written by Chris Familton A decade since their last show in Sydney and finally Manic Street Preachers return – with a few more albums under the collective belt and somewhat of a new lease of life. Dead Actors Club had the opening honours and they seemed like somewhat of an odd fit with the headliners. They played a set that was high on looks and … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Manic Street Preachers @ Metro, Sydney 15/11/10
Metal comes in many shades and those at the Annandale bore witness to 3 variations of the genre. Baroness were touring as support for Metallica but took the time to play a show at the much smaller pub venue to honour their fans and get up close and personal with the punters. Up first were locals Summonus who progress their sound every time I see … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Baroness @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney 13/11/2010
written by Chris Familton It felt like somewhat of a flashback heading to the Annandale to see 78 Saab, such was the ritual a decade ago when they were fresh faces on the local scene alongside the likes of Bluebottle Kiss, Further and Peabody – seemingly playing every weekend around town. The newer guard of Sydney music opened the night with Yae!Tiger filling the room … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: 78 Saab @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney 29/10/10
written by Chris Familton Brisbane’s Drawn From Bees have taken somewhat of an indirect career path by playing a number of industry showcase events and conferences over the last year. It has seen them reach a wide audience but probably not a large one – a point confirmed by a disappointingly low turnout for their Sydney show. Made In Japan played a precise and tight … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Drawn From Bees @ Melt, Sydney 05/11/10
written by Chris Familton Tired Hands had the task of easing the punters back into their comfy high-backed armchairs at the intimate Raval, a venue that feels like you are in the lounge of a strangers house or at a wedding where you only know the groom. Tired Hands is a man, his guitar and a quavering, rich voice. Though the tempo of his songs … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Sophie Hutchings @ Raval, Sydney 28/10/10
written by Chris Familton Not by a long stretch was The Lair the optimal venue to see and hear Dead Meadow play their brand of psychedelic stoner rock. Slink up an alleyway to the back door of The Metro, climb some stairs and you find a room that looks and feels like a converted concrete bunker, complete with old furniture, a ‘rock club’ mezzanine and … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Dead Meadow @ The Lair, Sydney 16/10/10
written by Chris Familton It was somewhat surprising to see that Dengue Fever were playing the Factory, given that their profile is fairly low in Australia. As it turned out those concerns were realised with a small crowd spread sparsely across the Factory. The upside was that by the end of the evening they attendees wholeheartedly made up for it with their enthusiasm. Transat were … Continue reading GIG REVIEW: Dengue Fever @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 15/10/10
written by Chris Familton It seemed like a step up for Tame Impala to headline the larger Enmore Theatre but with a universally well-received album and a well-connected US tour under their belt they seem to be going from strength to strength. Perth’s Felicity Groom was first to grace the cavernous theatre but she showed no signs of nervousness with a solid … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Tame Impala @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 14/10/10
written by Chris Familton As part of The Sydney Fringe Festival, The Wall hosted a visit from Japan’s Zeni Geva, the first in fourteen years for the progressive metal trio. The supporting bill was pretty diverse within the context of noise and volume and early on Dead Farmers brought their rough and ready garage punk to the stage to rattle the rafters. One moment they … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Zeni Geva @ The Wall, Sydney 26/09/10
This was almost a joint headline tour in the context that Ben Kweller had had brought the Delta Spirit boys out from Texas and placed them in a slightly smaller font on the tour poster. Judging by the reaction that they received from the audience they have already developed a devoted following here in Australia. Delta Spirit inhabit a world formed by The Strokes and … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Ben Kweller @ The Factory, Sydney 03/10/10
written by Chris Familton Two newish Sydney bands were on the bill with Kiwi noise-niks Die! Die! Die!, both of them having risen from bands that bit the dust in the last year. Up first were Myth & Tropics featuring ex The Scare guitarist Liam O’Brien with his new three-piece. Essentially they are mining some of the same territory of his previous … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Die! Die! Die! @ OAF, Sydney 08/10/10
written by Chris Familton Matt Walters plus keyboardist serenaded the earlybirds with his gentle songwriter tunes that were sweet, inoffensive and tainted with gentle angst. He possesses a great voice, perfectly suited for the style of his songs but somewhat lacking unique personality. In the world inhabited by Josh Rouse he would hold his own though he’d be wise to steer closer to Augie March … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Gypsy & The Cat @ OAF, Sydney 29/09/10
Doubtful Sounds 