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Event Reviews

Mike Noga And The Gentlemen Of Fortune
The Annandale Hotel, Sydney, Feb 4 10

Wednesday, Feb 10|by Ross Clelland

A rainy night, Bruce Springsteen had just saved music on whatever Seven Ages Of Rock episode that was, and since it was moving on to U2 and Live Aid, it seemed as good an excuse as any to get the hell away from the telly and to the Annandale for some other angles of that rock thing. Drizzly midweek nights make for mixed audiences. There were a few of the tousled-haired and ski…

Buggirl
The National Hotel, Geelong, Jan 30 10

Tuesday, Feb 9|by Trevor Block

I missed Buggirl’s Friday night set at The Old Bar in Melbourne, but found myself washed up in Geelong the next night, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them at The National. “The Nash” is a great place, big and friendly with a comfortably grungy feel. The only drawback is that people can (and do) hang out in the smoker’s courtyard, well within earshot of the band r…


The Dirty Three
Forum Theatre, Melbourne, Jan 21 10

Wednesday, Feb 3|by Lawson Fletcher

Warren Ellis is in a good mood tonight – a very good mood – and it’s as if to prove a point. Because tonight’s reprisal of Dirty Three’s 1998 album Ocean Songs isn’t some misty-eyed nostalgia trip like many of the “Don’t Look Back” gigs can turn into, and nor is it the fruitless revival of a dead beast. There is no such thing as “recreation” or “revisiting” going on tonight, bu…

Laughing Clowns
The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley , Jan 25 10

Tuesday, Feb 2|by Andrew McMillen

"By the way, do you know the album we're playing?" Ed Kuepper cheekily asks the audience a few songs into a performance of A History Of Rock 'N' Roll Vol. 1. Kuepper's comment is a sly nod at the perpetual cult status of the album, which was released in 1984 as a compilation of previous singles and EP tracks. Later this evening, Warren Ellis of headliners The Dirty Three will r…


I Heart Hiroshima
Turbine Hall @ Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane, Jan 24 10

Monday, Jan 25|by Andrew McMillen

Frail lead guitar melodies sit prettily above clattering chords; male and female voices intertwine and occasionally meet over deceptively simple, innovative drumbeats. Such is the composition of every I Heart Hiroshima song ever released, yet we're still enraptured after 90 minutes, which is likely the longest set they've ever played. Owing to singer-drummer Susie Patten's relo…

Degreaser
The Old Bar, Melbourne, Jan 22 10

Monday, Jan 25|by René Schaefer

Tim Evans is one of those larger-than-life figures of the Australian music scene, both literally and figuratively. People speak of his bands with hushed awe. With Tassie punks Mouth, the iconic Sea Scouts, experimental solo project Flying Phallus, La Scimmia and the almost famous Bird Blobs, Evans has always embraced change, while steadfastly remaining true to his own unflinchi…


Dan Sultan
The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Jan 17 10

Friday, Jan 22|by JP Hammond

"I don't think my vajootz will ever recover from that.” If Dan Sultan was blissfully unaware that he had joined the illustrious Sexy Musicians Named Dan Club (Luscombe and Kelly duel it out for CEO and CFO), his sold-out Sunday evening show confirmed it in vociferous style. Whether it was the above quote (delivered by a tired and emotional punter exiting the Corner), the repea…

Dan Kelly
Melbourne - The Hifi, The Toff and BMW Edge, Melbourne, Jan 16 10

Monday, Jan 18|by Doug Wallen

The day’s last swath of sunlight was still brightening the room as Jacky Winter (aka Phil Gionfriddo of Bowerbirds, Dynamo, and formerly Spencer P. Jones’ backing band) performed his support set. His sharp, yearning vocals collided with frayed guitar riffs on his own material as well as the Kinks’ ‘Big Black Smoke’. The highlight was ‘She’s Not Kidding ‘Round’, a timeless-sound…


Mystic Eyes
The Old Bar, Melbourne, Jan 8 10

Monday, Jan 11|by René Schaefer

Lisa MacKinney (aka Mystic Eyes) creates music of incredible starkness and beauty. Her music is improvised, yet completely focused and considered. Each unfolding step of the lengthy piece of music MacKinney performed tonight was as delicately balanced and deliberate as a tightrope walker’s. At the basis of the composition was the drone of an Acetone electric organ; an undulati…

Black Cab
Bridge Hotel, Sydney, Dec 12 09

Wednesday, Dec 30|by Kate Hennessy

The pub with no (tap) beer. Was Slim Dusty’s classic slice of Australiana inspired by The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle? When Melbourne band Black Cab - already unenthused about our sunny Harbour City - arrive at The Bridge to play Friday and Saturday nights supporting Tim Rogers’ Rolling Stones cover show, it seems cruel (and unusual) that they can’t even throw back a tap beer to l…



Today On Mess+Noise
Playlist
Selected tracks from the Australian contingent on next year's Laneway circuit.