It’s been a good year for gigging. I can’t really estimate the number of gigs I’ve been to so far this year but a safe bet would be over 50 (it’s probably closer to 70). I’ve watched more than 100 different bands (I’ve just been putting together a list), one band in particularly I’ve seen more than 10 times (!), a couple of others around 5 times, and some bands I’ve seen once and once has been enough.
Following are some of the highlights that I can think of at the moment with links going off to the photos from those gigs where I had my camera with me.
Faker – January 22 at Spectrum
the Morning After Girls – February 12 at Spectrum
Phonograph and Vanlustbader – February 19 at the Hopetoun
Luke Perry Heartbreakers (where did they drop off to?), Phonograph and Starky – April 16 at the Annandale
Ruby Sue – June 16 at the Annandale
the Whats, Front End Loader and the Giants of Science – July 28 at the Annandale
Darren Percival – sometime in August at the Excelsior
Phonograph – August 20 at @newtown
Mercy Arms – September 13 at the Transit Lounge
British India – September 16 at the Annandale
Red Riders and Faker – October 15 at the Gaelic Club
The sweetest thing from that list? They’re all Australian. But then looking back pretty much every band I’ve seen this year has been local apart from a couple of NZ bands and Bright Eyes.
I just got back from seeing Sons & Daughters supporting boring old Bright Eyes tonight. They blew him out of the water. S&D are a fantastic band, both on record and out live. They’ve been on the road touring America for two solid months now and they STILL sound that good?!
The guitarist Scott Paterson is one of the coolest f*&#ers ever. Being a support band they had to fight for the audience’s respect. Believe it or not, they actually did. People were heckling them inbetween the first few songs but by the end of their set, most of the venue was erupting in applause.
They played “Johnny Cash” and “Blood” so I was extremely satisfied. Wish they would’ve played “Come In Out Of The Rain” but you can’t have everything. Adele the singer’s spastic little stomp-step dance was slightly disconcerting but at least the band were enthusiastic and exciting to watch. Catch them at the Gaelic Club Dec. 13 if you can, N. They are worth it.
You better also get your behind out to see Wild Billy Childish and the Buff Medways at the Annandale Dec. 6., as well as The Visitors at the Gaelic on Dec. 10! If I can’t see them, you must be my emissary :).
Surely those shows can interest you enough to tear yourself away from Front End freakin’ Loader gigs for a moment ;). The gigs you and Trev turn down would have me beaming for about a whole damn year if I could go. The mind boggles :).
At least you’ll be at the Big Day Out to see The Stooges and Radio Birdman (are they even still playing?!). That’s something at least.
Don’t forget about us heartbreakers all the way across the oceans.
I’ll more than likely buy a ticket to Sons & Daughters but in my books it’s not a cheap gig so close to Christmas and it’s a school night for this ageing one! I’ll contemplate a few days more before I make up my mind (and see if I can drag a gig buddy along).
Billy Childish and the Buff Medways are also on a school night and a chunk of money. I saw the Buff Medways a few years back in London and wasn’t particularly gripped if I remember rightly.
The Visitors aren’t even listed on the Gaelic club website. Where on earth do you get all this information you Oz obsessed music freak?!
So maybe I’ll just do the S&D thing to make you happy.
Seeing as you know all, any gig tips for Melbourne on the nights of November 9 – 13? I need some missions to undertake on my holiday.
PS. The problem with Sydney is that there’s just too many good bands around on any given night.
PS. I only saw the Loader once this year and if you’d ever seen them live you’d know why they are so lovely 🙂
PS. The problem with Sydney is that there’s just too many good bands around on any given night.
yeah, except last night
stop being a grump Mr Scot(t)! 🙂
wiseblood said “The gigs you and Trev turn down would have me beaming for about a whole damn year if I could go. The mind boggles”
No idea what you mean by that. 😉
Where’s that “rolling eyes” emoticon when you need it? I knew you’d probably find some dodgy excuse to ditch those gigs :). That’s cool. I just thought I’d throw some gig options out there. You really should try to check out S&D though. They were pretty damn good as a support band. They must be even better as headliners.
You’ve seen Billy Childish in concert before, eh? How come you or Lostmusic failed to mentioned this to me before ;)?
Hope I haven’t rained on your parade here. Haven’t talked to you for ages, N, so thought I’d drop by and throw in my two cents worth.
I’ll check my “sources” to see what’s on in Melbourne when you’re there.
What, no Drones, Riff Random or Expatriate ?
I know the three bands supporting the Drones were shit, but they were amazing..especially Ms Kitschin and her cowboy boots…
Sorry, Niina. Can’t find anything happening in Melbourne that I can recommend during the time you’re there for.
Maybe I can catch the Morning After Girls over here at some point. I liked what I heard on record. Your report on the Giants Of Science gig you went to intrigued me as well. From a visual standpoint, Mercy Arms and British India look like they play the sort of sounds I would love. Looks can be deceiving though. If they sound like Riff Random and vanlustbader then I’m not interested anymore ;).
Do M.A., Faker and British India have any MP3s to sample? I’m too tired to go searching.
Oops. Just found the links to those bands’ sites below. I DO read all of your posts, Niina. Really I do ;).
Spam. Spam. Spam spam spam.
Billy Childish ROCKS! *AND* my friend John (who used to drum in my band Cathy Ray/Caustic) is supporting the Buff Medways tonight. (John’s new band is called The Grams).