Another incredible long weekend of cosmic country music in the idyllic surrounds of the Hunter Valley. A ton of highlights at the festival this year (as always) but my PTW gold star picks for this year go to Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats, Grace Cummings, Watty Thompson, Bud Rokesky, The Tall Stories, Sweet Talk, … Continue reading
As you hit the top of a steep rise on a Lower Belford road in in the NSW Hunter Valley, you’re suddenly greeted by large letters spelling out ‘Dashville’, the home of Gum Ball, Thrashville and for the next three days, Dashville Skyline. After the last two years of festival cancellations and postponements, the stars … Continue reading
Dashville Skyline Dashville, Lower Bedford, NSW 4-6 October Arriving at the Dashville property instantly feels like the perfect respite from the city and a healthy disconnect from the digital world. After campsites are established it quickly becomes apparent how easy it is to move around and access all the onsite amenities. From the bar to … Continue reading
Justin Townes Earle + The Morrisons @ The Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney 04/09/19 He’s been a regular visitor to these shores since 2008 and even though each tour has shown a new stage in the evolution of Justin Townes Earle as a songwriter, it was that first show at the Annandale Hotel that, for me, remains the most vital … Continue reading
Jeff Tweedy with Jen Cloher Metro Theatre, Sydney May 20th, 2019 By Chris Familton In 20 years of attending gigs at the Metro, this was the first time I’d seen seats in the venue. There were mixed comments from the audience but it worked well, creating a more intimate atmosphere in the room, which in … Continue reading
Alejandro Escovedo Camelot Lounge, Marrickville NSW March 4th 2019 When a songwriter performs, you hear their stories through song and all its associated elements of poetry, melody, cadence, tone and tempo. Often the essence of the song is shrouded in imagery and lyrical abstraction and some digging is required on behalf of the listener. Alejandro … Continue reading
Margo Price, Courtney Marie Andrews Factory Theatre, Marrickville NSW 16th October 2018 Thanks to the good taste of tour promoters Love Police, October is the time of year when Sydney gets a handful of sideshows in the wake of the Out On The Weekend festival in Melbourne. This year the pick of the crop was … Continue reading
It was huge weekend in NSW with the launch of the Take Me To Town: An Australian Alternative Country Compilation launched in Newcastle, Sydney and Cronulla over three consecutive nights. It was a real thrill to see plenty of people turn out across the weekend to support and celebrate the release of what we feel … Continue reading
Dashville Skyline, held on the same picturesque family property as The Gum Ball, Pigsty In July and Thrashville, returned for its 4th year with its largest festival line-up to date, comprised of 100% Australian acts, spread over three days. The weather gods had threatened through the week but blue skies prevailed for yet another superb … Continue reading
Halfway, The Aerial Maps, Hoolahan @ Sly Fox, Sydney 17th August 2018 Halfway are hometown heroes in Brisbane but that success hasn’t always translated to other cities such as Sydney when it has come to live shows. Thankfully the occasion of the launch of their new album Rain Lover and the chance to see them at … Continue reading
Marlon Williams, The Weather Station @ Metro Theatre, May 17th 2018 Five years of hard work, countless hours in airport lounges, nights on friends’ couches and in bars and clubs is paying off big time with Marlon Williams’ current Australian tour sold out in the largest venues he’s headlined to date. This time around he he’s brought … Continue reading
Hurray For The Riff Raff, Slow Dancer @ Factory Theatre, March 26th 2018 Back for the first time since their Newtown Social Club show in 2014, Hurray For The Riff Raff were upsized to the much larger Factory Theatre, an overly ambitious punt by the promoter given that their profile hasn’t risen greatly in the intervening years. … Continue reading
Traveller, The Deslondes, Andy Golledge @ Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney, Oct 20th, 2017 In previous years, gigs like this Out On The Weekend sideshow would most likely have taken place at the sadly departed Newtown Social Club, so it was nice to see a good sized venue like Marrickville Bowling Club being used for international shows, … Continue reading
Son Volt, Jason Walker, Fallon Cush @ Factory Theatre, Oct 18th, 2017 Locals Fallon Cush had a short opening slot but they made the most of it, showcasing songs from their brand new album Morning and making a strong case for them being the most in-form country-rock band in Sydney at the moment. Cascading melodies and harmonies … Continue reading
Old Crow Medicine Show, Valerie June @ Enmore Theatre, Oct 3rd 2017 House lights were dimmed and, apart from a white cowboy hat and some impressive beards, four unassuming band members walked on stage and kicked into the opening song before Valerie June strode onstage with dreadlocks bundled high, a shimmering gold sequinned outfit and turquoise … Continue reading
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