I haven't been posting to this blog much but I'd like to change that. As always, I still listen to a lot of music and go to a lot of gigs. I'm often asks for music tips so I'll try to make a habit of posting some music discoveries.
For now, here's the gigs I've been to so far this year.
2023-01-20 at Kings Cross Hotel
I've been mates with Seb and Luke of Sub Bass Snarl since the early 90s. They ran a bunch of seminal events: the Freaky Loops fundraisers for 2SER, weekly Frigid club night and the legendary island parties Cryogenesis. They also introduced me to NZ dub techno act Pitch Black. Great gig and I actually think the SBS set was better than Pitch Black, but both were awesome.
Dillinja
2023-02-24 at Factory Theatre, Marrickville
I haven't danced to much DnB since moving back to Sydney from London so when Dillinja popped up, and at a venue 5 minutes' walk from home, I jumped at it. This session was supported by a bunch of great Sydney dnb crews who all played short sets and their enthusiasm was infectious. The extra bass reinforcement set up for the night sure helped!
2022-03-04 at Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
Another 90s rave crew, Vibe Tribe put on these amazing, anarchic parties that brought together the straight ravers with the Nimbin crusties, nerdy music types and a peppering of activists for wild early psy trance amazing stuff. It was great to catch up with a bunch of people I hadn't seen for years.
2023-03-10-13, Meredith, Victoria
Always the highlight of our musical year, this festival is so much fun out in the Victorian countryside. A single stage, always eclectic lineup and a very relaxed vibe. BYO booze and unlike a NSW festival, no sniffer dogs or agro cops. So much fun. Highlights: Bikini Kill and Four Tet. Carly Rae Jepsen was wild too!
2023-03-26 at Lazybones, Marrickville
A band my mate Gab has recently joined on drums. They were good fun and they clearly had a good time.
2023-03-21 at Enmore Theatre
A gig three years in the making! This got pushed three times due to COVID, lockdowns and scheduling problems. Finally got to see the old fella again. He's always great. Played all the big tunes. Told the anecdotes. Entertained.
2023-03-30 Luna Park Big Top, Milsons Point
The Giz are always amazing, always prolific and tackle so many different genres. Hadn't been to this venue before but it's a great one. Ample space, good view of the band and the bike ride across the bridge is always spectacular.
2023-05-12 City Recital Hall, Sydney
This one grabbed my interest as they were playing parts of Wendy Carlos' groundbreaking soundtrack along with some other scifi synth soundtrack classics. Will Gregory is the non-Alison half of Goldfrapp. It was a great gig and the cheapest seats in the house were excellent!
2023-05-20 UNSW Roundhouse, Kensington
For those of you outside Australia, you probably missed Regurgitator in the 1990s when they were making absolutely amazing music. Crossing over between rock, punk and techno with witty humour, they deserved to be way huger than they were outside Australia. In Australia they're rock royalty and this gig saw them reprise their classic album Unit in its entirety. Great fun!
2023-06-12 at Prizm, Kingston-upon-Thames
For my work trip to London, I checked out what gigs were on. This one was the Monday night after I arrived so I was dubious whether I'd be too tired but I felt fine so I managed to get along and catch up with my mate Aidan. Fantastic set, especially when she played Moonshine Freeze.
2023-06-13 at EartH, Hackney
Another classic band, Scottish miserablists Arab Strap played their album Philophobia in its entirety. Brilliant set from the old bastards and great to catch up with Simon and Aidan again.
So that's half a year of gigs. Still plenty more gigs to come. Going to a rave this weekend with Mark N (of Nasenbluten fame) playing, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs next week, Kristen Hersh and Django Django later in the year. Undoubtedly there will be more!