Review by Daniel Boyle
Photos by Krista Melsom
On the back of last year’s self-titled release, Make Them Suffer have embarked on a national regional tour. It just happened that the winter solstice played host to a chilly Canberra evening. That didn’t stop the crowds with the crowd piling in the doors for a nearly sold out event.
Continue reading Live Review: Make Them Suffer, Justice for the Damned, The Gloom in The Corner, Harroway at The Basement, Canberra – 21 June 2025Photos by Krista Melsom – Kristabella Photography
Review and photos by Peter Coates
Presented by Metropolis Touring and The Phoenix AU
TESTAMENT
Ex Spandau Ballet lead vocalist TONY HADLEY
will return to Australia in 2026 for a national tour performing his greatest hits and solo favourites
TONY HADLEY, former lead singer from one the biggest bands of the 1980s, Spandau Ballet, and one of Australia’s favourite touring artists has announced a new National tour for 2026. Alongside his Fabulous TH Band, Tony will perform all the Spandau Ballet hits we know and love – including True, Gold, Only When You Leave, Round & Round and more, plus solo material from across Tony’s career.
Wednesday 11 March Brisbane Fortitude Music Hall
Thursday 12 March Sydney Enmore Theatre
Saturday 14 March Melbourne Palais Theatre
Wednesday 18 March Adelaide AEC Theatre
Friday 20 March Perth Astor Theatre
Tickets on presale from Wednesday, 18 June
via https://www.destroyalllines.com
“Australia! I am so happy to be coming back in 2026 for a big national tour. After the fantastic shows earlier this year in Adelaide, Hobart and Perth, I’m excited to take the tour across all the capital cities next year. See you in March!”.
It has been over forty years since Tony Hadley first released music with his former band, Spandau Ballet. From his beginnings at the forefront of the New Romantic movement, Tony earned himself the accolade of being one of pop’s greatest vocalists. Spandau Ballet had numerous chart-topping singles and albums all over the world, including the epic Through the Barricades, the international number one True, and the unofficial London Olympics theme, Gold.
As a solo artist Tony has performed across the world both with his band, swing bands, and orchestras. In 2005 he was awarded a Gold Badge from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters; whilst 2007 saw him win a new legion of fans when he appeared as Billy Flynn in Chicago on the West End stage.
In 2018, Tony released Talking To The Moon, The album was incredibly well received, became BBC Radio 2’s Album Of The Week and the 1st single Tonight Belongs To Us was Single Of The Week. In early 2024 he returned to his love of swing music and released The Mood I’m In – featuring songs from his 2007 album Passing Strangers, remastered them and added 5 additional tracks including a new song ‘Walk Of Shame’. Later this year he will be releasing a new swing album and in 2026, fans can expect a new solo contemporary album.
In 2019 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to charity.
Don’t miss your chance to hear some of the best songs from the 80s performed by one of the best singers of the time!
TONY HADLEY 2026 NATIONAL AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Wednesday 11 March Brisbane Fortitude Music Hall
Thursday 12 March Sydney Enmore Theatre
Saturday 14 March Melbourne Palais Theatre
Wednesday 18 March Adelaide AEC Theatre
Friday 20 March Perth Astor Theatre
Pre-sale starts from Wed 18 June, 9am local time
General on sale from Friday, 20 June, 9am local time
TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA
https://www.destroyalllines.com/
www.tonyhadley.com
www.twitter.com/thetonyhadley
www.instagram.com/thetonyhadley
www.facebook.com/officialtonyhadley
Review and photos by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
ELECTRIC MARY
Support – BAD MOON BORN
The Factory Theatre, Sydney
May 31st, 2025
This was to be to final Sydney show for Australian classic rock stalwarts, Electric Mary, who announced three final shows in Australia of which this was the first.
There are a few shows in Europe in September, including the Rock N Revel festival run and managed by one Brad Marr, once of the Melbourne scene with Massive!
An unfortunate diary clash meant that a number of potential punters would have been up the road at the Enmore seeing a band who formed a year or so after EM, but who have not seen anything like the consistency of line-ups – and who you will be able to see several more times in the future – in my view that will be their loss.
The Factory had a healthy crowd who were all there for one reason only – not to be seen, or to be in the right gig as an influencer, but to be part of a significant event in our Australian musical heritage.
Bad Moon Born are 10 years into their journey, and have developed a solid reputation in the 6 years since Jordan von Grae took over from Frank Lakoudis as the vocalist just before they headed around Australia in support of the Hardcore Superstar / Buckcherry double-header in 2019. The band took a personal break in 2023, before re-igniting themselves with supports to Candlebox, The Struts, and Skillet, and a bunch of Sydney dates, and they were an ideal opener for the show, although Ned Koncar was not available, so good mate Matt Piper stepped in on lead guitar duties and played a blinder.
We got a set list that kicked off with Promised Land and Chemical Lullaby from the debut 2016 EP that both reminded me of the good old days when Audio Slave and Velvet Revolver were a thing, before the doomy Witch Trials showed off the quality of the PA tonight. Voya remains a killer guitarist, and Shane Robinson lays down a mean bassline in tandem with the rock-solid John Ezilmez behind the kit. A brave choice for a cover would be any song where David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes are involved, and Stormbringer would be high up the list of foolish choices – and Jordan and the band absolutely crushed it! Then it was on to Drowning, and Let Me Out featuring lead vocals from Matt Piper, before closing the show with Alive?, the solid grungy riffing of Dogs and Carry On to finish it off.
Now under the Silverback Agency team, we look forward to seeing the band get more exposure with bigger touring bands, and get the chance to put it all together in the studio for a full album release before too long.
Electric Mary was the product of a lightbulb moment for Rusty while in Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady studios in 2003, and the following year saw him pull the first incarnation of EM together who worked their collective backsides off supporting the likes of Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple and Glenn Hughes – giving you a fairly good idea of the genre EM was seeking to appeal to!
The band have released 5 Eps and 5 full albums, one of which was live, through to the last release, Mother in 2019. EM is a straight up rock’n’roll band – twin lead guitars, pounding drums and rock-solid bass, and the raucous, gritty vocals delivered by Rusty with 100% intensity and emotion every time! In Pete Robinson and Brett Ward the band has two extraordinary lead guitarists who bring something slightly different to the sound, but can astound in equal measure.
So in a two-hour set which flew by, the opener was a storming version of Welcome To The Otherside, followed by a blistering Gasoline & Guns, and the punch of Gimme Love from that last album, which is a must for any self-respecting rock fan. Then it was Love Me, and the final single, Shaun, dedicated to long-time collaborator Shaun Gardener. No One Does It Better Than Me rolled around next, and then after a brief pause, we got Sorry Baby and after a bluesy intro, and some harmonica from bassman Alex Raunjak over the Quo-like riff, it was Sweet Mary C from The Last Great Hope album. There was no let up, with The Dealer and all-time classic One Foot In The Grave seeing both guitars let rip, while Rusty paces the stage restlessly, delivering the purest roughest vocal lines you could wish for.
Rusty took some time to talk a bit about the band and the history, before announcing that they were going to play “the best song I’ve ever written” – could not have done it without Pete and Brett of course! That was something I picked up throughout the set, that these guys really feel deeply about their shared musical goals, as well as being great mates – the connections were palpable all through the show! The Sabbath-style riff that opens up Already Gone makes it way through to a great solo from Pete, followed by a jaw-dropping solo from Brett, who also threw some vocals in to boot.
We got Woman and One In A Million, before the set closed with the song that almost sounds like an Aussie rock band in My Best Friend, with a bit of a drum solo from Spyda (former and current EM drummer), and some band introductions and cameos, and that was it! There was nothing left on the set-list and the stage was empty!
After a fair bit of noise from the politely unruly crowd, the band were back, and we got a killer version of O.I.C. with its incessant crunching riff and Pete’s ripping solo, before the absolute closer of Let Me Out which put the perfect full stop to the performance.
Electric Mary should be a band that we are still referencing in 20 years, and that younger bands should be looking to emulate – not just in the songs, but the determination and utter professionalism that is obvious in every aspect of the band.
If I had the chance to get to Adelaide and Melbourne for the last two Australian shows, I would certainly take it – we shall not see their like again!
Tour Dates and Tickets via https://www.electricmary.com/
ADELAIDE – The Gov June 21st 2025
MELBOURNE – The Croxton December 13th 2025
Website
https://www.electricmary.com/
Merch
https://www.electricmarymerch.com/
Photos and review by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
ELECTRIC MARY
Review and photos by Krista Melsom – Kristabella Photography
You’d be forgiven for forgetting it was a Sunday night—and one of Canberra’s first real tastes of winter, despite still being autumn. The chill in the air didn’t stop punters from arriving shortly after doors, rugged up and ready to throw down. It didn’t take long for UC Hub to fill out as fans streamed in early, a clear sign that this four-band bill had drawn serious interest. With two heavy-hitting co-headliners in Currents and Chelsea Grin, and local favourites Bloom and Heavensgate rounding out the support, the night promised mayhem—and it absolutely delivered.
Continue reading Live Review: Chelsea Grin + Currents + Bloom + Heavensgate at UC Hub, Canberra – 4 May 2025Photos by Krista Melsom – Kristabella Photography
https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaGrinMetal
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Chelsea Grin at UC Hub, Canberra – 4 May 2025Review and photos by Peter Coates – https://www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
As the PR blurb states – Rules are to be broken. Expectations are there to be defined, and glass ceilings are there to be shattered.
Having spent the past decade carving out her own unique space in the male-dominated world of blues-rock, Texas guitarist Ally Venable’s combative sixth album, Money & Power, demands more of both – for herself, for women around the world, and for anyone else who thought they weren’t worthy of a seat at the table.
“I hope these songs allow people to see into my life in a vulnerable way and hold a strong perspective that empowers women and breaks the glass ceiling.”
Continue reading Album Review: Ally Venable – Money & PowerReview by Wanda Hill
Shake up your juju, power up your mojo, get your stars aligned and come for the ride that is Bluesfest 2025. Saturday and Sunday were full tilt jammed up with people loving the weekend offerings. What a way to spend a precious few days of holiday being surrounded by artists who have found their voice, internal fire and instruments of choice with which to share their insights for all to be grooved and enlightened by. Thousands came to have their hearts soothed, vibes raised, joints loosened and greased by this musical manna for the body and soul.
Continue reading Live Review: Byron Bay Bluesfest 2025 – Day 3 and 4Photography by Ant Ritz Photography
Featuring 19-Twenty, Allison Russell, Bill Chambers, BJ The Chicago Kid, Chaka Khan, Cimafunk, Hussy Hicks, John Butler, Kasey Chambers, Kim Churchill, Missy Higgins, Miss Kaninna, Neal Francis, Rag’n’Bone Man, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Roshani, WILSN
Review and photos by Peter Coates – https://www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
Back in Australia for BLUESFEST once more, Gary Clark Jr also managed to throw in a few sideshows in Australia, and Sydney got the third of these the night before he played the festival. I was lucky enough to see this astonishing bluesman play the Factory Theatre and the Corner Hotel in 2013, and those two shows will long remain burned into the brain.
Continue reading Live Review: Gary Clark Jr. + Hamish Anderson at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 17 April 2025Photography by Ant Ritz
Featuring Allison Russell, BJ The Chicago Kid, C.W. Stoneking, Clarence Bekker, Gary Clark Jr., Marc Broussard, Melody Angel, RY X, The Cat Empire, The Memphis Three – Fiona Boyes, The Memphis Three – Frank Sultana, The Memphis Three – Jimi Hocking, Vance Joy, WILSN, Xavier Rudd
Photography by Ant Ritz
Featuring Ash Grunwald, Brad Cox, Budjerah, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Christopher Cross, Fanny Lumsden, Gary Clark Jr., George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Maoli, Marc Broussard, Melody Angel, Taj Farrant, The Beards, Pierce Brothers, Tom Morello, Toto
Review and photos by Peter Coates – https://www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography
CIVIC are an Australian old-school rock’n’roll punk band, formed in 2017 in Melbourne. The band currently consists of founder Jim McCullough out front, guitarist Lewis Hodgson, bassist Roland Hvlaka, and with new drummer Eli Sthapit.
Continue reading Live Review: Sex Pistols (feat Frank Carter) + Civ1c at The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – 8th April 2025
