written by Chris Familton Three shades of psychedelia were the order of the night at OAF as part of The Lovetones brief Australian tour before they venture back to the East and West Coasts of the USA. Up and coming six-piece The Prayer Circle kicked things off with their swirling shoegaze sound that time warps us back to the 80s and that time when the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Lovetones @ OAF, Sydney 23/09/10
written by Chris Familton This was set to be an evening highlighting the prevailing winds of local explorations of post-Animal Collective/Radiohead indie-tronica where the best elements of electronica have been slowed and absorbed into song structures with organic elements provided by live instrumentation. Bon Chat Bon Rat were on board first with their warm 80s electronic pop that brought to mind Junior Boys or a … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Danimals @ OAF, Sydney 17/09/10
written by Chris Familton Sleepyhands were an enthusiastic bunch who looked like they had come straight from high school to OAF. They had an infectiously upbeat attitude that belied some deceptively layered music. With seven members, many swapping instruments, they incorporated banjo, multi-percussion and some magical three part harmonies that brought to mind Arcade Fire less the pomposity and Dirty Projectors minus the quirkiness. Wim … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade @ OAF, Sydney 01/09/10
written by Chris Familton This was to be the night of music high on artistic cunning and grandeur with three acts willing to push boundaries of standard song structure and delivery. Locals Kyu impressed with their angelic harmonies that sounded at times like an offshoot of the recent Bjork/Dirty Projectors collaboration. What made Kyu so appealing was the duo’s multi-tasking skills. While both singing layered … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Xiu Xiu / High Places @ OAF, Sydney 03/09/10
written by Chris Familton Des Miller had a tentative start to the evening with some sound issues but when he settled in he produced some wonderful music with wry lyrical observations and a cosy mix of pedal steel, acoustic guitar and keyboards. There were some overt Dylan influences alongside some dark pop sounds akin to The Chills. Traps have been performing around the proverbial for … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: 6s & 7s @ Melt, Sydney 26/08/10
written by Chris Familton 57th Street kicked things off with an impressive and assured set that harked back to the golden years of early britpop and madchester where psych, rock and pop collided with a dance aesthetic. The vocals were a tough and baggy hybrid of Ian Brown and Liam Gallagher that stretched out over some wonderful shoegaze guitar and super-catchy bass. Step-Panther took a … Continue reading REVIEW: Cabins @ Melt, Sydney 20/08/10
written by Chris Familton Entertaining the swelling crowd early was Juke Kartel. Theirs is a big, predictable sound fusing metal, angst and commercial rock that received a good crowd response but there was an overwhelming sense that they are a band with a business plan and music as a secondary concern. Slash has worked hard since the demise of Guns n Roses to carve out … Continue reading REVIEW: Slash @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney 16/08/10
written by Chris Familton This was the first show for A Casual End Mile as a duo, now with added drums, and it worked well adding another dimension to the delicate Mazzy Star-like folk songs of Madelaine Lucas. Through the warm and intimate PA her voice was up front and engaging though it would be interesting to hear songs with another added layer of guitar … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Loene Carmen @ Excelsior, Sydney 12/08/10
written by Chris Familton Eels returned to Sydney on a three album streak within one year and as they have evolved Mark Everett has continued to expand his melancholic songwriting into different areas. Which incarnation would we get tonight then? The answer was all of them. Laura Imbruglia had opening honours and did a great job at maintaining the attention of the audience with just … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Eels @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 14/08/10
written by Chris Familton Simon Carter’s debut solo album The Black Book Of The Universe has been out for a couple of months now so fans have had some time to get their heads around his new sound. As a result the small but appreciative crowd at The Annandale rose and fell with Carter’s bold and beautiful new direction into americana-tinged indie with more than … Continue reading REVIEW: Simon Carter @ The Annandale, Sydney 05/08/10
written by Chris Familton Out of the ashes of the mighty Sleep came Om, a duo comprised of drums and bass but conjuring so much more in atmospherics and power than just a rhythm section would suggest. Fast forward to the Factory Theatre and finally Sydney fans had the chance to experience the band live, with new drummer Emil Amos (ex Grails) and a third … Continue reading REVIEW: OM @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 17/07/10
Written by Chris Familton Before Shapeshifter, fellow Kiwis Electric Wire Hustle Soundsystem did their best to win over the audience with their electro soul tracks. You sense their full band show would engage more as they struggled to gain and maintain the attention of the growing crowd with their soulful house and electronic grooves. DJs Jonny Faith and Monkfly warmed the crowd between acts with … Continue reading REVIEW: Shapeshifter @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 13/06/10
Doubtful Sounds 