Category: Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Katie Noonan @ Avoca Beach Cinema, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 4 March 2023

If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been busy. Really busy. After so many slow years, it seems like just about everyone is touring. And like any music addict, I’m powerless to say no. So even though I already had tickets to a matinee performance of “Come From Away” on Saturday, I found myself driving back to Darkinjung Country/Central Coast to catch Katie Noonan’s tribute to Joni Mitchell’s seminal album Blue.

I’d heard how good Melody Pool was from a friend who sees her perform regularly, but I’m not sure his praise really prepared me for her set. What a phenomenal vocalist she is. What a warm and engaging performer. She admitted that her songs tend to be a little dark, as they are often her way of processing her emotions during depressive episodes, but her beautiful voice lifts you up, ensuring the dark lyrics don’t get too heavy. To hold the audience in the palm of her hand with so many new songs is a real gift. I’d see her again in a heartbeat.

Every time I see Katie Noonan I see something new. It’s so exciting to watch her journey as an artist. When I saw her front George I was in my early 20s. A few years back I saw her making jazz-folk with Elixir. And on the weekend, she was celebrating one of the true legends of the music world, Joni Mitchell. It was something new again, but perhaps my favourite.

Firstly, there’s that music. Joni has a special place in my heart, and many of my favourites come from Blue. This album is like an old friend, and taking a journey through it with Katie and this attentive audience was a real joy. The audience is another tick. Katie said we could sing along, but I don’t think any of us wanted to break the spell Katie and her guitarist Jeremy Sawkins cast. You could hear a pin drop. Combine that with the intimate venue, a beautiful cinema with plush seating and such “good juju,” as Katie put it. But it all wouldn’t have mattered if not for Katie. I can’t imagine any other artists doing this music justice. Her voice is timeless and so special, able to swoop up high to Joni’s falsetto notes and wind around the intricate melodies with ease. She also understands these songs. She’s not just singing pretty words, she’s interpreting them. She chats easily with the crowd, sharing stories of Joni’s experiences at the time of writing and her own relationship with this music. If every person didn’t leave those theatre having learned something, I’d be surprised.

I appreciated that Katie played the album from start to finish. I’ve always believed artists have intent when they put an album together. It’s just as it should be. I also felt so treated that she didn’t quite stop there. “Big Yellow Taxi” gave us all the push we needed to sing, but not before Katie “auditioned” us and confirmed we were up to the task. After the singalong, it was so nice to take one last moment to appreciate Katie’s voice as she closed the show with “The Circle Game.”

As I stepped out of the theatre, I was so glad that I pushed myself to come, despite the fatigue that was starting to set in after so many shows. It was a truly special evening of music. If you’re a Katie fan or a Joni fan, make sure you don’t miss this tour. Here are all the remaining dates:

14 April 2023 – Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Dharug Country/Springwood
15 April 2023 – The Street Theatre, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
16 April 2023 – Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, Burbong/Goulburn
10 May 2023 – Burrinja, Naarm/Melbourne
11 May 2023 – The Pig & Whistle, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
12 May 2023 – The Thornbury Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
13 May 2023 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
14 May 2023 – Governor Hindmarsh, Tartanya/Adelaide
18 May 2023 – Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Birpai Country/Port Macquarie
20 May 2023 – Brunswick Picture House, Bundjalung Country/Brunswick Heads
26 May 2023 – Freo.Social, Boorloo/Perth
27 May 2023 – Lyric’s Underground, Boorloo/Perth
1 June 2023 – Bendooley Estate Winery, Gundungurra Country/Berrima
2 June 2023 – Brighton Lakes Recreation & Golf Club, Eora/Sydney
3 June 2023 – Glen Street Theatre, Eora/Sydney
4 June 2023 – Qirkz in the Hunter, Wonnarua Country/Abermain
9 June 2023 – The Events Centre, Gubbi Gubbi Jinibara Country/Caloundra
10 June 2023 – The J, Gubbi Gubbi Country/Noosa
11 June 2023 – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 June 2023 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 June 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy Country/Cairns

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute; credit: Wilk

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Come From Away @ Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 4 March 2023

My husband and I watched the pro-shot of Come From Away when it dropped on Apple+ in September 2021, 20 years since terrorists drove their planes into the Twin Towers and other aeroplanes en route to the United States were diverted to the small Newfoundland town of Gander. We instantly fell in love with this musical that managed to somehow find the balance between comedy and tragedy. It was so truly heartwarming that when it travelled to Mulubinba/Newcastle, we couldn’t wait to introduce my mother to it.

I must admit, I had my reservations though. The Apple+ pro-shot featured the original Broadway cast. Jenn Colella won Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her role, and arguably should have taken home the Tony. Could this Aussie cast possibly measure up? How could they convincingly bring us this American story that still resonates so deeply with the people of that country? As with Hamilton, I needn’t have worried. There was not one person in this production that wasn’t at the very least the equal of the Broadway cast. From the soul-stirring opening “Welcome to The Rock,” I found myself swept away again.

In fact, I think this time I was even more invested. While I knew the outcome, I found myself wiping away tears at a poignant moment that hadn’t made me weepy the first time around. While pro-shots are fabulous at drawing your attention to small details, seeing the show from the dress circle I could take it all in.

If like me, you’ve enjoyed the pro-shot of Come From Away, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’ve already seen the show. You need to see this musical in person. And if you’re yet to discover Come From Away, there’s a reason why so many people rave about it. Do yourself a favour and check it out. Come From Away finishes its Mulubinba/Newcastle season today but will soon open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Tartanya/Adelaide. It’ll then head to Boorloo/Perth’s Crown Theatre in May and Ngunnawal Country/Canberra in June.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Marx @ NEX, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 1 March 2023

It’s very rare that I drag myself out to two midweek gigs. But when Richard Marx announced he was playing NEX in Mulubinba/Newcastle, I knew I had to get myself there. I’ve been seeing bands at the site once known as Newcastle Workies (and if you’re a local, forever known as the Workies) since my teenage years. They hosted Teenage Rampages when I was growing up, headlined by acts like Peter Andre and Teen Queens. There were standalone gigs from EYC and Goo Goo Dolls. Of course a lot has changed, and not just the acts. I haven’t been since the rebranding and refurbishment. It’s definitely more sophisticated these days, but it still seemed like an odd choice for the man who’s written more number one songs than anyone else.

Richard’s guitarist, who goes by the moniker Dandelion Head, opened up for him. Looking at a picture of Dandelion Head, you can probably imagine what he sounds like. Looking like he’s just finished teaching yoga classes at Byron Bay and probably smelling like patchouli, he admits that his songs are a bit “hippy-dippy.” It was a strange choice of opener, but Dandelion Head is undeniably talented. After a busy work day, I quite enjoyed chilling out and embracing his relaxed vibe.

You don’t chill out to Richard Marx. You cheer loudly. You sing along. You do whatever you want, according to Richard, because this is your show. He encourages photos and videos, insisting that he didn’t spend time putting product in his hair for people not to look at him. He even obliged a quick selfie with an opportunistic fan before insisting he had to get back to the show everyone had paid money for.

While Richard opened with a track from his new album Songwriter, he didn’t stray too far from the hits. Songs like “Take This Heart”, “Endless Summer Nights,” and “Angelia” came out early, delivered with the kind of passion that makes you forget he’s sung them for decades. If he’s becoming tired of them, it doesn’t show. A talented songwriter, “This I Promise You,” made famous by NSYNC and “Long Hot Summer”, cowritten with our own Keith Urban, also made the set.

In between songs, Richard chatted easily, cracking jokes and making us feel like we were just catching up with a friend. He’s such a generous performer who isn’t afraid to let his audience in. He introduces us to his sons during “When You Loved Me,” playing along with a video featuring their accompanying instrumentation and vocals. We get a further glimpse into his world when he plays “Front Row” in front of video featuring him relaxing with his dog and wife Daisy Fuentes.

It seemed like we’d already heard so many hits by the time the encore rolled around, but except for “Front Row,” this portion of the show was all about those massive numbers. “Hazard,” “Satisfied,” “Should’ve Known Better,” and the beautiful piano ballad “Right Here Waiting.” We sang along in raptures, so appreciative to share space with this talent. I’ve seen Richard Marx four times now, and I’ll probably go again, because it’s always a good time. Like a fine wine, he only seems to get better with age. He continues his Australian tour tonight in Eora/Sydney:

5 March 2023 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney
7 March 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurrural Country/Thirroul
8 March 2023 – Panthers World of Entertainment, Darug Country/Penrith
10 March 2023 – The Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Del Amitri @ Enmore Theatre, Eora/Newtown- 28 February 2023

I thought I’d missed out on the chance to see Scottish pop-rock act Del Amitri. They last toured Australia when I was around 10, and while they continue to gig around Europe I thought their days of international touring may be far behind them. I jumped on tickets when they finally announced an Aussie tour last year and felt fever-pitch excitement as I shuffled into the Enmore last Tuesday night.

Darren Middleton provided solid support, proving a capable frontman away from his Powderfinger bandmates. He could have taken the easy route and played at least one song from that massive Aussie act, but I appreciated his confidence in his solo skills. He’s such a gifted songwriter and he surrounds himself with quality musicians that help him bring them to life.

Looking at The Dels now, with graying hair and a few more wrinkles, you’re acutely aware of the passing of time. But then they play, and it’s as if no time has passed. Justin Currie’s voice sounds just as compelling as it ever did. While he and Iain Harvie are the only original members, the band sounds tight. Their songs have the power to transport you back to a simpler time, and I revelled in each and every one.

When you’re as good as Del Amitri, you don’t need to save big songs. “Always the Last to Know” was the fourth song of the night, “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” the sixth. I sang along to every word, although I missed the harmonica and banjo that drove the original recordings.

This wasn’t a nostalgia tour though. Songs from 2021 album Fatal Mistakes were scattered liberally through the set. From my privileged position in the dress circle, looking down on the front few rows, it seems the fans didn’t mind. They were there to hear all the old stuff back in the day, and they were thrilled to witness the new material they already knew well enough to sing along to.

They’re a band of few words, preferring to let the music do the talking. They seemed at ease on stage though, happy to share in this music with appreciative fans who helped them feel at home.

A generous five-song encore gave me some of my favourite moments of the show. Justin Currie took the lead on the stripped-back “Empty” and you could have heard a pin drop. It was a powerful, compelling performance that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life. “Be My Downfall” is my favourite Del Amitri song, and they saved it to the very end. I was starting to worry it wouldn’t make the set, as it didn’t crack the top 50 here in Australia, but it was so worth the wait. With house lights up and an audience singalong, I had chills.

I didn’t get back home until 1 am, which is some kind of lunacy in the middle of the week, but I was running on such post-gig adrenaline that I couldn’t sleep for hours. I can only hope the Dels had as much fun as I did. Maybe they won’t make us wait for another three decades before making a return visit.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates @ Avoca Picture Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 23 February 2023

I’ve always felt pretty lucky to have Avoca Beach Picture Theatre in my local area. It’s the kind of movie theatre that has just one screen and favours independent films of quality to the big blockbusters. You can buy wine and local arts and crafts in the foyer, and at one point a cat would wander around the cinema and sit on the lap of chosen guests. It’s the kind of place that is becoming all too rare. But now that they’re welcoming some of Australia’s best musicians to their intimate space, I’m even more thrilled. You might remember me catching The Whitlams Black Stump Band there recently, and last night I was back again for Mahalia Barnes.

To say her pal Bek Jensen warmed up the stage would be an understatement. Her voice is red hot, bluesy and soulful. She’s got a real warmth about her that draws you in. Captivating an audience for a set of originals isn’t easy, but she made it look effortless. Apparently, she’s recently moved to the coast, so I look forward to seeing a lot more of her. Incredible.

I’ve seen Mahalia Barnes a few times before, but I’ve never seen a set quite like this. She let us know this was a by-request show, with heckling encouraged, with a big smile on her face. Without a set list, this show had a real spontaneity which made it so much fun. Mahalia was also surrounded by her “chosen family,” long-term band members The Soul Mates and gal pals Bek and Karen Lee Andrews (who you might remember as Miss Murphy from The Voice). Supported by musicians and vocalists she trusted, she told us they could do anything so long as one or two of them knew the song. That certainly seemed to be the case. Mahalia’s admiration over Bec’s whistling in her supporting slot naturally led to an impromptu cover of “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.” A throwaway line to Karen as she exited the stage was an easy segue into “I Will Survive”. Mahalia insisted she wouldn’t do it, but couldn’t refuse as the band carried her away.

The audience was kind, mostly suggesting soulful hits like “Proud Mary” and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Not like Bowral, who apparently insisted she try out a little Metallica! Of course, there were the inevitable requests for music from her famous dad’s back catalogue, but her takes on “When Something is Wrong With My Baby” and “Flame Trees” showed she was up to the challenge. Her version of “Heading in the Right Direction,” a tribute to the late great Renee Geyer, who Mahalia credited for paving the way for artists like herself, was another real highlight.

I’ve always enjoyed Mahalia’s original material so I was glad that some of those songs bookended this set. However, watching her play with originals so joyfully was a real treat. Her voice is one of the best in the business, and she has such a presence on stage. I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out to her incredible band too. Watching Lachy Doley attack the keys, Franco Raggatt deliver blistering guitar solos, and Mahalia and crew so wrapped up in appreciating their contributions, was magic. I love a good jam, and this show really delivered on that score.

Mahalia insisted she’d be back, and I hope she’ll stay true to her word. To see an artist of her calibre, backed by such a quality band, in an intimate venue like Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, is too good to pass up. Mahalia has a few more of these shows to go. If you’re local, you don’t want to miss them:

24 February 2023 – The Great Club, Bulanaming/Marrickville
25 February 2023 – Centro, Woolyungah/Wollongong
5 March 2023 – Tallagandra Hill Winery, Gundungurra Country/Southern Highlands
12 March 2023 – Brighter Days Festival, Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang Country/Bright

Image used with permission from Ferries Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sting @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 18 February 2023

By now you might realise that this won’t be a standard concert review. However, while Saturday’s Sting concert wasn’t what any of us wanted and expected, we still received an afternoon filled with great music so I decided it was important to write about what I did experience.

When you buy tickets to an outdoor show, you never know quite what you’re going to get. The weather in late summer can be fickle. While I was in pants earlier in the week, the mercury hovered somewhere around 40 degrees in the Hunter Valley on Saturday. Shout-out to my dad, the real MVP, who drove Mum and I to the Hunter for a nice lunch, then some wine-tasting in air-conditioned cellars until the show was nearly about to begin. With our AAMI Lucky Club membership we were ushered through our special line without queuing and quickly found our seats. No lines at the exclusive AAMI Lucky Club bar either. No, this isn’t a paid promotion, but those perks make sticking with my insurance provider so worthwhile. Mum told me the seats were much better than they were last time she saw Sting, even though we didn’t splurge on close to the top tier.

I didn’t have high expectations for Joe Sumner, assuming he just got the gig because his dad was the headliner, but I really enjoyed his set. He reminded me a lot of his father vocally, although his top register was a little weaker. But he has some really solid pop-rock songs. He’s definitely got the goods as a singer-songwriter, and he’s super charismatic. One of the things I really love about these Day on the Green shows is you can often be pleasantly surprised by an artist who you wouldn’t ordinarily have seen. Rest assured, I’ll be checking out his back catalogue.

Unlike Joe, I knew exactly what I was getting with James Reyne. He’s one of Australia’s most dependable musicians, with one of the country’s most impressive back catalogues. When you can throw “Reckless” into the middle of your set, because you know there is plenty more people want to hear, you know you’ve got the goods. He has us all singing along, even if we were probably wrong with most of the words. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen James, but it’s always a thrill.

Sting is another one of those artists who has so many hits that he doesn’t need to save them for an encore. He walked out without fanfare, just a man with his guitar ready to put on a great show. “Message in a Bottle,” bam, “Englishman in New York,” bam, “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” bam. Sounding just as good as he ever has, with so much charm. With a triple-treat of hits so early, we didn’t even mind when he apologised for playing a couple of new songs. They were less familiar but still superb songs, and they gave us all a chance to catch our breath and take our seats for a bit. We were back to the hits for “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” a song made a bit more pleasant as the breeze picked up. We had been so hot that the wind was a welcome relief. I was honestly shocked when security ushered Sting off the stage. He said he’d be back if he could, and we were sure he would be. I called my dad, who was already on the way to pick us up, and told him the show might take a little longer as we were on a break waiting for the high winds to pass. He turned around to go home, and almost got there when I called him back to say we were being evacuated. We were a bit shocked really. It wasn’t raining, and I’ve been in some pretty heavy rain for Day on the Green shows, but I guess the wind and forecast lightning was the deciding factor.

I’ve attended countless Day on the Green shows and never had an experience like that. So perhaps it’s not a surprise that I felt the venue staff were ill-prepared for the turn of events. My mum and I were told to leave our seats, but we had no where to go, with my Dad around 50 minutes away. And then the rain started. Another shout-out to the amazing couple who let us take shelter in their car, insisting that they wouldn’t be moving for ages (they were right). Would we have been waiting in the conditions that were deemed too unsafe for a concert if they weren’t willing to help?

Now we’re left wondering what happens next. The team behind A Day on the Green say they’ll be in touch in the next day or so, suggesting there’ll be some kind of compensation. A reschedule seems unlikely given Sting’s busy schedule. Some people online have suggested we don’t deserve any sort of compensation, because we saw all three acts we paid for. However, if you’d asked me to pay $200 to see Sting sing seven songs, I’d have told you where to go. It’s the sort of experience that makes you wonder whether you should buy tickets to the shows at the safe, if somewhat sterile, indoor venues instead of the wineries. So I’m glad to hear A Day on the Green are looking to make up for our disappointment. It certainly wasn’t the show we hoped for, even if there was plenty to smile about early on.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Phil Burton @ Lizotte’s, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 10 February 2023

After decades touring with Human Nature, Phil Burton has gone solo. It must be a daunting prospect, stepping out from one of Australia’s most beloved acts, especially one that relies so heavily on harmonies. He admitted to the crowd at Lizotte’s, his very first solo show, that he was terrified. But he kept those nerves in check and proved that he doesn’t need the safety net of Human Nature to wow music lovers.

Phil’s Songs That Shaped My Soul tour concept is a simple one, but a real crowd-pleaser. It makes sense, given Human Nature’s recent success playing Motown covers, that he’d stick to popular songs rather than originals. However, this show gives Phil the freedom to branch out from that box and present a much wider range of music that made him the man he is today. He told us about discovering his father’s record collection and flashed us a few of its gems. Albums like “Dark Side of the Moon,” “Hotel California,” and “Silk Degrees” – my dad had them all too. Having a similar musical upbringing, I loved hearing his covers of tracks like “Lido Shuffle” and “New York State of Mind”. His version of John Farnham’s “Comic Conversations”, the song he used to perform to show off, left no doubt that he’s a vocal talent to be reckoned with. These are songs that would never make a Human Nature set, and he clearly relished performing them for us.

Of course, Phil couldn’t totally ignore his part in Australia’s biggest boyband. After realising a song like Tellin’ Everybody, where he simply provided harmonies, wouldn’t work, he took the lead on “Wishes” and “Every Time You Cry.” He also brought us plenty of soul, including those Motown songs that packed out the houses in Vegas.

Since this was Phil’s show, he could cherry-pick the songs that meant the most to him, and the gig was stronger for it. I was a massive Human Nature fan in my teens, but they kind of lost me with the Motown era as I felt it was a little by the numbers. While it sounded good, it lacked a little heart for me. Here though Phil was in his element.

I saw this show with my parents. It occurred to me that Dad hadn’t seen Human Nature since he happened upon them by chance supporting Celine Dion at the very start of their careers. He’d never felt compelled to see a show, even though there was a time his daughter didn’t miss one. He initially wasn’t going to come to this date, but after seeing Phil being interviewed on one of the morning TV shows, he realised he would play plenty of the songs he loved and asked if we could add a seat at our table.

My mother has gone to a handful of Human Nature gigs with me over the years. Yet I’ve never heard her rave about one of them as she did the other night. I lost count of the number of times she leaned over to excitedly say “He’s so good!” She was one of the many people up dancing by the end of the night.

As for me, the passionate Human Nature fan back in the day, I felt an immense sense of pride. I loved the nostalgia of this show, hearing a few Human Nature classics but also the songs I grew up listening to. Phil’s voice was flawless, proving that while he sounds great harmonising he can more than hold his own fronting his own gig. As word spreads about his solo shows, I have no doubt that he can keep on packing out venues as he did with Human Nature. For now he’s clearly testing the waters with New South Wales dates, but hopefully he’ll get the confidence from this run and announce shows in the other states. Until then, you can catch him at these remaining dates:

16 February 2023 – Camelot Lounge, Bulanaming/Marrickville
25 February 2023 – Brass Monkey, Kurranulla/Cronulla

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness @ The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane – 8 February 2023

I don’t often travel interstate for gigs. But when Andrew McMahon announced his current Australian tour and the Sydney date clashed with previously made plans, I knew I had to head to Meeanjin/Brisbane. I’m a relative newcomer to Andrew’s music, discovering it through a friend in the early days of the pandemic. In a dark time, sinking my teeth into his exhaustive back catalogue brought colour into my world. I listened to little else for months. When I was at my angstiest, there was Something Corporate. When I needed hope, there was the lighter indie-pop of his Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness material. I thought Everything in Transit, from his Jack’s Mannequin days, was one of the most exciting albums I’d ever heard. I’ve always been of the belief that it doesn’t matter when you get into an artist’s music. It’s there when you need it. And if you’re lucky, you get to join long-term fans in a gig like Wednesday night’s show at The Triffid in Brisbane and feel like part of a community.

I must admit I didn’t twig when Heavenshe was announced as Andrew’s support, but I got pretty excited when I realised this was the new moniker of Tonight Alive vocalist Jenna McDougall. What a brilliant reintroduction to this artist. We got to catch up on her new material and take a trip down Memory Lane with a couple of Tonight Alive classics. With just an acoustic guitar they sounded a little different to the way they did way back then, but I’ve always appreciated hearing songs stripped back to their purest forms. Speaking of appreciation, I’ve got to give a shout-out to the punters at the Triffid. They probably didn’t know most of this material, but they listened captivated and applauded enthusiastically. What an incredible bunch of humans. After hearing so many crowds talk over support acts, it was so refreshing to be amongst people who were so receptive to new music. Needless to say, I’ll be checking out Hevenshe’s music after this beautiful set.

Often when you get into an artist late in their career, you miss out on intimate gigs like Andrew’s set at The Triffid. So many years in they’ve already graduated to the big arenas or stadiums. I am so thankful that he remains underground here in Australia, at least for now. While he was up on stage, there was no barrier so he could easily chat to those of us in the front few rows between songs. He could hear the people who’d get excited when they heard the first few bars of their favourite tracks and acknowledge their joy. We felt like friends gathering around a piano to hear some tunes rather than punters at a gig.

I’ve always been a sucker for an acoustic show, so I really appreciated the simplicity of this gig. Just a man and a piano sharing songs and stories with us all. The set was incredible, a celebration of his entire career, although he joked that he probably should have played more than one track from his forthcoming album. Perhaps that’s for another tour. From my position in the second row, it seemed like we were all singing along with every word, although we joined in the woah-ohs of “Fire Escape” and the fuck yeahs of “Holiday from Real” with extra gusto. I saw people wiping away tears in “Swim,” a song that’s helped so many of us, including myself, through hard times. Hearing heavier tracks like “Straw Dog” and “Punk Rock Princess” broken down was a revelation. It all was.

And because we were good, because Andrew assured us it would only happen if we were, we got “Konstantine,” the nearly 10-minute epic from the Something Corporate days. Always requested but rarely played, it was so special. Closing out with the joyous “La La Lie,” I struggled to think how the show could have been better. You can never hear anything you want when an artist has such an exhaustive back catalogue, but this show certainly came close.

I mentioned before that I feel it doesn’t matter when you come to an artist’s music, it’ll be there for you when the time is right. I saw this gig with my best friend in the world, Lisa. She’d heard a couple of Andrew’s tracks but was pretty unfamiliar with his back catalogue. But she decided to go to the show anyway, trusting my judgement. She came out a fan. While she didn’t know the majority of the songs, she found herself so engaged by them. I am so thrilled that like my friend introduced me to Andrew’s music a couple of years ago, I could do the same for her. I am so grateful that she’s open-minded enough to just go and see what it’s all about. And that she’s selfless enough to give me the set list she caught, because she knows it’ll mean so much to me. Experiencing this show with her made it even more special.

When you travel for a gig, you want a show like this. When you stand up for a gig, even though you’re past 40 and feel too old for standing floor gigs, you want a show like this. I might have been late to the party, but you can bet I won’t miss another Andrew McMahon tour. If you’re in Eora/Sydney, you can catch him tonight at The Factory.

Images: Lauren Katulka and Lisa Mayer

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bat Out of Hell: The Musical @ Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – 27 January 2023

I bought tickets for Bat Out of Hell: The Musical back in December 2019. Back then COVID-19 hadn’t arrived in Australia and both Meatloaf and Jim Steinman were still alive. I’m not sure how many times it was postponed, but I do know I was starting to wonder whether it’d ever happen. However, good things come to those who wait, and I finally got my chance to see the musical that’s had the West End buzzing.

I must admit, early on I was a little unsure. I couldn’t fault the singing and dancing chops of the cast which come to Australia directly from the West End. However, the plot, a love story with references to Romeo and Juliet and Peter Pan, was more than a little flimsy. Meatloaf music has always been a little over the top, but the larger-than-life acting sections felt really cheesy.
Somewhere along the way though, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical won me over. I found myself invested in the love story of Raven and Strat, hoping these crazy kids might just make it despite the odds. I embraced the cheese and finally understood why a friend who accompanied me had bought tickets to the Sydney show, despite seeing it already in London and Las Vegas.

As a Meatloaf fan since I was around eight or nine, I loved watching these songs brought to life in front of my eyes. The cast is so strong, dancing up a storm and singing those familiar lyrics with gusto. Glenn Adamson and Kellie Gnauck are so compelling as star-crossed young lovers, beautiful, sexy people with serious pipes. As Raven’s parents, Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton have perhaps some of the most complex roles, mixing comic relief with much darker tones, and they carried them off admirably. While they had most of the spotlight, it almost seems unfair to single anyone out as every person on that stage was amazing.

Ticket agencies have slashed the price of all remaining Bat Out of Hell: The Musical tickets to as low as $65, suggesting many people didn’t have the patience to wait as long as me. If you enjoy the music of Meatloaf or musical theatre in general, I suggest taking them up on one of those great offers. Bat Out of Hell: The Musical is at times a little silly, but it’s also a joyous celebration of Meatloaf and Jim Steinman’s musical legacy and life in general. Leave your preconceptions at the door, don’t take it too seriously, and rock on at one of the remaining shows.

30 January 2023 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 February 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Tarntanya/Adelaide
4 February 2023 – RAC Arena, Boorloo/Perth
8 February 2023 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Songs from Swan Street Vol. I” – Rhys Duursma

After the festive season slowdown, I’ve been itching to find some new music that really resonates with me. And then Rhys Duursma sent me a copy of his gorgeous debut solo EP, Songs from Swan Street Vol. I. I just know you’re going to get excited about it too.

Rhys’ press release describes this EP as a “three-year labour of love.” I can hear that dedication through this recording. While the sound is primarily stripped back, the lyrics are meticulously crafted, rich in details that encourage repeated listens. If you do the maths, the acoustic-driven sound makes sense. Rhys created these songs in his Swan Street home during the early stages of the pandemic, when he was unable to create music with his band Lowline or duo Mayfair Lane. During this period of social isolation, Rhys took a deep dive into the back catalogues of songwriting greats. Listening to these songs, he might just have learned a thing or two from them. Lyrically, this is one of the strongest EPs I’ve heard in some time.

The opening track “Same Old” sets the tone. We only hear Rhys’ voice and his acoustic guitar for most of the tune. It’s so stunning in its simplicity, a stark contrast to the full-band follow-up “Days Like This.” It’s more rock than folk, the kind of track I can imagine blasting on a road trip. The poignant “Didn’t He” takes us another left turn, revealing the deep bond between a brother and his sister navigating the ups and downs of relationships. We don’t sit in this quiet space for too long before Rhys amps up the energy again with the rollicking “Hey Ma,” an optimistic, upbeat song about big dreams left unfulfilled. “Charlie” is another gentle, finger-picking folk song that paints a rich picture of the eponymous character. The beautiful “Glenrowan” closes out this magical EP.

Apparently Rhys had already released a couple of singles from Songs from Swan Street Vol. I, but I went into this recording with fresh ears. I’m glad for that, because I got to experience these songs in their proper context, all at once. Individually they tell beautiful stories, but altogether they create a richer tapestry. I’m not sure whether Rhys will continue with the stripped-back sound that dominates this EP now that we’ve moved into a new phase of the pandemic, but I’m hoping to hear volume two.

Images used with permission from Rhys Duursma