[Gallery] Brad Paisley @ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 29/9/2022
Brad Paisley
Morgan Evans
Mackenzie Porter
Marianas Trench @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne 17/09/2022
After 10 years and two rescheduled tours due to the “C” word, Marianas Trench finally made it back to Australian shores to perform their sold-out Suspending Gravity Tour.
Preparing the crowd, support band “Reside” opened the show playing their fast-paced Alt-Rock generating more energy for the already excited crowd.
As each song on the preshow playlist finished the silence between songs whipped the crowd into a frenzy only for them to back off once the next song started playing.
Finally, Marianas Trench took to the stage to screams of delight and thunderous applause.
Opening to the full house with the title track from their 2015 album “Astoria”, immediately bringing lead singer Josh Ramseys soaring vocals to the forefront, the next 90 minutes were full of all their fan favourites from across the catalogue.
Featuring songs like “Here’s to the Zeros”, “Shake Tramp”, “Cross My Heart”, “Who do you Love” the entire set was full of energy from start to finish with many of the songs showcasing their signature trademark vocal harmonies, theatrical compositions, driving beats and the showmanship of Josh Ramsey.
The crowd was given plenty of opportunity to sing along and they knew all the words with the band making them go it alone on “All to Myself” and many of the songs throughout the set.
The band featuring Matt Webb on guitar, Mike Ayley on Bass and Ian Casselman on drums were left to hold the fort while Josh Ramsey went for a crowd walk during “Stutter” and “Haven’t had Enough” with Josh later thanking the audience for being one of the most respectful he has encountered on one of his walks.
Ever so appreciative of the crowd, Josh thanked everyone throughout the night and when the time for the encore came after smashing their popular hit “Fallout” instead of leaving the stage Josh said he was going to continue onstage as he was having such an amazing time.
Going solo for “Good for you” once again has the crowd showcasing their knowledge of the lyrics and singing along to every word.
Wrapping up the set with the operatic like “The Killing kind” which is also the last set off their album “Phantoms” Marianas Trench put on a show that exceeding all expectations and left myself and the crowd wanting more.
Hopefully, they are back on our shores in a much shorter timeframe than last time, playing bigger venues to many more fans which they deserve.
Midnight Oil @ Palais Theatre, Melbourne 14/09/2022
Memories of a strapping young lad with an overabundance of excitement marching through the old brick gates of Friendly Societies Oval in Warrnambool come flooding to the fore as I sit in the august surrounds of the Palais, St Kilda, here is 2022.
Memories of my very first encounter with the Midnight Oil live are littered with audible echoes from that 80’s crowd chanting Oils, Oils, Oils as I order a beer at the bar, scarcely believing that all these years later, my own adult son serves the frothy to his crusty old dad. A dad who cannot process into reasonable thought where all those years went between then and now, but oh so privileged to share this moment with my son.
Then I scan the crowd here assembled, and realise so many are making similar skips down memory lane. Some fresh and youthful faces venture only so far as the offerings from Resist released in May of this year, while others recall with fondness a Redneck Wonderland, but tonight I share camaraderie with my brothers and sisters who put the black vinyl to the turntable with crackling ushering tracks like Powderworks and Surfing with a Spoon back in 1978, turning it up to eleven before that was a thing.
We smile knowingly at one another acknowledging that our Aussie staple, the mightily Midnight Oil has literally provided the soundtrack to our lives over thirteen studio albums. Some here were even at the very beginning when Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie, and Andrew James lured Peter Garrett to Farm in 1973. Evidently, after burning enough of it, 1976 saw the name change to Midnight Oil and the rest is history. A rich and rewarding history for band and fan alike, with so many twists and turns, triumphs, and tragedies made manifest in a magnificent and often politically charged plethora of magical musical moments in the unique style of Midnight Oil. The Hirst signature beat, fronted by the familiar spasm-like celebration from Garrett that will be remembered always as his signature move, the shredding of Rotsey, the 80’s rhythm of Peter “Giffo” Gilford, the years of bass brilliance from the late, great Bones Hillman and the unfaltering brilliance of the multitalented Jim Moginie. Then the young man full of excitement from that first gig in 1986 realises that there will not be one more day of eating and sleeping. No more will the Oils be there always and every day. As regular as clockwork with a musical hit to bring current affairs to the ears of the young and old alike. All at an end. Behold Melbourne and commit all the magic to the pages of history.
Tonight, it was advertised as a three-hour juggernaut of Oils tunes past and present, with no support band in place. How do they match the previous show just 2 nights ago? A show where they belted out a massive 27 song setlist with the energy of a band of 25-year-olds.
How do they do this? Well, in true Midnight Oil fashion, they mix it up a little, add a bit of Oils twist and keep us all on our toes. After all, there was plenty here for both nights at the Palais this week, so it was entirely appropriate.
What wasn’t appropriate was so many backs turned, yabbering loudly, and not giving the Welcome to Country the respect it deserved, I feel compelled to apologize because so many of the songs we were about to hear have helped in some way to bridge the gap that has existed between White Australia and our Indigenous brothers and sisters.
So, with a tear in the eye because sadly this is one for the road and it all ends for Melbourne tonight. The last Midnight Oil concert in Victoria and only a handful left for the band. Ever. This is the end.
It was obvious that previous setlists were not to be followed for tonight’s performance as the welcome opening notes of Read About It blast forth from the stage to the obvious delight of the willing recipients. When Don’t Wanna Be The One followed up as a second offering the crowd again exploded into celebration.
Not knowing what to expect and what they were going to play next, Nobody’s Child, Stars of Warburton, and Under The Overpass were certainly lapped up in the appropriate fashion, but if decibels were any true unit of measure it seemed that the crowd was most ready to applaud loudest for hits of decades gone by.
We were all treated to a surprise addition of Common Ground which the band had dusted off from their ninth studio album Breathe. According to sources, this song has not been played live by the band since 2002.
The stage was amazing in its understated simplicity and certainly smacked of Diesel and Dust for me. Corrugated iron and Rob in the shadow of an old water tank. Perfect.
I feel it is superfluous to include each and every track from the gargantuan setlist. Suffice it to say that it was extensive in anyone’s language. I realise that some might be disappointed, as they may have expected something a little different, but for me, the tracks were certainly an appropriate celebration of the decades of the musical contribution that Midnight Oil has provided.
I guess it is a little like somebody who has loved the music over the course of their life but not necessarily identified with the politics behind some tunes or the political stance of some band members. Each to their own, and each entitled to their opinion especially as the words FUCK CAPITALISM emulated from the crowd in agreement with Pete’s proclamations.
Personally, I loved it and one of the big reasons was my feelings from right back at the start of the show. This genuinely felt to me, like an old-school, open-air regional show. Tracks that people felt were best celebrated with a trip to the bar or a cricket walk to the dunny along with those who realised the merchandise queue might be a little shorter now. It had the authentic feel of those shows of old. I must pause and reflect upon the splendid contribution of Adam Ventoura who I felt honored the contributions of past protagonists.
Much to the approval of the crowd, Pete donned an “I stand with Ukraine” t-shirt, while they brought the tone down a little to visit some tracks with a common theme. Tracks such as My Country, Wedding Cake Island, and Wind in my Head.
Kosciusko kicked things off again and had the crowd lifting the roof off the newly renovated Palais Theatre. But when we heard the familiar beats of the start of Power and the Passion ring out, those still sitting launched themselves off their butts to sing out loud, it was quite the spectacle.
All these years, all these hits, and a soundtrack that Midnight Oil has provided to so many lives will help ensure that no one’s years are Forgotten Years nor will the tremendous contribution of Midnight Oil ever be forgotten.
After taking a quick breather off stage, they returned one last time for a 3 song encore. Armistice Day, Beds Are Burning, and Hercules.
The crowd roared in applause for each member of tonight’s performance as everyone who shared the stage, lined up and took their final bows. Then the 5 band members were left to take their bow, and lastly, the original four took their final ever bow to their adoring Melbourne crowd. What a moment!
Unfortunately, most of the crowd appeared to believe that this was all just a fake encore and that surely there were more tracks on the setlist to follow. Those words of the ever familiar chant “Oils, Oils, Oils” rang out into the Melbourne night, however when the lights came on the parting words from the disappointed marred what was otherwise a phenomenally brilliant show. But that’s what this show is all about, the passion and the pain (or power and the passion, whatever you like 😊 ) the bitter-sweet meaning behind it all because … that’s it… no more. Never Again. And for me and so many, it was a thorough privilege to be present and to celebrate ONE FOR THE ROAD with the mighty Oils.
I would not normally make this superfluous addition but I feel compelled to make one humble suggestion. Look below at the MASSIVE setlist, and imagine the moments, pick your favorites and imagine hearing them for the last time ever live. Surrounded by like-minded peers in unbridled celebration and you have got it in one. Fell those goosebumps? Feel that lump in the throat? That was it right there. Thank you for the years, thank you for the tears, thank you for everything Midnight Oil.
Fri 23 Sep, 2022 Barnard Park Busselton, WA – 18+ [Resist]
Wed 28 Sep, 2022 Luna Park Big Top, Sydney – 18+ [One For The Planet]
Sat 01 Oct, 2022 Fellows Oval, ANU Campus, Canberra – 18+* [Resist]
Mon 03 Oct, 2022 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – Lic. All Ages [One For The Road]
Tickets Available here
[Gallery] Hilltop Hoods @ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 10/9/2022
Hilltop Hoods
A.B.Original
Elsy Wameyo
[Review] MONOLITH FESTIVAL @ Bella Vista Farm, NSW 20/08/2022
The inaugural Monolith Festival kicked off in Brisbane last weekend to a fantastic crowd. The all Aussie lineup is helping us warm up to festivals and live shows becoming a more regular occurrence, once again.
7 bands, 1 stage, NO clashes!
The morning’s weather is less than ideal, a grumpy sky and some rain make any punter nervous about the day ahead in an open field in Sydney’s west. As the clock edges closer to the gates opening, the skies open to a beautiful blue, just for us.
Today’s venue, Bella Vista Farm is a large open green ground, with sheep grazing behind a fence, and natures amphitheatre at the foot of a hill, this is where the stage can be found. With only 1 bar, 1 merch tent and a few food trucks it is not regular festival programming today.
I walk the perimeter on my arrival, making sure I absorb every aspect of the festival set up by the legends over at Destroy All Lines, I get a drink and prop myself on the hill to watch Perth based, experimental prog rock group Yomi Ship, kick off the day.
Yomi Ship are the first of 3 instrumental acts on the Monolith line up. Yomi Ship demonstrates to audience members that although vocals give a band more depth, they are not always required. As we observe and take in Yomi Ship’s ripping riffage and melodies as they perform songs like Seamonkey, Ice Drake, and S.H.A.M.A.N. as we appreciate the level of musicianship.
The day is under way and with less than 30-minute change over intervals, we are treated to another healthy dose of live music with Reliqa. Their energy was infectious and thank goodness as the dampness of the ground had made everyone quite uncomfortable, we are on our feet! Sydney-based rockers came out with guns blazing. Front woman, Monique Pym’s energy does not come down once. There are many headbangers in the crowd, including one blue Power Ranger! With Mr Magic and The Halfway Point, Reliqa encourages punters to hustle closer to the barrier. Every song after this, including Safety, which was only released last week, is said to be a brand-new tune.
The enigmatic and hefty introduction to Tundra introduced Sydney’s Sleepmakeswaves, an instrumental rock band with members Otto Wicks-Green on guitar, Lachlan Marks on guitar, Tim Adderley on drums, and Alex Wilson on bass, keys, and electronics. Sleepmakeswaves‘ heavy and layered sounds were pushed out into the crowd in melodic and energising waves, bringing skilful professional riffage! They played a well-balanced show, with tremendous energy and seamless transitions between songs. The air was painted with melodic and intricate works of art by the songs The Stars are Stigmata, Traced in Constellations, Great Northern, and Something Like Avalanches. Sleepmakeswaves left its impression on audiences with long-time fans happy and plenty of new fans excited to hear their most recent song, Pyramids, a gorgeous heavy piece. As they approach the microphones, used only to speak with the crowd, they are humble and appreciative of all in attendance.
Plini is up next, rounding out the instrumental acts of the day. I have known about their music for some time now and their reputation for being astounding musicians. We audience members are being intoxicated by Plini songs like I’ll Tell You Someday, Every Piece Matters, and I cannot forget the fan favourite Electric Sunrise as their immaculate arrangements pulse and soar off the stage. They bring a different energy to the other 2 instrumental bands, and really stand out.
The sun begins to descend behind the hill as the Ocean Grove backdrop is raised. Being the band, I most looked forward today, I leave the height of the hill and enter the pit for the madness about to ensue. From the moment they burst on stage with Superstar the energy of the day is lifted, and atmosphere altered as the crowd bellows in excitement.
OG stand out on this line up, as their flavour of nu-metal/rock/punk/oddworld is quite different from the other acts. Although I commend the organisers for throwing this incredible wildcard.
Front man Dale Tanner’s energy is endless, as soon as I see him wearing dark blue coveralls, I know we are in a world of trouble and there is a big performance coming. (Fever 333 fans will understand!) A packed set of hits including Junkie$ and Sex Dope Gold are thrown our way, opening the moshpit instantly. Bass player Twiggy Hunter was recently released from hospital although it did not hinder his performance, with a beaming smile from start to finish he lends backing vocals to many songs while holding down the bass with a style like no other. We are so glad he is on the mend!
Drummer Sam Bassal treats us to a fantastic solo on the song, Guys from the Gord, as we are swept into Thousand Golden People. It is an interesting song with a hard-hitting intro, some borderline rapping from Dale progressing into a huge chorus for the crowd to join in on.
Before they hit the stage someone asked me what genre Ocean Grove are, I simply replied ‘yes’.
The only criticism I would have of their performance would be the lighting. It is back lit so extreme that I can only see Dale’s face when he is close to the drum riser, otherwise he is but a shadow on the stage. For a performer who is constantly moving and bonding with the crowd, it was a shame to not see more facial expressions and connect with the enigmatic front man especially being on the barrier.
Ocean Grove performed a tremendous show that will be hard to top, bringing psychedelic vibes with Ask for the Anthem and their collaboration track with Brisbane rockers Dune Rats, Bored. Concluding with their legendary song Sunny, which I am singing at the top of my lungs. Go ahead and put that song on now and tell me you do not want to scream the chorus.
The unconventional and funky flavours and electrifying energy of Ocean Grove made a lasting effect on attendees of the Monolith Festival. The sun was still in the sky as Ocean Grove took to the stage, as I turn around, we are covered in darkness. I leave the pit out of breath, elated and beyond happy.
The crowd has amassed monumentally, ready for the two big acts to close out the day. It did not feel like all that long before Cog are before us. Fans begin to sway and fill the front of the stage as Bitter Pills begins with its lengthy and mysterious opening.
COG‘s set, which is shaping up to be an excellent blend of their very early bangers that have stood the test of time and later material the crowd has fallen in love with, is best described as melodic, heavy, and intricate. We get to sing along to Anarchy Ok and What If, after the ferocious nature of Ocean Groves set the energy is lower and the songs longer as they create an ambient atmosphere.
The Middle and Open Up, two more recent songs, seamlessly blended into the nostalgic setlist. Bassist Luke Gower and vocalist/guitarist Flynn Gower bounce off each other, seeming extremely happy to be on stage together once more. The sense of comradery is extremely evident up there tonight. I am incredibly impressed by their ability to play almost identical to the recorded version.
Closing out the set with favourite Bird of Feather we are all singing in unison. For a track that was released in 2008, it seems the whole venue know it word for word as friends and strangers are arm in arm singing at the top of their lungs. This track transports me back to high school and I could not be happier to be here today with my best friend, as we dance around and adore every moment.
As Karnivool‘s performance time drew near, a sheer black curtain went up, not blocking the view of much at all. The instrumental for Fear of the Sky began to play, lights and shadowy figures began to appear. As the stronger beats slowed down, the curtain fell, revealing Karnivool in a haze of light. The audience went wild!
It’s no surprise most of the punters are here for Karnivool. Spotting Karnivool shirts at the train station, bus stop and more and more at the festival as merchandise is purchased. Fans are utterly devouring Goliath, Animation, Set Fire To The Hive as they swing their arms, dance, and headbang in the pit.
Ian Kenny’s vocals are astounding. If you have listened to but 1 Karnivool track and attempted to sing along, you quickly realise how difficult those songs are. Add on a festival appearance, cool wind snapping at your face and a smoke machine filling the stage every few minutes, Kenny keeps his top-tier vocals throughout the performance.
Simple Boy is an example of his remarkable vocals, as the crowd help, singing it as loud as they can.
Kenny praises the superiority of Australian music. We all yell in unison. Who would have thought COVID lockouts would ever occur, and now that Karnivool is entertaining us as they have never left the stage? The drums of Steve Judd are strong and beat throughout the farm, he is hitting those skins so hard I question if he will need a change out midway through!
Roquefort and Themata from 2005’s album of the same name, Themata, are very evident crowd favourites. As a DJ of Sydney heavy clubs, I played/heard Themata every week for my entire 20s and I am brimming with nostalgia. The crowd dances and throws their fists to the sky, smiles across everyone’s faces until they close out their set with New Day.
Karnivool is not done with us yet. The Aussie legends return to the stage for two more tracks for the hungry crowd who were whipped up into a frenzy more by with All It Takes, one of their more recent and heavy from 2021. With Fade, the great concert came to an end. The crowd went wild, making the most of the evening’s final song.
The audience was content by Karnivool, but they eventually wanted more! A tribute to the renowned Australian progressive rock group.
The first Monolith Festival in Sydney went down in history for many as the black-clad crowd, many in Karnivool shirts by now, exit the green pastures of Bella Vista Farm. Without a doubt, the day was a huge success, each and every band put on outstanding performances that captured the attention and hearts of all.
The size of the festival was spot on, no clashes meant every act got the attention they deserved and a moment to shine. A free shuttle bus was parked outside the venue to transport the droves home or to the pub safely, to no doubt, recall stories of the day well into the night and year.
Here’s hoping Monolith becomes a festival staple.
[Review] Be’lakor @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne 20/08/2022
Tonight, is a night full of incredible melodies, whether it’s from a black, death or just a straight up metal riff, there is melody in the air coming from all these bands. It’s been a little while for me since going to a local Melbourne scene gig, it was a great reminder of how supportive and kind the scene really can be. This is a sold-out show and it’s great to see a line outside at a venue for a local gig, its been years since seeing that kind of thing, the patch vests are out, there are familiar faces around and the Jack Daniels is flowing!
Opening the festivities is Black Lava, bringing on their melodic black sound with killer riffs and an absolutely cracking snare sound, that thing cut through the mix perfectly and the drummer was hard-hitting, perfect combination. Being a Black Metal 4 piece band can be hard, you need to consider how everything gels together live, clearly, these guys know what they are doing because they had a full band sound with just the one guitar, you could hear all the intricacies of the music without it sound thin. While watching though, I realise I’ve seen the beast of a vocalist before and note that it’s the singer of local Black Metallers Blackhelm. Anyone into Watain or Satyricon-style bands should check them out. They played to a half full venue at 7:30 but they got everyone there into their music.
Next out for this night of tightly played melodic music is Andy Gillion and his band, featuring 2 members of Orpheus on bass tonight, Chris and Leon. This is a completely instrumental set and this type of thing can either be really entertaining or drag on, lucky for me it was the first option. Andy and his band are incredible to watch, these guys make playing guitar look easy. Their playing was so fluid, their right hands just seemed to wash over the guitars while their left was all over the fretboard, it felt like I should be taking notes at a masterclass. Andy states that he has been living in Australia for about 5 years now and this is his first Melbourne show played, the appreciation is genuine, and I don’t think he stopped smiling for the entire set.
At the end of Andy Gillion’s set, the curtains close and the crowd starts to move closer to the stage, Orpheus Omega are starting to set up. The curtains open with the band coming out to play Within These Walls, the new single that happens to feature Andy in it, who pops back up on stage to shred his solo. Chris has complete control over the crowd with quick and ground-setting speeches, laying down the law of “no crowd surfing” Yeah.. thanks Captain Buzzkill Jeez! (I’m kidding Chris, if you’re reading this… I promise) but he does make up for it at the end of the set with “I’m not telling you people what to do but IF you know what USUALLY happens in this last song and happen to do those things if you are so inclined.. that’s on you” with a massive grin. Orpheus smashes out a killer set of the hits from over the last couple of albums and dedicate Lighthouse from the latest album, Wear Your Sins to a member of the local scene who has recently passed. As I said earlier, this was just the night for the Melbourne scene to catch up and show its solidarity.
The curtains close once more and Be’lakor are now taking their turn in getting ready to darken the room with their progressive blackened sound. The crowd is now at full capacity, and you can no longer move around the venue, the anticipation is high, and the crowd doesn’t seem to have lost any energy at all. These guys know how to write a song, they remind a bit of Insomnium or something along those lines, epic, big-sounding LONG songs, they had about 90mins to play, and I think that was about 8 – 9 songs. These songs though are jammed packed with killer riffs that had the crowd moving and headbanging from start to finish. There were people singing along to most of the songs and their fans were ranging from old schoolers to the next generation, it’s great to see that their music has that kind of reach. Their live sound was amazing and did not disappoint, the amount of reverb on the drums made it sound like they were playing a massive open hall and just gave the music so much more atmosphere.
It is great to see so many people out and about for local gigs once again, I hope this makes everyone else just as hungry to go out and find more local bands and get the scene back to its former glory. I will be humming or playing these damn songs that are stuck in my head for weeks now, thanks guys!