Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
Last time this reviewer was lucky enough to see Killswitch Engagewas at what was then called the Forum at Moore Park (now the HiFi). It was a sideshow to another festival and the bill included Divine Heresy and Shadows Fall. It was a remarkable show housed within a diminutive venue when the band was fronted by the mighty Howard Jones – who, at one point in the show climbed the speaker stack and proceeded to fall into the crowd below. The anticipation level was high for tonight’s show.
Continue reading Live Review | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014
Category Archives: Live Review
Live Review | Monster Magnet + King of the North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney – April 4, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
To say that we were a little concerned about Monster Magnet’s set upon reaching the HiFi Bar just as the doors were opening would be an understatement. Simply put, there was very little sign of life. Granted, it was a dismal evening with some drizzle and cold Autumn winds blowing through, but there was hot night of raucous rock and roll to be enjoyed inside.
Regardless, Sydney band Arrowhead opened the night’s festivities to an almost empty room, rocking out with an energetic mix of mid-paced stoner/desert/Sabbath vibes. The three-piece made a beautiful racket and the small crowd clearly appreciated their driving, grooving slabs of riffage.
Continue reading Live Review | Monster Magnet + King of the North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney – April 4, 2014
Live Review | Thirty Seconds to Mars at Qantas Credit Union Arena in Sydney
Review and article photo by Courtney Laura
To say I was buzzing with excitement as I took my seat in Sydney’s Qantas Credit Union Arena waiting for Thirty Seconds To Mars is an understatement. Looking around the room, it was filling up nicely. The atmosphere was building and as London band the White Lies stepped onto the stage the room erupted ready to party with them.
The 5-piece band captivated with their raw, edgy sound and successfully pumped up the energy of the crowd in readiness for the headline act.
Continue reading Live Review | Thirty Seconds to Mars at Qantas Credit Union Arena in Sydney
Live Review | Caspian + Meniscus + Hope Drone @ The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane | March 21, 2014
Words by Denis Semchenko
It’s a gorgeous Thursday evening in the Queensland capital, the smell of the rain still hanging in the crisp air after an earlier downpour. Following a brisk walk to the Tempo, we are met with a killer blast of noise: that’s Hope Drone, eagerly conforming to their moniker by dousing the venue with bucketfuls of post-black metal (yep – everything is “post” these days) and death growls. It’s not all Cookie Monster-esque bluster, though – the quartet aren’t shy on melody and have their cleans and atmospherics down pat.
Continue reading Live Review | Caspian + Meniscus + Hope Drone @ The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane | March 21, 2014
Live Review | Charles Bradley + Saskwatch @ Melbourne Zoo Twilight – March 7, 2014
Review by Ben Connolly
With a white sequined dinner jacket, and a ‘fro straight outta Brooklyn circa 1972, it was clear from the first strained note that Charles Bradley was every inch of his impressive mythology. The bio reads like a carefully scripted wrap-sheet: he was raised in a dirt-poor Brooklyn, from which he escaped only to spend decades drifting and working odd jobs, and spending serious time as a homeless grafter. On record, it’s heart-on-the-sleeve honesty of a man who knows no other. On stage it’s merely confirmation, as the performer pours every last ounce of feeling into the overwrought vocals and leaves nothing behind.
Continue reading Live Review | Charles Bradley + Saskwatch @ Melbourne Zoo Twilight – March 7, 2014
Live Review | Placebo @ Palais Theatre, Melbourne – February 27, 2014
Review by Ben Connolly
Photos by Annie Wilson
In the great lottery of the Sidewave venue scramble, Placebo must surely have pulled the short straw. Not that St Kilda’s Palais Theatre is generally anything to be disappointed with – its grungy dilapidation holds a special place in Melbourne’s rock vernacular. But when it comes to a furious set by one of the world’s best emotive post-punk purveyors, those torn leather seats are just woeful.
Seated gigs are sometimes just the pits, with often fickle gig-going punters varying between reckless abandon and a studied aloofness, meaning that on any given night you can find yourself jumping to your heart’s content surrounded by fellow revellers, or having to reign in your exuberance or suffer the fate of a thousand daggers shot your way.
Continue reading Live Review | Placebo @ Palais Theatre, Melbourne – February 27, 2014
Live Review | Mayday Parade + The Story So Far + Real Friends | The Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 26, 2014
Review by Scott Singh
In the middle of the Soundwave hype, three bands united to put on an exhilarating show at the Metro Theatre in Sydney. From the outcome of the show, it was clear that this combination of bands pulled off an adrenaline induced show.
Starting the night off to a full crowd, Real Friends played to fuel the antics of a wild crowd. During “Dirty Water” members of the crowd took it as their mission to ride to the front in order to grab some mic time with lead singer Dan. The amount of passion seen in this set was unbelievable and must be attributed to the packed venue of loyal fans. Having just played the Sydney Soundwave show on Sunday, the band still brought out the ferocity of their music. Raw vocals and a blistering punk rock sound allowed for the crowd to expend their leftover energy from the Soundwave festival.
Continue reading Live Review | Mayday Parade + The Story So Far + Real Friends | The Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 26, 2014
Live Review | Something For Kate + The Orbweavers @ Melbourne Zoo Twilights – February 21, 2014
Review by Ben Connolly
Gig talkers are just the pits aren’t they? The bane of any true fans, their inanities strike at the most inopportune of moments, ruining a classic heart on the sleeve moment or a strained high-note, in spite of the daggers of ice being shot across the room, or even the indignant ‘shushing’ from those more forthright in their opinions. Things get a little swayed, however, when those interrupting the moments are three fully grown lions displaying their pleasure/displeasure in no uncertain terms.
And that’s exactly the bizarre set of circumstances thrown up at you when your Friday night gig is set in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most treasured inner-city reserves – the Royal Melbourne Zoo. Its Zoo Twilight series is now in full swing, hosting fellow Melbournites Something For Kate on its current swing around the country playing on specialist outdoor stages. Wedged in between the entrance and the lion’s den, the stage area is a beautiful vista of sunset-tinged greenery interspersed with picnic blankets and a solid smattering of baby capsules.
Continue reading Live Review | Something For Kate + The Orbweavers @ Melbourne Zoo Twilights – February 21, 2014
Live Review | Alter Bridge + Living Colour | The Hi-Fi, Sydney – February 25, 2014
Review and photos by Ben Hosking
It almost seems absurd that a chart-topping US rock band like Alter Bridge should be playing a venue as small as Sydney’s HiFi. So, it makes sense that tonight’s show – a Soundwave sideshow – should be completely sold out. Indeed, the line of punters stretches from the front door, around the side and turns back on itself to the front door. The Tremonti (AB’s guitarist) tattoo taking one guy’s entire lower leg tells us that he’s probably been here most of the day waiting.
Continue reading Live Review | Alter Bridge + Living Colour | The Hi-Fi, Sydney – February 25, 2014
Live Review | Rob Zombie + Korn + Mushroomhead | Big Top Luna Park, Sydney – February 24, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
What a freakin’ line up! Tonight’s Soundwave sideshow has sold out Luna Park’s Big Top and had punters lining up around the venue since 9am. It’s hardly surprising when you have Nu Metal legends Korn and comic super villain Rob Zombie headlining the same bill.
Opening tonight’s festivities are the masked crazies Mushroomhead. While their sound may not completely live up to their evil image, they offer an interesting three vocal assault, combining rap, screams and melodic vocals over a thickened bed of crushing riffs and soaring choruses. Tonight’s performance quickly whips up the early crowd, with all three singers launching into the crowd at one point.
Continue reading Live Review | Rob Zombie + Korn + Mushroomhead | Big Top Luna Park, Sydney – February 24, 2014
Live Review | Soundwave Festival 2014 – Brisbane
Review by Brandon Blythe
The streets leading into Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds were flooded with excited fans eagerly waiting for the gates to open to this years Soundwave festival. As far as the eye can see were show goers of all age’s shapes and sizes proudly wearing their favourite band moniker or dressed in attention seeking costumes. The gates open, the crowd spills in and the day begins.
Our first stop was Amon Amarth who had been slated the very early 11am spot on Stage 4. The early start didn’t stop a league of loyal fans from packing the stage to see the Swedish melodic death metal band blasting out their best… Viking ship and all.
“Mon the Biff” – On Stage 1, Biffy Clyro gave everything they had and more! The shirtless, tattooed Scots rocking out a frantic set of favourites, fuelling the audience and setting a standard for the day ahead. Frontman Simon Neil captivatingly plays and sings and connects with the crowd. Ending on a high “We are Biffy f**king Clyro!“.
Continue reading Live Review | Soundwave Festival 2014 – Brisbane
Live Review | Clutch + Don Fernando @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 20, 2014
Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
It begins… The first Soundwave Sidewave shows hit Sydney’s venues in earnest, with Maryland, USA nitro-charged rockers Clutch getting into the swing of things early at Sydney’s Metro Theatre. Supported by Melbourne four-piece Don Fernando, it’s the first time the rock royalty have visited our shores since 2010 and as vocalist/preacher Neil Fallon and his beard proclaim, “Let’s make up for lost time!”
Continue reading Live Review | Clutch + Don Fernando @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 20, 2014
Live Review | Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney – February 13, 2014
Review and photos by Peter Coates
This is apparently the first time US Southern Rock giants LYNYRD SKYNYRD have ever toured Australia in their 40+ years as a band! Judging by the number of tour T-shirts in the crowd from the past 20 years, many of the audience had seen them elsewhere!
I was lucky enough to shoot (photograph) their “God & Guns” Tour in London in March 2010, and jumped at the chance to see them again when the Australian dates were announced. Only two shows in Melbourne and Sydney, after a couple of festival shows in New Zealand, but two shows in 40 years is certainly better than none!
Continue reading Live Review | Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney – February 13, 2014
Live Review: Ed Kowalczyk @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney – February 11, 2014
Review and Photos by Peter Coates
Walking up Enmore Road to the venue, thinking about the 20 or more years since the two massive Live albums had left their mark on adult, contemporary rock music, and noting the ticket prices, there was a thought that this might be a somewhat “intimate” show – shows how switched on I must be – the Enmore was packed at 8.30pm enjoying the solo guitar ballads of Anita Lester from Lester The Fierce.
A fairly minimalist stage and lighting set up, and a roar as the house lights dimmed and the intro kicked in… and the band strolled onto the stage and kicked in to the Throwing Copper album in track order… from “The Dam at Otter Creek” all the way through to “Horse/Untitled”. Ed Kowalczyk picked up a guitar for “Selling the Drama” and the huge “I Alone”, before leading the first of many crowd sing-alongs with “Lightning Crashes”.
Continue reading Live Review: Ed Kowalczyk @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney – February 11, 2014
Live Review | Periphery + Animals as Leaders @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – February 1, 2014
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