Excellent gigs that got announced in the last 2 weeks since I last blogged.

So I'm putting them in a big blog post all together. Most of it's heavy, but I'll start with the quiet one:

Ben Kweller
No idea how this slipped by me, but Ben Kweller is touring here. In less than 3 weeks. I've seen him 2 times now and he's always enjoyable, especially with his band in tow.

March 4, The HiFi (18+)

August Burns Red
When I was young and impressionable (and worshipped I Killed the Prom Queen) I loved the genre "metalcore". And one of the few bands that I still occasionally listen to is August Burns Red. Not sure why, but I think it may because the vocals are understandable and more hardcore punk style.

April 18, the HiFi (18+)

Supported by Blessthefall and Northlane, who are both "buzz" bands that I know nothing about at all. Not one thing. I should probably be a good music blogger and research it one day.

Amon Amarth
Hands up who doesn't like some fantasy themed viking metal? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? That's right. It's fucking awesome. The music isn't always the best metal you've heard, but the show more than makes up for it.

They're also Swedish, which is home to the best bands ever. Including Abba.

April 13, the HiFi (18+)

Anchor

While on the subject of Sweden, suss out Anchor. They're Swedish hardcore, singing English. Which in my mind, is the best kind of hardcore.

Feb 29, YAC, Byron Bay (all-ages)

Mar 1, Basement 243 (18+)

Mar 2, Between the Walls (all-ages)

Mar 3, Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast (18+)

Mar 4, Buderim CWA Hall, Sunshine Coast (all-ages)

Evanescence\Blaqk Audio

One of my best friends was in love with Evanescence. Whenever I'd pass out on his couch it would be to him looping one of their albums (and I'd wake up to the same songs). He also made his own giant posters of Amy Lee and put them up all over. Heck, he even had their song played at his funeral.

The female-fronted nu-metal band obviously now holds a very special place in my heart. Even if I wasn't a big fan of theirs to start with. I was surprised to hear they were touring, as I had not heard anything from them for about 5 years!

Announced as their supports is Blaqk Audio. I know a lot of people that are more excited by this than Evanescence. In fact, these people are just going for the opening act. Who is Blaqk Audio? Well, it's an electronic act fronted by Davey Havok, the lead singer of AFI. Scene girls everywhere will be weeping for him before Evanescence even gets anywhere near the stage.

March 26, Convention Centre (all-ages)

Dead to Me/Cobra Skulls

I love how each year we tend to get a double-header punk tour, both Fat Wreck Chords bands. This year the tradition continues with Dead to Me and Cobra Skulls. These two punk bands will be playing a Brisbane show with some great local punk including Army of Champions and Headaches.

April 8, Basement 243 (18+)

Adam Ant

A lot of the fans of the other bands on this page will not know this last gig at all, but people like me rooted in the 80's will recognize the drum sticks at the start of this song:

Apparently Adam dropped the ants and became an actor but now he's reformed with a different band, writing new music and touring big shows in the UK! And here.

April 8, Tivoli

Review: Ben Kweller/Delta Spirit, the HiFi, October 5 2010

I'd like to thank the HiFi for giving me tickets to this show. I didn't even know about it until I entered the competition in their email, and I was mighty surprised to win. Luckily, my roomate is a Ben Kweller fan, so it wasn't hard to find someone to go with.


I went along not expecting much, just to enjoy the show. I had heard both bands before and they weren't exactly my scene: more of an alt-country style of music, with Kweller being a singer-songwriter that all the young ladies swooned for. This show blew away all of my expectations.

Delta Spirit from California were the opening band, who on record sound like country/surfwave indie. Nice and relaxing, with some absolutely beautiful songs, but not what I would imagine great live. They obviously had a point to make with me, as they came out with a great wall of sound and noise, nothing like their recordings. Although the crowds weren't into them (there was lots of audible talking in the quieter moments) they kept up a great intensity. At times the band members were running off and coming back with extra drums or rubbish bin lids just to make more noise.

Through all of the noise and energy, they still managed to sing some absolutely beautiful songs. Delta Spirit's song writing is just a step above.

When they finished, I had a look around and was blown away. The HiFi was almost packed like a can of sardines. Ben Kweller had a much bigger and more loyal fan base than I knew. Ben Kweller himself, he was like a baby-faced Dave Mustaine, wearing a camouflague tank top and rocking a rock-star like hangover. Which he kept apologising to the crowd about, in between spraying his throat with both numbing gel and lube.

Ben was backed by 2 absolutely amazing musicians on drums and bass. The bass player was so amazing that I spent most of the show just staring at his quick fingers; he is definitely in the wrong band here. Ben's songs translated well to a large band, and he played up to it. At times he was dancing around dancing to the music and busting out some quite impressive guitar solos.

Surprisingly, I recognized most of his songs. And so did the crowd. Lots of sing alongs. I was extremely sirprised by how great this show was. So thank you HiFi for the free tickets!