Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 23.05.12
www.themusic.com.au
It’s tempting to do something, anything, to redirect the masses en route to the rooftop bar to the bandroom instead. The quality of opening acts lately has been brilliant and tonight is certainly no exception. The Neighbourhood Youth’sset is lively and innovative, experimenting with disco-drum patterns, melodic textures and sharp vocals. Their indie-rock sound is stadium big, one deserving of a much larger crowd than tonight’s civil group. It’s also refreshing to hear comprehensible lyrics right throughout, with, “You’re my only one,” bound to break a few hearts along the way. I’lls drop the pace with their Radiohead-inspired collection, complete with silky harmonies and earthy rhythms. They conclude the set to a packed room playing When I Knowoff their EP Thread, a few copies of which are sure to sell at the merch table tonight.
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 23.05.12
www.themusic.com.au
The great Forum Theatre is in all its glory tonight, with the mounted Romanesque statues shining bright for all to see. Tin Sparrows open with a rustic, acoustic-driven set complete with whistles and foot-tapping tunes. The crowd remains still but enthralled nonetheless. “I never thought I’d be playing in a place like this. It’s like Caesar’s Palace!” Sam Miles of Jungle Giantssqueals. He’s right, you know. Brisbane four-piece Jungle Giants seem hell-bent on firing up the sizable crowd, a feat they achieve through resounding beats and infectious tunes. Not to mention the springy bass player who cavorts around the stage.
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 23.05.12
www.themusic.com.au
Like a scene straight out of Wayne’s World, a cream-coloured Telecaster propped on display has the guitar fiends drooling. The starry stage serves as a shiny beacon for said apparatus, with fairy lights adorning the cosy platform. “This is about a guy I thought I’d get over in two weeks… a year later, I think I’m finally there.” Sans band, the pixie-like Lisa Salvo leaves an unparalleled imprint on the room, peeling back layer upon layer to reveal herself through a truly gorgeous, autobiographical performance. Her ethereal vocals drive her folk-pop melodies, requiring only minimal acoustic to carry each tune. She’s a born storyteller, singing, “You should’ve been publicly ridiculed,” in the sweetest of voices. Her presence, much like Cat Power, remains long after she leaves the stage.
Published in Music Universe 16.05.12
www.musicuniverse.com.au
The diverse crowd sprawled outside the Hi Fi Bar tonight is buzzing, drawing curious glances from the more civil passersby. Prematurely packed with colourful characters, the band room is even more alive. Cowboy hats, Elvis quiffs and rockabilly chicks add an old-time vibrancy that only a few Melbourne venues can boast, and ever fewer bands can draw.
Published on Music Universe 10.05.12
www.musicuniverse.com.au
Arriving at a music festival at 10am has its perks. For starters, the run was smooth, taking just over an hour to get to Bendi-groo from Melbourne. Secondly, the toilet queue is only twenty people deep. Rather than the Big Day Outs or Laneway Festivals, Groovin the Moo caters for the out-of-towners (and city commuters), touring only regional locations throughout Australia during its five-stop trip. The date however, is a risky one. On the one hand, the music event rounds up the festival season, playing host to a stellar lineup each year. On the other, it teeters on the cusp of winter. That being said, we bounce into the grounds layered to the chin, trying our best to ignore the threatening clouds circling above.
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 09.05.12
www.themusic.com.au
The night’s apparel screams of a dazzling, bygone era. While the men look dapper in their fedoras and vintage suits, there’s no doubt that the ladies prevail both on and off stage. Beehived, fake-lashed and sequined lasses swarm around the venue in a bubbly Daisy Buchanan-way, before the first support commands everyone’s attention. With hips that snake around the stage, Stella Angelico oozes sultry, old-time glamour that’s perfect for tonight’s production.
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 09.05.12
www.themusic.com.au
With the onset of winter drizzle coating the streets outside, it’s no wonder Brendan Maclean opts for the red. Glass in tow, Maclean’s emotive performance displays a raw intensity fitting for the mellow, candlelit crowd. Woven into his compelling set is jaunty raillery, namely referring to his ukulele as Murphy Brown while singing of ill-fated love for ballerinas. One-liners before each song ignite laughter, most notably “…after you break up, one of you has to move to Spain”, and “this is a song I wrote when I realised I had a receding hairline.”
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 25.04.12
www.themusic.com.au
At 7.30pm, the Phoenix Public House is far from a desolate pre-gig band room. Instead, the venue is alive and brimming with packs of jovial indie kids hankering for tonight’s headliners. Ever since the March release of their debut album In A Million Years, the Brisbane boys have garnered a substantial amount of national hype, resulting in tonight’s speedy sell-out.
Published in Inpress/TheMusic.com.au 18.04.12
www.themusic.com.au
The snap of noisy distortion pounds through the beer garden, signalling the arrival of heavy-rockers The Kremlings. With four acts on the bill, it’s no wonder they kick off the Tote’s Friday 13th celebration at the civil hour of 8.50pm. Lead singer Andre Merino is wildly animated as he swaggers, prances and frenetically attempts to jostle his static bandmates. With only a mic cord to fidget with, it’s a shame the poor guy doesn’t have a guitar to smash.
