posted by david on Mon 29 Mar 2004 @ 10:04 PM

It seems I have been slack posting here so here's a bunch of random stuff that seems worth mentioning. Guitarist Matt Walker is playing with drummer extraordinaire Ashley Davies again after playing with "The Necessary Few" for a while and they have plans to record another album together later this year. If you got the chance to see them together, just go, they're like no one else. Steve Earle is in town later in the week for a couple of shows with his band The Dukes. I should go but $60 to stand at the Prince of Wales strikes me as a bit rich, especially if it's a packed crowd. Maybe I'm just getting old. Sarah McLachlan is following up her Afterglow album from last year with some Australian shows shortly which I might try and catch. Her last album was dull but strangely addictive (I played it incessantly for a few weeks) and I fear her show could be more dull than addictive. From all reports Lucinda Williams is still coming out (I think her mother died recently) and I expect those shows to be great. Richard Thompson is also playing a show in town but I fear it will be like his last show here: brilliant guitar playing, slightly dull evening. Shortly afterwards Radiohead are also wandering into town and who knows what that will be like. The last time they were out here everyone said they were brilliant so I'm hoping for more of the same.

posted by david on Wed 15 Oct 2003 @ 09:10 PM

I caught The Proclaimers when they hit Melbourne last year and as expected, it was a fun gig that bounced around happily when it wasn't swooning with their unique harmonies. Apparently they weren't planning on making the trip again this year but then somehow they were invited down again because Scotland is playing in the Rugby World Cup. Anyway, they're playing two shows in Melbourne at the C.U.B Malthouse on November 12 and 13 (tickets from Playbox). I bought their new album a couple of days ago and was surprised to see Edwyn Collins produced it. Hopefully he's pleased with it as I'm enjoying it a lot so far (Mojo got all enthusiastic and gave it 5 stars). If you're a music fan living in Melbourne who hasn't been to the Spiegeltent yet, well, what the hell do you think you're doing? Get a ticket and get down there! I must admit the lineup is slightly less interesting this year as they've opted for fewer music acts (with some repeated) and there's more cabaret-type stuff. The venue itself remains a must-see though. Finally, the lineup for the strangely named Melbourne Music and Blues Festival has been announced and there's a sense of desperation in the headline acts: Chicago, The Pretenders, Bryan Ferry and Bonnie Raitt. Last year at least had a mix of quality classic and contemporary acts in Beth Orton, Ani DiFranco, The Waifs and Bob Dylan. A friend said this lineup looked like something direct from the late 70s and it's a bit hard to argue with that. There were a few interesting local acts in the smaller print (eg. Mia Dyson) but I don't think they did the publicity guys many favours with their choice of headline acts.

posted by david on Mon 8 Sep 2003 @ 07:26 PM

According to the news published at Undercover, Fleetwood Mac will be playing some shows in Australia in late Feb 2004. The lineup will be the same as for the new album "Say You Will": Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. While I'd prefer to see the full classic lineup including Christine McVie, she's repeatedly made it clear that she's not interested in doing the whole Mac thing anymore. In other Mac news, a "Tango In The Night" era concert video will be released on DVD in October alongside remastered/repackaged versions of the "Rumours" and "Tusk" albums. "Rumours" has been in need of a cleanup ever since it hit CD (the DVD Audio version is brilliant) so this is long overdue. It will be nice to hear "Tusk" without the edited version of "Sara" which has plagued the existing CD release. And for those wondering, the new album is sprawling and ambitious and a real grower and is likely to appear on my 'best of the year' list (if I get around to doing one this year).

posted by david on Mon 28 Jul 2003 @ 09:52 PM

When I was living in London a couple of years ago, I was lucky to catch Chris Whitley on two occasions when he hit town. The first time, I took a friend along who'd never heard of Chris and his reaction consisted mostly of "wow", "wow" and "wow". Chris has a new album out (Hotel Vast Horizon) and while I'm not quite sure about it yet), the news that Chris will be hitting Australia is something I'm most happy. Chris live is... well, you've just got to see it to understand. And in unrelated news, tickets go on sale tomorrow for Joe Jackson who has re-united the ingeniously named "Joe Jackson Band", recorded a new album "Volume 4" and hit the road. Apparently the tour will wind up in Brisbane where the band will be dis-banded again.

posted by david on Thu 5 Dec 2002 @ 10:46 PM

While the crummy exchange rate has kept bands like U2 away from Australia, early next year will see two big-name rock acts hitting the country within a comparatively short period of time. The Rolling Stones will be playing in February, mostly in stadium venues but Sydney fans will probably be falling each over in an attempt to buy tickets for the sole Enmore Theatre show. Ticket prices for the tour seem rather exorbitant, ranging from $70 to $350. The tour has been getting some rave reviews from critics so hopefully you'll at least get a great show for your money, but whether it's worth the expense is a different question. Shortly after that, Bruce Springsteen will be bringing the re-assembled E Street Band back to Australia for the first time since 1985. Having seen them play a few times, I can only say that they are one of those must-see acts as Bruce will spend over two and half hours bounding around the stage leaving you feeling as exhausted as he will look. Tickets for his shows are a little more reasonably priced, ranging from $88 to $152. I don't know what this article by Paul Cashmere is on about - he seems to have conveniently ignored the $350 tickets for the Stones tour when comparing them to the Springsteen ticket prices (check them yourself). As I've noted before, I still feel it's a pity that up-and-coming musicians are unlikely to have the chance to witness some of rock's great performers in action.

Rolling Stones tour: tickets on sale Wed 11 Dec through Ticketek
Bruce Springsteen tour: tickets on sale Mon 9 Dec, tour promoted by Kevin Jacobsen

posted by david on Tue 14 May 2002 @ 08:43 PM

Paul Kelly seems to have the whole media thing sussed out. If he's not releasing a new solo album (eg. Nothing But A Dream), a soundtrack (Lantana) or acting/singing in a film (One NIght The Moon) he's still got the media talking about him with the release of "The Women At The Well", an album of songs written by him and recorded by various female musicians. Those involved include Renee Geyer, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, Kasey Chambers and Rebecca Barnard. This article focusses mainly on Chrissie Amphlett's contribution to the album, a re-working of "Before Too Long". The album is out this week and will be launched May 16 at the Corner Hotel, Melbourne. update: it seems one of The Age journalists enjoyed the show

posted by david on Mon 6 May 2002 @ 05:12 PM

I recall reading a review of one of Chris Isaak's shows on one of his past tours where the reviewer was positively ecstatic about it, citing a night of great fun and laughter mixed with great music. Ever since then I've vowed to catch Chris Isaak the next chance I could and now finally he's heading this way again. Hurrah! He plays the Palais in Melbourne later this month - see Ticketmaster for tickets and stuff. Also playing the Palais soon-ish is the legendary vocalist Art Garfunkel. It'll probably be musically goopy but hey, the man can sing so I'll be there. Irish singer/songwriter Andy White (of ALT, with Tim Finn and Liam O'Maonlai) is also hitting town for a couple of shows in a couple of weeks, one at the Corner Hotel and the other at the Rosstown Hotel. And finally for now, I've heard a rumour that Elvis Costello will be heading this way but I've seen no mention of that in the press or anything. update: telstra.com has some info on the Elvis Costello tour.

posted by david on Tue 19 Feb 2002 @ 04:12 PM

With various performers heading out to Australia for the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, it's not surprising that some of them are taking the opportunity to hit a few other cities around the country. Christy Moore's brother Luka Bloom is playing Melbourne 22 March, Steve Earle plays 4/5 April and the quirky Scottish duo The Proclaimers play 20 March. But we don't have to wait a month for all of the interesting gigs, with cult jazz group The Necks playing the Cornish Arms this week (20/21 Feb). Also hitting town in March (23/24) are the Go Betweens, playing what I think is their first proper Melbourne show since the release of their 'The Friends Of Rachel Worth' album. If I get off my butt to get tickets to all of these shows, that weekend in March could be busy because Midnight Oil are also in town to promote their new album 'Capricornia'. update: Oops, I goofed - the Oils are playing Melbourne this weekend (Feb 22), not March.

posted by david on Fri 30 Nov 2001 @ 11:54 PM

Another summer in Melbourne, another round of free Summertime Rocks concerts on the lawn of the Arts Centre. As usual, they happen 4-6pm each Sunday through to March 10. I caught a few of them last year and I must say, they were well worth the money. <grin>

posted by david on Tue 20 Feb 2001 @ 10:17 PM

It seems that not only is Emmylou Harris due to grace Australian shores in April for an appearance at the East Coast Blues Festival, she'll also be taking the opportunity to dash around to some other parts of the country for shows with her band "Spyboy". See emmylou.net for the full list of dates. There was a rumour that John Hiatt might open for her but as her site lists Buddy Miller and Kasey Chambers, I guess that's not happening. Hopefully that means John will be doing some full shows of his own instead <fingers crossed>
update: tickets for Emmylou's first Melbourne show go on sale March 6 through Ticketmaster. Gerald has pointed out that John Hiatt is no longer listed on advertisements for the East Coast Blues Festival so I guess that means he ain't coming this way after all. D'oh!

posted by david on Wed 17 Jan 2001 @ 10:25 PM

I've sorta been resigned to not catching some of my favourite international performers in Australia because of the dodgy dollar and all that. But this week I've heard some good news. Tickets for Bob Dylan's latest Australian tour go on sale soon, with Melbourne tickets on sale from next Monday (22/1). In other news, the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival at Byron Bay looks pretty damn good this year with appearances by Midnight Oil, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, Matt Walker plus many more. Actually, that sounds absolutely sensational.

posted by david on Wed 6 Dec 2000 @ 09:07 PM

According to Ticketek, English guitarist/songwriter extraordinaire will be playing some shows in Australia next year. Ticketek have only got Brisbane and Sydney shows listed so hopefully there'll be a Melbourne show to keep little ole me happy. update: Melbourne tix are being sold by Ticketmaster. I bought my ticket today...

posted by david on Fri 13 Oct 2000 @ 07:56 PM

Melbourne music lovers may want to head down to Queenscliff on the weekend of Nov 24-26 to catch their annual music festival. This year the lineup includes Black Sorrows, Ed Kuepper, Deborah Conway, Vika & Linda, Fourplay and Mental As Anything (to name a few). You can find all the details at the festival website. Thanks to Mark O'Meara who pointed this out in a posting to the Deborah Conway mailing list.

posted by david on Tue 3 Oct 2000 @ 07:07 PM

These shouldn't be lumped together but hey, this is my site and I'll do what I like. First, Jimmy Webb is heading to Australia shortly for a few performances. He's playing the Continental Cafe in Melbourne this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I suspect there are also appearances in other cities. If you're thinking "who?", think "Galveston", "Up, Up and Away" and "Wichita Linesman" performed solo (with grand piano accompaniment) by the man who wrote them. Second, English singer/songwriter Lloyd Cole is also heading our way and I know of performances at both the Corner and the Continental Cafe in Melbourne later in November. I heard of someone altering their honeymoon plans so that they could catch one of these gigs. And last but not least, AC/DC have announced an Australian tour starting early next year. Woohoo.