Photos by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
Thanks to Central Press PR
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Continue reading Photo Gallery: Elles Bailey at O2 Forum Kentish Town | London – 15 June 2023 Photos by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
Thanks to Central Press PR
https://www.facebook.com/ellesbailey
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Elles Bailey at O2 Forum Kentish Town | London – 15 June 2023SLOWLY SLOWLY and STAND ATLANTIC are thrilled to announce they are joining forces on a mammoth Australian Regional tour through September and October 2023.
Continue reading Slowly Slowly & Stand Atlantic Announce Co-Headline Regional Australian Tour 2023Photographer : Krista Melsom – kristabellaphotography
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Thornhill + Young Lions + Inertia at UC Hub, Canberra – 11 June 2023Review by Natasha Wyborn
Photos by David Jackson – shotz by jackson
The Waifs – ‘Up All Night’ – 20th Anniversary Tour
Saturday night saw a welcome return to the band’s adopted base of Melbourne, and now playing to a sell-out crowd of loyal fans in St Kilda; it was like coming home. The tour highlights the twentieth anniversary of one of Australian music’s greatest all-time albums. ‘Up All Night’ achieved double platinum status and won four ARIA Awards, no mean feat for a folk band from Albany in Western Australia. The show was an opportunity to play the album, an instant hit with fans.
Up All Night was the fourth album from the Australian Folk Mainstays. The trio comprises sisters Vikki Thorn, Donna Simpson and Josh Cunningham. Taking the stage, Simpson said this is a ‘Celebration of music. Feel free to sing along; that is exactly what the crowd did from start to finish. Opening the set with ‘Bridal Train’ from the 2004 same-titled EP. The song is not the band’s biggest hit but remains a crowd favourite.
‘Shiny Apple’ followed by the album ‘A Brief History Live’ highlighted the distinctive three-clap intro by Simpson. Even after all these years, the lyrics are still haunting. The chorus of masses sang carefully, not to out sing Simpson as she held centre stage.
Additional band members were introduced, long term friends Ben Franz on bass and David Ross MacDonald on drums arrived to complete the evening’s lineup.
‘ Something’s Coming ‘ from the 2017 album ‘Ironbark; highlighted Thorn on Harmonica. All band members looked comfortable from the start exchanging banter.
What happened next was why the audience and loyal fans made the journey—hearing ‘Up All Night’ and playing the album in order was pure genius allowing the audience to know what was coming. I remember buying this CD when it was first released; I played it repeatedly and loved every song. Like all The Waifs albums, the song writing was shared between all members, a true meaning of collaboration. At the time, much like now, I was captivated by the freshness of this trio, the ability to add a stage in their life and allow the listener to jump in and share the experience.
The cover photo from the album provided a perfect backdrop to the evening ahead. ‘The lighthouse on the album cover is located at Cape Shank in Victoria’, Cunningham told the audience. It was clear from the start all members have lost nothing over the years, and all continue to bring something to the table. In between songs, the band gave insights into some of the lyrics, including.
‘London Still’ where Simpson lets the audience in on the song’s background. “People think this song is about me living in London for a long period, and I was there for four days, hatted the place and wanted to come home”.
‘Lighthouse’ Cunningham told the audience the inspiration for this song was a fantasy about running away to own a lighthouse. A confessed introvert that liked his own company, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Although unachievable, Cunningham highlighted the ‘beautiful thing about being a songwriter is your dreams live on in a song.’
‘Since I’ve Been Around’ was Penned by Cunningham about his hometown in Moruya, NSW. The song delivered passionately highlighted the craftsmanship of one of Australia’s superior songwriters; Cunningham’s face showed signs of emotion, and the music still resonates with him after all these years. Thorn added the story of supporting Bob Dylan on his 2003 American Tour at the song’s end. At the soundcheck, Dylan said he ‘Liked That One’ referring to Cunninghams’ music, a better accolade I doubt you could not get anywhere.
‘Three Down’, written by Vikki Thorn, talks about life on the road in America and the confinements of working, travelling and living with members over a long period.
At the album’s completion, the band took the opportunity to play the audience some new music. Simpson excitedly disclosed to the audience, “I have written a song. It’s not a break-up song”, sharing her love for her new partner, Curly. The song title references her lover’s occupation working three shifts on and three off. ‘Swing’ is a song that undoubtedly has a place on the new album. ‘Heart in The Game’ could easily be sung at a local footy game or even the MCG.
After a brief break, the band returned for a two-song encore
‘Take It In’ is a song reflecting on Cable Beach while the band were in Melbourne, featuring vocals by Missy Higgins. ‘Ironbark’, a crowd favourite, was the perfect ending to the night.
I cannot end this review without mentioning the special guests for the evening.
Missy Higgins. On any other occasion, she is the headliner; however, on Saturday, through respect and admiration, she returned to play with a band that was influential in her career during the early days.
Playing keyboards and guitar Higgins gave an insight into her career, songs and profoundly personal life, including a still-raw marriage breakdown, especially over the past twelve months. Her song list was interesting, returning to 2003 and playing tracks from her first EP. Higgins was open about her love and respect for The Waifs; this is obvious as these days, she plays undercard to no one. There was a clear reflection about a time after finishing her supporting set; she would sit, watch the band, and sell her then EP collecting names for her ever-growing mailing list.
Her set included two brand songs, each filled with rawness; you could feel the emotion in the room. The songs had no names yet, fresh from the heart to the pen, then transferred onto the keyboard; I felt lucky to be in the audience for this; I think we all ‘Grieve for your love’, Missy.
Higgins gave insight into a time living in her parent’s garage; at only nineteen years of age, there was love, a relationship shared by both her sister and herself and the conflict that pursued. A close family and, as a result, an apology in music ‘The Special Two was written.
‘The Cactus that Found the Beat’ is an original song with a jazz feel written when Higgins was in year twelve. Accompanied by her brother David Higgins was a real treat to watch.
Jeff Lang was once described as ‘Australia’s Best Blues and Roots Musician. On Saturday night, you could easily see why. Lang’s guitar echoed around the theatre. Lang introduced his main role of the evening was to ‘Warm up the air’ for the headliners, but his role was so much more. Playing acoustic in its traditional way or as a slide guitar, Lang commanded attention and left me wanting to see him play a complete set and his own show.
As this tour continues throughout Australia, the number of shows continues to grow. At last count, it was 44 and growing. It was worth the three-hour drive to sit and listen to three multi-talented musicians; going by crowd numbers, I am not alone in this opinion.
Setlist
Bridal Train, Shiny Apple, Something’s Coming , Fisherman’s Daughter, Nothing New, London Still, Lighthouse, Flesh & Blood, Highway One, Since I Been Around, 4th Floor, Rescue, 3 Down, Sweetness, Up All Night, Go, Swing, Miles, Heart In The Game,
Encore
Take It In, Ironbark
Hot off the heels of the biggest North American stadium tour of 2022 with more than 1.3 million tickets sold, the world’s most iconic and celebrated rock legends Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe continue their 2023 co-headline ‘The World Tour’ with the announcement of 3 exclusive Australian dates.
Continue reading DEF LEPPARD AND MÖTLEY CRÜE – AUSTRALIAN DATES FOR ‘THE WORLD TOUR’ 2023KISS: THE FINAL CURTAIN
“YOU WANTED THE BEST; YOU GOT THE BEST…”
Promoters One World Entertainment, TEG Live, and Pure Gold today announced that the rock legends, icons, and kiss-tory-making gods will turn it on one last time in the way that KISS only can. They will perform one epic and monumental farewell show – THE FINAL CURTAIN – exclusively at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Saturday 7 October.
Continue reading KISS ‘THE FINAL CURTAIN’ AUSTRALIAN SHOWBABYMETAL will be returning to Australia for their very first headline tour as part of their World Tour 2023. Brisbane show is now sold out with limited tickets still available for Sydney and Melbourne.
Continue reading BABYMETAL Add Special Guests Reliqa To First Australian Headline TourReview by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
MIDNITE CITY
IN AT THE DEEP END
Released – June 23rd
Pride & Joy Music
Since bursting out onto the scene in Nottingham in 2017, Midnite City have toured, gigged, rehearsed and recorded as much as possible, despite the issues from the pandemic, taken on the world and are considered one of the top modern exponents of quality melodic rock.
Continue reading Album Review: Midnite City – In At The Deep EndPhotographer : Krista Melsom – kristabellaphotography
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Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bad/Love at UC Hub, Canberra – 19 May 2023Photographer : Krista Melsom – kristabellaphotography
https://www.facebook.com/weareredhook
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Redhook at UC Hub, Canberra – 19 May 2023Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Aaron West’s Blues Guitar Junket – Frank Sultana Blues Band – Mescalito Blues – Mike Elrington – Steph Strings – The Turner Brown Band
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Blues on Broadbeach – 18 May 2023Destroy All Lines are proud to announce that Cape Cod-based rock band Highly Suspect will be returning to Australia in November 2023.
Early bird pre-sale tickets will be available at 10am AEST on Monday, May 22, before general public tickets go on sale at 10am AEST on Tuesday, May 23.
destroyalllines.com
Yours & Owls Festival
Announces New University of Wollongong Home
2023 Festival Dates October 14 & 15
yoursandowls.com.au
Yours and Owls are thrilled to welcome patrons to their new home within the grounds and surrounds of the University of Wollongong on the new date of October 14 & 15th, 2023.
Continue reading Yours & Owls Festival Announces New University of Wollongong Home