There’s an often unspoken challenge for artists that find a strong artistic footing early in their musical careers, sometimes tasting critical acclaim while still in their teens. If all goes well, an artist will grow in musical skill and develop and grow as both a person and an artist, so how does one stretch and…
Well crafted, well researched and sharply edited, Descent into the Maelstrom serves up a warts-and-all look at the rise and turbulent times of seminal Australian rock band Radio Birdman. Formed in 1974, the band was at the forefront of the punk new wave scene in the 70s. They came about when American-born medical student Deniz…
Oneohtrix Point Never returns with his new album Good Time Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Fresh from the Cannes Film Festival, the film Good Time is directed by Josh and Benny Safdie. Robert Pattinson takes the lead role (in a very different part for him), alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh. The crime thriller follows Pattinson’s character, Connie, in…
Noah and The Whale’s 2009 concept album The First Days of Spring is easily one of my favourite releases of the last 10 years. Its sprawling dissection of frontman Charlie Fink’s break up with Laura Marling is a true masterpiece. So when Fink’s promo around his new solo album Cover My Tracks likened it as…
Characterised by soaring vocals, Jesus Christ Superstar is a bold and moving version of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. With no spoken dialogue (it’s all sung), the show is set to wow audiences anew. That’s just what it did nearly 50 years ago when composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice got together. It debuted on Broadway in 1971,…
A big voice with strong vocal range, a dynamic personality, good humour, reflections about the world and homespun philosophy greet those who venture into Chapel off Chapel in a tribute to two prodigious talents with Bowie & Mercury Rising. Couple that with a highly accomplished pianist/keyboard player, in the form of creator Warren Mills. The award-winning…
With a band like The Charlatans, where they have overcome overwhelming odds while continuing to record music after 28 years, the fact that they are still at it is something worthy of acknowledgement. Coming up in the Manchester music scene in the wake of the success of the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays, The…
I have recently read in several places about Ryan Adams being the modern-day Springsteen. That is still hard for me to imagine at this point in the game but considering his latest record, Prisoner, was the sixteenth studio album by the singer-songwriter, maybe some people are onto something. I feel over the years, Adams has…
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll understand what a representative team is. Basically, the best available players are brought together for a specific game or tournament. The same idea has been applied to music by the Australian World Orchestra. And this month, lovers of classical music can see the AWO’s select “dream team” as it kicks…
Superb, power-packed performances are the hallmark of Paris: A Rock Odyssey. This dynamic concert tribute is a version of a show co-written by the late, great Jon English (who passed away in March 2016). His son, Jonathan, is in the orchestra and the last number specifically acknowledges Jon, with a large full-screen video headshot being the…
