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Top Ten for 2023: Matt Ryan of Melbourne zine Munster Times

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Matt Ryan
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  1. Collingwood- having done these Top Tens at the Bar for a few years now, I had to make a best team category, just so I could get my beloved Pies in. Now we won the flag, no need. The Magpies take their rightful spot as the best of the best of 2023.

  2. Test Cricket- great series of cricket from the Aussies in India and England, and a ripper series between England and New Zealand, as well as the Kiwi’s against Pakistan. And while some controversy dominated the headlines (Johnny, what were you smoking?), at least people are talking Test cricket again.

  3. Pat Todd, Mad Macca at the Espy, St Kilda- Having been a Lazy Cowgirls/ Rankoutsiders fan for years, it was incredible to finally see Pat live. Pat for me is one of the all-time greats of American rock. A voice any singer would kill for, and a storyteller up there with the best of them. Just a man and guitar, nothing else needed. Macca played a corker of an opening set. While I’ve seen him live many times over the years with different bands, seeing him stripped back solo was a reminder of how good he is, and like Pat, give him a mic and stage, and the man will entertain you.

  4. Ed Kuepper: National Theatre- Astonishing gig from Edmund and band. A ten minute version of "Electrical Storm" had me wondering for days what I just witnessed.

  5. The Breadmakers: The Gem- had the joy of seeing the Breadies many times this year, including an excellent double bill with Brisbane’s The Far Outs. But a tribute show to Graeme Thomas of Preston Records/Studios was a classy way to praise an important Melbourne figure.

  6. Hoss, Persecution Blues, Dino Bravo: St Kilda Bowls Club- I might look like a twat putting a gig I had a hand putting on in this list, but sod it. One of my all-time personal favourites in Hoss played two killer sets, along with Persecution Blues, who would have fit right in the Melbourne scene of the late '80s/early '90s. Three balls-out rock 'n' roll bands on the one bill in St Kilda, you don’t get that often and was proud to be part of it.

  7. Chris Masuak, River of Snakes, The Fiction: Northcote Social Club- Brilliant setlist choice from Masuak; good collection of his solo work, Birdman, Hitmen, and the Tribesmen. Along with the ever-reliable Fiction and River of Snakes, three wonderful guitar focused bands playing intense rock n roll north of the river.

  8. Cruel Sea: The Palais- Having never seen the Sea before, I was blown away. Nice mix of the greatest hits and instrumentals. Greg once again showed why he’s up there as one of our best frontmen.

  9. Shepparton Airplane-, Affordable Repayments, Persecution Blues: St Kilda Bowls Club- Ok, I put another gig I had a hand in on the list, but this was amazing. And onya Flash for booking 'em.

  10. Hip Priests: Old Bar- Great to finally meet my German correspondent Martin Rabitz at the start of the year. He told me to meet him at the Old Bar on a Saturday, never mentioned his drummer also came along for the trip, and they had a show. I didn’t know he was in a band to begin with. That said, was a classic punk show, angry, little talking in-between, intensity to the max, and all over in 30 minutes. I loved every second of it.

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The Living Eye


Right eye

Sacred Cowboys
“Cowboy Logic” Southside Launch
St Kilda Bowls Club, VIC
- Nov 22
Tickets

The Crankees
(album launch)
+ Hellebores + No Cake
The Duke, Enmore, NSW
- Nov 30

The Saints ‘73-‘78
NOV
20 - Fremantle Freo Social 
+ Chimers
22 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre
+ Kim Salmon & The Surrealists
23 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre (SOLD OUT)
+ Chimers 
24 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre *NEW SHOW*
+ Chimers
25 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre *NEW SHOW*
+ Chimers
27 - Hobert, Odeon Theatre *NEW SHOW*
+ Liquid Nails
29 -  Thirroul, Anitas Theatre *NEW SHOW*
30 - Byron Bay, The Green Room *NEW SHOW*
Tickets

Mucho Sonar
"Flight of The Bandito Tour"
NOV
23 - Link n Pin - Woy Woy 

Hovering Spooks
+ The Replicants
+ Cab Calloway (solo)
MOshPit, St Peterws, NSW
- Dec 6

Mark Steiner & His Problems
featuring Pavel Cingl
Australian Tour
NOV
21 - George Lane, St Kilda, VIC*
+ Kim Volkman (solo)
23 - Taproom at Shedshaker, Castlemaine, VIC
29 – Cave Inn, Brisbane, QLD
+ Mark’s Paranormal Disneyland
+ Socket
DEC
1 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA
w/ special guest Romana Ashton
+ Brave Mistakes
2 – Lazybones Lounge, Marrickville, NSW
+ Simon & Graham of The Vandelles
4 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla. NSW
+ Simon & Graham of The Vandelles
6 – One Star Lounge & Gallery, Melbolurne, VIC
+ Rosie Westbrook
- 8 – The Tote, Collingwood, VIC*
+ Kim Volkman & The Whiskey Priests
+ JP Shilo
+ Julitha Ryan + Eden


Chimers Australian Tour
NOV
20 - Freo Social, Fremantle
w/ The Saints ’73-’78
21 - Old Habits, Perth
w/ Spacerhead + Lounge Tourist
+ Ten Cent Tiger
23 - Princess Theatre, Brisbane
w/ The Saints ’73-’78
SOLD OUT
24 - Sonic Sherpa in-store (afternoon)
w/ Kellie Lloyd (solo)
24 - Princess Theatre, Brisbane
w/ The Saints ’73-’78
SOLD OUT
25 - Princess Theatre, Brisbane
w/ The Saints ’73-’78
29 - Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
w/ The Saints ’73-’78
DEC
7 - Trocadero Room, Sydney
w/ Antenna + Cammy Cautious & the Wrestlers
+ The Sevilles
15 - The Tote, Melbourne
JAN
31 -  La La La’s, Wollongong
+ special guests

“Hotter Than Donut Grease Tour”
Grand Pricks
+ Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes
+ The Tall Stories
NOV
29 - Orana Hotel, Blacksmiths
JAN
21 - Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth

“Pig Out On Punk #2”
I Hate People
+ The Owen Guns
+ Nunchukka Superfly
+ Flowers For Jayne
+ The Dark Clouds
+ The Pingers
Marrickville Bowlo, NSW
- Dec 14

The Stranglers
50 Years In Black  
2025 Australasian Tour
MAR
13 - Powerstation, Auckland. NZ
15 - Meow Nui, Wellington, NZ
16 - Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ 
19 - Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 - The Tivoli, Brisbane
22- Forum, Melbourne
23 - The Gov, Adelaide
25 - Astor Theatre, Perth
Tickets

 

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