Tennyson Spencer, 11 (L) with ex-wife Danielle Spencer, who live in Rose Bay

Can’t make it: The Australian actor who lives in Northern NSW, shares sons Charles Spencer, 13 (R) and Tennyson Spencer, 11 (L) with ex-wife Danielle Spencer, who live in Rose Bay

Russell seemed slightly disappointed, yet understanding, adding: ‘My children are busy this weekend, so it will just be me and the dog.’ 

The star, who lives on a large farm near Coffs Harbour in Northern NSW, recently purchased the Cattle Dog, named QueBlue.

His two sons currently live in Sydney’s Rose Bay, with his former partner Danielle, where he lived until they split in 2012.

QueBlue! The star, who lives on a large farm near Coffs Harbour in Northern NSW, recently purchased the Cattle Dog, named QueBlue

QueBlue! The star, who lives on a large farm near Coffs Harbour in Northern NSW, recently purchased the Cattle Dog, named QueBlue

All is not lost! The 53-year-old is still regularly seen with his 'pride and joy' kids, who often accompany him to South Sydney Rabbitohs matches

All is not lost! The 53-year-old is still regularly seen with his ‘pride and joy’ kids, who often accompany him to South Sydney Rabbitohs matches

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