written by Chris Familton Chris Taylor is a seasoned Sydney Festival performer with appearances as a member of Grizzly Bear. This though was the first of his Sydney shows in his solo guise CANT. With so many shows selling out at The Famous Spiegeltent it was a bit worrying when the venue was only half full just ahead of show time. A few more punters … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: CANT @ The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney 14/01/12
written by Chris Familton The Drones were winding up a national tour to promote the release of their first DVD A Thousand Mistakes. That document is an exhaustive look at the live evolution of the band from raw, unbridled punk rock through to their current position as one of the country’s best live acts and in Gareth Liddiard, one of our finest contemporary songwriters. Adalita … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Drones @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (29/10/11)
by Chris Familton Mike Noga was up first, playing primarily on his lonesome which suited the mood and opening slot perfectly. His songs were stripped back to their bare essence of guitar, voice, harmonica and on a couple of occasions some wonderful cello courtesy of The Gin Club’s Bridget Lewis. Noga was in fine form – chatty, cheeky and seemingly undaunted to be standing alone … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Okkervil River @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 18/10/11
written by Chris Familton Step-Panther are on a roll at the moment with their just released debut album and upcoming support shows with Kurt Vile. You wouldn’t think it though as they displayed the same low-key and affable approach to their music that they always do. This was melodic stoner noise-pop of the highest order with some chunky riffs and a slacker vibe that sounded … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Oh Mercy @ OAF, Sydney 14/10/11
written by Chris Familton Danny G Felix Experience kicked things off at the recently opened Upstairs at Beresford. It is a pretty flashy joint with a a ton of money poured into the fit-out and sound system. I’m not sure the surrounds will gel with the indie and rock crowds but for the sounds being produced on this evening it was a good match. Danny … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Electric Empire @ Upstairs at Beresford, Sydney 14/10/11
written by Chris Familton Teeth & Tongue have evolved their sound over the last couple of years to the point where it now sounds effortlessly natural, devoid of pretense or hopeful indie aspirations. Singer/guitarist Jess Cornelius is the heart and soul of the band – aided and abetted by a guitarist, bassist and pre-recorded drums when she plays live and she left an impressive mark … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Jack Ladder @ The Dreamlanders @ Manning Bar, Sydney (01/10/11)
written by Chris Familton Melbourne’s Fabulous Diamonds set the mood of the evening with a set composed around drone and hypnotic repetition. Featuring just drums and keyboards the duo were in no rush to get anywhere in particular with songs that slowly evolved from metronomic drum patterns into gently pulsing waves of analog synths, grinding organ, sparsely decorated with vocals from drummer Nisa Venerosa. When … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Moon Duo @ OAF, Sydney 30/09/11
written by Chris Familton The Sydney Opera House is always a venue that delivers on quality sound and a comfortable environment for experiencing live music but sometimes the music that it hosts doesn’t quite connect with the surroundings. That was one of the concerns ahead of this triple headline show featuring New Orleans legends Jon Cleary, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and the great Allen Toussaint. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Legends of New Orleans @ Sydney Opera House, 28/09/11
written by Chris Familton Glass Towers have been steadily emerging this year as one of the more interesting young bands to watch. Down from Byron Bay they played a set that showed that touring is allowing them to relax more into their music without exhibiting some of the self consciousness that marked earlier shows. Guitarist Sam Speck still looks sleepy, shy and blissed out in … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Stonefield @ OAF, Sydney 22/09/11
written by Chris Familton Lo! set the scene early for an evening that was all about volume and the end of the musical spectrum where things are darker, more intense and music isn’t played out in your standard song structures. Lo! mixed up some hardcore, thrash metal and the metallic hybrid sound of bands like Converge, Mastodon and Baroness. Their frontman had a great vocal … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Russian Circles @ Hermanns Bar, Sydney 11/09/11
written by Chris Familton The Scientists of Modern Music is a fairly pretentious name at best but once you see/hear this Tasmanian duo it kind of makes sense. They don’t do anything by halves and delivered a strong set that was high on 80s electro pop anthems, a barrel of fun and an infectious stage presence. There were seemingly no boundaries to their healthy embrace … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: The Adults @ OAF, Sydney (01/09/11)
written by Chris Familton Melodie Nelson was in solo mode for her support slot which was a shame as her band are really starting to find their legs. Playing to backing tracks courtesy of her iPod and filling in the gaps with keyboard and guitar she did however draw the audience further into her simple yet warmly enveloping songs. There is a real melodic richness … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Pinback @ Manning Bar, Sydney 22/08/11
Doubtful Sounds 