Live Reviews

In between Flo Rida and T-Pain making their mark on commercial radio, it’s easy to forget that REAL music still exists. The sort of music made by people with a love for sound, a love for writing, a love for the instrument and a love for the production. Thankfully, there are groups like Gotan Project,…

It had been quite a while since I’d had the opportunity to catch The Church – but never have I had an opportunity quite like this. In the middle of their “An Intimate Space” 30th Anniversary Acoustic Tour, they stopped off at a venue more intimate than most: Notes Live in Newtown, for a special…

4:30pm, ears firmly glued to the massive doors in the stinking alley beside Sydney’s Metro theatre. Inside, Manic Street Preachers are running a sound-check, and it seems vital to sit out here and take it all in, guessing each song as it’s played. It’s hard to distinguish the muffled vocals of James Dean Bradfield amongst the buzzing…

I can’t believe it’s been two years since I last reviewed the Newtown Festival – in fact it was one of the very first reviews published on the AU review (which was a very different can of worms back then…). But here we are, back again, sitting under the beautiful (though temporary) summer sun, watching some…

The Factory Theatre was buzzing on Thursday night, full of young females eager to see the latest “it” girl – New York’s Ingrid Michaelson. Local solo artist Jack Carty was given support duties, and played through a set with songs off his brilliant EP Wine and Consequence, as well us some new tracks. Of particular…

Tonight was yet another evening of quality music at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory. Kicking off ARIA weekend, headlining the shindig were Melbourne’s The Basics, setting the event up as a duel album launch and farewell event. Thanks in part to Wally’s Gotye project, the band will be taking on a two-year-or-so hiatus after a short…

ARIA is back for another year, and in a very new form. Gone is the arena spectaular at Acer Arena – replaced instead by a week of awards and music – all leading up to a gala event at the Opera House which looks to focus more on live music than it does on the…

Truly long running music festivals in Australia are few and far between. To most observers, Big Day Out would take that cake – kicking off in 1992. But when placed against a festival like Glastonbury, which started out in some form over 40 years ago, it pales in comparison. But believe it or not, we…

Further to the release of her fourth album, Modern Day Addiction, and a recent live performance with MySpace Secret Shows at Melt Bar, ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch returned to Sydney and rocked out Saturday, October 23rd at the Metro Theatre. First to open the night was local singer-songwriter Andy Bull, accompanied by his guitarist,…

As I entered Luna Park’s Big Top, I have to say I got a little bit excited. Growing up, The Smashing Pumpkins were one of my favourite bands. Even now, I would rate ….Infinite Sadness and Siamese Dream among my all-time favourite album list. Sure, Billy has been a bit inconsistent when it comes to…

I love Deep Sea Arcade. They’re a band of increasingly impressive talent who are certain to go far. So the fact I missed them was quite upsetting – but I’m sure I’ll see them again soon enough! Thankfully, however, I did arrive just in time for Sydney based electronic trio Seekae. They were an odd…

  Following the festival on Saturday, it was time to move onto the showcases for the evening. Rather than sticking at one, I decided to spread my time between two. Like I mentioned in a previous review, these showcases are great because they provide an opportunity to see new and varied music in some pretty…

Sunday and Day Two/Three (or in my case Day 4) of the One Movement Festival, and much like the previous days there was much on offer; with a staggering amount of music to choose from once again. The only difference between the two days of the main festival, where Saturday was warm and sun kissed…

  Following the festival it was time to head up into the city for the last night of showcases, and the last night of One Movement 2010. First up for the night was Ernest Ellis, who unfortunately had to cancel his appearance at the Dew Process showcase earlier in the week. From the sounds of…

  Saturday for me did not start off at the festival site, instead I attended a “bed in” at the Parmelia Hilton, and it was planned as a re-creation of the famous bed-in’s of John Lennon and Yoko Ono back in the 60s and 70s. The purpose however on this day was to commemorate the…

It was obvious as they took to the stage that this was big gig for City Riots. Playing to their home crowd, the well-groomed, Adelaide quartet were giving it their all, and played a tight and tidy set. The band recently toured in the United States, playing the Cultures Collide Festival, and have also recored…

It was a warm and clear night, that saw me head down to the first of many showcases for the One Movement Festival. In many ways it was a perfect night to listen to great music under the city lights. Presented by Canadian Music Week, there was of course an undeniable focus on many of…

Friday night at One Movement Festival saw me heading to the showcase organised by indie label Dew Process. One of the things I love about these showcases are the weird and wonderful places they are set up – though the common theme seems to be that of car parks and laneways. But what is so…

As someone who has spent a bit of time in Canada – let me tell you – this was a special experience indeed. Playing on a rooftop to a crowd of no more than 50, Canadian sensations The Trews provided industry guests with a short but sweet acoustic showcase that gave us all a pretty…

From 1997 to 1999, Lilith Fair was one of the most successful touring festivals in America. Founded and headlined by Sarah McLachlan, it was a showcase of some of the worlds finest female singer/songwriters. Sarah brought the festival back earlier this year, however it didn’t prove quite the success as its predecessor, with quite a…

The very quaint and intimate Raval was the perfect venue for an evening of acoustic tunes.  Opening act, Sydney singer/songwriter Vanessa Jade (pictured below), looked right at home among the antique lounges and red curtained stage. Her folk and country-tinged music bore an honest, vintage pop quality and her sweet, pitch-perfect vocals were reminiscent of…

British rock band Kids In Glass Houses opened the night up in front of a crowded venue, receiving an overwhelming response. This was the first I had heard of the band and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was immediately impressed by their stage presence and energetic performance. The only downside was that the sound wasn’t…

The moniker and brainchild of UK born Mike Rosenberg, Passenger has been often called a “truly impressive performer”. Tonight, in front of the intimate Raval crowd, with a few special guests, he proved why he was worthy of such a statement. Running on stage with a painful leg cramp, he opened the set with “Month…

It’s with an ounce of hesitation that I venture outside a capital city to experience a music festival. The crowd attracted can be quite different to what I’m used to, and, as they say “kill the atmosphere, man!”. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – Groovin’ The Moo (at least in Maitland) is a case…

Unknown Pleasures pioneered late 70s post-punk, it was birthed from the ashes of the decaying musical scene at the time, and became the pinnacle of Joy Division‘s success. Forty years on, co-founder and bassist Peter Hook sought to revisit the melancholic atmosphere that is the Joy Division live experience, with a series of tribute shows…

Imagine a night where you can see 3 amazing bands for just $7? Well this is the concept behind Stop Start’s $7 Social Club at Melt Bar in Sydney. They even give you a free CD on entry! Awesome much? Tonight saw Hungry Kids of Hungry from Brisbane headlining the night, and Pluto Jonze open…

Melbourne’s Paris Wells has made quite a name for herself a skilled songstress, with talent well beyond her years and a collection of tracks with quality few can match. And now, with the Mushroom Music Publishing behind her, Paris has arrived in Sydney to preview her new album, the brilliant Various Small Fires. And tonight,…

When the St Jeromes Laneway festival premiered in Melbourne in 2004, it created headlines throughout the Australian music industry – an amazing mix of musicians playing to a crowded laneway (Caledonian lane); a day people would continue to talk about well beyond its 2nd incarnation. Years later, it’s not so much a laneway festival anymore,…

I entered the Spectrum to the sweet sound of Melbourne duo Owl Eyes. Lead singer Brooke Addamo accompanied by the slick guitar moves of Geordie Hewitt proved a powerful combination. Unfortunately I only heard the final track, but it was a cracker. And having listened now to their debut EP, I have to say that Brooke’s voice…

In 1850, Jack Daniels came into the world and would grow up to become a semi-decent whisky maker. In 1972, the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street album came into the world and would grow up to be regarded as one of the best ever. The celebration of the former was marked by a special…