Tag Archives: live review

Bluesfest 2011 – Day One, Featuring: ZZ Top, Los Lobos, Funky Meters, CW Stoneking and The Hands. – Live Review

Bluesfest 2011 – Day One, Featuring: ZZ Top, Los Lobos, Funky Meters, CW Stoneking and The Hands.

Despite dismal forecasts, the weather held out for music lovers as they descended onto the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay, the new site for Australia’s premiere Blues and Roots Music Festival. Now extended to cover six days, campers and eager punters slowly edged their way into the grounds, with staff and volunteers doing their best to ensure that parking, setup and entry was relatively painless. The wet grounds were eclipsed by the buzz of excitement, a busy energy punctuating the usually laidback Byron feel.

Day one really hit its stride with festival favourite Xavier Rudd playing the main stage, the sounds of Let Me Be floating over the fence to greet those still passing through ticketing and security check points; a generous taste of what awaited them inside.
Continue reading Bluesfest 2011 – Day One, Featuring: ZZ Top, Los Lobos, Funky Meters, CW Stoneking and The Hands. – Live Review

Roxy Music, Cameras @ Brisbane Riverstage – 1st March 2011 [Live Review]

By Denis Semchenko


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  After the first day of autumn in Brisbane discouragingly turned out to be another stifling experience, the evening breeze is a welcome reprieve. The Riverstage is an unusual sight – half the hill is lined with seats in stark contrast with how the place looked last time I attended a show there (trying to balance myself on a slippery slope at the rain-sodden Sunset Sounds).

Considering the vast majority of tonight’s crowd are baby boomers, young Sydney six-piece Cameras fall on largely indifferent ears with their moody, echoey indie-rock. Influenced by the same doleful post-punk sounds from the late ’70s/early ’80s northern England as Interpol (the bass player even looks like a younger version of Carlos D: smart black shirt and jeans, knee-level Fender P), they give it their all despite muted response. Tunes like Defeatist and Kreuzberg are steely and brooding in equal measures; I make a mental memo to catch the band at a venue gig in the future.

Continue reading Roxy Music, Cameras @ Brisbane Riverstage – 1st March 2011 [Live Review]

Andrew McMahon @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 12 February 2011 [Live Review]

Review: Amy Lee Freshwater

  Being a Jack’s Mannequin fan, and an even bigger Something Corporate fan, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing frontman Andrew McMahon perform a solo show at the Metro this year. Notably, so were quite a few others as the Metro was packed to its borders with people ready to sing their night away in one massive choir, which is exactly what they did…

All equipped with a beautiful black grand piano, a corona and a small budda sitting on top and Bobby Anderson assisting on acoustic guitar and backing vocals. McMahon began the evening with a Jack’s Mannequin song contrary to an audience members request of ‘The Lion King’, a comment which McMahon was quite amused by. We heard As You Sleep, followed by Crashin’ and then Swim, which by now had both McMahon and the crowds vocal chords well and truly warmed up.

Continue reading Andrew McMahon @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 12 February 2011 [Live Review]

‘The Rat Trap’ Polytoxic @ Brisbane Powerhouse, 9th February, 2011 [Live Review]

Review by: Lana Harris

  Let me introduce you to The Rat Trap. Bull whipping, lampshade hanging, Siamese twin ninja fighting cabaret. Using a mix of circus antics, contemporary dance moves, ye olde piano music, silent movie explanation screens and good ol’ physical comedy, Polytoxic act out the seedy and sexy story of the dive known as The Rat Trap.

The Rat Trap is a ‘scratch work,’ the beginnings of a finished piece performed as part of the World Theatre Festival at the Powerhouse. The festival contains several of these still cooking pieces, enticing viewers with an unpolished taste of performer vision.

Polytoxic keeps a cracking pace through the show, including plenty of action designed to make the audience gasp and laugh. The result is an accessible piece where there’s nothing to ‘get’. Polytoxic make it clear to their audience that their sole purpose on stage during Rat Trap is not to send a message or explore deep, dark and meaningful themes, it’s to amuse the audience and have fun. The diversity of the performers, whose backgrounds range from theatre to dance to circus training, appears to be a strong feature in creating such an entertaining piece. The mix of talents twists intricacy and depth into the performance.

Polytoxic have been around since 2000, and have recently upped their numbers from a three piece to six performers. If the beginnings of The Rat Trap are anything to go by, the increase in entertainers will expand the possibilities of a group which are already known for their raw, energetic, and accomplished works.


Playing at the Brisbane Powerhouse until Sun 13 Feb 2011

Dates/Times
Fri 11 Feb 7.15pm
Fri 11 Feb 8.20pm
Sat 12 Feb 7.15pm
Sat 12 Feb 8.20pm
Sun 13 Feb 5.45pm
Sun 13 Feb 8.45pm

Visit the Brisbane Powerhouse site for all details.



More articles by Lana Harris:
* U2 @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane w/ Jay Z – 8 December 2010 – Live Review
* Rise to Remain “Bridges will Burn” – EP Review
* Radio Birdman “Live in Texas” – LP Review
* Montpelier ‘Last Boat’ Single Review
* Weezer “Hurley” – LP Review
* Soilwork “The Panic Broadcast” – LP Review
* Danza Contemporanea De Cuba @ The Playhouse (Brisbane Festival), 15th September 2010 – Live Review
* Polarity @ The Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane 13th September 2010 – Live Review
* Betrayal @ The Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane 10th September 2010 – Live Review
* Crow “Arcane” – LP Review
* Search for more article by this author…

Woodford Folk Festival – December 30th 2010 – Live Review [P2]

Review: Kenada Quinlan


[Photo Credit: Silvana Macarone]
  Following the licensed streets, the once closed Amphitheatre is showing tonight and as the clock strikes 8pm, Evil Eddie is on schedule. Interaction with the 10 row deep bouncing spectators is initiated with the first instalment of ‘Somebody Say Evil’. “That was a little self-indulgent but thank you!” smiles the lead man and ex-Buttefingers vocalist/songwriter Eddie Jacobson. Taking a back seat yet pivotal to the performance, Jacobson enjoys the company of his fellow comrade Toddy Spitfire as the two slickly pinball lyrics from one song to the next.

Charging through ‘Aint Love Grand’ and the addictive ‘Voices In My Head’, the vision becomes clear as the studio sounds are brought to life via a strong family of well equipped and known Brisbane musicians.With the crowd multiplying by the second, the festivities continue and the only exit from this show is to refresh yourself with the energy that has been freely given to you.
Continue reading Woodford Folk Festival – December 30th 2010 – Live Review [P2]

Woodford Folk Festival – December 30th 2010 – Live Review [P1]

Review: Kenada Quinlan
Photo Credit: Silvana Macarone

The first day of blissful dry weather and the number of smiles has doubled at the sight of the sun. Tallulah Rendell’s first port of call before her 6 week tour of the continent is a string of gigs in the usual Woodford fashion. Strumming soft emotive of blues driven rock, the half-Australian, London based solo artist resembles the tones of PJ Harvey. Taking inspiration from an operatic era, Rendell’s quaintly captivating structures decide to haunt at instances, delivering momentary bouts of individualism.
Continue reading Woodford Folk Festival – December 30th 2010 – Live Review [P1]

U2 @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane w/ Jay Z – 8 December 2010 – Live Review

Review: Lana Harris
Photo Credit: Stuart Blythe
View full photo gallery here
The crush down Caxton St at five pm begins the stadium size spectacle that will be U2 and Jay-Z tonight. By the time Jay-Z takes the stage at 6.30pm, the standing room ticket area is already mostly full. Jay-Z lives up to his hype, resplendent in Gangsta Garb, sunglasses welded to his face, rap antics peppered throughout his set, a ten piece accompaniment to his words provided by drumming, saxophone, trumpet and keyboard among others. He’s playing early, to an audience mostly waiting to see a main act distinctly different in style. He copes well with this, managing to get hands in the air and ladies spinning clothes above their heads during the one hour set. ‘On to the Next One’ and ’99 Problems’ get the crowd going, and ‘Forever Young’, covered in an ode to Notorious B.I.G, is also popular. Throughout the set the bass is massive, pummeling the throat, rattling hearts against rib cages. He exits the stadium in a stretch golf buggy.
Continue reading U2 @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane w/ Jay Z – 8 December 2010 – Live Review

Muse @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, December 5th, 2010 – Live Review

Review: Lana Harris

View full photo gallery here

[Photo Credit: Matt Palmer]
  If you didn’t realise MUSE were an astronomic rock explosion of a symphonic band, tonight’s stadium extravagance featuring floating performance platforms and blinding silver sequined suits leaves no doubts as to the epic nature of these revolution focused rockers.

Beginning with ‘Uprising’ from latest album The Resistance, MUSE starts the night five metres above the stage, perched on moving

pillars and hidden between huge rectangular prisms which display Orwellian arrangements of human movement. Pairing tracks with visual displays that are often breathtaking and always in the theme of wonder at the natural or fear of the dictatorial is used to great effect throughout the show. ‘Resistance’ is accompanied by DNA helixes spiralling and human forms twisting upon the screens of the prisms above, interspersed with close ups of the band for those sitting further away in the stadium. ‘Undisclosed Desires’ has verdant lasers flinging their light across the crowd, creating a visual spectacle reminiscent of swarms of fireflies hovering above punters’ open mouths.
Continue reading Muse @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre, December 5th, 2010 – Live Review

YOU AM I @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane 27th November 2010 with We All Want To, The Honey Month, Charles Jenkins – Live Review

Review: Pepa Wolfe
YOU AM I @ THE HI-FI BRISBANE – 27TH NOVEMBER 2010
SUPPORTED BY – WE ALL WANT TO, THE HONEY MONTH, CHARLES JENKINS

  An eclectic night at the Hi-fi (Brisbane) began with Charles Jenkins and his special brand of epic tales and poetry. Just the man, his guitar and a few gems, mainly from his current album Walk This Ocean and the previous release Blue Atlas.

A smattering of devotees amongst the early chatting crowd requested favourites. He didn’t have time to play Trees of Brisbane, but those begging for Swing Bridge got lucky.

Friendly, self-depreciating and appreciative of his audience, he worked his way through a strong set, from the heartbreaking Autumn Fall to the thrilling beckoning of Save. Fantastic imagery, bittersweet, at turns gripping then soothing, each song has simplicity yet feels cinematic. Such a beautiful repertoire. If you’re not yet familiar with Jenkins, do yourself a favour and become promptly acquainted.

Continue reading YOU AM I @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane 27th November 2010 with We All Want To, The Honey Month, Charles Jenkins – Live Review

Boiling Point @ Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane 19 November 2010 [Live Review]

Review: Lana Harris
The show begins before we’ve even entered the room. An usher approaches, explaining that to gain admission, tickets are not enough. We’ll need to remove our shoes and any socks and crowd into the shopfront’s store room, leaving behind our footwear. As compensation we will be given a small torch. Crammed into the dark room with forty other people and their exposed feet, we wait for the show to begin.

There is no extra light provided once the doors to the shopfront are opened. We creep in using our bare feet for balance and our small torches for sight. Bolder venturers have already spotted the still as statue performers; others illuminate kitchenware hanging from the ceiling and news stories on the wall recounting the trial of a 1950’s female that killed her husband by poisoning him.
Continue reading Boiling Point @ Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane 19 November 2010 [Live Review]

Manic Street Preachers @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Dead Actors Club, 13 November 2010 – Live Review

Review: Denis Semchenko

  Tonight’s crowd at The Hi-Fi is presumably identical to the one for The Charlatans on Wednesday night (I didn’t go, but a couple friends attended the show): not a lot of young people; Britpop aficionados and sporadic old-school goths rubbing shoulders with rowdy-looking UK expats. Additionally, the atmosphere – surprisingly for the venue – is exceptionally friendly and everyone seems to be here for a genuinely good time.

As often the case with touring overseas acts, the choice of an opening band is a trifle idiosyncratic. Rolling a cool name, busy hairstyles, drainpipe jeans, red Nord synth and spiky guitars into one indie-dance package, Melbournians Dead Actors Club are fun to watch for the first couple of numbers, but soon get predictable. We do, however, have a hoot when the quintet air a track that is The Bloodhound Gang’s

“Bad Touch” in all but name – in this era, any cheesy ’90s reference, whether purely coincidental or not, is likely to get a jolly response.
Continue reading Manic Street Preachers @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Dead Actors Club, 13 November 2010 – Live Review

WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre QPAC, 7th November 2010 – Live Review

Review by: Pepa Wolfe

West Side Story, the classic piece of Musical Theatre inspired by Romeo and Juliet and conceived by Jerome Robbins, hit Brisbane this week in a flash of movement and colour.

Director Joey McKneely brings a wealth of experience to the Australian production, reimagining again as he has done around the world, this story of star-crossed lovers and feuding gangs on the streets of 1950s New York.

The rear projection of a grainy black and white still of New York City located the piece, surrounded by tiers of iron balconies, the simple scope of the design hinting at the grand scale of the drama that was about to unfold.

A vibrant production, of swirling movement, soaring vocals and rolling accents all buoyed by the full swell of the 19 piece orchestra, West Side Story maintains an intense energy during the group numbers, but wanes a little during the solo pieces. Both Josh Piterman as Tony and Julie Goodwin as Maria were in fine voice, but the outstanding choreography easily stole the show.
Continue reading WEST SIDE STORY @ Lyric Theatre QPAC, 7th November 2010 – Live Review

Halloween Monster Mash @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 30 October 2010 featuring Dappled Cities, Spod, Last Dinosaurs, The Laurels, Guineafowl and Magnetic Heads – Live Review

Review: Natalie Salvo

Burlesque dancers, sword-swallowing freaks, fire-breathing entertainers and a human vending machine – there was all this and a bunch of coffins, jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs, skulls, fake axes and faux blood from similarly false severed limbs at the Halloween Monster Mash on Halloween Eve at the Metro Theatre. The event was a surreal presentation that was not strictly a concert, kind of like a mini-festival but with better costumes and greater audience participation.
Continue reading Halloween Monster Mash @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 30 October 2010 featuring Dappled Cities, Spod, Last Dinosaurs, The Laurels, Guineafowl and Magnetic Heads – Live Review

Metallica @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre 16 October 2010 – Live Review

Review: Stephen Goodwin

Click here to view gallery.
  James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett sear the air with the frenetic dual guitar solo that concludes One. Wedged between them, man-mountain Robert Trujillo crouches over his massive bass.

Three abreast and in-your-face, Lars Ulrich pulverising his kit directly behind them, the hulk and bulk of their physical presence as they shred away inspires awe.

And it’s precisely what’s been absent for much of the 40 minutes since Metallica opened their first Brisbane performance with the Ennio Morricone-inspired bombast of Ecstasy of Gold.

Continue reading Metallica @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre 16 October 2010 – Live Review

Cloud Control, Seekae and Deep Sea Arcade @ The Metro, Sydney 15 October 2010 – Live Review & Photos

Review: Natalie Salvo
This was a farewell gig of sorts for Cloud Control as the Blue Mountains-via-Sydney band are temporarily relocating to the UK ahead of the overseas release of their debut album. Starting off with more of a fizzle than a bang, 7:00pm had been listed as the start time yet the punters (mainly young teenage girls in florals and itsy bitsy shorts vying for the “ indie cred” tag) were left whiling away the time listening to Blondie’ s greatest hits. It wasn’t all bad though; because we were treated to watching some rather animated bartenders dancing along to Ms Harry and Co.
Continue reading Cloud Control, Seekae and Deep Sea Arcade @ The Metro, Sydney 15 October 2010 – Live Review & Photos