Kee’ahn seemed to radiate her own sense of sunshine. Her powerful, honey-dripped voice, delivered with control and a smile, carried the breezy, upbeat tunes, and despite the weather I could hear waves lapping. The cruel irony of this being the … Continue reading Hiatus Kaiyote + Harvey Sutherland + Kee’ahn – April Sun, St. Kilda (2/5/21)
It wasn’t long ago at all that it seemed inconceivable to be experiencing and sharing that type of public excitement. The feeling of being right in the middle of a crowd of thousands, the specific type of en-masse-buzz that generates. … Continue reading Midnight Oil – Duneed Estate, Victoria (20/03/21)
There is something very communal about Heide. Perhaps it’s the sense of space lent by the expansive gardens surrounding the buildings, full of native plants and gnarled eucalypts. Or maybe it is to do with the original farmhouse, in which … Continue reading Emma Donovan and the Putbacks – Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne (7/2/21)
Obviously the last three weeks have been hard for absolutely everyone, but for those working in the music and arts industries the effects were particularly immediate. With venues closed, festivals cancelled and so much creative energy suddenly without a means … Continue reading Isol-Aid Festival (28-29/3/20)
Meredith Music Festival. An event that has grown from a handful bands playing on the back of a track in a regional paddock, to its 29th incarnation, hosting 13,550 punters, some of the world’s biggest acts, and a reputation as … Continue reading Meredith Music Festival 2019
Even before you consider all of the music, art, performances, workshops and food, just on the basic levels of design, scale and location, Strawberry Fields was just nuts. Like any festival worth its weight, it has a distinctive vibe, a … Continue reading Strawberry Fields 2019 – Tocumwal, NSW (29/11-1/12/19)
Look, the package tour is always an odd concept. Decidedly more random and small-scale than a festival — a curated collection of diverse yet complementary artists — they’re instead often loosely based on genre. It’s been happening since at least … Continue reading RnB Fridays Live: Janet Jackson + Black Eyed Peas – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne (09/11/19)
“My name is Kamasi Washington and we’re the next step,” stated the bandleader. A declaration, true, but one presented simply as the way it is, with the screeches of James Brown’s ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ still fading from the … Continue reading Kamasi Washington – Hamer Hall (8/10/2019)
Neil Finn stepped to the microphone, acoustic guitar in hand and began strumming the opening chords of ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’. Though I have seen him do exactly that many times and in various bands before, what struck me at … Continue reading Fleetwood Mac – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (2/9/19)
Appearing at the end of the stage’s runway, surrounded by faces tilted upwards with awe, Childish Gambino appeared bathed in light. Shirtless in white baggy pants, Gambino, soon to be known solely as Donald Glover, bowed his head as his … Continue reading Childish Gambino – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (17/7/19)
There’s a picture on Empress Of’s Instagram page from last month of the singer being fitted for a stage outfit. The crouched figure adjusting the pink satin dress — whose own page a tag reveals, bears the description ‘I make … Continue reading Empress Of – The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (20/6/19)
Much more than technical ability, of which he is not lacking, or key collaborators, among which can be counted the most revered in jazz history, musical curiosity has defined the long and rich career of Herbie Hancock. Backed by a … Continue reading Herbie Hancock – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (9/6/19)
words by watts 