Review and photos by Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au – for Life Music Media
Even before Animals as Leaders take to the Metro stage, the venue is rapidly filling with excited, guitar-crazy punters. There are scores of Periphery shirts circulating and it’s almost impossible to find more than one of the same design – a testament to the band’s proactive approach to merchandise and self promotion.
Despite this, it’s clear that just as many of the assembled throng are here to see Tosin Abasi and co. perform their unique brand of instrumental, 8-string rock fusion. For what is really an odd instrumental line-up (both Abasi and fellow guitarist Javier Reyes playing 8-string Ibanez guitars and drummer Matt Garstka), the mix rings true and clear and the band do an excellent job of recreating tracks from their first two albums – announcing to the eager crowd that they’ve just finished work on album number three. Watching Abasi and Reyes navigate their large fret boards with such ease and confidence definitely makes you feel insignificant – Reyes’ incredible, simultaneous bass line and melody counterpoint work was particularly breathtaking.
Continue reading Live Review | Periphery + Animals as Leaders @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 1, 2014
Firmly established as one of the biggest bands in the UK following the amazing success of their current album Opposites – which debuted at #1 in the UK and #22 in Australia – Biffy Clyro have announced two side-shows ahead of their appearance as part of the 2014 Soundwave Festival.
Legendary guitarist and songwriter, JEFF BECK, brings his revolutionary musicianship to Australia for headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth following a headlining Bluesfest performance.
Renowned for their distinctive vocal style Seattle rockers, ALICE IN CHAINS, have announced just 2 Sidewave that will see them bring their monster sound to Sydney and Melbourne stages! Having sold over 25 million albums the band emerged during the nineties as part of the Seattle grunge scene and crossed over with their critically acclaimed second album in 1992 (DIRT). The band went on to record a further 2 records with the bands 5th studio album THE DEVIL PUT DINOSOURS HERE, released last year.
Fiend Fest, Australia’s only crowd funded and crowd led festival of gothic, industrial and alternative music, culture and fashion now expands with a Perth date just announced! Featuring three of the biggest international names in the worlds of industrial, electronic and darkwave; Front Line Assembly, Leaether Strip and Clan of Xymox – along with a stellar cast of locals including Snog , Cold Divide, Shiv-R, The Dark Shadows, Noveaux, Viral Milennium, Novakill, Keller Kinder and many more to be announced! – Fiendfest crosses the country Anzac weekend with shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Tickets are now on sale!
Mojo Burning will bring together 20 of the country’s sickest bands in the Blues, Rock, Roots, Stoner genres for 1 day of high-quality H20 entertainment at the New Globe Theatre in Brisbane on Saturday March 15, 2014 with a Sunday recovery to follow.


The wildly successful El Grande Festival returns for a 3rd go-round in Central Queensland, this time at Bojangles Nightclub, Gladstone. Dead Letter Circus heads up a MASSIVE day of rock, roots and hip hop presented by HotFM CQ, Southern Cross Ten and The Observer.
Come Australia Day, traditionally there will be a BBQ set up in the backyard with the Hottest 100 playing all afternoon. Or rather than that the family will be taken out for some inspiring journey to revitalize the bunch after the recent holiday celebrations. Though, while others were off to their own devices, many faithful punters attended the Sydney Showground in preparation for BDO. With fans as varied as the artist playing today. This day out offered its signature range of music genres to accommodate for everyone’s taste in music.
