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
Tag Archives: Review
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 | 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 | 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 | 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
Album Review | The Jezabels – The Brink
When The Jezabels’ released their debut LP Prisoner in 2011 it quickly received critical acclaim. The success of Prisoner elevated the band to new heights, and with that raised success came extensive touring – both nationally and internationally.
In January 2014, The Jezabels’ will release their new album The Brink, and a solid offering it is. Recorded in London and produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat (Moby, Scissors Sisters, Radiohead, Lana Del Rey, The Vaccines, The Kooks), the band have refined elements of their sound and strengthened the clarity, bringing a more natural live show feel to the album. Moving through soaring highs and delving brooding lows and back again, the album seems to reflect the bands inner space and mindset. Introspective, romantic, reflective.
Continue reading Album Review | The Jezabels – The Brink
Live Review | Big Day Out 2014 – Sydney
Review by Scott Singh
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.
Continue reading Live Review | Big Day Out 2014 – Sydney
Live Review: The Lumineers @ The Tivoli, Brisbane – January 18, 2014
Review by Heather Lloyd
From the opening strums of Wesley Shultz’s guitar, the old-timey crowd that had packed out the Tivoli was mesmerized. The stage was scattered with instruments – folksy staples like the mandolin, cello, glockenspiel, accordion, kick drum – with a large black and orange piano sitting front and center. The Lumineers sauntered onstage to thunderous applause, opening the night with a mildly popular, but incredibly catchy song, “Submarines”. This was quickly followed by “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem”, which, like most of the setlist, was unfamiliar to the audience but had a chorus that was repetitive enough for the audience to sing along with mild direction from Schulz. From there, the band was a seamless delight of instrument swapping suspender snapping and fedora twirling. Halfway through the set, Schultz requested that the audience “put away your cellphones”, trying to evoke a feeling of “all-togetherness” as they prepared to play their signature tune “Ho Hey!” As Schultz crooned the first verse, the audience, eyes closed, sang along. Couples held each other, rocking together, cell phones stowed away.
Continue reading Live Review: The Lumineers @ The Tivoli, Brisbane – January 18, 2014
Live Review: Vampire Weekend + Gang of Youths @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – January 8, 2014
Review: Heather McNab
Arriving at the Hordern Pavilion early it was clearly already abuzz with a large groups of excited fans dancing along to and being drawn in by support band Gang of Youths. The band performing an excellent set, preparing the crowd and setting expectations high for the main act, Vampire Weekend.
After a short break and the venue filling quickly, the lights dim and with enthusiastic screams and whistles from the audience, Vampire Weekend take to the stage starting out with “Diane Young”. Fans were onboard from the first note, singing along to every word of every song, completely emmersed and happy. Frontman Ezra Koenig’s easy style relaxing the crowd with a feel good vibe. In contrast, bassist Chris Baio’s dancing and movements were mesmerising, a life force all to themselves.
Continue reading Live Review: Vampire Weekend + Gang of Youths @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – January 8, 2014
Live Review: Falls Festival 2013 – Byron Bay – Festival Wrap Up
Review by Merinda O’Brien / Jose Eduardo Cruz
The final day of the first ever Falls Festival Byron Bay came with the sadness that this great event was coming to an end. Today once again had a massive line-up to cherish and delight. Whilst the numbers did significantly reduce throughout the week, today was nevertheless just as busy, but with a bit more room to dance.
Bunkering down at the main stage once again we captured the tail end of Bombino’s set which was pumping and we only wished could have caught the entire performance. Emma Louise was brilliant and the stage backdrop added an amazing feel to her sound. This brought Solange on the stage, who just happens to be Beyonce’s younger sister. She brought a lot of flare and left no doubt as to how talented her entire family is.
Continue reading Live Review: Falls Festival 2013 – Byron Bay – Festival Wrap Up
Live Review: Falls Festival 2013 – Byron Bay – Day 2 Wrap
Review and photos by Merinda O’Brien / Jose Eduardo Cruz
It was surprisingly quiet driving into Falls Festival this afternoon, but understandable given last night’s massive party. New Years’ day brought a more subdued and chilled out crowd but Falls Festival did not disappoint delivering yet another sensational line up to celebrate the first day of 2014.
Johnny Marr was a small treat to the few that were present at the main stage. It was such an honour to have caught the Smith’s guitarist perform solo in Australia. There is no denying that The Rubens were a crowd pleaser. Their vocalist treated the crowd with his honest and deeply emotive voice and much to his surprise everyone sang along with him. With a tinge of Tame Impala to their sound this Aussie band from Menangle NSW, was rewarded by an appreciate crowd. Yeah I know, you are asking where Menangle is. It is in Inland NSW with only 350 inhabitants which makes The Rubens even more remarkable.
Continue reading Live Review: Falls Festival 2013 – Byron Bay – Day 2 Wrap