Naarm/Melbourne band Belle Haven really impressed me with their most recent single “fauxlove.” It opens their recently released EP something new with a bang, but there’s a lot more to love on this four-track collection.
Category: Reviews
Electric Fields with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra @ Sydney Opera House, Eora/Sydney – 19 October 2024
There was a hum of excitement around Warrung/Circular Quay yesterday as the city showcased blak excellence. DanceRites, the country’s only First Nations dance competition had taken over the Opera House forecourt. And inside the House, Electric Fields joined the Sydney Symphony for a very special show in the Concert Hall.
RocKwiZ “Never Mind the Buzzers” @ The Art House, Darkinjung Country/Wyong – 15 October 2024
RocKwiZ is an Aussie institution. It’s been a part of our lives for nearly 20 years, in fits and starts on TV, but for many years as a touring franchise. It’s been one of those things I always meant to see but never quite got there, until the gang finally made their way to Darkinjung Country/Wyong this week.
“Dear Evan Hansen” – Roslyn Packer Theatre, Eora/Sydney
During the pandemic, my husband and I missed musical theatre hard. So starved for that experience, we’d watch anything we could find. While scouring YouTube we came across a recording of the original Broadway cast performing Dear Evan Hansen. It was a world away from Disney+’s Hamilton pro-shot, a basic video captured by an audience member on their mobile phone. But it was enough to trigger an obsession with this show. We listened to the soundtrack with those incredible Pasek and Paul songs more times than I could count, and when an Australian production was announced, we snapped up tickets for the first performance.
“222” – Renee Naccari
Renee Naccari impressed me with her cathartic pop singles “Looking For Myself” and “Perfect Storm.” She continues the trend with her breathtaking debut album 222.
“Crash Test” – Gia Darcy
Listening to Crash Test, the latest EP from Eora/Sydney singer-songwriter Gia Darcy, I wondered why she’s playing tiny venues while Taylor Swift is selling out arenas. I understand that the Swift juggernaut is bigger than the music, but when I listen to the tunes Gia’s creating I think they’re every bit as good. At the risk of offending the Swifties, they might even be better.
David Campbell @ Belmont 16s, Awabakal Country/Belmont – 20 September 2024
This blog tells that on Friday night I saw my ninth David Campbell show. And I’m not counting seeing him in “Dream Lover” and on the bill of George Michael and Disney tribute nights. So what keeps me coming back show after show? It’s just always a great time. It’s as simple as that.
Sunset Boulevard @ Opera House, Eora/Sydney – 12 September 2024
I can’t remember ever feeling as apprehensive about a night at the theatre as I did heading to the Opera House last night to catch Sunset Boulevard. When Opera Australia announced it would bring theatre legend Sarah Brightman to Australia to play Norma Desmond, we were thrilled. We purchased tickets as soon as they went on sale, forking out big bucks (and let’s face it, most decent seats commanded big bucks) to see this once-in-a-lifetime talent. But it seemed almost as quickly as Sarah arrived in Naarm/Melbourne for that city’s season the bad reviews went to press. The Guardian said she was “simply not up to the task … not physically, not dramatically, and certainly not vocally.” ArtsHub called her “woefully miscast,” noting that “it’s clear she does not possess the skills to play Norma”. Members of theatre communities I’m a part of on Facebook suggested understudy Sylvie Paladino was far superior, and insisted people should try to get tickets for her performances. All the chatter made me … concerned. I braced myself for the worst. Last night I walked out pleasantly surprised and wondered why the criticism had been so loud.
“Half Time Oranges” – Alana Wilkinson
2024 has already been a massive year for Alana Wilkinson. She earned standing ovations at Woodford Folk Festival, was named the top act at the Illawarra Folk Festival, took her music to the United States for the Folk Alliance International, and toured the country with Ross Wilson and Scotland’s Ryan Young. And all of this is before she released her debut album. Today we get that recording, Half Time Oranges, a collection of songs that can best be described as the sonic equivalent of a warm hug.
Hamilton @ Lyric Theatre, Eora/Sydney – 3 September 2024
When Hamilton made its Australian debut in 2021, we were the only nation in the world playing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece. It was a beacon of hope, not just for the locals here coming out of lockdowns but for the world’s theatre community. I saw it in April 2021, relishing the opportunity to celebrate my birthday out of the world when the last was spent locked down. It seemed like kismet to see the musical on stage that had brought some colour to a very grey 2020. The Sydney season began smoothly, but was plagued by more lockdowns. Many people had their tickets cancelled, so it’s only right that now the production has made its return.