Regurgitator - 27 August 2015, The Zoo

After a two and a half year hiatus, Regurgitator has returned to the stage bringing their effervescent infectious energy with them. The Brisbane show marked their first stop of the tour, and it was like no time had passed at all!

Opening the night was Mystery School. I don’t really know how to describe what I heard and saw, apart from saying it was a little like a mystery. Brainchild, Jhonny Russell, performed such a mix of styles, flipping from punk like distorted guitar goodness, to electro synth lyrical pop, with a whole bunch of styles thrown together in between. The second half of the set flowed really nicely and cohesively, where the first half was a bit rattled. Had the set been switched around a little the whole act would have made much more sense.

Up next was Godswounds. Their 32-bit hardcore style is not a style I would have ever found myself describing, yet is a perfectly apt description of this band. Think Nintendo cross grunge. They had some rather awesome things going on, and with the addition of the Trumpet melodies on top of gamer synth sound it made for some rather unique music. There was an energy about them that was infectious, and you couldn’t help but get involved in their music making.

It’s hard to believe Regurgitator have been around for over 20 year! When did that happen? Judging by the night’s performance, they haven’t slowed down a bit! Frontmen Quan and Ben spent over an hour bouncing around the stage mixing grunge, rap and pop-punk together in a set that was filled to the brim with their classic hits! They opened the set with “Blood and Spunk”, backing it up with “Track 1”. What is just so special about a Gurge concert, however is their empowering ability to get an entire venue singing along to words “I will lick your arsehole” at the top of their lungs.

The mosh was infectious! Standing in the front third looking back, the jumping continued for the majority of the venue. By the time the band got to “I Wanna Be a Nudist” and “Pop Porn” it left me wondering how many more hits they could throw into the set, then they played “Polyester Girl”. Another thing that continually surprises me about the band is their ability to change up their arrangement to form their heavy live sound. Take “Polyester Girl”, it is so much heavier live then on record, and it was amazing.

They ended the set with some rippers including “Kung Foo Sing” before returning for their encore with “The Drop” and “! (The Song Formally Known As)”. This set was just about everything that I could have wished for in a Gurge concert with not many favourites missing out. If you can manage to get along to the gigs down south, please do. You will not regret it!

Ed Sheeran - 20 March 2015, Brisbane Riverstage

On a humid Friday evening, as thousands of eager fans streamed into the Riverstage ready for a glimpse of the man of the hour, Ed Sheeran, I found myself wondering what kind of show we were about to witness. The powerhouse frontman backed by a band full of talented musicians? The full light show that ever so often overshadows the performer on the stage? I should have known better. Shame on me. Ed Sheeran didn’t need any of these fancy things to enhance his sold out show. He just needed a guitar, an effects pedal, and undeniable gem of a voice.

Opening the evening was little known artist Conrad Sewell. The Brisbane born lad certainly has a set of pipes, and I found myself captivated during his entire set. With just David, his piano man, to accompany him on the large, empty stage, he worked the crowd while also projecting his evocative voice to back of the grass. His tune “Remind me” was very captivating, while “Beautiful Life” was more fun and quirky, however it was his cover of Michael Jackson’s “PYT” that really stuck with me. A great opening set from the rookie.

Up next was Englishman Jamie Lawson. Coming on stage only with his guitar; the acoustic artist brought us a very different vibe. He showcased some really pleasant, appealing vocals that had a certain roughness to it.

After not too long, it was time for the man himself, Ed Sheeran. With just his guitar and effects pedals he brought us almost two hours of divinity. In what was essentially an acoustic show he said, “it is my job to entertain you, and it is your job top be entertained.” And entertain us he did; all 10,000 of us. I never knew that a guitar could be played in so many different ways. He used it as a drum kit, as a drum machine, as a bass, not to mention just as a guitar. Sheeran has a sophistication about his playing that evident throughout all of his songs, though it was particularly exquisite in “Tenerife Sea”.

Although Ed had a case of the “man-flu”, he played all his huge songs from his sophomore release, X, as well as material from his debut, +, without any signs of fatigue. I guess it helped that he had 10,000 back up singers carrying him through. He opened with “I’m a Mess” and “Lego House” before showing off his rap skills. I didn’t even know he rapped. Again, shame on me. There were also a bunch of amazing mash-ups of original songs and covers; for example, “Take it Back” crossed with both “Superstition” and “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Amazing. For me though, it was the middle of the set where the true magic happened; “I See Fire” was just exquisite! And of course for his encore he chose “Sing” with which to end the comprehensive performance.

It was such a humid night and everyone was a sweaty mess after singing up a storm. It still blows my mind that on the massive Riverstage it was just him, just Ed Sheeran on stage captivating a venue full of adoring fans with loops and loops of layered bliss. There is definitely a reason why there are three sold-out Brisbane shows among the dozen or more sold out performance across Australia.

Hey Geronimo - 18 December 2014, Black Bear Lodge

There’s always a little something special about end of year gigs. Not only is it a celebration of what has been achieved over the year that has been, but it is also a prelude to what is coming in the New Year. Hey Geronimo brought their A-Game to the Black Bear Lodge and it was a true celebration a full of hard work.

Opening the night however was Youth Allowance. This band was phenomenal! They had some catchy and well-written tunes and really looked as though they were having a great time performing. What is so refreshing about these lads is the fact that their songs are not just the typical carbon copied song structure that oh so many up and coming band are abusing. Their two single “Morning Light” and “Games” are both brilliant songs full of intricate riffs and hooklines. Also, there were definitely some other gems showcased in their set that blew these two track out of the ball park! Keep an eye out for these lads, I have a good feeling about them.

Up next was Born Joy Dead. Fronted by Ben Dalton (of Hungry Kids of Hungary fame), the band has some really thought provoking tunes, for example “Upside Down, Inside Out”. This song had such unusual beat groupings, which was really fitting considering the title of the track. It’d be nice to see the band again in the New Year once they have continued to hone their skills!

The reason everyone was out on a school night was the infectiousness that is Hey Geronimo. The lads have a particular talent for writing catchy tunes that are so easy to uncontrollably dance to and they never fail to put on a stellar performance getting the crowd whipped up into a crazy 60s dance party. They played songs both old and new, but there were definitely songs missing from their set list that I was saddened to miss out on. But who can complain really when the likes of “Lazer Gun Show” and their latest single “Finale” open the early part of the set and we are privileged to hear fresh tracks including their cover of “Paperback Writer”.

There were so many great things about this gig, the guitar solo battles and immense fun that was Hey Geronimo, to the unexpectedly pleasant surprise that was Youth Allowance. A seriously great early Christmas present in gig form.

Bluejuice - 2 October 2014, The HiFi

When I first heard the news that Bluejuice, one of the craziest and most talented bands out there, were breaking up, there were some tears. I’m not just talking the “I’ve got something in my eye” tears, I’m talking about the streaming kind. For the past 13 years, Bluejuice have been knocking socks (and jocks) right off, and it is monumentally sad that they are calling it quits. In saying that, they are putting on a Last Hurrah tour all around the country so as to have a “Happy Funeral”, Jake put it.

Opening the night was Jody. The four-piece have a good thing going on with their guitar heavy music. The room was really dead this early in the night, and they tried with all their might to get a response from the corpses. To their credit, they did an aplaudible job! They two main vocalists took turns on main vocals and there were some nice distinctions between the vibes of the songs. “Three Weeks Later” was definitely the highlight of the set for me. It was cohesive and really stood out from the rest of their songs.

Next up was DJ Tyler Touché. I really liked everything about this guy! It was a little weird going from a band to a DJ and I think this threw the mood in the room a little as the vibe was off. I love the textures that Touché creates. They’re unlike the electronic music that’s popping up everywhere due to the lack of ground shaking bass. Instead, there’s a whole bunch 80s keyboard synth sounds in there that create his signature sound. He was joined on stage by Sterling Silver, who sang some stellar live vocals. Highlights of the set have to be when he whipped out some live saxophone and “Baguette.”

As dismal as the crowd interest was for the opening acts, that all changed when Bluejuice took to the stage. They opened their set with “Recession” and within the first song,Jake was out crowd surfing and that’s where the shenanigans began. This being their last hurrah tour they pulled out all the stops, including all the old favourites and the new material. Having “S.O.S” back up by “I’ll Go Crazy” was an awesome setlist choice. I think it was this time in the set where Jake lost his shirt and shit really started getting real. There were copious amounts of water thrown off the stage, stage dives, riding on security guys’ shoulders and all round awesomeness.

Bluejuice once again donned their fluro getup that lost its sticky at various points in the set, which enlightens the fact they they are one of the most entertaining acts around. Stav in all his absolute greatness held the fort while Jake went off exploiting the side wings of the HiFi and tested the length of this microphone cable. I believe it was longer than last time they played the HiFi, as he got much further back in the crowd before he had to be reeled in. There was none of this in “No Time for Tears”, though. No shenanigans, just the music. It brought home that this was the last time I will see the band live. There is only so much vicarious living you can do though a recorded album; for this band, their heart and soul is on the stage.

They saved the best of their material for last with “Act Yr Age”, followed by “Vitriol”. The crowd was going off. I love fake encores. Everyone knows you’re going to come back on stage and tear the house down. This is exactly what Bluejuice did with “Medication” and “Broken Leg”. There was a hell of a lot of singing going on in "Broken Leg" and both frontmen left us to sing it!

It was a sensational gig, the best of theirs I’ve been to. While I am sad to say goodbye, I am extremely grateful to have be apart of their magical journey and experience this one last show. So long and farewell!