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 

It’s been a while since I’ve seen The Smith Street Band live, but Friday night at the Manning Bar proved they have lost none of their magic. This tour is supporting their latest album in ‘Once I Was Wild’ and naturally they featured many tracks from that excellent album, opening with a barnstorming ‘This Is It’ which set a feverish crowd into a frenzy. The mosh pit was on all night with everyone singing along to every song. New songs like ‘Constellation’ and Star Child’ really hit. But clearly older songs got the most excited reaction. The back to back punch of ‘Passiona’ and ‘Death to the Lads’ was definitely hard to beat. Then an encore of ‘Ducks Fly Together’ and ‘Young Drunk’ topped off a great night in the hands of one of Australia’s greatest bands. 

Set List
This Is It
My Restless Heart
Birthdays
I Still Dream About You 
American Heaven 
Once I Was Wild
I Don’t Wanna Do Nothing Forever 
Constellation 
The Party
Don’t Waste Your Anger
Big Smoke
Star Child
Passiona
Death to the Lads
My Little Sinking Ship (Will solo)

Ducks Fly Together 
Young Drunk

A hot and sweaty Mary's Underground was the venue Wednesday night for the Australian premiere show of New York based This is Lorelei. This is the side project of Nate Amos from Water From Your Eyes, but it's a more melodic version of that band. They broke though quite a bit in 2024 with the release of their excellent album in 'Box For Buddy, Box For Star' and thus this small venue sold out pretty easily. They would end comprising most of their set from this album, which was especially well received. It was very exciting to hear great songs like 'Where's Your Love Now' and 'Dancing in the Club' from the record. And 'Im All Fucked Up' was certainly a crowd pleaser. Nate has a three piece band live and they really combined well. Just drums, guitar and bass. Nate even played a new song in the encore, which was quite beautiful. The venue was the old Basement and I hadn't been there since it changed hands. I will say it wasn't ideal. Stage is quite low and sight lines aren't great. But This Is Lorelei put on a great show, which made me forget that.

Set List
A Song That Sings About You
Angel's Eye
I Can't Fall
Where's Your Love Now
Holo Boy
My Friend 2
Chestnut
Dancing in the Club
This Is a Joke
I'm All Fucked Up
Mouth Man
Money Right Now
Bring Back My Dog

I Will Leave My Heart in the Morning Light (new song)
Two Legs
An Extra Beat For You and Me
 

Friday night in Brisbane was the eighth time that I have seen the magnificent Ty Segall in concert and I will never ever tire of seeing him. I was hoping to see him in Sydney but work prevented that so I made the decision to fly to Brisbane to see him. It was worth every cent. Once again a Segall show is just a ferocious and melodic rock show. I loved every single second. The opening three songs were just awesome. 'Wave Goodbye', 'Thank God for the Sinners' and 'Finger' is just a blistering way to open a show. And there was no let up after that. Surprisingly he only played two songs from last year's album in 'Possession', although I was happy he played the title track. But Ty delved into his vast catalogue, delivering a varied and very enjoyable set. He also played three new songs, which were all great. They were real rockers with a garage type sound. Other highlights were 'Call the Doctor' and 'She', just flat out rockers. Then a great encore closed a great night. Ty is such an awesome guitarist. He really welds his Fender like no other. And his band is second to none. Emmett Kelly is a superb guitarist and long time friend Mikal Cronin plays a mighty bass. Ben Boye adds so much on keyboards and 2024 addition Evan Burrows has fit in beautifully on drums. It all adds up to a potent mix. Ty Segall is my rock god and long may he give us such incredible music.

Set List
Wave Goodbye
Thank God for the Sinners
Finger
Possession
Glass
Buildings
Void

Chrome
Black Paint
Whisper
Call the Doctor
Imaginary Person
She
Manipulator

My Lady's On Fire
Girlfriend

A night with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings is always a night to savour. Previously they didn't tour here much, but this time their tour follows very quickly on from their last just on a year ago. Last time they played the Sydney Opera House and this time they played the beautiful State Theatre. Tuesday night was, as expected, a truly wonderful night of music. Their sets always vary and so it proved. They pulled out songs from across their entire catalogue, plus some great covers. They play two sets with an interval and they did three encores., so we truly received value for money. Plenty of highlights on the night. I was especially thrilled they played 'Wrecking Ball' and 'Wayside/Back In Time', probably my two favourite Welch songs. 'Cumberland Gap' was also great, as was 'Hard Times'. 'Six White Horses' is always a crowd pleaser and they gave us some great covers including ones by Ryan Adams and Guy Clark. 'Revelator' proved the perfect end to the night as well. They are a great duo on stage. Rawlings is an extraordinary guitarist and Welch is a superb singer who also charms with her banjo playing. A superb night again from the masters of Americana.       

Set List
Scarlet Town
Empty Trainload of Sky
My First Lover
North Country
Bells of Harlem
Annabelle
To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)
Wrecking Ball
Ruby

Cumberland Gap

Dear Someone
What We Had
Hard Times
Desperados Waiting For a Train
Howdy Howdy
Wayside /Back In Time
Six White Horses
The Way It Goes

Brokedown Palace
Look at Miss Ohio

I Hear Them All/This Land Is Your Land
I'll Fly Away

Revelator