Live Reviews

When it came to the individual members of One Direction embarking on their inevitable solo careers, it would be a fair assumption that not many expected Niall Horan to emerge as one of the most successful.  Sure, he hasn’t risen to Harry Styles’ level of manic fandom, but Horan, with his easy Irish charm, blend…

For two bands that have been active for over 30 years, it’s a surprise to discover that they have never toured together until now. The tour matches two bands – very popular with the Gen X and Millennial fans – for slightly different reasons. Incubus were born out of the burgeoning nu-metal crave of the…

Just weeks after their successful Australia and New Zealand tour, Queens of the Stone Age are currently touring Canada, playing a mix of capital and regional cities around the country with UK group The Struts. In Ontario, The End Is Nero tour is hitting four shows around the Province, with the first in Oshawa –…

This year, the South Australian leg of The Day on the Green tour was held at Peter Lehmann Winery in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. The setting is a grassed clearing in a heavily wooded area, with good views of the stage from anywhere on the grass. Those seated close to the stage had an intimate…

It was probably unfortunate timing to start an Australian tour in Adelaide on the Gather Round weekend, as it seems everyone’s attention was on the football. However, times like this weeds out the true fans, who gathered at the Hindley Street Music Hall to hear Holy Holy play their latest album Cellophane. Gumbaynggirr rapper Tasman…

Beginning as a melodic hardcore quintet, alt-rock duo Days Like These have come leaps and bounds since their 2021 debut EP Wide Awake. After releasing their anticipated debut album ICON in 2023, they now make their own brand of dark pop songs with the occasional breakdown. The band kicked off their Suckers for Fame tour…

“I knew that band before they were famous” Does anyone have that friend who seems to say this constantly? For the people in my life, I was that friend. In my 20s, it was my life’s mission to discover every fantastic band before anyone else. I wanted to be the guy who always had an…

The market for R&B festivals in Australia is tricky, but the demand is clearly at a level that seemed unreachable a few years ago. It felt unlikely we’d ever get a modern R&B festival with a solid all-round lineup, especially since Soul Fest folded and Made in the 90s is set on that vintage niche….

In patent leather shoes and a skirt and coat like a school girl’s, Sahara Beck took to the stage and enveloped the bar in warm tones and bright anthems. She might be relatively unknown, but seeing her sing makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem–the guy next to me nudged me and asked,…

Melbourne/Naarm darkwave synthpop band, Dark Water, opened proceedings at the Metro Theatre in style. Their moody, atmospheric tunes certainly set the tone for an already packed-out room. Whilst it was a relatively short set they had the crowd engaged. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the future, for sure. By the time Ville…

We live in a world where cynicism is constantly mistaken for wisdom or rationality. No one really cares when you tell your own story, unless they can see themselves in it. The best storytellers know this, which is why they’re adept at creating art that is relentlessly human. This is what separates a truly great…

Adelaide endured one of its famous 40C heatwaves over the Adelaide Cup long weekend. In this climate, events can be cancelled, postponed or modified. To their credit, the WOMADelaide organisers made the World’s festival as comfortable as could be. The bats that have recently taken up residence in the Frome Road copse of trees were…

Michigan emo larrikins Hot Mulligan have just wrapped up their 11-date debut Australia and New Zealand tour with a sold-out show at The Princess Theatre in Brisbane on Saturday 9 March. Upgraded from The Brightside Outdoors, the beloved punks were supported by Nashville five-piece Free Throw and esteemed locals Bad Neighbour in an emotional farewell…

It was a hot summer evening in Adelaide for a night of psychedelia, with four bands on the bill at the Cranker (Crown and Anchor Hotel). Local outfits Nite Rites, Thunder Speaks and Sons of Zöku supported the highly anticipated Japanese Krautrock band MINAMI DEUTSCH, making their debut in Adelaide. Outside, the closed off Rundle Street…

Mona Foma finished off their month-long Tasmanian summer festival with a free evening concert in the beautiful Cataract Gorge in Launceston. The natural rock pool, enhanced with a shallow man-made wading pool made for a natural amphitheatre for the music event. It’s a popular destination, with a walking trail along the Tamar River, a swimming…

The National have been regulars to our shores for 16 years, so the six-year gap since their last show in Australia is a fair enough gap to have revived the appetite for the Ohio via New York City group.  Bringing Annie Hamilton along for the tour was a stroke of genius. Not only is she…

There’s no point throughout Sampha’s generously paced, highly detailed performance at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion where it feels like the UK singer has made any sort of mistake or taken a wrong turn. From the smart lighting to the composition of his achingly vulnerable songs, the man demonstrated exactly why he has emerged as one of…

The Mona Sessions were held on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings on the lawns of the Mona Museum. Each night showcased a diverse range of artists, both local and international. The highlight of the Friday night was Scottish post-rock kings, Mogwai. Their set is larger than life with a sound that envelops everything, and…

Accor Stadium is becoming synonymous with powerful women dominating in their field. The last time I was at the stadium, I watched Sam Kerr score a worldie in the semi-final of the Women’s Football World Cup. I thought that would be a tough moment to top. And then in comes Taylor Swift on night one…

In the six years since Queens of the Stone Age have been in Australia, it’s fair to say that a bit has happened. The world has changed in fundamental ways, we all had life-altering experiences and for Josh Homme, lead singer of the beloved QOTSA, he fought cancer – and won.  That sort of news…

The Moonah Arts Centre is in the northern part of Hobart, with Moonah building a reputation as the fastest growing multicultural region. It is only fitting that this collaboration of Indian and Australian musicians has been held here. Musicians from the Hindustani traditions mix with Rajasthani folk musicians and Australian players in open sessions of…

Last night at the Rechabite, jazz-prodigy duo Domi & JD Beck finished up the last set of the tour for their first album. It was a full house, packed to the rafters with jazzheads shouting out “je t’aime Domi!” and “we love you!”. If you expected something smooth and transcendental like their album NOT TiGHT…

Despite many recent festivals being scaled back or cancelled altogether, Laneway Festival bounced back into Adelaide on Friday, 9th Feb, as big and bold as ever. Having outgrown the city laneways several years ago, then Hart’s Mill in Port Adelaide, the venue is now Bonython Park in the western city parklands. A glorious sunny day…

The last time P!NK was in Australia and New Zealand, in 2018, she played to over half a million fans grossing over 100 Million dollars and setting the standard for massive arena shows. She is an artist that will leave big gaps in her touring schedule to allow for extra shows and that meant her…

The actual laneways may not exist anymore, but the hot weather remained for the 17th Sydney edition of the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival. The Sydney Showgrounds were again the venue for the well-loved festival and despite some trepidation at the change last year, there were some nice additions that improved the experience this year. With…

You may not realise it, but Texas have always been there. Maybe popping up in your brain on an idle Tuesday or keeping you awake at night with the refrain of “I don’t want a lover; I just need a friend.” The Scottish group have never disbanded, and despite some hiatus time (where solo projects…

Rising star Gracie Abrams showcased her undeniable talent in a captivating performance at Melbourne’s Forum on the chilly night of January 21st. Having embarked on her musical journey with the release of her first single in 2020, Gracie has quickly ascended to stardom with two successful EPs, an album, and even sharing the stage with…

While American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is certainly no stranger to Australia, after the success of his 2023 album Stick Season, he’s here and playing the biggest Aussie venues he’s ever headlined. Kicking off at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, last night’s show was one for the books. Earlier in the day, Kahan shared on social…

T.I., Ashanti, T-Pain. The three headliners for Juicy Fest 2024, the second iteration of what is – I’m guessing – now the signature hip hop festival for Australia and New Zealand. Signature because all these other attempts at building a stable hip hop and R&B festival for Australia and New Zealand have largely fallen flat…

Last year’s Heaps Good Festival was such an incredibly great show that it’s hard to understand why this year’s wasn’t bigger and better. Moving the stages from the main oval at the Adelaide Showgrounds into the pavilion area seemed to dampen the festival vibe. Fortunately, the food court was outside, which gave something of a…