James Reyne live @ the Princess Theatre
(Crawl File Tour, 23 February 2024)
James Reyne turned back the decades, playing an entire, mostly loud-rock set of Aussie Crawl songs to the happy, singalong crowd. Highlights included ‘Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama’, ‘White Limbo’ and a stripped-back reggae version of ‘The Boys Light Up’ (with Josh Owen).
Icehouse and Simple Minds
live @ Sandstone Point Hotel
(Red Hot Summer Tour, 17 February 2024)
Simple Minds delivered an outdoor acoustics–defying exhibition of blended synth rhythms and early-80s nostalgia. Highlights: ‘Someone, Somewhere (in Summertime)’; ‘Promised You a Miracle’. Equally assured, Icehouse then soundscaped and rocked the already predisposed crowd. Highlights: ‘Hey, Little Girl’; ‘Don’t Believe Anymore’.
John Williamson live @ the QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
(3 November 2023)
John Williamson played a raft of songs from his 53-year career, throwing in the odd novelty hit but sticking mainly to lyrically driven ballads with a deep, sentimental connection to outback Australia. Highlights included ‘Dear Little Quambatook’, ‘Cydi’, and ‘Prairie Hotel Parachilna’.
Courtney Barnett Live @ The Tivoli
26 March 2022
Courtney Barnett brought out the lampshades and lit up the Tivoli with her unique blend of countrified suburban life poetry and gangly Suzi Quatro guitar rock, more hard-hitting on stage than on album. Highlights included ‘Small Poppies’, ‘Elevator Operator’ and ‘History Eraser’.
The Whitlams – Gaffage and Clink Tour
Live @ The Fortitude Music Hall, 17 September 2021
Half the Whitlams were joined by Brisbane bassist Ian Peres for a rescheduled evening of Tim Freedman’s jazz-lyric-infused indie piano rock. All three musicians were in fine form. Highlights included You Gotta Love This City, No Aphrodisiac, and Up Against the Wall.
Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go
Live at the O2, London (2014)
A farewell performance showing comedy pioneers Monty Python to be, at the end, just as irreverent, surreal, politically incorrect (or overcorrected), cheerfully crass and, not infrequently, in appallingly bad taste as ever. Unapologetic nostalgia buoyed by new material and snazzy dance routines.
Ben Folds: The Symphonic Tour
Live with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nicholas Buc (QPAC, 12 March 2020)
Ben Folds and his piano… plus the QSO! A vibrant and versatile, heartfelt performance. Songs that came out particularly well with orchestral treatment included ‘Erase Me’, ‘Steven’s Last Night in Town’, and the traditionally improvised (now Brisbanised and symphonised) ‘Rock This Bitch’.
Dylan Moran: Dr Cosmos
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (5 December 2019)
Irish comedian Dylan Moran was in fine, free-flowing form last night, gilding his societal observations with intelligent and rapid-fire absurdist exemplars while expounding on the generation gap, growing up in Ireland, accepting middle age, and the inherent failings of the male gender.
The Cat Empire’s Stolen Diamonds Tour
Live at the Fortitude Music Hall, 19 October 2019
Let there be jumping. The Cat Empire rocked Brisbane with its unique blend of brass, beats, keyboards and vocals, unpacking new gems and improvising solos through a back catalogue that now spans twenty years. Highlights included ‘Barricades’, ‘Fishies’ and ‘Steal the Light’.
Sammy J’s Major Party National Tour
live at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 19 July 2019
A shortish but well-constructed comedy show with limited audience participation and a topical (albeit slightly predictable) political bent. Sammy J is quick on his feet, but his true strength lies in musical humour. His songs—political or otherwise—are witty and wonderful.