The Summer Ahead

This summer is cranking up to be one of the greats. The line-up for BDO in January is huge, with Artic Monkeys, TV on the Radio, The Prodigy, The Datsuns and old time favs The Headless Chickens guaranteed highlights - can't wait. The highly anticipated gigs of February include David Byrne, playing Brian Eno in Wellington. Talking Heads were a huge part of the defining music of the 80's and the closest of been to seeing them was when I caught a bit of Phsyco Killer drifting across the fields from another stage at Glastonbury 1996. A much anticipated gig. Also in February is King's of Leon. I've seen these guys twice now, but the last two albums have been superb and hearing these live is a must. Then Home Grown in March will be a huge celebration of kiwi talent and the fact that Head Like a Hole are reforming for the event will hugely add to the day. Roll on the summer gig season!

Photo Credit nzmusic.net.nz

Archive: The Breeders Live (12/10/08)

Been a long time since the gig but it was another good night at The San Francisco Bath House, always a great venue...up close and personal. I first saw The Breeders at BDO '94 just after the release of Last Splash and it was mind blowing. The latest gig, follwoing the release of Mountain Battles, was obviously more intimate than the BDO main stage, and there was certainly plenty of anticipation - thankfully The Breeders largely delivered. Their sound is as relevant as ever and the chaos of the tracks appreciated as they interspersed tracks from Pod through to Mountain Battles with plenty of banter. Was hoping for Pixies Gigantic but had to live off hearing the classic tracks like Cannonball and Divine Hammer. Big Question though, when is the Pixies reunion hitting NZ shores?

Archive: Shihad Live at Wellington Town Hall (29/8/08)

This was always going to be a great gig, Shihad playing their hometown is always soemthing to behold. Luger Boa warmed up the night with an awesome crisp set of punk-pop-rock tracks which really went down well. The white suit of the lead singer seemed too cabaret, but the stuff delivered was quality...watch this space







Mint Chicks were next and I was well amped for this, unfortunately the sparks just didn't ignite. They were down to 3 band members and I struggled to identify the songs (new or just unrecognisible?). Too bad really as I'd been looking forward to this for a long time.

Shihad took to the stage and started with 'Home Again' - pure class. Things never looked back as they cruised their way through tracks off the new album mixed with old favs Alive, Comfort Me, Pacifier, even an acoustic Run thrown in the mix - the encore of ScrewTop and YouAgain, complete brilliance.

Archive: The Breeders are coming (30/4/08)

It's great news, the Breeders are on their way. While I'd love for it to be the Pixies, The Breeders will give some satisfaction til taht day arrives. I have seen the Breeders before at the first NZ Big Day Out in '94. That was after the release of Last Splash and songs off both that album and Pod were combined for an energetic set of fresh alt-pop tunes. 14 years on, their music has stood the test of time and I'm sure the gig at SFBH will be a real treat...looking forward to it!

The Breeders on Eventfinder

Archive: Wilco Live (8/4/08)

I can still remember the excitement on hearing Wilco were on there way to NZ, I had to pinch myself! Then the wait, the wait...and finally here I was waiting for them to hit the stage. When they did, man did they deliver! A two hour set with a collection of great tunes from songs off Sky Blue Sky such as Impossible Germany, to hits off previous albums, Jesus Etc., Heavy Metal Drummer, Company on my Back, Shot in the Arm...it was a greatest hits set that left no one wanting. The musicianship was superb and Tweedy's interactions with the crowd were relaxed and good humoured. The sound too was great, awesome clarity that did the band the justice they deserved. This is definitely one the top5 gigs ever. So pleased to be there!

Archive: QOTSA vs. Smashing Pumpkins (7/4/08)

It was a great excuse for a road trip with a few mates...QOTSA and Smashing Pumpkins. This was one huge double bill, two of the greatest acts of rock hitting our shores. Smashing Pumpkins were my bread and butter through university and I'd seen them '94 at the first Big Day Out, I was looking forward to a good show. QOTSA I was a bit of a late comer to, but been drawn into the magic of their stuff. Well, there was no mucking around on the night with no support acts and QOTSA hitting the stage early in the evening to deliver a blistering hour long set. It was fantastic, with songs from the recent albums mixing with older tracks and all of them tight as. We lapped it up and were left breathless at the end of it...completely brilliant. The same couldn't be said for Smashing Pumpkins, they certainly had their moments with early tracks like Hummer hitting the spot. But, after a while some of the songs started to merge into being barely distinguishable from one another and after two I was ready to go home. Still, great to see!

Archive: Iron & Wine at the SFBH

The venue had sold out weeks ago for Iron & Wine's first visit to Wellington and San Francisco Bathhouse provided the intimate venue appropriate for such a treat as Iron & Wine. The evening was warmed up by Rosey Tin Tea Caddy, who provided a delightful 45 minute set of twee-pop, the vocals and musicianship appreciated by the punters. A quick 10 minute change saw Iron & Wine hit the stage, first as a striped back trio with Sam Beam accompanied by his sister on vocals and the steel guitar. The Trapeze Swinger was the opening track, followed by Cinder & Smoke and Resurrection Fern. Beam's vocals were pure and sublime and this trio of songs was for me the highlight of the evening, confirming his voice is the magic in the music. Songs from The Shepherd's Dog dominated the rest of the evening, though treats like Jezebel and Sodom, South Georgia were dabbled throughout. The band merged songs together seamlessly moving from one to the next. Songs such as Each Coming Night, Peace Beneath the City, On your wings, Lovesong of the Buzzard all demonstrating the strong musicianship, but in some ways losing the beauty of Beam's voice. House by the Sea was great as was Boy with a Coin, but for me Wolves (The Shepherd's Dog) was the highlight of the full band selection, with a lengthy free-flowing jam. Beam returned for an acoustic encore of one song to top off a fantastic night.