loader

Melbourne

Post Image
Gig ReviewsReviews
September 3, 2024
Midnite Mitch

[Review] Amaranthe @ Northcote Theatre Melbourne, 31/08/2024

I have been waiting for this night for a very long time. I first listened to Amaranthe when a friend of mine told me to go and put on The Nexus album way back in 2013 and after 11 years and 5 albums later, they have finally come to Australia!

Amaranthe may have arrived in Melbourne on a miserable cold, windy and no sun kind of day, but that doesn’t deter any fans from showing up early to get in line and wait for a night of singing some incredibly catchy songs and I’m sure there are plenty of people who have been waiting as long as I have for this night to come about. You can’t get a warmer welcome than adoring Aussie fans, right?

Once inside Northcote Theatre, I move straight to the usual spot, right in front of the mixing desk, it’s usually where I find the best mix, where I start to look around and see a line forming at the side of the venue, then suddenly it cuts across the dance floor, mosh pit, middle of the room area and wonder what the hell this is about, then realise, that’s the freaking merch line! I don’t think I’ve seen the line come out like that before in this venue, mind you, I have only been here 3 times before now and this is Amaranthe’s first Australian tour, so, I guess that is fair, but still a welcome surprise.

With a sudden jump start of drum and bass intro music, right smack bang on the 8pm start time, most of the crowd jumped in shock as The Last Martyr walked out on stage. Melbourne local, female fronted metalcore with drum and bass/electro backings, The Last Martyr were a great choice for opening up the night, bringing their A game with plenty of movement, crowd involvement and a tightly played set, although it did take me a song to realise they did actually have a live drummer playing, I could hear an incredibly well mixed drum sound and thought that it must have been part of the electro backing tracks but then, neatly packed away to the side of the stage, there they were sitting, absolutely killing it. The Last Martyr weren’t here to muck around though, they were smashing out songs consistently, with minimal stage banter, even throwing in a great cover of Bombfunk MC’s Freestyler and having a guest vocalist appear from nowhere to add an extra element to one of their tracks. I think the guest vocalist completely smashed it and played his part in their set quite well. (Guest vocalist may or may not have been a certain STM review writer’s younger brother, definitely not a biased opinion).

The lights go down, and a spoken word intro comes on speaking of control, freeing your mind, AI, the general themes these days within the world and most of Amaranthe’s tracks. The opening notes to Fearless are played and the crowd instantly goes nuts. Unfortunately for Australia, Mikael Sehlin, their heavy vocalist had to step off the tour due to personal reasons but Samy Elbanna, who has filled in the part on previous tours is here with them tonight, who holds his own quite well. Elize Ryd was hard to hear to start with during the set but then I also noticed a fair amount of delay being added to her vocals, which then muddied her up a little. Nils Molin sounded absolutely incredible, that guy can sing! Amaranthe smashed out 19 songs in their 90-minute set tonight! That’s some hard work, and quite a selection in songs from their back catalogue. They cover something off all their albums, picking the singles of the era’s.

Finally seeing and hearing these songs played live was an incredible feeling and the band were so energetic. Constantly moving around the stage, jumping up on stage boxes, noticing that they do have a great system in place where whoever is singing has the main center stage, so there is constant movement and each singer gets the limelight, that’s what you call teamwork. Coming into Boomerang, Elize and Nils were standing on opposite sides of the stage tossing a literal boomerang to each other in their sections. Elize took the laydown, couch singer style approach for Crystalline, Nils and Elize do a great back and forth on stage with Strong, which Amaranthe had a guest female vocalist do the recording, but I did enjoy the male counterpart in that song as well.

Amaranthe come back out to an encore of Archangel, That Song and ending on Drop Dead Cynical, with a track like That Song being in there, the crowd completely took over with the drum beat and clapping along, to which the band then dropped in some lyrics to We Will Rock You, they definitely gave the crowd their monies worth in involvement and entertainment. With songs like these where they are pop metal, written with catchy lyrics and melodies so that they will get stuck in your head for days on end, the crowd did their part for the night and were walking out with minimal voices after singing and screaming along all night, me included.

Judging by the grins on Amaranthe’s faces by the end of the set, I would say that it was a successful and long overdue first tour of Australia. I would suggest they already have plans of keeping Australia amongst their touring locations. I would definitely go again.

Read More
Post Image
Gig ReviewsReviews
August 22, 2024
Midnite Mitch

[Review] Triumph Of Death @ The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne 17/08/2024

Someone I never thought I would get to see live is Tom G Warrior, one of the pioneers of Black Metal. He started Hellhammer, went on to make Celtic Frost and Triptykon. These bands have influenced so many musicians that I listen to today and are always unlikely to come to Australia, but tonight that all changes!

Heading out to the Croxton Bandroom, all I see is patch vests, the walking advertisements for bands worldwide. People love to show off who they have seen over the years, and I always have a look to note down some bands I’ve never heard before and going to an old school black metal gig, there are a few new names that I need to investigate!

Opening tonight is Melbourne’s Mammon’s Throne. A name I have heard over the years, but never had the chance to see them, after hearing so much about them, they did not disappoint. Straight from the opening note to the closing ring out, these guys had the room headbanging and moving. Mammon’s Throne has a killer stage sound and exceptionally written music, I was an instant fan and once their set finished, I went straight to the merch desk to grab a cd, unfortunately they did not have cd’s, but they do have vinyl, unfortunately, I do not own a record player, readers don’t hate! It’s on the Christmas list, I just haven’t purchased one. Either way, I did not get a CD, but I will be trying to get to another show. For anyone, like me, who hadn’t seen or heard these guys before, they would have walked away a fan being shown an incredibly tight and well played set. Definitely a local band to catch.

Speaking of local bands to catch, In Malice’s Wake, Melbourne born thrash metal, are always incredible to watch, make sure you get out and watch their set whenever you can. These guys make playing thrash metal look easy, all of them are top tier musicians, I don’t see many bassists playing fingers and flying all over a fretboard and their drummer is incredible, sticks everywhere and not a beat missed, even throwing in a killer drum roll for a seamless transition in between songs. In Malice’s Wake comes out with high energy that instantly gets the room moving and coming in closer to the stage. Between In Malice’s Wake and Mammon’s Throne, Melbourne bands have a great representation tonight, showing that there are some incredible talents in the music scene to check out locally.

I never thought I would get the chance to hear or see the set that I saw tonight, ever. These songs are from the 80’s, Hellhammer haven’t been a band since 1984 and yet here I am, not seeing an original line up but one of the original frontmen in the flesh, play songs that he wrote when he was a teenager and still just as passionate now. This is incredibly inspiring for a musician and a general music fan. Tom G Warrior comes out with his band, Triumph of Death and instantly he is met with cheers from the crowd and his signature “oooohhhhh”. They run through most of the classics, like Maniac, Decapitator and Chainsaw. Tom G Warrior gives a little bit of back story to some of the tracks as well, like Blood Insanity, where he states that it was originally written by his old band mate, Steve Warrior and that his lead guitarist will be doing the honour of his vocals tonight. There was another story for Visions of Mortality being the last Hellhammer and first Celtic Frost track. Watching them play these songs that are held dearly by the underground is unbelievable, they still have an old school vibe and sound to them, definitely not as harsh as the original demo’s but they are still rough and raw.

The crowd can see that Tom G Warrior is having a blast on stage playing these tracks and seeing the crowd, but he is also trying really hard not to show it. He can’t help but grin and laugh at the crowd when he is standing in between songs and hears the crowd yell “oooooohhhhh” at him, to which he replies “Ive been writing lyrics for songs for 43 f#$king years and yet the only one you remember is f#$king Ooooooohhhh!!! Well, Ooooohhhh!!!” and he just laughs. Triumph of Death deal well with a short stage issue of Tom G Warrior blowing a cab and the sound techs come and quickly take care of it, he thanks them and says that he wouldn’t be anywhere with out his sound guys, which is something I think every band should recognise! They close the set with the track Triumph of Death and walk of stage with massive grins. No one here leaves unsatisfied, band or crowd.

This is one of those gigs where I went in not really knowing what to expect, I was unsure as to how something that was recorded and kept raw on purpose was going to come out live and in a more modern setting. I was also unsure on how that would then be perceived by the crowd, we all know how die-hard fans can get. Triumph of Death played a tight, clear sounding and crowd-pleasing set. I walked away loving black metal all over again.

Read More
Post Image
FeaturedNews
August 16, 2024
Megan Milner

TINA ARENA & RICHARD MARX TO CO-HEADLINE MELBOURNE SHOW

TINA ARENA AND RICHARD MARX

TO CO-HEADLINE MELBOURNE SHOW

ALWAYS LIVE and Face to Face Touring are proud to present Australian music icon Tina Arena live in concert alongside co-headline Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, producer and cultural touchstone, Richard Marx. Exclusive to Victoria, they will be performing with special guests including Oz music legends Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Ceberano, Southern Sons, and 1927 at Mornington Racecourse on Saturday 7th December.

Tina Arena is one of Australia’s highest selling artists of all time, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide. Her landmark second solo album Don’t Ask was released in 1994 which included one of her biggest hit singles to date Chains. The song cemented Tina Arena’s status as a powerhouse in the global music landscape with its hauntingly crafted lyrics and emotionally charged vocals that only she can deliver. The album has become one of Australia’s biggest selling of all time. It gained ten x ARIA Award nominations and won five including ‘Album of the Year’.

Richard Marx is a prolific singer, songwriter and producer whose career spans four decades long and boasts an extensive list of accolades. He has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and to this day, remains the only male artist in history to have his first seven singles reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts. Over the course of his stellar career, hehas written and produced hits for a roster of artists that include Keith Urban, Hugh Jackman, Josh Groban, Barbara Streisand, Kenny Rogers, *NSYNC and Luther Vandross, of which he and Vandross won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for Dance With My Father.

Richard Marx’ influence remains steadfast in popular culture today, having written, performed and released countless worldwide No. 1 albums. These include the self-titled debut Richard Marx, as well as Repeat Offender and Rush Street, all of which have spawned massive hits such as Hold On To The Night, Should Have Known Better, Don’t Mean Nothing, Endless Summer Nights, Satisfied, Right Here Waiting, Keep Coming Back and Hazard. Over the decades, these songs became staple tracks that continue to dominate airwaves globally and in turn, have stood the test of time. Marx has achieved a seven-year string of triumphs that rivalled any in pop-rock music history.

Daryl Braithwaite is an iconic Australian singer/songwriter and ARIA Hall Of Fame Inductee. As the frontman and vocalist for the 1970s band Sherbet, Braithwaite rode a wave of local and international success with songs such as Howzat and Summer Love propelling the band to superstar status.

Braithwaite went on to embark on a highly successful solo career which included a No. 1 ARIA Album Chart for his album Edge (1988), featuring the hit singles As The Days Go By and One Summer. Braithwaite’s 1990 follow-up album Rise included the single The Horses which reached No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart and to this day remains an anthem for generations of Australians. In 2020, he joined a host of local and international artists to perform at Fire Fight Australia, Concert For National Bushfire Relief in front of an audience in excess of 70,000 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Iconic artist Kate Ceberano has been electrifying stages with her presence for over four decades. 11 platinum and 8 gold albums, 10 Top 10 albums, 15 Top 40 singles, 3 Countdown awards, 5 ARIA awards from 20 nominations (9 X for Best Female Artist) and over 6000 live performances.

I’m Talking’s platinum debut, Bear Witness, brought Kate‘s jaw-dropping voice to national attention via their five Top 20 singles and is enshrined among Rolling Stone’s Top 200 Australian Albums of all time. There’s her record-breaking run with John Farnham in Jesus Christ Superstar, her triple Platinum smash debut solo pop album Brave, her Platinum selling jazz album You’ve Always Got The Blues, her 2014 induction into the Australian Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, Kate was a force of nature from day one. Kate Ceberano. Australian entertainment royalty and a bona fide national treasure.

Southern Sons, the iconic band from the 1990s are returning to their roots and revisiting the songs that kickstarted their music careers, bringing music lovers a nostalgic journey through their timeless hits. Original members Jack Jones, Geoff Cain, and Peter ‘Reggie’ Bowman will come together to deliver an unforgettable experience, featuring chart-topping classics like Hold Me In Your Arms and Heart in Danger, among others.

Southern Sons’ debut self-titled album, which received an ARIA nomination, soared to the top of the charts, captivating audiences with hits like Heart in Danger, Hold Me In Your Arms, Always & Ever, and Waiting For That Train. The release of their first single, Heart in Danger, in 1990 solidified their position as a formidable force in the music scene, dominating charts for years to come. Their 1992 album, Nothing But The Truth, continued their streak of success, featuring singles such as Lead me To Water and You Were There. Additionally, three Southern Sons tracks were included in the acclaimed 1993 Sydney Dance Company production of Beauty & The Beast. The band’s third and final studio album, Zone, released in 1996, showcased a guest appearance by Men At Work’s Colin Hay on the lead single, Don’t Tell Me What’s Right.

Way before Australian Idol and The Voice existed, a wily kid named Eric Weideman was talent-spotted after a scorching performance on Red Faces for Hey Hey It’s Saturday! Weideman teamed up with former Moving Pictures songwriter Garry Frost, his brother Bill Frost and James Barton to form 1927.

They gigged until they were tight then landed a hit with smoky, rocking chugger That’s When I Think of You. It was the first single taken from debut album …ish (1989), followed by yearning power ballad If I Could, a song that still blindsides you with its vulnerability. They weren’t done, releasing You’ll Never Know and Compulsory Hero, all from …ish which topped the album charts and helped the band win at the 1989 ARIA Awards for Breakthrough Single and Breakthrough Album.

Next came The Other Side (1990) which went to number three on the ARIA Album charts backed by soaring pop hit Tell Me a Story. 1927 disbanded and things went quiet, but the music remained until 2009 when there was a demand for 1927, people wanted to hear them play those jams live. The demographic of the band has changed and developed. The songs have managed to reach a new generation of music fans – punters who know greatness when they hear it.

This event is part of ALWAYS LIVE, a 17-day state-wide celebration of contemporary live music supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria. From Australia’s hottest emerging artists to the international and Australian acts you know and love, memorable Music Moments are made each year with ALWAYS LIVE, only in Victoria, November 22 – December 8, 2024. Program out now – visit alwayslive.com.au for program and ticket details with more to come!

TINA ARENA & RICHARD MARX
‘DON’T ASK…AGAIN 2024’

Saturday 7th December

Mornington Racecourse, Mornington VIC

Pre-Sale:

Friday 16th August 10:00am AEST – Monday 19th August 9:00am AEST

General Public On Sale:

Monday 19th August 10:00am AEST

Tickets at Ticketmaster

Read More
Post Image
Gig ReviewsReviews
July 19, 2024
Terri Nas

[Review] Michael Marcagi @ 170 Russell, Melbourne 17/07/2024

Move over Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers. Michael Marcagi is the new kid in town, and I have a feeling in my waters he’s going to do big things. 

Hump day in Melbourne and the streets are slicked with what feels like never ending rain, and despite my body adorning multiple thick layers of warmth it still wasn’t enough to combat the icy wind slicing its way through me. I head on down into the dark depths of 170 Russell and, my claustrophobic fears aside, this has fast become one of my favourite live music venues in Melbourne. I’m here to see Cincinnati-born singer-songwriter Michael Marcagi who is down under for the very first time, spreading the joy that is his music across our great country. 

To start the night and melt the icicles off our face with her warm tones was Tasmanian singer-songwriter, Maddy Jane. Maddy Jane hails from one of the most southern parts of the world before you hit Antarctica, and being an OG Tassie-born gal myself I couldn’t help but feel proud to have such a fabulous talent showcasing her gift around the country. With her melodic voice and guitar in hand, she blew us all away with a solo set which included the relatable June, Thylacine (TASSIE REPRESENT), and a stunning Paolo Nutini cover, Through the Echoes. Maddy Jane invited fellow singer Kaitlin Keegan on stage for a couple of numbers, and their voices were perfectly blended with flawless harmony. 

With a break in proceedings, the room was filling fast and there was an excited buzz around the place whilst the young crowd were awaiting the main event. Soon enough, the lights were lowered, and Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky played out as Michael Marcagi and his 5-piece band venture out on stage to a huge round of applause from a delighted crowd. The mandolin-heavy upbeat track American Romance – from the EP of the same name – opened the set and straight away I can tell we’re in for a great night. Next was Spend My Money which is a track from Marcagi’s former band that he used to front, The Heavy Hours. 

In the Light’s lyrics hit me hard and was definitely one of the standout songs for me, before we were treated to a ripping cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s Deja Vu. In between songs, it became quite evident that Michael was so genuinely thrilled, and perhaps even slightly overwhelmed to be here in Australia. He was continuously gushing at how much he loves it here and was even repping a green and gold ‘Australia’ t-shirt that he’d bought from the souvenir shop over the road for $17 bucks. Talk about dedicated to the cause! The up-tempo track Savannah was another one that I could see everyone appeared to be getting into, before it was time to test out some new music on us with Stick Around. Michael was then left to his own devices as his band vacated the stage to leave him to do another new track on his own, and man this one packed a punch. The raw and gritty emotion in his vocals, especially in the bridge of this song, was something else and definitely one of my favourite moments of the night. He told us a hilarious story about performing that song recently and after the show, a concert-goer approached him to tell him how unsettled she felt because he was staring at her the whole time he sang that song. In his defense he couldn’t actually see 3 feet in front of him due to the blinding stage lights, but this woman was convinced he was staring at her so now he has a serious complex about “being that creepy guy on stage”. 

It was time for another cover and this time it was in the form of the Harry Styles hit, Two Ghosts. The crowd loved this one too and were singing along, and jokes were made about how he only had 6 songs out in the world, but next time he comes back to Australia he promised to have more songs of his own to perform. The night was starting to draw to a close but not before Tear It All Apart, followed up by the popular, Scared to Start. It was a sea of iPhones and not a cigarette lighter in sight as the crowd sang along passionately to every word of this song, whilst capturing every moment for themselves to watch over and over again once they were home. It was goodnights all round as Michael and his band vacated the stage, but with the crowd’s feral reaction for more they had no other choice but to come back and give us one more song. The Other Side was our reward and the whole room erupted and once again provided back up vocals. It was then goodnight for good as Michael Marcagi and his band waved graciously as they headed off.

Marcagi’s beautiful vocals, songwriting prowess and musicianship make for a killer mix, and I think he’s going to do big things in the future! Add to this the fact he seems like such a genuine and humble guy who appears to be truly touched by his existing fans and their dedication. Throughout the show he kept raving about his newfound love of Australia and the surrealism that he’s here performing for crowds, and I can say we would love to have him back anytime! I can’t wait to see what Michael Marcagi delivers us next because guaranteed, it’ll be fantastic!

Read More