TEN MEMORABLE MUSIC EVENTS OF 2025 IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
(1) WOLLONGONG AND NEWCASTLE
Sydney's satellite cities have long held the mantle of creative incubators, with their alluring property prices, sun-kissed beaches, and a vibrant local populace ready to both entertain and be entertained. While the Sydney music scene has seen better days, it’s refreshing to witness bands from Wollongong and Newcastle stepping into the limelight, particularly in the realms of post-punk and alternative genres,
These regional cities are breathing new life into the music landscape, fostering a plethora of new acts supported by improved venues and facilities, creating an electric atmosphere for more creative music.
The Wollongong scene was beautifully encapsulated in the compilation album:
(2) INDIE SOUNDS FROM THE GONG AND SURROUNDS
Released on MARK FRASER's VI-NIL RECORDS and it highlights 14 standout bands from the area. I was lucky enough to attend one of the lively album launches at Wings and Tins in Dee Why. Some of the Wollongong acts featured on my SYDNEY SOUNDS show throughout the year include THE SUGARBEATS, who made their mark with an outstanding debut album on VI-NIL records; THE OWEN GUNS, who provocatively titled their album SONGS FOR FUCKING IDIOTS; and bands like THE DARK CLOUDS, STRIKE OUTS, LEFTARDS, SHAKAMOTO, and RAWRUS TONGUE.
I owe much of my newfound interest in Newcastle acts to the ever-enthusiastic gig-goer GRAHAM STEEL. Notable Newcastle bands I’ve showcased on SYDNEY SOUNDS include:
(3) EAST COAST LOW
Their latest album "BADLANDING "quickly became one of my top picks of the year. Produced by the legendary ROB YOUNGER, this album features a brass section that adds an irresistible richness to some of their rocking tracks.
Their latest album "BADLANDING "quickly became one of my top picks of the year. Produced by the legendary ROB YOUNGER, this album features a brass section that adds an irresistible richness to some of their rocking tracks.
(4) DRUGS IN SPORT
A band I’ve yet to catch live, but their latest album, "IF ONLY WE COULD USE THESE POWERS FOR GOOD", is already echoing in my favorites list.
A band I’ve yet to catch live, but their latest album, "IF ONLY WE COULD USE THESE POWERS FOR GOOD", is already echoing in my favorites list.
Other remarkable Newcastle acts featured on SYDNEY SOUNDS this year include AUTUMN HEARTS, FAHM, MELVIC CENTRE, LACHLAN X MORRIS, and GOLDEN GAYTIMES.
(5) VAN RUIN
They rolled out their debut album "TRAUMA MAGNET," showcasing a sound that aligns with Sydney's Alternative Rock scene. Their songwriting is a collaborative effort among all four members, and they took their talents on a thrilling four-week tour of France, capturing the audience’s attention. Notably, they were interviewed and recorded for The SYDNEY SOUNDS SHOW by ex-pat Aussie musician and poet BANJO THRASH in Toulouse during their travels.
They rolled out their debut album "TRAUMA MAGNET," showcasing a sound that aligns with Sydney's Alternative Rock scene. Their songwriting is a collaborative effort among all four members, and they took their talents on a thrilling four-week tour of France, capturing the audience’s attention. Notably, they were interviewed and recorded for The SYDNEY SOUNDS SHOW by ex-pat Aussie musician and poet BANJO THRASH in Toulouse during their travels.
(6) ERNIE O(ppenheimer)
He's a multifaceted talent, is best known as a recording engineer, having mastered noteworthy recordings on I94 BAR records among others. As a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist, he released a poignant album titled ADJUSTMENT DISORDER under his moniker THE INSTITUTIONALIST. His topical songs are enhanced by contributions from notable guest musicians like EDWIN GARLAND (WAXWORKS, DWARFTHROWER, MOONLIGHT 5), DAVE SLADE (SLUG, NO MANS LAND, MEDICINE SHOW), MICK AND URSULA MEDEW (THE SCREAMING TRIBESMEN, MICK MEDEW AND URSULA 4), and the jazz-influenced YOLLI INGLEY from Melbourne.
He's a multifaceted talent, is best known as a recording engineer, having mastered noteworthy recordings on I94 BAR records among others. As a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist, he released a poignant album titled ADJUSTMENT DISORDER under his moniker THE INSTITUTIONALIST. His topical songs are enhanced by contributions from notable guest musicians like EDWIN GARLAND (WAXWORKS, DWARFTHROWER, MOONLIGHT 5), DAVE SLADE (SLUG, NO MANS LAND, MEDICINE SHOW), MICK AND URSULA MEDEW (THE SCREAMING TRIBESMEN, MICK MEDEW AND URSULA 4), and the jazz-influenced YOLLI INGLEY from Melbourne.
(7) INTERNATIONAL ACTS I SAW DURING THE YEAR:
January kicked off with the first Australian tour of the Yugoslavian Alternative Rock band ELEKTRIČNI ORGAZAM, celebrating their 45-year legacy. Their support act was the local band BALKAN GRILL, led by Ned Alphabet, who set the stage brilliantly. I also had the privilege of seeing JOHN CALE at the Sydney Recital Hall. Ordering my ticket brought on a wave of nostalgia as I realized this might be the last opportunity to witness a legendary figure from the '60s live. Cale performed a heartfelt tribute to BRIAN WILSON, who had passed just days prior. His two-hour set spanned his storied career, accompanied by a backing band and Melbourne’s XANI on violin. The performance was visually enhanced by computer-generated animation displayed above the stage. LUCINDA WILLIAMS, alongside PAUL KELLY, delivered a breathtaking multimedia performance at The Sydney Opera House, blending spoken word, visual art, and live music as she shared anecdotes from her journey from '60s folk singer to the reigning queen of Alternative Country.
January kicked off with the first Australian tour of the Yugoslavian Alternative Rock band ELEKTRIČNI ORGAZAM, celebrating their 45-year legacy. Their support act was the local band BALKAN GRILL, led by Ned Alphabet, who set the stage brilliantly. I also had the privilege of seeing JOHN CALE at the Sydney Recital Hall. Ordering my ticket brought on a wave of nostalgia as I realized this might be the last opportunity to witness a legendary figure from the '60s live. Cale performed a heartfelt tribute to BRIAN WILSON, who had passed just days prior. His two-hour set spanned his storied career, accompanied by a backing band and Melbourne’s XANI on violin. The performance was visually enhanced by computer-generated animation displayed above the stage. LUCINDA WILLIAMS, alongside PAUL KELLY, delivered a breathtaking multimedia performance at The Sydney Opera House, blending spoken word, visual art, and live music as she shared anecdotes from her journey from '60s folk singer to the reigning queen of Alternative Country.
Despite having suffered a stroke a few years back, she graced the stage with her voice as vibrant as ever. YOSHIKO (of the 5678's fame) dazzled audiences with a Sunday afternoon performance at The Mosh Pit in Erskineville, delivering a '60s-influenced set in both Japanese and English, backed by local band CHEETAH BEAT and JUPITER V. I also caught the electrifying Japanese garage band THE FADEAWAYS at Marrickville Bowlo, who were supported by JUPITER V and the enigmatic DULL CITY DESTROYERS, who donned Beatles wigs and performed classic '60s garage rock tunes and PSYCHOTIC TURNBUCKLES covers. THE FADEAWAYS rocked the house with a dynamic set as well as paying tribute to Australian legends THE EASYBEATS and THE EASTERN DARK.
(8) LOCAL AND DOMESTIC BANDS I HAVE SEEN DURING THE YEAR:
A selective list as a lot of the bands I saw I have written about in previous years' lists and try and catch whenever I can get to their shows. So, including but not exclusively limited to THE ON AND ON'S, THE HOVERING SPOOKS, JOEYS COOP, THE MEZCALTONES, JUPITER V, THE PSYCHOTIC TURNBUCKLES, THE BADDIES, VAN RUIN, LOS MONAROS, THE MEN FROM UNCLE, THE LANG LANGS, BALKAN GRILL, WHITE KNUCKLE FEVER, FABELS...)
A selective list as a lot of the bands I saw I have written about in previous years' lists and try and catch whenever I can get to their shows. So, including but not exclusively limited to THE ON AND ON'S, THE HOVERING SPOOKS, JOEYS COOP, THE MEZCALTONES, JUPITER V, THE PSYCHOTIC TURNBUCKLES, THE BADDIES, VAN RUIN, LOS MONAROS, THE MEN FROM UNCLE, THE LANG LANGS, BALKAN GRILL, WHITE KNUCKLE FEVER, FABELS...)
I caught THE BEASTS at both their Sydney shows last year, where they launched their latest album ULTIMO, featuring original members of BEASTS OF BOURBON: TEX PERKINS, KIM SALMON, BORIS SUDJAVIC, JAMES BAKER, and longtime collaborator CHARLIE OWEN. This performance became poignant as it marked one of the last opportunities to see the legendary B.O.B drummer JAMES BAKER, who, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer, was advised by his doctors that touring was the best way to extend his life. I also witnessed their 40th-anniversary celebration of the BLACK MILK album last month; both gigs unequivocally deserve to be hailed as GIG OF THE YEAR.
CHARLIE OWEN undertook a series of solo shows titled SEARCHING FOR CHARLIE OWEN, which I attended at Petersham Bowling Club, where he shared intriguing anecdotes about the legendary musicians he’s collaborated with throughout his career, spanning both alternative as well as mainstream success with THE DIVYNILS. SPURS FOR JESUS's annual ANZAC Day gigs at the Annandale Hotel, and later at Vic On The Park and Marrickville Bowlo, remain cherished memories, providing an ideal way to celebrate the public holiday with friends, enjoying two-up games in the beer garden, and dancing to cowpunk renditions of country music while honoring our war veterans. This cherished tradition continues at The Link and Pin in Woy Woy, where I spent this year’s long weekend festivities.
X celebrated the 40th Anniversary of their classic album "AT HOME WITH YOU" with a series of electrifying gigs in Sydney and Melbourne. Obviously, nobody that went to their Sydney show at Petersham Bowlo would have expected to see the late IAN RILEN playing bass, although I heard several people express disappointment at the absence of KATHY GREEN on drums. No one was disappointed at the line up of musicians STEVE LUCAS recruited to deliver an explosive performance; his vocals and guitar work were as powerful as ever, igniting the sold-out crowd with classics like “Degenerate Boy.”
FUCK THE NEIGHBOURS, a project spearheaded by singer/guitarist SIMON 'CHAINSAW' DREW, paid homage to the pioneering Australian punk bands of the mid-'70s and early '80s—songs he had previously honored on his solo album of the same name. Backed by a stellar lineup featuring drummer MURRAY SHEPHERD (THE FUN THINGS), BOB SHORT (FILTH) on bass, and BRUCE 'CUB' CALLAWAY (THE SAINTS), along with MARK EASTON (SUICIDE SQUAD, THE KELPIES) and GEOFF HOLMS (EVIL ROOMERS, X), I was fortunate to catch their performances at both The Sydney Crowbar and The MoshPit.
(9) BOOKS:
Among the literary highlights is BOB SHORT's latest offering, "THE NIGHT COMES DOWN", which chronicles his musical journey as a member of the pioneering Australian punk band FILTH in the mid-'70s and '80s, as well as his time with UK anarcho-punk band BLOOD AND ROSES. Written with Bukowskian humor and fierce passion for the music he cherishes, he recounts tales from his youth as an outsider in Wollongong, discovering solace in the vibrant underground rock and burgeoning punk culture. He shares gritty anecdotes about performing with FILTH in Sydney’s punk scene during the '70s, alongside his experiences of dodging skinhead gangs, surviving the squalid squats of London, and excessive drug use on a shoestring budget while recording with BLOOD AND ROSES in the early '80s.
Among the literary highlights is BOB SHORT's latest offering, "THE NIGHT COMES DOWN", which chronicles his musical journey as a member of the pioneering Australian punk band FILTH in the mid-'70s and '80s, as well as his time with UK anarcho-punk band BLOOD AND ROSES. Written with Bukowskian humor and fierce passion for the music he cherishes, he recounts tales from his youth as an outsider in Wollongong, discovering solace in the vibrant underground rock and burgeoning punk culture. He shares gritty anecdotes about performing with FILTH in Sydney’s punk scene during the '70s, alongside his experiences of dodging skinhead gangs, surviving the squalid squats of London, and excessive drug use on a shoestring budget while recording with BLOOD AND ROSES in the early '80s.
Similarly, JOHNNY REJEX's book "PUNK MIRACLE!?" delves into the outrageous story of the Sydney Punk Scene from 1976-1983. As the frontman of the '70s Sydney Punk band REJEX, Johnny's narrative goes beyond mere band stories, unearthing wild tales of eccentric characters, biker clashes, run-ins with law enforcement, street brawls, and legendary punk parties.
(10) ARTISTS & RECORDINGS FEATURED ON SYDNEY SOUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR:
PETER SIMPSON - "GOOD TIMES GONE BAD"
RUBBERNECKER - "BAD BEHAVIOUR"
DIGRACELAND - "BRIGHT LIGHTS AND DEAD BEATS"
BEIJING BIKINI - "ONCE SO PRETTY"
MICK MEDEW AND URSULA - "IN THE ZONE"
FLIPPN' KICKOUTS - "SONIC MAZE"
JUPITER V - "5TH FROM THE SUN"
CHRIS MASUAK - "CHRIS MASUAK'S DOG SOLDIER"
THE CRISPS
THE JANE DOES
SLUG - "CAVEAT EMPTOR"
JOEYS COOP - "LACHLAN VALLEY DIRT"
JOSH SHIPTON AND THE BLUE-EYED RAVENS - "RIVERS AND BONES"
SYNTAX ERROR
ROOM 109 - "FOREVER MAN"
BROHAM - "BUCKLE RASH"
THE JOHNNYS - "LIVE IN LYON"
SPURS FOR JESUS
THE TOMMYS
THE LANG LANGS
MEN FROM UNCLE
DATSUN HUGHES
CLOUDBIRD
THE SUBURBAN BUKOWSKIS
GLEN AND GLENDA
THE MODERATE LOVERS
THE ELECTORATE
If I missed anyone, rest assured they'll be on next year’s list!
I also want to extend a special thanks to STEPHEN FROSONI, whose support has been invaluable for several SYDNEY SOUNDS shows throughout the year, as well as to ABLBERT FORIAN and CHRIS CLEAR for their insightful listener feedback.
SYDNEY SOUNDS WITH BIGDADDY K SATURDAY 2PM-4PPM 2hr of Local Alternative Rock. Garage/Punk/Power pop/Alternative Country/Psychobilly/ Singer- Songwriter /Psychedelic/ Postpunk and more... all performed by bands that gig around Sydney. Tune in to SYDNEY SOUNDS Saturday's 88.5mz within the broadcast area or stream live via website: https://www.2rrr.
