The next few weeks

Hello readers, apart from today's flurry of updates, February has been rather slack for me. And I apologise. But with work trips up north, multiple La Dispute shows and many birthdays (including mine) it's been hard (and kind of very nice) to not be near a computer.

I'm going to be absent most of the rest of the month, because I will be photographing a lot of the Soundwave festivities for Alt Music Hub, so keep an eye out for my photos there. And if you see me at Soundwave and I don't like flustered and tired running between the gajillion stages seeing as many bands as possible, make sure to say hi! I'll take your photo.

This is the plan for the next few weeks though:
Tomorrow: La Dispute, Between the Walls
Feb 24: Marilyn Manson/Coal Chamber, Eaton Hills Hotel
Feb 25: Soundwave, RNA Showgrounds
Feb 26: Sleep/edit photos
Feb 27: Death Cab for Cutie, Tivoli (no photos unfortunately, just being my music nerd self)
Feb 28: Dillinger Escape Plan/System of a Down, Sydney
Feb 29: Letlive/Enter Shikari, Sydney
Mar 1: Smith St Band/Bomb the Music Industry, Between the Walls
Mar 3: Bonnie Prince Billy, GoMA
Mar 4: UFC in Sydney, Queensland Reds at Suncorp
Mar 6: Manchester Orchestra, HiFi

It's a busy few weeks, 2 trips to Sydney in there and even a work trip back up north to squeeze in as well probably. And lots and lots of bands and sports. I'll try to update the blog when I can, but for all my photos when they happen, check the Alt Music Hub Facebook, my Tumblr or my Twitter.

Sidewave/Flood Relief/HUGE SHOW

I'll be quick so you can read this and buy your ticket, because there's only about 80 left. It got announced earlier today and it's already almost sold out.

But on February 25 a bunch of Soundwave bands will be doing a flood relief show at the Step Inn. They are Trash Talk, Terror, H20 and the headline act will be the Bronx! This is a massive show. MASSIVE. At a tiny venue. Something like ~150 people only will be in there.

The ticket revenue will be going straight to the flood relief. So not only is it a great show (featuring one of my favourite bands, the Bronx), but it's helping people out as well.

To get a glimpse of how awesome this will be, here's a recording of the Bronx last time they were here, going on about how much they love Brisbane: http://www.thehifilive.com.au/concert/2009-09-09/The_Bronx

DO NOT WAIT. This will sell out by tonight probably.

Brisbane Sidewaves

So the best part of the Soundwave music festival is generally what they call "sidewaves". That is, the sideshows where a bunch of international bands get together and play longer sets in smaller venues. My favourite gig of all time was one (back when I made that list ages ago). Normally only Sydney and Melbourne get them, but this year Brisbane is getting a few. Unfortunately, it's the same time I am in Melbourne watching a few. Bad timing, but oh well. I thought I'd share them with you.

First up, is one of the greatest modern rock guitarists of all time. This guy (in the hate, not the redneck ginger).

Yes. Slash. Who's recent solo album is bloody tops. He will be playing a gig with prog-rockers Coheed and Cambria and a Las Vegas band that grew up on Slash's music: Taking Dawn. An interesting gig, but given how quickly Slash's last tour sold (and the lack of Coheed after cancelling an earlier tour) you'd best get in quick on this tour. March 2, Tivoli, 18+ and tickets go on sale tomorrow.

The next one is a gig I really, really want to see. But can't. It features metal band High on Fire, thrash/hardcore legends Trash Talk and new sludge-metal band Kylesa. I only just got into Trash Talk and Kylesa, but whoa. They are just amazing. This one is happening March 1 at the HiFi. 18+

I'm sad I'll be in Melbourne for these, I wish they'd put them before the festival, which makes sense, instead of them travelling back from Sydney. Especially since I outlayed the cash and timeoff to go to Melbourne to see a few sideshows...

EDIT: A final bit of Soundwave related news, the Blackout, who are also playing Soundwave, will put up a free track from their new album on their website on January 24.