If you have never seen Oh Sees live you need to fix that as soon as you possibly can. They are more than a band on stage. They are a singular experience. Transforming and transcendent. So much energy it would power a small planet. The now veteran Californian band have been sending crowds into live frenzies for years and it's not about to stop anytime soon. They have been through various lineups over the years and in their current format they number five on stage. Keyboards, bass and yes two drummers. The drumming is propulsive and wildly intoxicating. It's the heartbeat of the band. Standing at the head is John Dwyer. The leader. The man. With his signature see through guitar strapped high on his chest he is all and everything on stage. Swerving, convulsing, moving constantly to the sounds he and his band are creating.

Tuesday night at The Factory was an hour and forty minutes of sweaty, thriving rock and roll. The energy coming off stage is palpable and furious. They belt through numbers with fervour and passion. 'Plastic Plant' sets it all off and it doesn't let up for a second. Whether it's the funky roll of 'Tidal Wave' or the pure heaviness of 'Animated Violence' we eat it up and want for more. Songs are laid out and attacked with relish. 'Toe Cutter / Thumb Buster' is just pure greatness. The bounce in that song sets everyone off. Some songs are extended into long jams such as 'Encrypted Bounce' and even the closing song in 'C'. Then it all comes to an end. We are totally satisfied. John thanks us and the band departs. No encore but safe in the knowledge they gave their all and more.

Set List
Plastic Plant
Tidal Wave
Nite Expo
The Dream
Toe Cutter / Thumb Buster
Withered Hand
Animated Violence
Ticklish Warrior
Encrypted Bounce
I Come From The Mountain
Sentient Oona
The Static God
Jettisoned
C

Two men. One on guitar. One on drums. An hour of melodic noise. Ferocious. Impulsive. Transcendent. That was No Age at the Oxford Art Factory Thursday night. The Los Angeles two piece came and conquered. One hour. No encore. Just flat out music. Dean Spunt pounds the drums with dexterity and rhythm. He also handles the majority of the vocals. Randy Randall wields his guitar, driving the melody. With the aid of a huge array of pedals and effects it creates a wall of sound. But the noise is always in step with melody. It creates an intoxicating mix. 'Teen Creeps' tops off a night of pure and great music.

Set List
Cruise Control
Stuck in the Changer
Sleeper Hold
Secret Swamp
Snares Like a Haircut
Separation
(new song)
Fever Dreaming
Wirette
Drippy
Popper
Soft Collar Fad
C'mon Stimmung
(new song)
Send Me
Air Bud
Teen Creeps

Monday night at the Oxford Art Factory was more than a night of music. It was a night of wonder. Of magic and joy. Mitski came to Sydney and stunned us all. An artist at the absolute top of their game is a sight to behold. Mitski was in town off the back of 2018's massively acclaimed 'Be The Cowboy', an album of unique qualities. She opened with a song off that record in 'Remember My Name' and we were off and running. And it never let up. A great selection of songs from her previous three records and even a couple of older deep cuts for good measure.

Mitski is truly a special performer. With the aid of a great band she is now free to go instrument free on stage. And she owns the stage. Strutting, dancing, posing. It's both intense and mesmeric. She is a feast visually and sonically too. She lives and breathes each word sung. And her voice is a weapon too. Powerful and direct to the heart. I could rattle on about all the great songs played but in reality they were all great. If I had to mention two though it would be the powerful 'A Pearl' and the true greatness of 'Your Best American Girl'. But as said it was all superb. There was a strong bond between performer and audience. We sung along to everything and pushed our love to Mitski. I can't wait until she graces our shores again.

Set List
Remember My Name
I Don't Smoke
First Love/Late Spring
Francis Forever
Me and My Husband
Dan the Dancer
Once More to See You
A Pearl
Thursday Girl
I Will
Townie
Nobody
I Bet On Losing Dogs
I Want You
Your Best American Girl
Geyser
Happy
Come Into the Water
Drunk Walk Home
A Burning Hill (solo)

Goodbye, My Danish Sweetheart

Sydney's version of the Laneway Festival was again a great day out. A beautiful sunny Sunday meant for a day of great music and good times. It's such a relaxed and enjoyable festival with a nice vibe and good attitude. Good food options and plenty of outlets make for a stress free day. And most importantly the music was great. Camp Cope was our first act for the day and their brand of passionate, fiery rock was a great start to the day. As an added bonus Courtney Barnett joined them for the closing song in the now nearly iconic 'The Opener'. The Smith Street Band were a late addition to the festival two weeks ago and of course they smashed it as expected. They even played a new song for us. Late in the afternoon I saw Parquet Courts for the first time and even though I'm not a huge fan of the band they were a lot of fun. My day ended with Sydney's own Gang of Youths, who put on a great show. They are true masters of the large setting now.   
 

But the absolute highlight of the day was definitely Mitski. This New York based artist was spectacular and unique. She has now abandoned the guitar on stage. Her band ably handles all of those duties. This allows her to own the stage and owned it she certainly did. It was almost performance art. Carefully choreographed she strutted and danced, each act a meticulous statement. It was hypnotic to watch. And her music was more than a match. She played a good selection from her previous three albums including last year's highly acclaimed 'Be the Cowboy'. But my favourites were older tunes such as 'Townie'  and 'I Will' and of course the totally spectacular 'Your Best American Girl'. Wow!

Set List
Francis Forever
Me and My Husband
Dan the Dancer
Thursday Girl
I Will
Townie
Nobody
I Bet on Losing Dogs
Your Best American Girl
Why Didn't You Stop Me?
Geyser
Happy
Drunk Walk Home