Backstory, my favourite song on Begins Here is Overwhelmed and I had NEVER seen it live. Back in the early 2000s, whenever I bumped into a band member, which happened quite often, I would consistently ask for them to perform it live. The guys could frequently be found at Brisbane bars that showed support for the local music scene. Considering how often I attended their shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast, one can only imagine how many encounters I had with them. The response was always along the lines of ‘not tonight’, but always delivered in the most polite way, no matter which band member I interacted with, even though I was sure they were getting sick of this girl asking to play Overwhelmed. Can you imagine my excitement when the Begins Here tour was announced, with the album to be played in full. This was it, 20 years of waiting and I would finally get to see the song which resonated with me then and still to this day. Stick around to find out how the night unfolded.
Jackson Dean / Tori Forsyth – FACTORY THEATRE Sydney – Oct 18th 2023
Jackson Dean is just 23 years old, hailing from Maryland in the US, and now based, like all the rest, in Nashville, having released his debut album, Greenbroke, in March 2022. He has been brought over to Australia for the Groundwater Festival on the Gold Coast, and has managed to fit in a couple of side shows in Sydney, and next week in Melbourne (CORNER HOTEL, Oct 25th).
Opening act for both the sideshows is Tori Forsyth, a singer from country NSW who debuted in 2017with the evocative single New Wall and the acclaimed EP Black Bird. Forsyth’s highly anticipated 2018 debut album Dawn of the Dark was hailed as one of the strongest country records of the year in Australia, its powerful song writing underpinning Tori’s gritty and expressive vocals. It planted Tori at the forefront of country in Australia, earning three Golden Guitar nominations and landing Tori on stages across the country and beyond. Not one to follow a predictable path, Tori’s second album Provlépseis (2021) was a stunning swerve away from traditional country – a bold and bruising rock record that pushed her out of her comfort zone and became a favourite with fans.
The set on Wednesday was a mix of both, some straight-up country, and some darker, heavier rock songs, delivered with intensity, backed by a really tight band.
We got some old and new songs, including the new single, Sometimes, and all in all were left with a sense that with the right support and exposure, Tori could really make a name for herself.
Jackson Dean will be on the bill at CMC Rocks 2024, and has been picking up exposure over in Australia in the past 12 months, so this was a must-see show, and Sydney turned out in force at the Factory Theatre to welcome him Down Under. A generally more switched on crowd, without the usual cries for a Shoey, and highly receptive to the top quality songs and delivery from Jackson and the band.
Jackson plays and interesting pair of Takamine guitars with custom carved finishes which I’d love to get the story of, and has a superb, solid tight backing band who built up a real head of steam as the show developed. It was all quite low key to start with, and little fuss about this being his first show in Australia, and he played a bunch of songs from Greenbroke, and treated the crowd to some really well chosen covers and a smattering of new songs from his upcoming follow-up album, due for release sometime in mid 2024, which were terrific.
Opening and closing the set with well-known songs Trailer Park and Red Light, Dean took charge of the stage with the power of his vocals. In-between these two we got Big Blue Sky, Don’t Take Much and Keep the Wolves away (Uncle Lucius cover). Then it was Train, and a couple of new songs in Heavens To Betsy, featuring the first of a handful of searing lead solos from guitarist Brandon Aksteter, and the hard-driving Blackout which was a real trip to the dark side…… a crunching riff in the chorus, with a stripped back verse. Jackson’s voice has really warmed up as the set goes on, and he takes the time mid song to thank the crowd for turning up! This has a bit of Gods Country about it with an awesome epic feel to it. In between these new ones we got What’s Up? From 4 Non-Blondes, with some crowd participation teed up at the start, and overall an interesting choice of cover song. Jackson gives it a Chris Stapleton workout and lets the crowd take the chorus, which they do in style.
49 Tons. (Fred Eaglesmith cover) is driven along by the bassline and drums, topped off with a gritty and powerful vocal line and a ripper solo, from the guitar hero who delivers with a hint of fiddle, and some rumbling Toms giving us the sound of the locomotive on the tracks. Fearless is up next, and is yet another example of this rich vocal tone delivering a more powerful sound than on the recordings. After the pulsating Blackout, Jackson did yet another cover, this time Ryan Bingham’s Hallelujah, which showcases more of this powerful voice accompanied by acoustic guitar in the verse, and then soaring over a heavy country rock beat for the chorus . A nice breakdown section letting lead guitarist show off a little, which turns into a lot!
The last two songs of the main set were 1971, the first song the band ever wrote together, and is a rollicking track driven by drums and with more of the fiddle effect on the guitar, before the drum intro to Don’t Come Lookin’ and the guitars kicking in. 100 mobile phones in the air and a few hundred voices singing the chorus back to him to close the set.
An encore was inevitable, and before the rousing Red Light we got the epic ballad of Wings – which again just highlights this young man’s extraordinary voice.
This was a bit of a slow-burner of a set, but Jackson was able to demonstrate what a powerful vocalist he is, and a couple of the unreleased tracks from the next album bode well for the development of his songwriting, and the growing maturity of the performance – assuming his voice holds out! This is a really appealing mix of quality country and southern rock that works so well when done well, and Jackson and the band really delivered on this. This may end up being one of those shows that down the track many hundreds of people claim they were at, as his first show in Australia – those of us who were actually there know the truth!
Morgan Evans Life Upside Down Tour Palais Theatre St Kilda Thursday, September 14th, 2023
Morgan Evans is on the last leg of fourteen sold-out shows across Australia, including two at the Sydney Opera House and a record-breaking crowd at Queensland Gympie Muster. For those of us lucky enough to follow the career of this Newcastle-born, now Nashville resident, they would have witnessed the best part of fifteen years of hard work and commitment. As a Newcastle local, did I feel proud to be there and watch this? Dam right I am.
From the onset, one night at Gympie was not enough. We arrived early Thursday afternoon to find the forest bulging. Campers were forced into overflow areas due to record ticket sales. For the first time in history, the four-day passes were sold out before the event started, and the number of attendees was estimated to be over 45,000, which is incredible given the oversaturation of festivals in 2023. Gympie has always been on the musical fans’ bucket list with a line-up dominated by country. The vibe from the onset was one of relaxation and fun. The transition into the camping area was done with ease; a massive shout out to the volunteers who were pinnacle in making this happen.
LUKE COMBS / CODY JOHNSON / LANE PITTMAN Spark Arena, Auckland 9th August 2023
A full house at Auckland’s Spark Arena on a chilly Wednesday night saw a big slice of New Zealand’s country crew fly and drive in to catch the opening night of the AU/NZ leg of the massive Luke Combs World Tour.
Mike Ross, whose album we recently reviewed, doing a low key solo show as part of the Jimmy C Blues Sessions at the Princess Alexandra in Crouch End – just him, a left-hooker with a bunch of guitars, one 12 string acoustic and two steel resonators, and showing his versatility with the rawness of the performance.
Don McLean Live in Concert Palais Theatre Melbourne Australia Saturday, 29th April 2023.
Don Mclean has been announcing through his extensive 19-date Australian tour that this would be his last. On Saturday night, it was Melbourne’s turn to experience the 77-year-old American troubadour’s presence and what better venue to see him than the Palais Theatre.
Full disclosure. Prior to the tour announcement, I had never heard of Sleep Token. However, when their tour announcement flooded my social media, I was intrigued and decided to request to cover the gig. BEST. DECISION. EVER. I left the venue in a state of euphoria, my mind still trying to comprehend what I had just witnessed and experienced. Gather around, get comfy and let’s dive into what was likely one of the best concerts I’d ever been to.
Review by Wanda Hill Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Bonnie Raitt – Trombone Shorty& Orleans Avenue – The Cat Empire – Mavis Staples – Yirrmal – Michael Franti and Spearhead – Tash Sultana
The final two days of Bluesfest had a bit of a wild west feeling going
on, with autumnal tones, dusty grounds and police people riding around on horseback
occasionally, looking very relaxed about the state of affairs at the festival.
This may have been the calmest Bluesfest I have ever witnessed, well suited to
the sweet sounds of Tash Sultana’s
voice gracing the air waves on Sunday night. There never seemed to be a
hassle lining up for anything or finding a good spot to dance.
Review by Wanda Hill Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
Last night the Crossroads became Buddy Guy’s intimate lounge room for a few hours where the many
thousands gathered, were treated to a warm and humorous insight into the world
of this 86 year’s young, blues legend. He warned ‘if you don’t like Blues you’re
in the wrong fucking house, I’m going to play something so funky you can smell
it.’ He played many of his own songs and those of other legends he has
influenced, interspersed with cheeky stories. After playing Hoochie Coochie Man he observed how Hip
Hop has changed the musical landscape and ‘you can say whatever the fuck you
want now’ not holding back on any details with his lyrics and stories. Playing
with not just his well worn hands, but his sleeve, overall front, teeth and towards
the end walking right out into the the audience, letting kids play his guitar,
giving old and new fans the experience of a life time. As he promised at the
start of the show ‘I don’t get out here very often, so I’m going to give you
the best that I got.’
Red Hot Summer Tour Gateway Lakes Wodonga Victoria April 1st, 2023
featuring: Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning and Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Vika & Linda, Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley
Attending a Red-Hot Summer Tour is like witnessing the perfect storm without the rain. Combine an incredible line-up, a great venue, and a schedule that runs like clockwork. Add in near-perfect weather; seriously, what else could a person want? On Saturday, the crowd flocked to the Gateway Lakes in Wodonga, Victoria, selling out the show weeks before. Listening to the crowd on the way in this is the staple music diet of many, often buying tickets months in advance, and there is little wonder why. This is one of the country’s best venues to see a live act. Unlike many other venues, the venue has easy driving and parking access without the headache of waiting hours to get out. The mood throughout the day was one of ease and calmness. Children were welcome, with many getting an early education into some of the country’s best music and artists.
Review by Wanda Hill Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
Good
Friday in the fields of Tyagarah had all the feels. An emotional tribute show
to Archie Roach was a highlight. Bringing
together First Nations artists from around Australia and even Tibet to
celebrate this wonderful man who has been moving people to tears at many
Bluesfest’s over the years. You know a show is going to be good when festival
director Peter Noble comes out to watch it. So great to hear Uncle Archie’s
songs living on and well cared for by artists such as Shellie Morris, Tenzin
Choegyal, Radical Son and Deline Briscoe who brought us all to
our core with her heartfelt version of A
Child Was Born Here.
Review by Wanda Hill Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
My favorite time of year is here again, where no bigger decision needs to be made other than – what band should I go see now? A fantasy life for five days where Bluesfest serves up an irresistible menu of musical treats. With a plethora of choices laid out before me, I just need to wander around and discover music, new and old to love. Lured in by hot organ sounds I found Southern Avenue at the Juke Joint, just in time for a wicked drum solo by Tikyra Jackson. This band has a big Memphis funk sound with vocalist Tierinii Jackson wielding a powerful voice that can do anything. A perfect initiation into what promises to be another soul shaking festival.
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN opened up the show with a three-song acoustic set that was markedly different from his powerful performance at CMC Rocks, with two of his band accompanying on guitars he trotted out a couple of his better known songs, which due to traffic I missed, and then gave us an impressive performance of Rock And A Hard Place which came across really well in this stripped-back format. He is a bit of a rough diamond in performance, but his association with the likes of HARDY and Morgan Wallen will not hurt his profile at all, and the more experience he gets of performing, the better he will get!