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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The Crisps JAN 24 - Old Manly Boat Shed (6.30pm) + DISGRACELand 25 - MoshPit Bar, Sydney + The Research + The Sugar Beats (2-6pm) 26 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy + Dunhill Blues + FNCs (11-5pm)
John Kennedy & The New Originals Live at the Marrickville Bowl Tour JAN 17 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra, ACT Tickets 18 – Marrickville Bowlo, NSW Tickets 25 - Side B Vinyl Bar, Blackheath, NSW SOLD OUT
Chimers Australian Tour JAN 31 - La La La’s, Wollongong + special guests
“Hotter Than Donut Grease Tour” Grand Pricks + Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes + The Tall Stories JAN 21 - Tamworth Hotel, Tamworth
I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents Grooveyard + Il Bruto Smiths Alternative, Canberra Tickets - Feb 7 + The On and Ons + Van Ruin (city debut) - Feb 8 Tickets
I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents The Mick Medew & Ursula 4 "In The Zone" NSW Album Launches + East Coast Low + Jupiter 5 Stag & Hunter, Mayfield - Feb 14 Tickets + The Dark Clouds + Jupiter 5 Marrickville Bowling Club - Feb 15 Tickets
I-94 Bar Records and Promotions presents Dr Psychedelic Poodle (JPN) + Jupiter 5 + Cheetah Beat MoshPit, St Peters (NSW) - Feb 22 (2pm) Tickets
The Beasts Corner Hotel, VIC - Feb 21 Tickets Manning Bar, NSW - Feb 22 Tickets
Joeys Coop + The Finalists (single launch) The Union, Newtown - March 9 (5pm, free)
Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon Australian Tour MAR 7 - Lyric Lane, Perth - Tix 8 - Gerry's Gold Neighbourhood Laneway Music Festival, Gerry's Lane, Freo (Kim solo) 8 - Mojo's, Fremantle - Tix 9 - The River, Margaret River (Kim solo) 14 - Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, Vic - Tix 20 - Smiths Alternative, Canberra - Tix 21 - La La La's, Wollongong - Tix 22 - Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney -Tix 30 - Barwon Club, Geelong - Tix APR 4 - Bearded Lady, Brisbane - Tix 5 - Vinnie's Dive Bar, Gold Coast - Tix 6 - Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow, NSW - Tix 11 - The Grace Emily, Adelaide - Tix 12 - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - Tix
The 5.6.7.8s Australian Tour MAR 20 – Sydney Crowbar + Psychotic Turnbuckles + Cheetah Beat Tickets 21 – Powerhouse, Brisbane Tickets 22 – High Country Hop Festival, Beechworth, VIC Tickets 23 – After Bar, Hobart Tickets 25 – The Tote, Melbourne SOLD OUT 26 – The Last Chance, Melbourne Tickets
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
The Stems East Coast Australian Tour 2025 APR 23 - Northcote Social Club 24 - Sydney Crowbar 25 - Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW 26 - Old Museum, Brisbane Tickets