written by Chris Familton As with last year’s Big Day Out the weather gods decided to test the endurance of the masses with another hot and sweaty day in the concrete sauna of the Sydney Showground. The event that is as much a rite of passage for teenagers as a music festival had this year gone with somewhat of a best-of lineup that glanced back … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Big Day Out 2011, Sydney Showground 26/01/11
written by Chris Familton CocoRosie have attracted a larger audience each time they visit Australia and so this time were rewarded with a gig in the iconic surrounds of the Opera House. Always a duo that combines music, theatre and creative mischief, they were much deserved of a different style of venue from the usual rock haunts. A last minute addition to the bill was … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: CocoRosie @ Sydney Opera House, 25/01/11
written by Chris Familton The Verlaines formed around 30 years ago in New Zealand and wrote some classic songs like Death & The Maiden, Doomsday and C.D., Jimmy Jazz & Me. Graeme Downes went on to be a a professor of music at Otago University – still writing and recording albums both solo (the brilliant Hammers & Anvils) and more recently Pot Boiler and Corporate … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: The Verlaines & Songs @ Annandale, Sydney 30/01/11
written by Chris Familton The opening set in the surrounds of Raval’s lush lounge bar was a last minute addition in the form of the Boom! Bap! Pow!’s bass player – Clint Bracknell – playing a solo set on acoustic guitar. Bracknell possesses one hell of a voice with deep, rich tones akin to Ray LaMontagne as well as being a sweet guitarist. It was an … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Boom! Bap! Pow! @ Raval, Sydney 21/01/11
written by Chris Familton A virtually empty Annandale greeted Melbourne’s Puta Madre Brothers meaning the latecomers missed out on a pretty interesting and unique trio. All seated, all playing kick drums and cymbals and all playing guitars – the three military uniform clad musicians cut a striking image on stage and their music was a mad mix of rock n roll, mariachi and country stomp. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Those Darlins @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney 16/12/10
written by Chris Familton It has certainly been heavyweight season lately with the likes of Metallica, Bon Jovi and Guns n Roses coming through town but the biggest of them all is U2. Certainly they are the band with the widest appeal and even the most casual fan knows that the Irish quartet will always deliver a spectacular multimedia show. U2 chose to bring along … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: U2 @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney 13/12/10
written by Chris Familton Over 34 years The Fall has experienced countless members, 28 studio albums and a unswerving commitment to caustic repetition and poetic wordplay. Of course the only constant through the whole adventure has been Mark E. Smith who has carved out his own reputation as a stubborn, hilarious, belligerent and intentional aggravator both musically and by personality – but without him The … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Fall @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 07/12/10
written by Chris Familton Evan Dando has always had a strong relationship with Australia, largely forged on the back of his songwriting relationship with Smudge’s Tom Morgan. It was with Morgan that some of Dando’s best work began to emerge in the early 90s and so it was great to see the reactivated Smudge getting The Lemonheads support slot. Smudge ambled on and slotted back … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Lemonheads @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 01/12/10
written by Chris Familton Dub and electronica have been big exports for New Zealand in the past 15 years, mainly through the efforts of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Salmonella Dub, and Black Seeds to name just a few. Sola Rosa have been operating for a decade now and with 6 albums under his belt a trip to play live in Sydney was well overdue. Local Bondi … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Sola Rosa @ Gaelic, Sydney 03/12/10
written by Chris Familton First up were Step-Panther, an up and coming Sydney band who just keep getting better. Their songs have shifted from bratty punk origins to now include surf melodies, 60s pop sounds and a Ramones-like approach to telling street stories. Their song Jimmy should be a smash hit and their casual demeanor should gain them a bucket load of fans. Deep … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Girls @ Manning Bar, Sydney 08/12/10
written by Chris Familton Magnetic Heads opened the evening with some wonderfully constructed songs. The influence of Talking Heads hovers over the group at times, not just in aspects of their sound but also in the tone of Des Miller’s voice when he hits the higher notes. When he stays low he has a kindred spirit in Jack Ladder and Bryan Ferry. They’ve developed a … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Belles Will Ring @ Gaelic, 26/11/10
written by Chris Familton Afrobeat has undergone somewhat of a renaissance in circles outside the normal purveyors of world music. In particular there have been some stellar compilations on the Soundways label that have exposed many unsung heroes of afrobeat and its various versions of psychedelic, disco, rock and funk. The figurehead of the genre was Nigeria’s Fela Kuti who reigned supreme in the 70s, … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Femi Kuti @ Metro, Sydney 20/11/10
Doubtful Sounds 