I was very excited to see Chicago band Ratboys in London recently. So on a lovely Saturday night I ventured to the intimate Dome venue in Tufnell Park. I got even more excited when I met lead singer Julia Steiner at the merch table beforehand. Thankfully, the band met my expectations and delivered a short but very exciting set. I have become quite a fan over the last couple of years and their latest album, 'Singin' to an Empty Chair', is one of my favourite records released so far this year. It was great to then hear 8 songs from that wonderful album. Songs such as 'Open Up' and 'Anywhere' really popped live, making for a show that was full of energy from the very beginning. 'Light Night Mountains All That' was probably the standout of the night, but I also enjoyed hearing older tunes such as 'The Window'. As mentioned it was a short set, but I enjoyed every minute. The band were in good form and I had the feeling that everyone lucky to be there had a very good time.

Set List
Open Up
Anywhere
Penny in the Lake
The Window
I Go Out at Night
Light Night Mountains All That
Elvis is in the Freezer
Molly
The World, So Madly
Just Want You to Know the Truth
What's Right?
Burn It Down

Black Earth, WI

Next stop on our European trip was London and on our first night there we were super lucky to see hot New York band Geese at the Troxy in East London. We had bought tickets ages ago and lucky we did as this show sold out very quickly. Geese in the last 12 months or so have become one of the hottest bands on the planet. And rightly so, as their 2025 album in Getting Killed is a modern day masterpiece. They toured Austtralia earlier this year and they put on a great show. I was lucky to see them then and I had no hesitation in seeing them a second time in 2026. They might have been even better on this night in London. Months of touring have seen them become even tighter and more muscular. They are truly exciting live, just great song after great song in an electric set. Personal favourite 'Husbands' opened the night and the greatness didn't let up after that. I was really happy to hear 'Undoer' on the night, whilst songs like 'Half Real' and 'Cobra' felt extra special. After an epic closer in 'Taxes', they obviously encored with the chaotic 'Trinidad'. This band is extra special and extra exciting. I can't wait to see what they do next.      

Set List

Husbands

2122

100 Horses

Getting Killed

Half Real

Undoer

Crusades

Gravity Blues

Cobra

Cowboy Nudes

I See Myself

Bow Down

Au Pays du Cocaine

Taxes

Trinidad

We recently returned from a trip to the UK and we fortunate enough to line up a few shows whilst there. The first was iconic US band Wilco in Glasgow. We have been very lucky to see them quite a few times over the years and I will never tire of seeing them once again. So it was a Saturday night in Glasgow that we saw them and as expected they put on another great show. Obviously their past catalogue is huge, so they have plenty of songs to choose from. But they always find a way to choose a good cross section of songs. It would be nigh impossible to find highlights, as the show in total was always great. But if I had to, I would go for 'I am Trying to Break Your Heart', 'Impossible Germany' and a stunning 'Art of Almost'.

Set List
Handshake Drugs
If I Ever Was a Child
Via Chicago
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
California Stars
Evicted
Bird Without a Tail/Base of My Skull
I'm Always in Love
Box Full of Letters
Annihilation
Hummingbird
It's Just That Simple
You and I
Impossible Germany
Love Is Everywhere (Beware)
Art of Almost
Jesus, Etc.
Heavy Metal Drummer
I'm the Man Who Loves You

Ashes of American Flags
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
I Got You (At the End of the Century)

Exciting North Carolina band Wednesday shook the foundations of a sold out Metro Theatre on Wednesday night. Coming off the back of their excellent album in 'Bleeds' from last year, an enthusiastic and excited crowd greeted each song with great fervour. Last here in 2024, they played a solid chunk of 'Bleeds' and we sang along gleefully to each song. Songs like 'Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)', 'Elderberry Wine', 'Townies' were definite standouts but it was all pretty great. The band's previous album in 'Rat Saw God' was my favourite album of 2023. And although we didn't hear every song from that superb record, no 'Bath County' sadly, we still got great songs like 'Hot Rotten Grass Smell' and 'Got Shocked'. Wednesday are a really impressive band with great synergy. They are led by the inimitable Karly Hartzman, who is fierce and passionate. Funny and endearing. She has tender monets but also will scream her lungs out on songs like 'Bull Believer' and 'Wasp', which closed the night. A great night of pure rock and roll fun from one of the best bands on the planet.    

Set List
Reality TV Argument Bleeds
Got Shocked
Fate Is...
Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)
Hot Rotten Grass Smell
Formula One
Phish Pepsi
Quarry
Pick Up That Knife
She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinking Doubles)
Gary's II
Elderberry Wine
Bitter Everyday
Townies
Bull Believer
Wasp 

Friday night at the Sydney Opera House was the first of a special four night run for the spectacular artist Mitski. These shows sold out in an instant and a fever pitch crowd was ready and waiting. It was the first show in Australia for Mitski since 2019 and on the back of her new excellent album it would prove to be very special. Mitski played all but one song from the new album and they translated beautifully live. Especially ‘If I Leave’ and ‘Lightning’. Of course we were also there for the older songs and we received a great selection of wonderful songs. It all flowed beautifully together. Mitski is such an engaging performer. She has a unique innocence as she moves across the stage constantly. She doesn’t say much, but lets her singing and songs do the talking. So many highlights on the night, but my absolute favourites were ‘Dan the Dancer’, ‘Washing Machine Heart’ and ‘Francis Forever’. But I loved it all. A special night from a special performer. 

Set List
In a Lake
Cats
Working for the Knife
Buffalo Replaced 
Dead Women 
I Bet on Losing Dogs
Where’s My Phone?
Heaven
Rules
I’ll Change For You
When Memories Snow
Instead of Here
Circle 
Washing Machine Heart
Dan the Dancer
I Want You
Francis Forever 
If I Leave
Stay Soft
A Horse Named Cold Air
Two Slow Dancers
Lightning 
My Love Mine All Mine
That White Cat

Pearl Diver

Sunday night saw Current Joys play for the first time at the Sydney Opera House as part of Vivid Festival. It was a great night and band were definitely in fine form. Their show was in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, a venue slightly smaller than the larger Concert Hall, and I think more intimate. It was their second visit to Sydney and their set was littered with selections from across the 12 or so years that they have existed. Initially is was a project for just Nick Rattigan but overtime he has fleshed it out to the tight and solid four piece that exists now. Their music is catchy and melodic but can also rock out, evident on songs like 'Cigarettes'. The crowd was young and enthusiastic. Like most Opera House shows the audience is never sure if they should stand or not. But towards the end we mostly did when the band played songs like the energetic 'Blondie'. The encore was a bit of a treat too, as Nick announced that they have a new album on the way and he would play three songs from it. But he informed us that the band hasn't truly rehearsed them so Nick sung over a backing track. It was surprisingly effective. A nice way to end a pretty great night.

Set List
Ghosts
Desire
Legends
Cigarettes
New Flesh
Under the Influence
My Blueberry Life
Breaking the Waves
Symphonia IX
Fear
Close the Door
Way Out Here
American Honey
My Motorcycle
Blondie
You Break My Heart
Kids

Sufferer (Nick solo) 
Skinamrink (Nick solo)
Halloween (Nick solo)

The Mountain Goats have been frequent visitors to Australia over the years. I have been fortunate to have seen them live a few times, the first time being back in 2007. But this was their first tour in a little while, so it was great to see them again Monday night at a sold out Metro Theatre. They have a vast catalogue now and each show varies quite a bit. So you are never sure what you might receive at a show. What we received was a generous cross section from over the journey. Surprisingly they only played one song from their recent album released late last year. In fact the night was a showcase for some older classics indeed. Such as 'See America Right' and 'Up the Wolves', both of which were received with great fervour. I think my favourite part of the night though was the now customary section where John Darnielle just goes solo. He played 3 songs and two of them are very old songs that are unreleased. 'Going to Palestine' was a definite highlight of ther night. The band now comprise of just three. And they are so tight and fluid. Of course John is the centrepiece. He is as witty and loquacious as ever. Jon Wurster is purely a great drummer, whilst Matt Douglas is the glue, superbly playing bass, saxophone and keyboards. A highly enthused audience was super happy to get two encores from the band. The first one was especially great with crowd pleasers such as 'This Year' and 'No Children' getting excited receptions.  All in one it was a fun night from one of the most reliable bands going.     

Set List 
Rocks In My Pockets
Incandescent Ruins
You Or Your Memory
Shallow Grave
Moon Over Goldsboro
New Zion
Going to Palestine (solo)
You Were Cool (solo)
Younger (solo)
Sax Rohmer #1
Lakeside View Apartments Suite
Palmcorder Yajna
Animal Mask
The Diaz Brothers
See America Right
Up the Wolves

Let Me Bathe in Demonic Light
Love Love Love
No Children
This Year

Amy AKA Spent Gladiator 1
Getting Into Knives
Dance Music