The Underground Stage
“Babaganouj are one of those bands I always try and see when they’re passing through Sydney. It’s partially because they’re a charming and cheery bunch, which makes going to their gigs just idiotically good fun, but there’s something that’s unhealthily addictive about the music. “Bluff” is still as melancholy/uplifting as it always was, “Do Rite […]
“I only came across The Hard Aches earlier in the year, but they’re a fast favourite already. “Glad That You’re Gone” is a beast of a tune, and “Loser” is just instantly electrifying. All this despite the deceptively simple two-piece setup, which still sounds as big as a barn, rumbly and rich-toned.” Facebook | Instagram […]
“Ross Henry is massive and hairy, and is doing that thing I’ve seen a few solo artists doing this year, playing electronic pop while smacking the ever-living shit out of some drum pads. It’s smooth-drinking, and he’s got some nifty little tricks in those sticks. Enjoyed that.” Facebook | Instagram
“It’s good to see Hedge Fund again, especially when they’re still as bent and quirky and wonky as ever. “Boyfriend” is still a belter, and brand new one “Physical Education” is a lot of fun. Singer Will is also brilliant at staring straight down the barrel of cameras pointed at him, as well as stalking […]
“Hot Spoke are feeling all the feels. Knitted eyebrows – not to mention cheekbones you could carve a turkey with – and emotion just all over the place. Normally, this is me-repellant, but the addition of strategically-placed squalls of guitar make this a bit of a hoot. Tight and well-formed songs to make the poets […]
“On record, Hound steer a straightline course via Placebo, but live – at least tonight – they veer into major Dinosaur Jr territory. This may be to do with the fact they are totally and brilliantly drunk. If so, being drunk makes them totally brilliant. The guitars just ring like bells, and the songs chug […]
“Summer Blood, for some reason, keep apologising for being too loud. Which is like a Brit apologising when you bump into them – what they actually mean is “get it together you cockwomble, I’m awesome and you’re a tool”. In this, they are correct about being awesome, since the tunes are long on distortion and […]
“Hello Bones aren’t playing their new one yet, they’re too busy telling daft stories about camping with swingers and being awesome. It’s my first time seeing them, at their first time playing the Vic On The Park (which makes them happy) and it’s loud, bluesy, raucous stomping all the way. There’s widdly guitar bits, screaming, […]
“The Knowgoods are no strangers to this game. Assured, sharp as the point of a pin, this is galactically good fun, with well-honed guitars and harmony over precise and mightily hammered-out rhythms. There’s something of both Elvis Costello in the intelligence and the old school rock ‘n’ roll vibe lurking behind a searing Hives-y sound. New […]