Keshi @ Palace Foreshore, Melbourne 22/11/2022
Fresh off a show being moved from the new Palace Foreshore venue, the storm clouds forming over St Kilda didn’t seem to bode well for another outdoor show at the new space, but luckily, Keshi’s fans had better luck than The Black Crowes. The weather may have been chilly, but the mood was electric as the evening’s entertainment began.
Rei Brown, Japanese born and New York based R&B singer opened the show, with a brilliant display of his talents as a musician and performer. Often, a support act for a pop or hip-hop artist can struggle to wow a crowd, due to not being given the full access to a venue’s features, such as lights and screens, but that didn’t stop the young artist from showing his true colours.
Brown played a short, tight set, highlighted by the killer track Haunt Me from his most recent record Xeno, released earlier this year. The song acted as the emotional centrepiece for a passionate and spacey decent into’s Brown’s melancholia. Honest was also a fan favourite, garnering immediate applause from keen audience, who sang along to every word. The icy crowd was truly warmed up by Rei Brown, a well selected opener for a fantastic crooning headliner.
When it came time for Keshi to finally take the stage, the crowd were so excited that they would all raise their phones whenever an engineer or technician crossed the huge festival-style stage, expecting their idol to have finally commenced his performance, so the clear passion for the music on display was clear before I heard a note of the music.
Keshi took to the stage on time and wowed me immediately. He opened with a fresh banger, GET IT, the first track from his new album GABRIEL. The song had the crowd jumping, and initially gave me major Brockhampton vibes, but grew into something bigger. The inspiration of the boy band, especially that of Kevin Abstract, Bearface and Joba was clear, but the depth and quality of the song writing was something entirely further than that the band missed when I’d seen them live years before.
Keshi’s band was something beyond any of his peers I’ve seen before. Many hip-hop artists perform with nothing more than a DJ, and many can do so much with this, but many also fall flat, especially when performing at festivals and outdoor venues. Keshi throughs this idea completely out the window, with one of the best hip-hop R&B bands I’ve ever seen. His drummer balanced traditional flashy drumming with trap-style hip-hop flow, mixing acoustic drums and sample pads like bread and butter. His guitarists and keyboards flawed me further, with an almost orchestral use of layering, and dynamics on display.
The 28 himself also took to the guitar and piano for a few tracks, singing beautiful ballads such as less of you, and the fan favourite drunk, which he called for the new-school phone torch filled crowd for, creating a seriously intimate experience for a show with almost five thousand people in attendance.
He also took a page out of the artists of yesteryear and chose a few sweet stories to share as part of his performance. These included stories about sharing the first song he wrote for the new record, touch, with his manager, and receiving radio silence only to find out it was his favourite. These tales added to the charming demeanour of the artist, who only once missed a cue and apologised to humbly begin the song again perfectly. Keshi teased the crowd, taking off and putting back on his jacket, to show a little skin, only to hide again when quote “my nipples are standing to attention!”, showing his cheeky sense of humour and love for his fans. Ending with a scream for an encore, and satisfying the fans with one last track, Keshi left the fans ecstatic.
With his humble beginnings as a Soundcloud rapper, many would assume lesser of a musician such as Keshi, but this show proved that he is more than just a rapper or R&B singer – he is a true showman, and a real rockstar, with a hell of a legacy on the way.
You can still catch Keshi with limited Tickets remaining
BRISBANE, November 23rd – Eatons Hill Hotel
SYDNEY, November 24th – The Roadhouse
Tickets here
The Black Crowes @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 13/11/2022
To say I was a little excited for tonight’s proceedings would certainly be an understatement. Not only have I been a huge fan of hard blues rockers from Georgia since they first formed, but I have always regarded the bands 1990 debut album Shake Your Money Maker as one of my all-time favourite albums, so to hear this gem played in its entirety was something I had been looking forward to witnessing the moment Live Nation announced this tour months ago. I arrived at the venue early to find a large number of fans had the same idea… As the show last night was not only the first on the bands national run, but it was also Sold-out and diehards were there early to make sure they secured the best spots to witness the magic that is a Black Crowes Live Concert experience.
With only minutes left to spare before the show kicked off there was barely standing room left inside the venue and as the lights went down the crowd went wild…. Hitting the stage one at a time and leading the charge was guitarist Rich Robinson who returned to the band in 2019 after a four year absence, next up strutting his stuff across the stage floor was the all rockin ever so charismatic front-man Chris Robinson who you could tell was all revved up and ready to rock. The group which also consists of bassist Sven Pipien; guitarist Isaiah Mitchell best known for his work with San Diego Psychedelic rockers Earthless, drummer Brian Griffin and keyboardist Joel Robinow made for the perfect line-up to present such an iconic album.
The band opened with the killer opening album track Twice as Hard and it was clear instantly that this show was going to be unlike anything I had seen this band do before. Rolling through the album tracks as they play out… Jealous Again, Sister Luck, Could I’ve Been so Blind both the band and crowds sprits were high. Chris worked the stage like to true professional he is.. with more struts than Jagger and rock n’ roll charisma millions would kill to have, Robison performed tonight better than any show I have witnessed in previous years. The band were having a great time onstage, plenty of smiles and laughs and the music…. Well… that’s what it’s all about and on that front the Black Crowes delivered in spades! I must also give props to the backing vocalists onstage with the band, these girls are truly incredible and shine through on gems such as Remedy and Seeing Things which is a personal favourite.
It was clear that the crowd favourites were the smash hits from the debut album She Talks to Angels and the crowd pleasing Hard to Handle, and I must admit witnessing and being part of the sold-out crowd that was singing along to this one was pretty amazing. Thick and Thin, Struttin Blues and the opening album track were among some of my highlights from last night’s show. It is quite hard to pinpoint just one favourite song or moment when the band is on fire the moment, they walk out onstage delivering what I would consider to be an ultimate fan set-list. Outside of playing every track from Shake your Money Maker the band also pulled out some killer tracks that spanned the bands career including By your Side, Thorn in my Pride and Wiser Time to name a few.
The band who are set to perform a second show tonight in Sydney and are going around the country over coming days will no doubt have every punter leaving these shows with a smile on their face and wanting more… The sound was incredible lights beautiful and the entire concert experience just perfect!
If you have a chance to get along to any of these shows do so. Music lovers across Australia will be speaking about these shows for years to come… do not miss this magical rock n roll experience!
More chances to catch THE BLACK CROWES including tonight back at the ENMORE THATRE in Sydney.
ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY MONDAY NOVEMBER 14*
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16* SOLD OUT
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17* NEW SHOW
HARVEST ROCK, ADELAIDE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19
PALACE FORESHORE, MELBOURNE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20**
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au or blackcrowes.com
THE PROCLAIMERS announce 2023 Australian Tour
Following on from their sold out 35-date tour of the UK, Scottish pop duo The Proclaimers announce they will be returning to Australia in early 2023 for a national tour. They kick off their tour in Perth on the 24th February 2023. Tickets on general sale from Friday 21st October via www.theproclaimerstour.com.au.
Friday 24th February – Perth Concert Hall
Sunday 26th February – Darwin Entertainment Centre
Tuesday 28th February – Performing Arts Centre, Cairns
Thursday 2nd March – Brisbane QPAC Concert Hall
Friday 3rd March – Gold Coast Theatre 1, HOTA
Saturday 4th March – Sydney State Theatre
Tuesday 7th March – Hobart Odeon Theatre
Thursday 9th March – Melbourne Athenaeum Theatre
Friday 10th March – Melbourne Athenaeum Theatre
Saturday 11th March – Adelaide tbc
“We’re really glad to be heading back to Australia. A truly great nation with audiences who’ve been supporting us since we first toured the country in 1989” – Craig & Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers
Twins Craig and Charlie Reid and their superb four-piece band will perform all their big hits including ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’, ‘I’m On My Way’, ‘Sunshine on Leith’, ‘Letter From America’ and favourites from across their entire career including songs from new album Dentures Out. September 2022 saw The Proclaimers release their 12th studio album Dentures Out, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with producer Dave Eringa. James Dean Bradfield from the Manic Street Preachers guests on two songs.
Kicking off a 14-month World tour with a main stage appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival in June, followed by a series of summer festivals and regional concerts, The Proclaimers have nearly sold out all 35 dates on their upcoming UK and Ireland tour between October and December.
Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid emerged 31 years ago with their debut album This Is The Story and Top 3 single ‘Letter From America’. Since then, their enduring appeal across generations has, over the years, seen them enjoy huge success across the globe.
The Proclaimers have carved out a niche for themselves in the netherworld where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide. Their songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire and wit. Their songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between.
Born in Leith in 1962, the brothers grew up in Edinburgh, Cornwall, and Auchtermuchty in Fife. At home, they listened to early rock n’ roll and country greats such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. At school, they played in punk bands and formed The Proclaimers in 1983. With a fervent live following growing in Scotland, their first big break came in 1986 when they were invited to tour with The Housemartins.
In subsequent years, they have enjoyed Gold and Platinum singles and albums in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have even inspired a musical, the play and film Sunshine on Leith.
https://the.proclaimers.co.uk/
The Music House presents
THE PROCLAIMERS AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2023
General on sale on Friday 21st October via www.theproclaimerstour.com.au.
George Thorogood @ Forum Theatre, MELBOURNE 28/10/2022
When you’ve been on the road for 50 years there’s sure to be generations of fans, and the snaking line of punters down Flinders St waiting to get into the Forum was a testament to the appeal George Thorogood and the Destroyers have had over the decades.
That eagerness to get into the sold-out venue and plant feet with a cold drink was rewarded with Aussie blues guitarist Hamish Anderson set the tone with some groovin’ blues.
His three-piece band’s 45-minute set was enough to whet the appetite of the full house and gathered new fans along the way.
But everyone was waiting for George, and Barry McGuire’s Eve Of Destruction was cranked up and started a sing along to bring out the band.
The aging blues star and his bandmates shuffled rather than leapt on to stage, and there was an early moment where one could be justified in thinking the old fella, wearing aviators and a bandana, might need a chair.
It was a few minutes into Rock Party before the sunglasses were flung overhead and the bandana was flicked off, and he let his fingers do the heavy lifting with his trademark blues and frequent banter.
He ripped into the band’s latest release, a cover of Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love?, followed by Shot Down and Night Time.
The Destroyers pay homage to drinking and youthful rebelliousness, which at times seemed comedic seeing they’re all aged either side of 70, but it was lapped by an audience clearly reliving their party days.
From House Rent Blues they slid into One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. Fortunately, the classic was finished before what was supposed to be a jam, while George took a break off stage, but was muffled as a sound glitch left the band jamming away oblivious to the fault.
With that finally fixed, the band were back at it and the house were all shouting Get A Haircut.
Born To Be Bad was always going to be the highlight and the band stretched out this classic before slipping into a Tequila.
Hamish Anderson joined the band on stage for Hank Williams’ Move It On Over, which was a guitar love-in before they all left stage.
The band re-emerged to ice the night with Born To Be Bad and farewell a satisfied audience.
Oddly the curtains drew with Advance Australia Fair and George saluting the crowd.
The Destroyers were back at the Forum the next night for another sell-out, which is testament the band’s longevity and fan base here.
For a wet and miserable Melbourne night, some grooving dirty blues was perfect.
BLINK-182 UPDATE: A Further Two Shows Added To Australian Tour
Multi-platinum, award winning group blink-182 have announced their biggest tour ever, a colossal global outing with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker reuniting for the first time in nearly 10 years. Produced by Live Nation, the worldwide trek includes their first ever performances in Latin America along with stops in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand starting March 2023 through February 2024.
The Australian tour announcement has met with phenomenal demand, with multiple new shows and sell-outs across the country. A further two new dates have been added to Sydney and Melbourne – resulting in a total of 4 shows per market – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 24, and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on February 27.
Tickets for these 2 new dates go on sale tomorrow, October 27 at 1.00pm local time, at livenation.com.au.
The tour will commence at Perth’s RAC Arena on February 8 and 9, 2024 followed by Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 11, with shows at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on February 13, 14, 26 and 27, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 16, 17, 23 and 24, and Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 19, 20 and 21.
The band recently released new single “Edging”, marking the first time in a decade that Mark, Tom, and Travis have been in the studio together.
BLINK-182
AUSTRALIA 2024
with special guest Rise Against
PERTH, RAC ARENA THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8 – SOLD OUT
PERTH, RAC ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9 – SOLD OUT
ADELAIDE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11 – SOLD OUT
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 – SOLD OUT
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 – SOLD OUT
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16 – SOLD OUT
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE MONDAY FEBRUARY 19 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21 – SOLD OUT
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23 – ON SALE NOW
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24 – NEW SHOW
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA MONDAY FEBRUARY 26 – SOLD OUT
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27 – NEW SHOW
Tickets for Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 24 and Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on February 27, go on sale tomorrow at 1.00pm local time at livenation.com.au.
BLINK-182 Announce A Further Four Shows to the Tour
Multi-platinum, award winning group blink-182 have announced their biggest tour ever, a colossal global outing with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker reuniting for the first time in nearly 10 years. Produced by Live Nation, the worldwide trek includes their first ever performances in Latin America along with stops in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand starting March 2023 through February 2024.
The Australian tour announcement has received an incredible response from fans, resulting in fully sold out shows and a further four new dates for 2024: Perth’s RAC Arena on February 8, Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 21, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 23 and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on February 26.
The tour will commence at Perth’s RAC Arena on February 8 and 9, 2024 followed by Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 11, with shows at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on February 13, 14 and 26, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 16, 17 and 23, and Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 19, 20 and 21.
Tickets for all new dates go on sale on today at 12.00pm local time, at livenation.com.au.
The band released their new single “Edging” last Friday, marking the first time in a decade that Mark, Tom and Travis have been in the studio together.
The tour announcement also features multiple festival appearances in Latin America and the US, including Lollapalooza alongside co-headliners Billie Eilish & Drake and the 2023 edition of We Were Young with Green Day among others.
BLINK-182
AUSTRALIA 2024
with special guest Rise Against
PERTH, RAC ARENA THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8 – NEW SHOW
PERTH, RAC ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9 – SOLD OUT
ADELAIDE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11 – SOLD OUT
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 – SOLD OUT
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 – SOLD OUT
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16 – SOLD OUT
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE MONDAY FEBRUARY 19 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20 – SOLD OUT
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21 – NEW SHOW
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23 – NEW SHOW
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA MONDAY FEBRUARY 26 – NEW SHOW
Tickets for new shows go on sale on today at 12.00pm local time at livenation.com.au.
BLINK-182 Announce Reunion Tour with Tom DeLonge
Multi-platinum, award-winning group blink-182 have announced their biggest tour ever, a colossal global outing with Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker reuniting for the first time in nearly 10 years. Produced by Live Nation, the worldwide trek includes their first-ever performances in Latin America along with stops in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand starting March 2023 through February 2024.
The Australian tour will kick off at Perth’s RAC Arena on February 9, 2024 followed by Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 11, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on February 13, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on February 16, concluding at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on February 19.
blink-182 fan club pre-sale commences at 12pm on Thursday, October 13, running until 12pm on Wednesday, October 19. Live Nation pre-sale commences at 1 pm on Wednesday, October 19, concluding at 12pm on Thursday, October 20. Spotify pre-sale commences at 1 pm on Wednesday, October 19, concluding at 12pm on Thursday, October 20.
General public tickets go on sale on Thursday, October 20 at 1 pm at livenation.com.au
All pre-sale / on-sale times are local.
The band will also drop their new single “Edging” this Friday, October 14, marking the first time in a decade that Mark, Tom, and Travis have been in the studio together.
The tour announcement also features multiple festival appearances in Latin America and the US, including Lollapalooza alongside co-headliners Billie Eilish & Drake and the 2023 edition of We Were Young with Green Day among others.
BLINK-182
AUSTRALIA 2024
with special guest Rise Against
PERTH, RAC ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9
ADELAIDE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11
MELBOURNE, ROD LAVER ARENA TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13
SYDNEY, QUDOS BANK ARENA FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16
BRISBANE, ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE MONDAY FEBRUARY 19
blink-182 fan club pre-sale commences at 12pm on Thursday, October 13, running until 12pm on Wednesday, October 19.
Live Nation pre-sale commences at 1pm on Wednesday, October 19, concluding at 12pm on Thursday, October 20.
Spotify pre-sale commences at 1pm on Wednesday, October 19, concluding at 12pm on Thursday, October 20.
General public tickets go on sale on Thursday, October 20 at 1.00pm at livenation.com.au
ALL PRE-SALE / ON-SALE TIMES ARE LOCAL.
