Live Reviews

Glastonbury, mythical home of the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth, in reality home to the holy grail of musical festivals the world over. Music Lovers and self confessed hippies descend on rural Somerset for a long weekend of music, more music and the greatest of atmospheres. I know it sounds trite but there really is an atmosphere surrounding Glastonbury, everyone…

As Sydney’s infamous Annandale Hotel celebrates its tenth birthday, bands from around Australia are joining in on the party, in a series of live performances for the venue. For some, like The Vines and Regurgitator, it’s a chance to relive the glory days when they were up and coming local artists. And for the new…

I can’t say Hot Damn! is the place I would normally choose to spend a Thursday night. I don’t spend hours on my hair, I don’t have any tattoos or piercings, I don’t like bands like AFI and I don’t wear eyeliner. I couldn’t stick out more if I tried! But when I heard UK’s…

Now I know the World Cup was on and all, but with such an amazing lineup, I’m quite surprised the Home Nightclub was without an endless queue! Indeed, the place wasn’t packed, but the night was certainly packed in with an eclectic mix of artists from around Australia – and even the world! Taking the…

Having filled up on the meal the Song Summit Conference had provided me, I was fairly content to relax, take a seat and enjoy the first band to grace the main stage, The Jezabels. In fact, despite plenty of other bands playing at the two other stages during the 3-or-so-hour event, I was perfectly content…

The second Sydney Song Summit has come to an end, leaving many to ask – so what was it all about? From my own viewpoint, I hadn’t even heard of the conference in its first appearance, back in 2008, and I could imagine many of you are in the same boat in 2010. So please,…

Returning to Australia for their first tour since 2003, I’ve got to say: Train are a comeback I didn’t see happening. The ARIA Platinum, Number 1 hit single “Hey, Soul Sister” has launched them back into the Australian and international consciousness. In fact it’s their most popular song to date. This is especially surprising when…

Local heroes Cassette Kids returned to the Oxford Art Factory on Friday night, performing to a sold out crowd who gave the four piece a true pop star reception. To thank us, they brought lasers. But we had some supports to get through first! Kids of 88 opened up the night, and I have to…

Destroying art in the name of… art? That was the theme of tonight’s Creative Sydney “Sydney Session”, featuring the instrumental talents of Cameras and Red Ghost, performers from the Rapid Response project (directed by Laura Scrivano) and artists Beastman, Max Berry, Numskull, Phibs and Roach. A comment on the way Sydney treats its artists, I…

The first time I saw Cabins was in 2008. They were just getting started as a band, while I was just finishing up my Undergraduate Degree. I remember the promise they showed in the early days, while they were finding their sound and a fan base. So now, to see them a couple of years…

Late last week, I headed along to the Forum in Sydney to check out the latest installment of [V] Live – this time showcasing the young talents of Operator Please. On entry, I was immediately impressed by the set up. Up front, the underage were given prime access, giving the 10 camera set up a…

It was my last day in Perth, and before flying on home, I headed over the Festival Wrap Party at Mojos in North Fremantle. I arrived just in time for young rockers, King George (Pictured Below). Tonight, the four piece – all of whom are still in High School to my understanding – were three….

After a brief interval involving some chicken schnitzel, it was time to head to the Amplifier/Capitol for the Saturday Spectacular closing party: a three stage mini-festival which saw headliners Jebediah return to the stage, Will Stoker and the Embers shine and Tomas Ford spend most of his anticipated set in the crowd, rubbing his sweaty…

It’s the Saturday Spectacular at the WAMi Festival! Dozens of bands are spread around 9 venues in Northbridge, putting on some killer free shows for both the public and conference attendees. And with the conference ending just hours earlier, you better believe everyone was ready to party. But when you’ve got 9 venues to choose…

After my first night of music in Perth was spent enjoying the festivities of the 2010 WAMi Awards, Friday brought with it a barrage of live music choices. While originally heading somewhere completely different, I ended up at the “Someday” single launch for local up-and-coming act The Morning Night. Taking place at the Amplifier Bar,…

Sunday’s gig at Metro City marked the first time Vampire Weekend had come to Perth, and the last date of their Australian tour. So as to be expected, a good time was had by all. Tickets for the gig had sold out weeks in advance, so anyone without a ticket was going to have to…

Almost every Friday night, I have someone asking me – what’s going on in the city tonight? Where can I see some great bands? And in my opinion, it’s almost always difficult to choose between SOSUEME at QBar, and MUM at World Bar. So for a simple exercise in effort, this Friday in question, I…

Bring on the product placement! Yes, the Ben Sherman sponsored event Big British Sound is back for a second year, giving us another healthy dose of local artists playing their own tracks, and a cover or two from their British idols. It’s an interesting premise, and more interesting still was that no one chose The…

Chuck Ragan’s Revival Tour rolled into Perth on Wednesday, bringing with it some acoustic wielding musos in the form of Frank Turner, Tim Barry and Ben Nichols. Here are some of the things we learnt (in no particular order): 1. Whiskey causes Feedback. 2. Whiskey makes your voice sound awesome! 3. 6 Guys, 4 Guitars,…

While some may criticise the fact a brand like General Pants is starting up an event like Major Label simply to sell more jeans… wait a minute, this surely isn’t a criticism anyone with half a brain would make, would they? With the music industry the way it is, it’s through companies like General Pants…

When Melbourne’s Young Werther took to the stage in the gorgeous Raval room at the Macquarie Hotel, launching into “I Don’t Want to Go to the Circus”, I have to say I was a little surprised. I thought they were headlining! But it was local Lucy Hall who took these honours, so I went ahead…

The Friday night experience known as “Oh My!” at Home Nightclub has received an additional push of late, by way of the Rebel Rebel Band Room. Those playing along at home may remember Rebel Rebel as the run of nights that launched many years ago with Liars and Shout Out Louds (what a night!!)– and…

In the years that followed the success of their breakthrough debut LP, Oh We Like To Be Beside The Seaside, Australia has eagerly awaited new material from Melbourne’s The Vasco Era. Finally, they have returned, emerging with a new album, Lucille, and an energy that sees them reborn. It had been well over two years…

Back in February, Oxford Art Factory launched a new band night – The Revenant Club – a celebration of local music curated by the folks behind Exquisite Corpse. Featuring Danimals, Dark Bells, Virgo Rising and more, it gave us a taste of what was “hot right now” in the underground Sydney scene – and most…

Here at AU review HQ, one Australian band you’ll often hear me rave about are incredible Sydney quartet The Jezabels. They’re just about to embark on a national tour with Tegan & Sara – a band who have a history of taking bands away from us (An Horse). So I beg of you, T&S, please…

On the final day of Bluesfest,you can’t help but feel a combination of sadness and relief. By the fifth day, Bluesfest has become a way of life, something you almost couldn’t imagine being without. But by the fifth day, your body and feet aren’t in agreement on the topic. You’re lucky to get 6 hours…

Growing up, there are several bands who I can distinctly remember singing along to in the back of my parent’s car. One of these bands was Supertramp. So let me be quite blunt here: Roger Hodgson, formerly of said band, was the reason I returned to Byron Bay for the 2010 Bluesfest… and while he…

“Who on earth is that band rocking the socks off the main stage?” I thought to myself as I entered the Bluesfest showgrounds for my third day. “Led Zeppelin? The Mars Volta?” Whoever it was, they sounded absolutely incredible. I would later find out they were Carney, from Los Angeles – one of the surprise…

As I headed into the festival grounds on Friday, I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of excitement as the sun beamed down on me. Today was a ridiculously fantastic line-up. Entering the gates, Old Man River could be heard opening on the main stage – the familiar “Sunshine” wafting through the air, to…

Oh Hark, The Sun Approaches! The Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival (aka Bluesfest) and sun are not two things that necessarily come hand-in-hand – think more along the lines of rain and mud. Like any good festival, really. But this year Mother Nature gave attendants a bit of a treat – amazingly beautiful weather,…