Last here in early 2010 for a run of sold out shows (including two in Melbourne), New York’s The Pains of Being Pure At Heart are back as part of the Laneway Festival circuit. Playing the first of only two sideshows while they are out here, the pop darlings wowed the crowd and left many fans satisfied. Along for the ride were local favourites Geoffrey O’Connor and Pop Singles.

Underoath and Dream on Dreamer have announced their much-anticipated Sidewave shows. Underoath will be touring off the back of their latest release Ø and as we know they have a reputation for adrenaline charged live performances. Dream on Dreamer was one of Australia’s biggest success stories in 2011 signing to Rise Records and released their stellar debut album Heartbound. Tickets go on sale 2nd Feb.

After returning from their long hiatus with incredible album Requiem, Melbourne favourites The Getaway Plan returned to a packed and incredibly excited crowd at the Hi-Fi Bar. A perfectly intimate setting for an engaging and passionate set from TGP.

Melbournians are rarely short of great bands to see, whether local or international, but it is a rare occasion when you find yourself confronted with a living legend. Lovers of soul, blues and funk of all ages turned out on Friday night to bear witness to the one and only Booker T. Jones, certainly the most famous Hammond B3 organist in the world, as well as being the driving force behind more hits than you realised you were aware of.

Four bands for forty bucks is awesome value when you consider that this gig at Melbourne’s iconic HiFi Bar included the likes of The Dune Rats, The Bleeding Knees Club, Papa Vs Pretty and The Vines. I have been banging-on about the depth of Australia’s rock talent for some time now, and though these bands aren’t from my home city, I’m still mighty proud to say they’re Australian.

Standing among the writhing bodies dancing carelessly to the heavy beats, it was hard to believe I wasn’t at a summer festival; this was the pit of the Hi-Fi Bar, swarming with people who would have looked more in place at Rainbow Serpent or a bush doof. Drawing them all to this venue was the event dubbed ‘BADA BOOM!’, featuring an incredible line-up, as far as Australian-made electronic music is concerned.