Category Archives: Concert

Gympie Music Muster – 26 – 31 August 2008

Thirsty Merc
(Photo: Thirsty Merc – 2007 Muster)

6 Magical days & unforgettable nights – Amamoor Creek State Forest Park (near Gympie, QLD)
Held among the towering gums of Amamoor Creek State Forest Park, the Toyota National Country Music Muster boasts a myriad of musical excitement, all just a short stroll between venues. Along the site’s forested pathways, you’ll find amazing street theatre, roving bands, markets galore, art auctions, wine tastings, kids playstations – discover why the Toyota Muster is one of Australia’s most spectacular events!

More details as they come to hand…

Dallas Frasca Troy Cassar-Daley Kate Miller-Heidke Augie March Gympie Muster James Blundell

Links:  Toyota National Country Music Muster Offical Site
Photos:  LifeMusicMedia Muster 2007 Photos , Part 1Part 2

V Festival – Gold Coast, 30 March 2008

VFestival - Gold Coast 2008

Review By: By Lisa Kither courtesy of thedaily.com.au

The festival gods were smiling once again on Sunday when a clear blue sky greeted the V Festival as it rolled into the rolling hills surrounds of the Avica Resort on the Gold Coast.

The day brought with it a huge host of bands and thousands of music loving punters, and one Sir Richard Branson who cruised the festival meeting punters and having a great time himself.

In everyone’s life, there is music that defines certain events, or entire generations, and this festival certainly had these on the bill.

Headliners Duran Duran, Smashing Pumpkins, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Presets and Jesus and Mary Chain are among these for many and they were sure to delight. But the earliest acts were dropped as the official start time was postponed until 2pm.

Sadly the days of rain beforehand had turned most of the venue into a muddy slop-fest (that smelled like manure in places) but it failed to dampen spirits despite claiming many pairs of thongs in the boggy holes that were knee deep in some parts.

But we were there for the music. And after wading our way through the bar line and across the crowded fields, there were more problems as the first band on the main stage, Hot Hot Heat, were delayed a further 30 minutes before microphone problems caused more chaos.

But the show did go on and fans were treated to a cracker set from Modest Mouse and Cut Copy, and while Roisin Murphy did nothing to thrill me, a large crowd was singing along to her latest hit.

As the sun set the action picked up as the big names hit the stages.

Queens Of The Stone Age, led by founding member Josh Homme delivered all their hits with high energy and power.

And in the name of safety it was good to see them halt their set when one loser fan threw a can at the stage, only to find himself berated and belittled by Josh before the music continued.

Seeing The Pumpkins was a thrill for me and it was awesome to see them come out on stage and kick off with Today, my personal favourite, for which the crowd sang the first verse without Corgan whose grin and applause for the crowd gave way to a set of sing-a-longs from their biggest albums Siamese Dream and Mellan Collie and The Infinite Sadness as well as newer hits from the 2007 release Zeitgeist.

Rounding out the day, The Presets had a huge dance space cranking in the mud with young and old bouncing up and down to My People, Are You The One, Down Down Down and more, with their live performance assuring fans that the forthcoming new album is sure to be another winner.

Once again Mr Branson has delivered a great festival. The transport out of the venue seemed to go well with shuttles to park and ride stations. The only downside seems to be the $9.50 drinks and $4 waters, far too few toilets and the dodgy stage lateness.

But if you were there I’m sure you didn’t care.

As the final summer festival for 2008, we now look towards Splendour In The Grass which has now been confirmed as the first weekend in August.

VFestival - Gold Coast 2008 VFestival - Gold Coast 2008 VFestival - Gold Coast 2008 VFestival - Gold Coast 2008 VFestival - Gold Coast 2008

Links:  TheDaily.com.au
Photos: V Festival photo set on flickr

The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival Byron Bay – BluesFest

John Butler

The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival Byron Bay (or BluesFest) is held at the Belongil Fields, Ewingsdale Road in Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (20th March – 24 March 2008).  A line up of international and national blues, folk, hip hop, reggae, roots, soul, rock, and world musicians have been put together to perform and includes the amazing Sinead O’Connor, KT Tunstall, Patty Griffin, Clare Bowditch, Xavier Rudd, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Keith Urban, John Butler Trio, Lior and many, many more!

Jeff Martin Keith Urban  Wilco  Sinead O'Connor  Xavier Rudd  Buddy Guy
More Photos Here…

The Byron Bay Blues festival is truly an event and shouldn’t be missed! The new venue is roomy and the event is massive!! Along with the fantastic musical lineup, roaming entertainment and food stalls that sell really good food, I have too tip my hat too the organisers… the complete setup is run with precision.  Transport, security, service, sanity, schedule, direction… everything was organised, ensuring that the average punter had an memorable experience! 

The opening night saw Jeff Martin, Xavier Rudd, Keith Urban and John Butler whipping the crowd into musical bliss.  Wilco rocked! and Buddy Guy delivered a mind-blowing gritty set of blues…

 Link: Official Bluesfest Website
Related: http://www.byron-bay.com/
Photos: lifemusicmedia flickr photoset

4C Arts Collective – Art Party – 7 March 2008

Danny Wilhelm - Villains Of Wilhelm
4C say “4C is an arts collective devoted to utilising and promoting the strengths and talents of artists in a myriad fields to create events that positively contribute to the community”. 

Friday night saw just such a commitment fullfilled with a massive arts party @ The Valley Studios – Brisbane.  Offering live bands (Black Mustang, Villains of Wilhelm, The Black Arts, My Fiction), DJ’s (Beat and Blue, DJ Charlie Hustle), burlesque performers (Lena Marlene, Dangergirl), artwork exibits (Clarissa Bones and more), Breakdancers and Circus Performers, the night was ever moving and entertaining.  Crowd participation was inspired with an art wall that attracted many a budding artist. 

Links:  4C Arts Collective
Photos: flickr photoset 
 

Quiksilver Pro Show Music Festival – 2008

QUIKSILVER PRO SHOW 2009 LINE UP, MORE ACTS ADDED! Click here for details!

Lach Leckie of Roger That @ Quicksilver Pro-Show
[Photo: Stuart Blythe]

QUIKSILVER PRO SHOW 2009 LINE UP, MORE ACTS ADDED! Click here for details!

“Debuting in 2007 as the must-attend party alongside the Quiksilver Pro – the first contest on surfing’s ASP Mens World Tour – the inaugural festival saw bands like The Beautiful Girls, The Herd and The Winnie Coopers dominate the line-up in front of a sell out crowd of 2500 sun-drenched fans.

Now in its second year, the Quiksilver Pro Show is paddling into a musical feast of roots, rock, electro and hip hop – right on the sand at Duranbah Beach, one of the Australia’s most consistent surf breaks.

Appearing as headliners after their biggest and most successful year yet is the three piece synth-electro outfit the MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS.” (ref: Official Proshow website)

Crowd @ Quicksilver Pro Show Festival 2007  Ash Grunwald @ Quicksilver Pro-Show  Rok Poshtya of The Herd @ Quicksilver Pro-Show  Crowd @ Quicksilver Pro Show Festival

When: Saturday March 1st, 2008. John Follent Park, Duranbah Beach, Tweed Heads
Links:  theproshow.com.au
Photos: 2007 Photos 

The Odyssey 2007 Xmas Cabaret Freakshow – The Globe, Fortitude Valley – December 15 2007

Monster Zoku Onsomb

Review by Lisa Lamb

The Odyssey Xmas Cabaret Freakshow is one of the highlights of the year, held annually with three stages of music, theatre, art, dance, film, animation, comedy, puppetry, experimental noise, digital media, fire, mask, magik and soul. Combining the best of local talent with international performers such as Tiger Lil (*The Happy Sideshow* & Machine Gun Fellatio).

All part of an evil plan devised by Daniel Endicott of Odyssey Productions to unleash the world’s most daredevil entertainers on the seedy underbelly of this city starring the cream of Brisbane Burlesque including Miss Bertie, Miss Kitty Conquest, La Viola Vixen, Lena Marlene, The Gamble Sisters, Miss Mindi, Peppa Minx and Tony Campbell in all his tap dancing glory

Kafka played the foyer stage with their unique blend of jazz and funk.
The Blood Poets were a great opening band on the main stage with their catchy pop, rock and dance tunes, just the name alone is enough to keep you interested. Delivering a tight set with an unexpected appearance by burlesque performer Lady Vee as an added bonus!
Continue reading The Odyssey 2007 Xmas Cabaret Freakshow – The Globe, Fortitude Valley – December 15 2007

Tripod – Smaller Than Jesus

Tripod
After a chance meeting with Gatesy, Scod and Yon at Southbank, I was fortunate enough to gain photo access to their Tripod – “Smaller Than Jesus” show at the Tivoli in Brisbane 1 Dec 2007.   

Photos:  LifeMusicMedia flickr photo set
More:     Tripod interview by fellow comedian Lisa Lamb (at FasterLouder) 
Show review at Australian Stage by Jack Teiwes
Tripod on MyspaceTripod Homepage

Kate Miller-Heidke @ The Globe – October 13th 2007

Kate Miller-Heidke

Kate Miller-Heidke certainly made an impression in 2007.  Playing to a sold out Globe Theatre in Fortitude Valley, the band delivered an absolutely fantastic performance.
The night was complemented with Tara Simmons and Liam Griffin

Tara Simmons  Liam Griffin  

Shot for: TheDwarf.com.au
Photos:   Flickr Photo Set

Upsize, The Radiators and the Angels @ Acacia Ridge Hotel – May 4th 2007

Upsize
The Basement Bar at Acacia Ridge Hotel played host to an awesome night where Upsize , The Radiators and The Angels played live and loud! Rock shall never die!

Brisbane rock band Upsize totally rocked the Basement Bar to over a crowd of a 1000. Upsize are playing gigs around Brisbane promoting their debut CD West End Delicacy . They were the perfect band to get the crowd worked up in anticipation of The Radiators and The Angels performances. Upsize’s performance was outstanding, playing all the songs off their debut CD plus a few others which had the crowd jumping and yelling for more!

The Radiators
When The Radiators hit the stage, a wave of people surged forward. If it wasn’t for the guardrail the band would have been engulfed completely. The crowd varied in ages, from late teens to mid to late sixties. The Radiators had everyone nodding, feet tapping, jumping up and down as well as singing along. Everyone, no matter what age, appeared to know all the words to all the songs.

The Radiators started with a few of their slower and older classics like Summer Holiday , and by the time they started playing You Gimme Head , you couldn’t hear the band over the crowd singing. After decades of playing live gigs, The Radiators continue to wow their audience with an adrenaline filled performance.

The Angels
The Angels. What more can be said? The name itself makes you want to bow down low and chant “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” The Angels have a repertoire spanning nearly 3 decades with countless hits including Take A Long Line, After The Rain, Mr Damage, Straight Jacket and their first major hit Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? , which were all performed to the delight of the audience. All that experience has been polished to the extent that you almost feel that you’re listening to the CD.

Friday night was surreal. Not only did we have more Australian rock’n’roll history than you could poke a stick at, the rock’n’roll was picked up and carried forward into the present by Upsize. As I said at the beginning of the review, Rock shall never die!

Reviewed for: FasterLouder.com.au 
Photos: Upsize flickr photo set  and   The Angels & The Radiators flickr photo set