Dry Cleaning brought their sharp post-punk sound to RISING this week, taking over the Forum with the fuzzy, deadpan delivery that has made the London outfit such a distinctive force. Frontwoman Florence Shaw moved through the band’s surreal catalogue with cool precision to a crowd locked in from start to finish. The AU’s Eloise Coomber…
Gil Scott-Heron’s legacy was honoured at RISING this week, with longtime collaborator Brian Jackson joining Yasiin Bey to perform a stunning tribute at the Forum. The night moved through jazz, spoken word and early hip-hop influences. With Jackson returning to a body of work he helped shape and Bey carrying the material with a steady…
Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski performed the first of four sold-out nights at the iconic Sydney Opera House Concert Hall as part of Sydney’s Vivid Festival. The stage production was theatrical, setup like her own lounge room, inviting the audience into her own personal space. Her fans reacted with enthusiasm and were not disappointed after a 7…
Melbourne dance punk band Gut Health headlined Tumbalong Nights as part of Sydney’s Vivid Festival on a rain soaked night surrounded by impressive vivid lights. One of Australia’s best new bands with frontwoman Athina Uh Oh leading the charge with an explosive performance backed by her brilliant band with pulsing basslines, wiry guitars and danceable…
Cult art pop band Sparks featuring brothers Ron Mael and Russell Mael performed in the Joan Sutherland Theatre as part of Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House. Russell moved across the stage with impossible energy, while Ron sat motionless behind the keyboard, expressionless, intimidating and hilarious all at once. The contrast remains one of live music’s great…
The weather remained foul for the final day of The Great Escape, but spirits were high as we headed into the home stretch of another brilliant week on the south coast. Saturday belongs to the Australian contingent at the beach stages, with artists taking over all three venues and flying the flag in style. One…
Split Enz returned to Sydney with original members Tim Finn, Eddie Rayner, Neil Finn and Noel Crombie to play live at TikToc Entertainment Centre Sydney on their The Forever Enz Tour. The first of two nights. A nostalgic night from New Zealand’s greatest export playing the classic hits from their back catalogue including “History Never…
Day three at The Great Escape delivered another whirlwind run through packed rooms, beachside stages and buzz bands destined for much bigger things. We kicked things off at Daltons with Twat Union. We recently added their brilliant new single “Period Sex” to our Discovery Playlist, so it was great to finally catch it live. They…
Day two at The Great Escape delivered another whirlwind of venue hopping, seaside chills and seriously impressive performances, with the weather still refusing to believe summer is around the corner. Thankfully, Brighton’s venues were doing their best to keep everyone warm. One of the annual highlights of the festival is always the Australian showcase at…
The opening day of The Great Escape delivered just about every season imaginable. Hail hammered the Brighton seafront, torrential rain swept through the lanes, occasional bursts of sunshine teased festivalgoers into optimism, and the cold reminded everyone that perhaps summer isn’t quite here yet after all. Still, none of it stopped thousands descending on the…
Every May, Liverpool — one of the UK’s most historic music cities — becomes a launchpad for the next generation of artists as Liverpool Sound City returns with another stacked lineup of rising talent. This weekend saw Sound City transform venues across Liverpool into an absolute buzzing showcase of emerging artists. This is a festival…
British indie rock band Maximo Park on their 20th Anniversary Australian tour played Sydney’s Liberty Hall, led by the energetic front man Paul Smith delivering a brilliant set of hook-driven indie rock classics to a full house of enthusiastic fans. Kicking off with songs from their 2005 album A Certain Trigger including “Signal and Sign”,…
Mumford & Sons Prizefighter Australian tour kicked off in Melbourne on Friday. Folk Bitch Trio opened with three-part harmonies that filled the arena with a gorgeous warmth, definitely a proud local moment. Mumford & Sons did what they do best, shifting seamlessly from hushed, reverent moments to full-throttle sing-alongs, with the new Prizefighter material slotting comfortably…
When a musician throws a birthday party, he has some friends to call upon to make it special. Which is exactly what Sean of Sean Blackwell did on Friday night. To get the party started, Thom Lion played some tunes on the electronic piano accompanied by Troy from The Yellow Wallpaper on drums and Dylby…
TISM (This Is Serious Mum) are a seven-piece anonymous alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1982. Main members include vocalist/drummer Humphrey B. Flaubert, bassist/vocalist Jock Cheese, keyboard player Eugene de la Hot Croix Bun, and vocalist Ron Hitler-Barassi. Over the years the band has developed somewhat a fanatical following, including the “Victims of TISM”…
MAY-A dropped into Sydney’s Liberty Hall on her The Goodby (If You Call That Gone) Tour. Showcasing songs from her just released 2026 debut album The Goodby (If You Call That Gone) and genre-defying hits combining with her absolutely brilliant band to deliver a sonic set of pop songs to her adoring fans. A future…
Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro returned to Sydney to smash out a set for the ages. The Glaswegians didn’t disappoint, living up to their reputation as one of the current great UK live bands. Playing songs from their classic albums including their hit Opposites and latest release Futique. Supported by locals Teenage Joans. Pete Dovgan…
Liverpudlian five-piece STONE returned to their home-town last night, on the back of the release of their second album, AUTONOMY, to play at the iconic Arts Club to a buoyant crowd. They are mid-tour, with a bunch dates in the UK, including Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester nad London before heading to Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and…
Californian rock band Counting Crows returned to Sydney and played to a packed out Enmore Theatre led by the great lead singer Adam Duritz and they sounded superb! They didn’t disappoint playing their classic hit “Mr Jones” early in the night! Pete Dovgan was there to capture the performance.
Wu-Tang Clan on The Final Chapter tour played their final ever Australian gig at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. Pulling from a catalogue that reshaped hip-hop in the ‘90s. Members drifted on and off in loose rotation, each grabbing moments in the spotlight. Supported perfectly by local hip-hop artists Bliss n Esso. Pete Dovgan was there…
Lloyd Cole the former lead vocalist of legendary English band Lloyd Cole and the Commotions played an intimate solo show at Sydney’s Factory Theatre the first of two sold out nights. With just guitar, voice and a dry, understated stage presence, he held the room through his classic early songs including “Perfect Skin”, “Rattlesnakes”, “Lost…
Linkin Park returned to Sydney with a thunderous arena show at Qudos Bank Arena, delivering a slick, high-impact set that balanced new material with the band’s defining nu-metal classics. With the band now fronted by vocalist Emily Armstrong bringing a fierce edge to the band’s catalogue, pushing the choruses into full-throated crowd sing-alongs. Pete Dovgan…
Many feel that 2026 has already been a difficult year, with global tensions on the rise. This affected even WOMADelaide with some acts not able to attend this year due to travel disruptions and other issues. However, a feeling of hope and resilience was front and foremost for this year’s event. Celebrating cultural diversity, honouring…
The fact that women are such a big part of the WOMADelaide Festival is no accident. With women on the management team, and as decision makers, artists and presenters, made celebrating International Women’s Day such a natural and beautiful thing. The mood of the day was one of nurturing and celebrating the beauty inside whilst…
It was a glorious autumn day in Adelaide’s Botanic Park for the second day of WOMADelaide, the world’s music, arts and dance festival. Families have set up picnic rugs, whilst roving performers, Born in a Taxi pranced around as zebras and kids exercised their creativity in Studio Ruby Chew‘s pop-up wonderland. The event hosts a…
Despite some last-minute changes with artist travel plans disrupted by the sudden unrest in the Middle East, the show must go on. Inside the Botanic Gardens, it was like a sanctuary, fruit bats overhead and seven stages all playing a variety of world music. Day one of WOMADelaide 2026 kicked off in fine style. As…
British rock band Pulp performed under the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House Forecourt playing new and old songs including the classics “Disco 2000”, “This Is Hardcore”, “Do You Remember The First Time” and their biggest hit “Common People”. Frontman Jarvis Cocker prowled the stage with wry charm and the fans enjoyed a night…
English punk rock duo Lambrini Girls consisting of Phoebe Lunny (vocals/guitar – she/they) and Selin Macieira (bass – she/they) on their first Australian tour, delivered a gloriously chaotic set of political charged songs to an equally loose crowd at a sold out Metro Theatre in Sydney. Supported perfectly by electro-pop sensation Big Wett. Pete Dovgan was…
Wendy James returned to Sydney “dressed in pink” with her band Transvision Vamp and delivered a classic set of her 1980s pop punk classics including “I Want Your Love” and “Baby I Don’t Care”. A packed Enmore Theatre reacted with enthusiasm, lead singer Wendy clearly enjoying the ride, the band was super tight and 80s…
The 2026 instalment of Laneway Festival in Melbourne had both bark and bite. In its 21st year, the premier date on the Australian festival calendar shows no signs of slowing down. It was sun-drenched, shoulder-to-shoulder and humming from gates to close. The heat lifted the whole site as Chappell Roan drew one of the day’s…
