_{Renan Goksin photo}

1. Private Function, Los Chichos, Human Toys, JJ McCann Transmission- St Kilda Bowls Club
A real mixed bag of lollies this gig was, style wise. Two internationals plus two local legends, all with their unique style of stage show on the one line up, was a pleasure to have been part of it.

2 . Pat Todd and the Rankoutsiders, Simon Juliff Band, Wrong Turn- St Kilda Bowls Club
One of the true rock 'n 'roll warriors from the US put on an fantastic mix of garage, country and blues at the club, along with the powerpop of stylings of SJB and three-chord rock heroes Wrong Turn.

3.  A Swayze and the Ghosts- The Old Bar.
After my dear friend Terry bought me the group’s first LP I knew I had to see ‘em live. I finally did, five years later. But the wait was worth it, and the hype delivered. The Ghosts sound like Alan Vega fronting a disco group, with 70s punk thrown in. A must-see act.

4.  Sacred Cowboys, JJ McCann Transmission, Murrays Bay Country Club- St Kilda Bowls Club
OK, last gig on this list that I had a hand in running. After ten plus years in the wilderness, the Sacred Cowboys finally graced the stage for a performance that had the same high energy and intensity they are known for. Here’s hoping for more shows.

5.  Psychotic Turnbuckles - The Tote
Finally got to see these guys, and the wait was worth it. I’m a sucker for anything music related that involves wrestling, and no doubt these guys are the heavyweight champions of rock. Don’t tell ‘em it’s fake.

6. Legends of Motorsport - Old Bar
A one off performance from one of the primer acts from Melbourne in the 2000s. Like an old classic car just sitting in the garage waiting to be pulled out, Legends drove beautiful and lost none of their spark and charm.

7.  Digger and the Pussycats, Spunk - The Gem
Digger and the Pussycats teased an all talking set. These guys can do no wrong, I’d pay to see Sam and Andy talk for an hour. They need to do a podcast. And their new song on David Boon should be as famous as “Up There Cazaly”. Spunk was the best new outfit I saw in 2025. They got it all, the songs, the look, the presence, I expect big things for these guys.

8.  Pipfest-Last Chance Rock n Roll Bar.
A killer line up of Stu Manchu and his Chosen Few, Plastic Section, Tramaboys, Wrong Turn, the Strike Outs and the Tufnels, got together to celebrate the birthday of Pip, one of Melbourne’s most loyal rock ‘n’ roll soldiers. His knowledge and passion are second to none. If he’s not playing, he’s out seeing a band, a true scene icon.    

9.  The Fadeways, Mach Pelican-The Tote
The ever-reliable Mach Pelican played a killer set before The Fadeaways. Been almost ten tears since I’ve seen Mach Pelican, and they still got it. While Japan’s The Fadeaways provided three incredible Easybeats covers and their own astonishing garage rock.

10.  Lord Rochester, the Breadmakers-Town Hall Hotel.
Melbourne’s primo garage outfit The Breadmakers - as expected - delivered a stellar set, at their home ground the Townie, which I witnessed mostly out the front as I couldn’t get in the back as it was that packed. Described on their socials as Scotland’s best sounding (and best looking) rock and roll show, Lord Rochester then came on and gave us exactly that description. Two killer garage acts, from two different parts of the world in one of Melbourne’s last old pubs, couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the year.