Middle East - Photo: Justin Edwards

Writing from a hotel lobby, somewhere in Beverly Hills

In a year when ‘festival’ became further entrenched as a synonym for ‘piss up with some music in the background’, it’s surprising to note that many of this year’s live highlights came from assembled groups of line-ups. The weeklong All Tomorrow’s Party’s (The Riverstage, Thu Jan 15) Brisbane debut culminated with Spiritualized, The Saints and curators extraordinaire Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, a list which might have seemed dreamier on paper than on the night itself, but still a local landmark to hopefully be developed upon. The Big Sound Conference (various venues, Sep 9 – 11) stretched further to feel like a mini-SXSW, giving us goose-bumps with the astounding Middle East, giggles with the adorable Robert Schneider (The Apples In Stereo) and our hundredth chance to enjoy the perpetual Philadelphia Grand Jury shenanigans. But the most awe-inducing tribute gig this music fan has seen was Cannot Buy My Soul (The Riverstage, Sat Aug 1), the musicians’ tip of their hats to Kev Carmody ... Tex Perkins, Paul Kelly, Steve Kilbey, Claire Bowditch and OMFG THE DRONES offering genuine and moving appreciation of a long taken-for-granted treasure.

P!nk - Photo: Kylie Keene

“Lady Gaga toured this year – and some other stuff happened, but fuck it.”

This has been a year of big, tasteless and awesome pop shows, the best of which, for energy and mind-blowing stagecraft was Pink (BEC, Fri Jun 12) at the BEC. The Killers (Avica Resort, Tue Mar 31) put on an epic show at this year’s V Festival, Beyonce (BEC, Sun Sep 20) displayed a magnificent set of pipes, Ladyhawke (The Tivoli, Thu Nov 5) made a welcome return at The Tivoli, and Lady Gaga’s insane pop art support slot blew headliners Pussycat Dolls (BEC, Tue May 19) completely off the stage. Last but not least, we have Black Eyed Peas (BEC, Thu Oct 1). The group attracted plenty of haters when they ditched their ‘credible’ hip hop sound for glossy, disposable pop, but I say fuck those people – the Peas put on a bold and wickedly entertaining live show, even if Fergie’s eyebrow looks really weird up close.

Tori Amos - Photo: Kylie Keene

dur dessus pour la France

Fuck Buttons (Powerhouse, Fri Jan 16) kicked off what promised to be an excellent year of gigs with a blistering show that previewed their new neo-tribal rave sound. The Powerhouse also hosted the more delicate but no less interesting sounds of Juana Molina (Powerhouse, Thu Jan 29), who had great taste in choosing local heroine McKisko as her support. We also saw the opening of a major new venue in Brisbane, The Hi-Fi, which celebrated with a concert by Australia’s best live rock act, The Drones (The Hi-Fi, Wed Apr 29). Tori Amos released two terrible albums this year, but that didn’t stop her from giving a breathtakingly good performance on her last night in Australia (QPAC, Tue Nov 24). Finally, Laurent Garnier and his band delivered a magical set of jazz-infused techno at their criminally under-attended Stereosonic show (Sun Dec 6). Honourable mentions go to a trio of bands who all rocked the Zoo: WhoMadeWho (Sat Feb 7), Metronomy (Fri Sep 25), and I Heart Hiroshima (Fri Oct 16).

Animal Collective - Photo: Justin Ma

Still lost in the crowd

I couldn’t have asked for a better start to live music in 2009 than ATP Festival at Mt Buller (Jan 9 & 10), which featured some fantastic sets from the likes of Fuck Buttons and Dead Meadow, but Dirty Three performing Ocean Songs in full by moonlight on a freaking mountain is pretty hard to beat. Laneway Festival (Alexandria Street, Sat Jan 31) benefited greatly from an excellent line-up and a new location. There was devastating noise from Mogwai (The Tivoli, Tue Mar 3) and glorious pop from Of Montreal (The Zoo, Wed Mar 4), but it was Deerhunter’s (The Zoo, Sat Jun 13) hypnotic live show that proved my mid-year highlight. The last third of the year seemed pretty lean but there was some great stuff from Vivian Girls (The Step Inn, Fri Oct 2) and the eclectic Frankly! Festival (Powerhouse, Sat Sep 12). The back end of the year has come home very strong with a pulverising show from Lightning Bolt (The Hi-Fi, Sun Nov 22), the incredible avant-noise-pop of Animal Collective (The Tivoli, Thu Dec 10) and a sweaty but deeply satisfying set from WHY? (The Troubadour, Sun Dec 13). Bring on next year!

Opeth - Photo: Aaron Sammut

Still uses “records” when they’re technically downloads, the daft old bugger.

Fleet Foxes (The Tivoli, Sun Jan 4) – Multi-harmony folk rock never sounded so otherworldly, shimmering and beautiful. Harmonia (Visy Theatre, Powerhouse, Tue Jan 13) – Kosmiche music legends Rother, Roedelius and Moebius still making breathtaking freeform electronica. Stereolab & Cut Off Your Hands (Laneway Festival, Sat Jan 31) – Super cool Anglo/Gallic avant-pop from the ever-wonderful Stereolab and crowd-invading indie anthem fun from NZ popsters COYH. M83 (The Zoo, Tues Mar 31) – The French electro-shoegazers had the crowd both mesmerised and dancing euphorically – often within the same song. Decoder Ring (Splendour In The Grass, Sun Jul 26) – A wonderful set by Sydney rocktronica soundscapists. The Stems & Hits (The Step Inn, Sun Oct 11) – A moving farewell to ‘80s garage pop gods The Stems and the beer-spraying brilliance of local toilet rockers Hits. Opeth (The Tivoli, Sun Nov 22) – Prog death metal Swedes at their most majestically heavy. Animal Collective (The Tivoli, Thu Dec 10) – Avant-psych for the people. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (The Zoo, Sun Dec 13) – Toe-tappin’ fun with sharply-dressed rockabilly siblings.

Les Claypool - Photo: Aaron Sammut

LES CLAYPOOL @ The Tivoli, Tue Dec 1, 2009

Les Claypool was fantastic at The Tivoli. I have always been a fan of Primus, and a fan of the man himself, but his new material from Of Fungi And Foe sounds ace, just really hard to define. Like slack-jawed show tunes sung by a crazy ringleader at a carnival for pop culture misfits. Not really sure how to classify this genre so I will check iTunes … apparently it is alternative. Even more baffling was Les’s choice of support act, a rock & roll magician of sorts called Dr El Suavo who said during his performance (and I am never likely to hear this again) “Hey! Sound guy can I get less rubber chicken in the foldback?” Great show and one can only hope for either a Primus reunion tour or maybe a new album. Other 2009 highlights: Eddie Current Suppression Ring (BDO) and Of Montreal.

P!nk - Photo: Kylie Keene

P!NK@ BEC, Fri jun 12

My favourite show hands down this year was Pink. As a shooter she brought everything we ever wanted to the table, dynamic lighting, three costume changes in two songs and constant movement and dancing. Going into this shoot I had already planned to get a shot of her mid-air with the massive feather tail, it was just a matter of the smoke, light and Pink being in the right place. I never thought it would look as good as it did.

All American Rejects - Photo: Kylie Keene

The All American Rejects wasn’t the best gig to shoot, but I some how got some really beautiful shots. They are drenched in yellow and red dull lighting and the lead singer crawls, jumps, prances around the stage while covered in glitter. He knelt in front of me and extended a hand to the crowd and the light just magically light up to give me a stunning photo.

Ladyhawke - Photo: Kristen Ashton

LADYHAWKE @ The Tivoli, Thu Nov 5

The first time I’d shot Ladyhawke was in the daylight at an afternoon festival, so I was keen to have another go with proper lighting and stage performance.  I’m probably biased in choosing this photo since I love Ladyhawke and would probably have liked any shot of her, but I love the flare of light mixed with smoke framing her, plus the rock chick stance and sense of action.

The Presets - Photo: Kristen Ashton

I’ve always been a big fan of The Presets and had shot them at Nevereverland last year, but this was their first solo gig I’d attended and I was very much prepared to brave the winter wet and cold to see them again.  Known amongst photographers for their UV lighting, I really like the contrast of this shot between the dark purple and the back flare, as well as the capture of Julian’s fist-pump moment. This year I’ve been enjoying shooting lights front on to get the sparkle and flare effect you can see here, and that light effect is mostly why I love this photo.

Sarah Blasko - Photo: Kristen Ashton

I love this shot because Sarah Blasko looks like an angel framed in light. This was actually a tough shoot with dark lights and the occasional back blast, but I managed to capture this image in one of the few brighter moments and it has turned out to be my favourite of the year. I like the softness of the light and the not-quite-perfect stance, set off by her fabulously kooky outfit.

John Steel Singers - Photo: Elleni Toumpas

JOHN STEEL SINGERS@ Old Museum, Sat Nov 7

Shooting John Steel Singers at the Old Museum was a memorable show for me in 2009. It was one of those local bands that you have seen play countless times, but a performance that makes you feel like its your first time. The energy and quality of the live show that these guys have built on and brought to the stage was something I enjoyed capturing from the front row. Other 2009 highlights: Yacht and And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.

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