Thursday night marked the first ever Sydney show for exciting young UK band Black Country, New Road. As part of their maiden Australian tour, they had the pleasure of playing the Sydney Opera House. The show was long sold out and the crowd was enthusiastic to say the least. Black Country, New Road are a fascinating band. They released two highly acclaimed albums, but on the eve of their second album release in early 2022 band leader Isaac Wood left the band. But the other six members decided to carry on, but not play any of 'his music' live. Eventually they would release a live album named 'Live at Bush Hall'. So they came to Sydney and I wasn't actaully sure what would be played. In the end they played about half of the live album and quite a few new songs. So it was a slightly surreal experience to be witness to so much fresh music. I also felt that since Wood left the band's music has changed a bit. It still has post-rock influences but is even more orchestral and floral now. The band use a number of instruments. Not just guitar, bass and drums. But saxophone, flute, violin and even banjo. It makes for a heady mix, even if some songs work better than others. They use four main singers, so there is a lot of variety and variance through out the set. The absolute highlight was 'Turbines/Pigs', which was epic and massive. It even received a standing ovation, something I never seen before. So all in all a very interesting night from a very exciting band.
Set List For the Cold Country The Boy 24/7 365 British Summer Time Socks Geese Laughing Song Horses Across the Pond Friend Nancy Tries to Take the Night Turbines/Pigs Dancers Up Song (Reprise)
Tuesday night in Melbourne I was very lucky to see MJ Lenderman for the second time within a week. I was in Melbourne for work and the incredibly talented musician was playing a show at the very cool small venue, Howler in Brunswick. And what a show it was. It was a longer show than Sydney. So we got all the favourites plus some extra content. New songs were played and let me tell you they were all great. Especially 'Wristwatch', a spectacular song. MJ announced his new album is finished and is coming out this year, so it was great to hear some previews of what is to come. MJ and his band are really tight and full of energy and great musicians. A bonus was that Wednesday singer Karly Hartzman joined the band too for the entire night. Songs like 'Hangover Game', 'Knockin' and 'Tastes Just Like It Costs' have quickly become crowd favourites and were received with rapture. And as mentioned the new songs were very exciting too. Lenderman is a serious talent. Great musician. Great singer. Great lyricist. A sound that feels like crossing Neil Young, Pavement, Jason Molina and Drive-By Truckers. Speaking of Neil Young, we received an encore. A cover of Young's classic 'Powderfinger', which was fantastic to say the least. A superb way to end a super night.
Set List Hangover Game Knockin' Rudolph Toontown Wristwatch (new song) Joker Lips You Have Bought Yourself a Boat TLC Cage Match Under Control SUV (new song) (new song) Catholic Priest Rip Torn (new song) Live Jack Someone Get the Grill Out of the Rain (new song) Tastes Just Like It Costs
With rising costs everywhere we are now seeing quite a few great international acts teaming up for Australian tours. I presume to save costs. But what a bonus for us. Friday night was a huge double bonus for those lucky to be present at the Aware Super Theatre with The National playing supported by the incredible talents of Fleet Foxes. What a night it was. The National were set to tour here in early 2020 but the tour was cancelled because of that pesky pandemic. They have been regular visitors over the years so it was great to welcome them again. They truly are an incredible live act. They entralled us for nearly two and a half hours. Last year they surprisingly released two albums. Both were good but not really truly great. Obviously they played a good selection from those two and they actually presented well live. Especially 'Eucalyptus', 'Tropic Morning News' and an epic 'Smoke Detector'. Although they did clump them together and that perhaps slowed momentum slightly. There were also some older tracks they played that I was surprised by, such as 'Lit Up'. Especially as they didn't play live favourite 'Conversation 16'. But mere quibbles as it was still a spectacular show. 'Don't Swallow the Cap' was an early highlight. This song was also the first of three times that leadman Matt Berninger well fully into the crowd. He seems to really enjoy it and sets the crowd alight. Of course the band were great in support. The Dessners are remarkable guitarists. The night climaxed with a thunderous encore. 'Terrible Love' and 'About Today' are just modern day classics and an unplugged 'Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks' is always special. The National. A great band, always welcome anytime in Australia.
Set List Once Upon a Poolside Eucalyptus Tropic Morning News New Order T-Shirt I Should Live in Salt Don't Swallow the Cap Bloodbuzz Ohio The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness I Need My Girl Mistaken For Strangers Humiliation Murder Me Rachael Lit Up Alien Grease In Your Hair Laugh Track Smoke Detector Day I Die Pink Rabbits England Graceless Fake Empire Space Invader
Light Years
Mr November
Terrible Love
About Today
Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
Fleet Foxes are truly one of the greatest bands on the planet. That's a pretty great support act in itself. I was very excited to see them and they were expectedly great. Last here in 2017 they gave us an hour of the 'hits'. It was just a beautiful set of six part harmonies led by the impossibly pure voice of Robin Pecknold. They gave us a good cross section of favourites, even delving way back to their debut EP in 'Sun Giant'. So many wonderful songs played such as 'Montezuma', 'Ragged Wood', 'Your Protector' and many more. Then closing with the classic in 'Helplessness Blues' was a major treat from a major band indeed.
Wednesday released my favourite album of 2023. Easily. Rat Saw God was a phenomenon. Ten tracks of perfect rock, with some country thrown in. In a short space of time I have become a huge fan. So I was super excited to seem them Thursday night on their first Australian tour. For a little over an hour they played a blistering set, with eight songs from their great album of 2023, plus a few old ones thrown in. They also played two new songs which were both great. The band were really great, playing seemlessly together. The lap steel of Xandy Chelmis was a particular highlight. But most focus was on wonderful front woman Karly Hartzman, who was both charming and ferocious. Many highlights of the set but one song soared above all. 'Bath County' was just a monster live. But 'Quarry', 'Chosen to Deserve' were not far behind. The crowd were really enthusiastic and the the fervour kept building until the blockbuster closer in 'Bull Believer'. Wednesday are truly a great and hugely talented band. I can't wait to see what they do next.
Set List Ghost of a Dog Hot Rotten Grass Smell Wound Up Here Toothache Formula One Chosen to Deserve Elder Berry Bath County Billboard Turkey Vultures Quarry Gary's Got Shocked Fate Is... Bull Believer
The support act was no ordinary one, that is for sure. MJ Lenderman is an incredibly talented performer. He actually plays guitar in Wednesday, but now has his own successful solo career. His album in 'Boat Songs' was one of my favourites of 2022. He played an hour long set that was both euphoric and beautiful. His band, The Wind, also included two members of Wednesday, so naturally they were great too. HE has touches of Neil Young and Bruce Sprinsteen, with a North Carolina flavour. The set was mostly made of 'Boat Songs' tracks, but he also had time to play three new songs as well. It was especially great as well to hear so many of the crowd singing along to many of his songs. What a double bill this was. A fantastic night of music indeed.
Dinosaur Jr. are true survivors in the Indie Rock world. Not just surviving but thriving. This is evidenced by the fact that they are not just going throught the motions. All of their albums have been excellent since their hiatus. But this latest Australian tour, first since 2017, was a celebration of an album released 30 years ago in 'Where You Been'. So this latest tour has been focused on that excellent album. They play the album in full before meoving onto a few classics to finish off the night. A sold out Enmore Theatre received all of the songs with enthusiam. The band are men of few words but they let their songs do all the talking. J Masic shreds like most can't and his effortless vocals float across the huge riffs and melodies. Lou Barlow plays a mean bass, full of vim and vigour, whilst drummer Murph is a strong and reliable drummer. Many great songs were played, but I especially enjoyed 'Little Fury Things' and also 'Feel the Pain'. They saved probably their most well liked songs for the encore. The incomparable 'Freak Scene' and the great Cure cover 'Just Like Heaven' finished off a great night.
Set List Out There Start Choppin What Else Is New On the Way Not the Same Get Me Drawerings Hide Goin' Home I Ain't Sayin' Garden I Met the Stones Been There All The Time Little Fury Things Feel the Pain Gargoyle
Alley Light by Squirrel Flower was my favourite song of 2023. From the first that I heard it, it sunk deep into my memory. I loved Squirrel Flower's album and there were many great songs but Alley Light was my absolute favourite. Just a great combination of vocals, guitar and melody. It felt classic and yet modern. Destined to be timeless. But there were many great songs released in 2023. And to be honest, the very best were released by women or women fronted bands. This of course includes the great Wednesday who had many great candidates for this list. Lana Del Rey released one song which was absolutely stunning, whilst Mitski had an album full of wonderful songs. Ratboys, Slow Pulp and Palehound were others to give us great music. All in all I thought it was a pretty great year.
1. Alley Light-Squirrel Flower
2. Quarry-Wednesday
3. A&W-Lana Del Rey
4. Star-Mitski
5. Black Earth, WI-Ratboys
6. The Clutch-Palehound
7. My Blood Runs Through This Land-Black Belt Eagle Scout
8. Baby-Purling Hiss
9. Broadview-Slow Pulp
10. Yes! Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!-Home Is Where
11. Anyway I Find You-The Men
12. Borrow Trouble-Feist
13. Bath County-Wednesday
14. The Sling-Youth Lagoon
15. Floral Organs-Home Is Where
16. Driving Through Heaven-Cory Hanson
17. Ten Billion People-Explosions in the Sky
18. Haunted Mountain-Buck Meek
19. Vampire Empire-Big Thief
20. I'm Your Man-Mitski
21. Chosen to Deserve-Wednesday
22. Defeat-Animal Collective
23. Sinker,Sinking-Will Johnson
24. Will Anybody Ever love Me?-Sufjan Stevens
25. Highway 72-Jolie Holland
26. U R The Reason-Current Joys
27. Full Time Job-Squirrel Flower
28. Independence Day-Palehound
29. State Line to Eagleville-Labrador
30. Hard Livin'-The Men
31. Prizefighter-Youth Lagoon
32. Sideways Skull-The Hold Steady
33. Doubt-Slow Pulp
34. Modern Mind-Bry Webb
35. Smalltown Stardust-King Tuff
36. Meant To Be-Wilco
37. Fallout-Yo La Tengo
38. The Musical-Avey Tare
39. Between The Past-Woods
40. Moving On-Explosions in the Sky
41. Stride Rite-Animal Collective
42. So You Are Tired-Sufjan Stevens
43. Salmon Stinta-Black Belt Eagle Scout
44. Bug Like An Angel-Mitski
45. Satanist-Boygenius
46. Angelcover-The New Pornographers
47. Cigarettes-Current Joys
48. Sinatra Drive Breakdown-Yo La Tengo
49. In Lightning-Feist
50. Haunted Mountain-Jolie Holland
51. Wasteland Companions-Mutual Benefit
52. Morning Zoo-Ratboys
53. Wings-Cory Hanson
54. Tropic Morning News-The National
55. Chaos Heart-Osees
56. Dare Me-Beach Fossils
57. Bananas-Bonnie Prince Billy
58. Suffer Debt-Truth Club
59. Along The Runner (No Ordinary Crown)-Will Johnson
60. The Habsburg Jaw-Califone
61. The Store-The Lost Days
62. Tantor-Danny Brown
63. Skin Meadow-Home Is Where
64. Cry All Day-Spencer Krug
65. Alarm-Lifeguard
66. Freak-Feeble Little Horse
67. Cyclades-Buck Meek
68. Shit Talk-Sufjan Stevens
69. Gold-Sigur Ros
70. Life's A Joke-Islands
71. Evicted-Wilco
72. Fight Clean-Roadside Graves
73. Easier-Jonathan Rado
74. Weep-Woods
75. Elevators-Kevin Drew
76. When A Plant Is Dying-Squirrel Flower
77. Desert Snow-Local Natives
78. Wear It Like A Badge-Labrador
79. If The Wheels Are Coming Off, The Wheels Are Coming Off-Ulrika Spacek
I find every year to be an exciting discovery in music. I try to listen to each new album released weekly, within reason. And I buy each album I really like. For mainly the reason of supporting artists I love, streaming just doesn’t give enough to artists. Anyway I found plenty to love in 2023. Some by new acts, some by veterans. But one artist stood head and shoulders above the rest. North Carolina band Wednesday made a record full of spark and beauty. It leant on rock, country and folk and I loved every song. They had been on my radar before but this new album really was a breakthrough. And in great news they are touring Australia next month!
It was great to see several Indie stalwarts make great albums in 2023. Mitski and Sufjan Stevens both made unbelievably beautiful music, whilst Explosions in the Sky, Wilco, Yo La Tengo and Animal Collective proved that being veterans is no barrier to making great music. Lots of young artists made great music too. Even if they weren’t new I felt their new albums were their best yet, such as Squirrel Flower, Slow Pulp, Palehound and Ratboys.
1. Rat Saw God-Wednesday 2. The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We-Mitski 3. Javelin-Sufjan Stevens 4. Tomorrow’s Fire-Squirrel Flower 5. The Land,The Water,The Sky-Black Belt Eagle Scout 6. End-Explosions in the Sky 7. This Stupid World-Yo La Tengo 8. Heaven Is a Junkyard-Youth Lagoon 9. Isn’t It Now?-Animal Collective 10. Yard-Slow Pulp 11. No Ordinary Crown-Will Johnson 12. Cousin-Wilco 13. Perennial-Woods 14. The Whaler-Home is Where 15. The Price of Progress-The Hold Steady 16. Villagers-Califone 17. New York City-The Men 18. Western Cum-Cory Hanson 19. Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You-Bonnie Prince Billy 20. Hold the Door for Strangers-Labrador 21. 7s-Avey Tare 22. Haunted Mountain-Buck Meek 23. The Window-Ratboys 24. The Record-Boygenius 25. Multitudes-Feist 26. Eye on the Bat-Palehound 27. Haunted Mountain-Jolie Holland 28. Aging-Kevin Drew 29. Drag on Girard-Purling Hiss 30. First Two Pages of Frankenstein-The National 31. Girl With Fish-Feeble Little Horse 32. Growing at the Edges-Mutual Benefit 33. Bunny-Beach Fossils 34. Quaranta-Danny Brown 35. I Just Drew This Knife-Spencer Krug 36. I Won’t Cry Alone-Roadside Graves 37. For Who the Bell Tolls For-Jonathan Rado 38. Love + Pop-Current Joys 39. Time Will Wait For No One-Local Natives 40. Less-Deathcrash 41. Running From the Chase-Truth Club 42. In the Store-The Lost Days 43. Spectral Lines-Josh Ritter 44. The Rise & The Fall-The Rural Alberta Advantage 45. Run With Me-Bry Webb 46. I Inside the Old Year Dying-PJ Harvey 47. Valley of Heart's Delight-Margo Cilker 48. Continue As a Guest-The New Pornographers 49. Intercepted Message-Osees 50. Atta-Sigur Ros
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