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BigSound Live

What Party?

So ahhh... that's it for the night's reviews. We've heard there may be some after-party to attend.

Very Drunk Mums

Drum Mums @ Press Club

 

Insta-Review: Art Of Sleeping

Oh, man. Seconds before local indie quintet the Art Of Sleeping start their set at the popcorn-scented Oh Hello!, someone makes a comparison to Boy & Bear, and now it's impossible not to hear it. The acoustic/electric, ambience/rock mash-up of it all, vocalist Caleb Hodges' similar phrasing and intonation, the backing harmonies; it's just... there. It's inescapable. Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a pretty successful formula, really, and the longer you watch them, the clearer it becomes that, despite some common ground, Art Of Sleeping pretty vehemently steer away from the folk side of things anyway, occupying instead a washy, reverb-laced locale in the dreamiest end of the indie rock soundscape. Showing no signs of stage discomfort whatsoever, they treat us to a fair whack of new material, such as the slow-burning, sporadically dirty Voodoo and recent single Above The Water, as well as some other cuts from their impending EP, all of which are devoured with glee by the elbows-to-elbows packed crowd. You know what? Maybe the Boy & Bear comparison is a little unfair. Peers, sure, but a carbon copy? Not even close. Art Of Sleeping well and truly stand tall on their own ten legs. Hopefully the other venues have had as solid a finish to tonight's live goodness as we have here.

- Mitch Knox

DYING FOR DYSON

 

 It's official, the long wait for new songs was worth it, Mia Dyson's got something really special going on here #BIGSOUND

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) September 13, 2012

 

Insta-Review: The Beards

You know what's funny about The Beards? The fact that they fucking rule. Who the hell told four blokes with rogue facial hair that they could write catchy-as-hell tunes, encourage the adulation of a whole carpark AND play their instruments like demons? Well, whoever it was, they need to be applauded. Frontman Johann Beardraven is dead set Zach Galifianakis and just as entertaining, informing the crowd that You Should Have Sex With A Bearded Man while strapped in with a Keytar, before inciting a mass sing-a-long with Born With A Beard. Something as ridiculous as this always has the potential to get lost in translation, but even the hairless non-believers can't deny the power of the bearded four.

Insta-Review: Tin Sparrow

Walking straight into a very mellow alt.country tune that is more alt than it is country, it takes a while to calm the fuck down and get on their level.
When they turn the amps up it's a whole different vibe, which may be a shame considering the acoustic restraint was so engrossing.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta Review: We All Want To

The good vibes are plentiful and free-flowing at the Black Bear Lodge as local jangle-rock quintet We All Want To take to the stage. The tandem vocals of guitarist Tim Steward and tambourine...ist (tambouriner? Tambourine player? Whatever) Skye Staniford are a paradox unto themselves: they blend so well and yet remain palpably separate, like listening to warring guitars panned to opposite extremes through headphones. The set is largely dedicated to material from new album "Come Up Invisible", including the Staniford-led "We're Not Perfect" before plunging into the sweet discord of "Firefighter". Although the stage-whisper interlude ("ffffffire...") in the latter mightn't translate as well in the live arena as they probably hoped, it's not a total misstep. Album opener "Ramp Up the Bleeding", a driven yet somewhat relaxed and rolling tune, follows in flawless style. In fact, the worst part of the entire set isn't even anything to do with the band; it is the lady who thinks it's funny to cover people's iPhone screens with her monstrous hands while they're trying to review the show. You know, actually, this has happened enough at shows and festivals to warrant a mention - if you see someone at a show furiously typing on a phone or tablet or scribbling into a notepad, LEAVE THEM ALONE. They're either working or drunkenly fighting with someone (or themselves) and, either way, anything you do to get between them and that is not going to be as hilarious as you think. But I digress - Staniford has moved on to bass guitar for a doubled-up bottom end in the subdued "Shine", which culminates in an explosion of sound and one of the finest live handlings of dynamic extremes and crescendo this side of Mogwai. Their album might be titled otherwise, but We All Want To have come up anything BUT invisible tonight. Grand stuff.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Belligerents

Not much to say. If I wanted bad Temper Trap, I'd have gone to Dalby's One Night Stand and stood in torrential rain to not see Temper Trap.

- Brendan Telford

Insta-Review: Strange Talk

The peroxide blonde coiffure of Strange Talk's frontman bobs in time to an electronic and synth-heavy beat. These guys are a bit like the rich man's Potbelleez, with songs that are familiar from the media world and easy to dance to. A bit of harmless dance now-with-added-guitars goes down a treat with an audience that have filled Bakery Lane to its edges.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Argentina

They come in with a lot of bravado, but there's a few rehashed post-punk ideas here that stops this indie-circling band from being a stand out.
It's instantly accessible and danceable, but not your favourite band.
And probably a bitch to Google, too.

- Scott Fitzsimons

INSTA-REVIEW: NEW NAVY

New navy's lightly funk fueled indie makes you ache for a new album from The Holidays. But one song into their set and the venue is filling out. So maybe there's room for both these bands. Most members fancy themselves as part-time percussionists and it's good to hear a band not afraid to put some cowbells into the mix so soon after the last cowbell fad. At times the over-annunciated vocals can get too much (especially once the percussion pulls back to just standard club rock groove) but the cowbell does returns to save the day sporadically.

- Andrew Mast

Insta-Review: Clare Bowditch

The most huggable musician in Australia is roused in blue light, her hair flipping ethereally in the wind. Being super humble and lovely, Clare Bowditch laughs it off, playing it up and saying she feels 'Florencey'. Her songs are the sort that fix people and lift up girls' faltering confidences, so the largely female audience look up at her endearingly. They follow her every word, and she banter with them accordingly, telling tales of how the songs were inspired and a pretty fantastic story about a tantric singing lesson. Her voice us close to perfect, any wobbles due to the simple fact that she is having a fun, relaxed time and not taking herself too seriously. She is lovely, as always.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Saskwatch

Completely owning the stage probably doesn't sound that difficult for a 9 piece band, but every member of Saskwatch has enough stage presence in their little fingers to command the stage solo. They own it. The audience, unsure what to expect, are hesitant at first. The blasting horns and classic Bond-esque quickly change this. The finishing touch is bringing the lead singer, the sole female member, on stage. Her voice is the stuff legends are made of. She has the moves of Josephine Baker, and the voicebox of Aretha Franklin. The sixties are alive and kicking arse in a Brisbane carpark, reincarnated in the musical monster that is Saskwatch.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Super Wild Horses

Rics has seen its fare share of great bands tonight, and Melbourne duo Super Wild Horses muscle their way onto the best of list with a exuberant set filled with finely calibrated tension. The tiny venue is rammed to see Amy and Hayley tighten the screws, offering coiled serpents of tracks that cut through. The efficiency brings to mind Sleater Kinney at their most kinetic, with "epic" guitar, pummeling drums and those haunting yet barbed harmonies. An intense, metronomic, insistent pill of a set, fuck the come down.

- Brendan Telford

Insta-Review: Battleships

Pounding toms and an ambient roll herald the arrival of Sydneysider indie-rock quartet Battleships, who quickly affirm themselves as one of the festival's standout acts. The tom work of drummer Dan McMurray is truly beautiful, and a nice shift away from the traditional reliance on snares for accentuation that we see so often these days. Vocalist/guitarist Jordan Sturdee's mildly androgynous voice work is sublime, demonstrating deep comfort and ability within both middle and upper registers, while bassist Johnathan Bowden lets his inner multi-instrumentalist out to play by intermittently and very ably taking to a keyboard in lieu of a traditional bottom end. But damn, it works. "Your Words" simply shines, McMurray's percussion work once again proving too good to ignore. In their compositions, also, the foursome, rounded out by guitarist Nato Hannaford, demonstrate a fearlessness when it comes to changing up the predictable, with tempo switches, shifting feels, and general fluidity of songwriting permeating throughout their set. There is an unexpected level of diversity and depth to this band, one not easily seen from fleeting moments in the airplay spotlight, in the way they've taken the indie-rock paradigm and given it their own distinctly individual spin. These guys could do really well from here, and you know what? You should all hope they do.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Elizabeth Rose

 
Elizabeth Rose makes a hell of a lot of noise for one person, but she never appears to lose control of anything - not a glitch, bass thump, or womp.
Perhaps she need to force a little bit more emotion from listeners in certain tracks, let them in a bit more, but she's such a package right now (how's that for an industry term - 'package') that she's very hard to ignore. Buzz tag is justified.
 
- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: Seth Sentry

The rhymes and, uh, phat beats (oh God, I am so white) are coming hard and heavy up the road at the Tempo Hotel as Melburnian hip-hopper Seth Sentry ingratiates himself with his appreciative, churning audience. His expressed dismay at only having half an hour with us is clearly mutually felt from the depths of the pit, and it takes less than three songs to understand why - dude simply oozes charisma. He's confident, crisp, and clearly having the time of his life; all factors that contribute to a visually and aurally engaging performance. His pledge of a copy of his album (released tomorrow) to the "best c***" of the night is kind of ambiguous, since how are you supposed to judge what "seriously, the best c***" even means? But, holy shit, the way he lets the crowd carry the first verse of triple j favourite "The Waitress Song" is something to behold. For an outsider in this scene, it's enlightening to see how important a role the audience plays in the success of such a show, but despite the heavy involvement of everyone in the room, Sentry is clearly the man of the hour, expertly dispatching a heckler, navigating technical difficulties with some freestyle ("this is like South by Southwest, just a shittier version of it" is one memorable line), and generally embodying an archetypical showman. Besides, anyone who writes a song with a call-and-response refrain of "Where's my hoverboard?" - in total earnestness - can't be all bad. I think I understand the appeal now.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Hungry Kids Of Hungary

Their first Brisbane show in a year, Hungry Kids Of Hungary are full of new material. It's tough to sell the new when there's legions of fans looking for familiar tracks and there's a lull for new material
Maybe it needs more time, but tonight they're missing the soul they had not that long ago and it's a bit of an indie-pop overload tonight.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: Geronimo

Hey Geronimo got the audience from docile to completely mental in about 4 seconds flat. As soon as those famous chords from that famous song (you know the one) rang out, grins spread and feet left the floor in a frenzy. People began to look concerned as what looked like the world's most obnoxious photographer invaded more and more personal space, taking crotch shots. When he climbed on stage, there was minor panic before he grabbed the mike and started rapping along. All was revealed when he tore open a striped cardigan, bald head glistening above his beard, and displayed a t-shirt with his own face on it, and the name, Blame Ringo. This duet of sorts went down ridiculously well, and he was greeted as a hero on his descent back to the mosh pit. People soon stopped rubbing his scalp, however, when Hey Geronimo reclaim the attention with their super infectious tunes that reek of fun summers.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Cub Scouts

It's safe to assume that when the original architects of Magic City were building their flashy temple to their God, they never foresaw the kind of unbridled sexual movements that are emanating from the hip region of Sam Netterfield, keyboardist/vocalist for local feel-good indie poppers Cub Scouts, happening inside their sanctuary's walls. Unsettling gyrations aside, though, Netterfield, vocalist/pianist Tim Nelson, guitarist Andrew Williams, bassist Zoe Davis and drummer Dan Puusaari offer a seamless stream of pleasantly surprising upbeat/catchy/harmonically infused ear worms. Naturally, their recent single, the jangly, synth-dappled "Do You Hear" is a standout. The band can't help from breaking into smiles, which is honestly one of the most endearing things performers can do these days - actually look like they're enjoying themselves. Of course, all this doesn't change the fact that we have reached a point where we're so good for cutesy indie pop bands that it's hard to keep justifying new ones, so whether Cub Scouts manage to truly set themselves apart in future compositions and releases, well... only God knows, and he's too busy dancing to care right now.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Underlights

Noone at Bigsound was here specifically for Sydney's Underlights, but they amount of times their crowd multiplied (there weren't many people at the start, to be honest) is testament to their absorbing nature.
A thick British influence and swirling guitars that you could lose yourself in, they held their own in an intriguing early evening showcase.
Even though they lost a member - a vocalist no less - two weeks ago, there doesn't appear to be anything missing here and a bit of nervous energy adds to the performance. They're a slow burn - and that sticks out at a showcase - if not immediately.
 
- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: Straight Arrows

Do these guys ever NOT slay? The Sydney four-piece bash through a set that electrified the audience. Mind Control is an early highlight, whilst It Happened Again provides the sloppy dirge. Owen & co give a shout out to the Brisbane Bullets basketball team, and Campbell Newman "you disgusting fucking pig", they know what they are doing. Upper echelon of Aussie garage rock, proving most others are pretenders.

- Brendan Telford

Insta-Review: Hello Morning

If The Hello Morning keep thrashing about like this, someone is going to get a guitar to the face. Wild men.

- Ben Doyle

Insta-Review: Loon Lake

Loon lake just seem like a bunch of knockabout guys playing cute, skewed indie pop. There's a lot of guts in their songs that set them apart from the influx of cutesy indie fare currently dominating the Australian scene.

The Q Music stage is at full capacity with a line stretching out the gate when they play tonight. It's so pleasing that these guys' songwriting is being appreciated, its unique and modern but has touches of great indie rock from years past. There's something very endearing about their demeanour too, typically Aussie you couldn't imagine them coming from anywhere else.

Before the excellent Bad To Me they lament their 6am flight to Perth the next day, threatening that they'll find a new manager while here at BIGSOUND. we're bummed too, they seem like blokes you'd like to have a beer with.

Cherry Lips gets a huge response; the crowd dances terribly and sings along worse; it's bloody beautiful.

- Dan Condon

Insta-Review: Mosman Alder

After the long, hard partying of last night's event, there are few finer ways to ease oneself into night two of BIGSOUND Live than with Brisbane's own Mosman Alder, who kick things off with a one-two punch of "God Is Pissing On You" and new track "He Died For Our Olives". The latter is a driven, slightly airy affair that sets bodies in motion, albeit that restrained, folded-arms and chilled head-bobbing kind of hipster motion. But the vocal response suggests the crowd is emotionally moved in a way that surpasses their physical reaction. Given time, though, everybody - band members and punters alike - loosens up a little and truly starts to enjoy themselves. People are singing along and a small group are jiving as though they'll never jive again, while vocalist/guitarist Valdis Valodze possesses a wonderfully baritone croon - such a rarity these days amid the hordes of clean, high-voiced pubescents to which we are so accustomed. He utterly shines in their third song, the title of which is lengthy and sounds French, so you'll have to forgive the failure to replicate it here. But it's an upbeat, catchy composition that precedes recent single "Raisin Heart", which further demonstrates this talented sextet's ability to ably bridge the chasm between infectious pop and considered, slightly esoteric indie rock. And, if nothing else, they have to be admired for the presence of violinist Robyn Dawson, since it was kind of assumed Yellowcard had ruined that whole thing for everybody years ago. Glad to be mistaken, in this case. A thoroughly strong showing from a polished, creative and justifiably hyped local band. The bar is set, BIGSOUND... let's see what else you've got.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: The Cairos

The Cairos are tight as hell performance wise and sound on point from the moment they kick into fun time anthem Shame. It's uncertain if drummer BC is keeping beat from the bounce of Reuben Schafer's mass of locks or if the hair is simply getting pushed around by the tight fills - either way the rhythm section is sounding all kinds of awesome tonight. Brand new track Nothing's Impossible has a dark Cure-ish feel to it before exploding out during the chorus, and the quartet get epic during closer We All Buy Stars. It's still a mystery why these guys remain somewhat under the radar. Fuck it though, from a punters perspective, we might as well enjoy these more intimate shows while we can.

- Ben Doyle

Insta-Review: Split Seconds

Split Seconds draw quite the crowd to Magic City, and do not disappoint with their manly brand of folk-rock. Guitars ring out through the levels of the venue cleanly and flawlessly. As the show progresses, the rock gets rockier and the fringes get sweatier. Draped in the flag of Sussex, the nord gets a workout, chiming along behind the vocal harmonies. The hip are kept happy when Split Seconds pull out an anthem to sewing your own clothes and in turn being a good man. When they announce their set is ending, members of the audience are audibly devastated. Ending with their punchiest song yet, about leaving your keys in a bowl, they could do no wrong.
 
- Eleanor Houghton

Nudity

Insta-review: Gooch Palms

Early start, so keen are the Newcastle duo to fuck things up. Gold hotpants, full frontal (and back, lotsa back) male  nudity, Theremin thrashing - nothing is left off the cards in a blasted performance that throws Big Sound straight into the deep end. The best thing? The shenanigans never gets in the way of the tunes, a heady mix of Ramones, trashcan gauche and, surprisingly, soul. Fucking electric.

- Brendan Telford

The Cult Of Velociraptor

Notes From The "Emotional Connection" Panel

Flynn Francis and Alex Gow are in disagreement about the tempo of Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know. Also, noone can figure it out why it's connected so well.

"I didn't like Passenger at all when it was written." - Ian Haug

"[Ad syncing] doesn't seem wrong to me. But [Powderfinger] doing it does," Ian Haug

Hearing U2's Desire was like a "sexual awakening" for Alex Gow

"I have a problem with From Little Things Big Things Grow being used in a superannuation ad." - David Bridie

 

EMI's Blessings Through Turbulence

Mark Poston: "It's been a really turbulent time for EMI... But I think sometimes adversity can be a kind of blessing."

Mark Poston's Secret Video

Mark Poston of EMI Music is first up this morning. But first up, a ten minute EMI promo video. What?

And We're Back For Day Two

Some of us a feeling better than others, if we're honest, but we're hitting up the big panels now and by showcase time we'll be ready for round two.
Wrap-up of last night's going-ons here.

Teeth & Tongue by Eleanor Houghton

Our Speech Is Slurring (As Are Ourr Tweets)

At this point of the night we’re tired and  emotional, so might be best to sign off. Follow twitter.com/themusiccomau for the last of our drunk tweets and we’ll catch you tomorrow.

Insta-Review: Kirin J Callinan

Kirin J Callinan @ Press Club

Kirin J Callinan moans melancholic into the mic, then drops to the ground to crawl amongst his impressive collection of pedals. The audience heaves under the weight of industrial dub beats and the squall of whatever that is squalling. It’s frightening – it’s frighteningly good. Bodies ache by night’s end.

- Andrew Mast

Insta-Review: Tigertown

One of the first things you'll notice at a Tigertown show is their grasp of harmony. That might sound glib in an age where Fleet Foxes have been around for years, but it's not meant to be - if this Sydneysider five-piece do one thing well, it's demonstrating a layered melodic sensibility from go to whoa. Luckily (for everyone, probably), they do more than one thing well, and their interweaving vocal lines are just the icing on what appears to be a damn well-made cake. "What Makes It Harder", a cut from their impending EP, is a highlight, but the quintet put nary a wrong foot forward throughout. Granted, they might play things a bit on the safe and inoffensive side (c'mon, there's even an acoustic guitar) but let's not act like there's not a huge market for it. They're easy to listen to, easy to watch, and easy to appreciate - and while the easy road isn't always the most rewarding, Tigertown, in this case, prove to be the exception to the rule. Or, at least, the packed, responsive room at the Alhambra Lounge resoundingly gives off that impression. Definitely an act to watch.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: The Slips

There is a happy place located somewhere between rock and dance, and The Slips are currently sitting right in it. Under the dance cages, under the obscene number of disco balls, under the framed and spotlighted portraits of Chris Brown  and LMFAO, The Slips shred the air with beats that are, thankfully, in no way inspired by Skrillex. The lighting isn't great, in a venue obviously not used to actually showcasing live acts, but this only proves the strengths of these guys as they tear the stage a proverbial new one with the most fun techno this side of Cut Copy. The dancefloor is shamefully empty, as it becomes clear that not enough people know what they're missing out on.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Melbourne seven-piece King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard close out the triple j stage tonight with some mental rockabilly garage nonsense that kicks the balls and steals the heart. There is crowd surfing from the beginning as they tear the place apart with Garage Lilliard, Bloody Ripper and others from killer record 12 Bar Bruise. A small pocket of the crowd lose their shit, the rest lose their minds and hearing in what is the most raucous set of the night. Harmonica solos, flailing guitars and reckless abandon reign supreme. The king is dead - all hail King Gizzard!

- Brendan Telford

Insta-Review: Northeast Party House

They mightn't have packed out the venue like some other acts, but Melburnian purveyors of alt dance rock (that's a thing?) Northeast Party House show no sign of being even a little bit disappointed, even admitting more people are present than they expected, and commence a set that would please a crowd triple this size with ease. "Stand Tall" packs an early RxBandits vibe, sans horns but filled with rolling, maaaaarginally reggae-ish soul. If you can mentally hear that, blend it up with LCD Soundsystem, and you're getting pretty close to the NEPH formula. Vocalist Zach Hamilton does his blessed best, though falters on pitch intermittently, but it must be said it's never for long and certainly not to a detrimental extent - the crowd claps and sways and cheers with reckless abandon, so if the group were in any doubt about how they'd be received, they should be going home doubtless, happy and proud. Bonus points for being a part of the "dance" genre and not being one dude with a MacBook.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Millions

It's very loud inside Electric Ballroom tonight, but it works to Millions' advantage as they smash their palatable melodic indie pop out with the kind of tightness you only get from a hell of a lot of time on the road - amplified, almost to excess. While some of the intricacies are undoubtedly lost in the mix, they get their point across well enough.

However, they really prove their relative infancy with a set that tends to drag at times; songs meld into one another to the point where one can't really pick a standout. If we see Millions here next year, they'll probably be a highlight; for now they just do what they do really well and nothing more.

- Dan Condon

Insta-Review: Phebe Starr

Yes, those are lights sewn into her dress. This is Ms Starr's first appearance outside Sydney, and it's clear from the outset that she is dressed to impress, in every sense of the term. She fronts up with fantastic vocal range, power and clarity, swaying with mesmerising fluidity to match her ephemeral and quirky art pop.  Her and her backing band display an adept hand at dynamic electronic and vocal samples, proven as early as her second song, the sublime and atmospheric "Young Hearts". It's a little unfortunate more people aren't here to appreciate this newcomer, given the spirit of this festival, but we'd say it's a safe bet, given the response from those who are in attendance, this won't be your only opportunity to get acquainted. Some advice for the next time she rolls through town: make the effort to make her feel welcome. You won't regret it.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Emperors

Emperors frontman Adam Livingston is his usual husky self, just dominating front and centre in a matching jumper kicks combo that is simply a pleasure looking at. This is the second visit in a row that the Perth four-piece have had an underwhelming turnout and frankly it's bullshit. Whether it's Plastic Guns, Fight Me Back, Drug Mule or older tracks like Favourite Colours, the quartet simply let it fly. There is minimal chat but with such quality tunes getting thrown around it's welcome - be quiet Emperors, just play! Be Ready When I Say Go finishes off a BIGSOUND high point. Delicious.

- Ben Doyle

Insta-Review: Teeth and Tongue

The audience is quirky growing as more and more people are drawn in off the street by the achingly cool sounds of Teeth and Tongue. Jess is the sultry side of Blondie, a female David Bowie, and one of the most captivating stage presences out here tonight. Every song sounds like a hit from the seventies, with the inexplicable familiarity that only comes with instant classics. With all the vintage hints, there is nothing aged or naff about it. The setup is modest in a Big Sound full of many-membered bands, with only three on stage, but the building keyboards and guitars created a sound that demanded to be heard and respected. When she hits the high notes, the singer sends shivers (the good kind) up the spine of all in earshot. We journey with her on every track, and take a strange pleasure in watching this talented lady's heart break on stage so eloquently.

- Eleanor Haughton

Insta-Review: Closure in Moscow

Closure In Moscow have been so absent from our live scene we'd almost forgotten about them - figured that any new material they would come up with would be over-cooked.

But shit, they haven't lost a fucking inch. They've still that Deloused-era Mars Volta feel but without the embarrassment of bring a TMV fan. Pure indulgence.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: The Preatures

To be honest, Sydney's The Preatures are a bit of an unknown entity as this review begins, but they're quick to change that. Keyboardist and vocalist Isabella Manfredi packs some serious vocal chops, showing in the ebbs and flows of "Pale Rider" that she is a master of the lower, as well as upper, register. A self-described blend of "Gothic soul and rock n' roll", the band offer up a polished set, clearly comfortable in front of their sizeable crowd here at the Black Bear Lodge. At a loss for the Gothic element, but then guitarist and co-vocalist Gideon Benson provides an explanation in the form of his low, washy croon, evoking a more professional, cleaner version of Tiger Army's Nick 13, or the guy from the Nekromantix. Sure, their music is not classically catchy, but it's definitely a pleasant discovery and worth seeking out. The crowd seems to agree, and I always like it when a large number of people agree with me about things.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Heroes For Hire

If Heroes For Hire are bringing pop punk back then they're doing a decent job of it. Arguably Australia's best exponents of it at the moment, they put in a solid, under-attended set at Tempo, full of energy and abandon.

Heroes are a long way from their (laughable?) early days, and now have a few tricks up their sleeve.

The songwriting is as sharp as it's ever been and you get the feeling they just need a (the?) break.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: Violent Soho

Watching hometown bands show no mercy on hometown crowds is always special. The 4122 cries are out early -  Luke Boerdam sounds like he's just pumped some JD down the gulp, James Tidswell is hoofing his way through his riffs while  Luke Henery has a bass exorcism to the right side of the stage. Love Is A Heavy Word powers out early and Tinderbox is an utter steamroller late. With the pulsing lights behind the four of them it makes for a hell of a show. This new album can't come soon enough.

- Ben Doyle

Insta-Review: Ball Park Music

"All right, let's play some fuckin' music!" - Sam Cromack. That's all the intro we're getting and, indeed, need as local indie darlings Ball Park Music take their place in front of those amassed at the sweat-tacular Zoo. The band's unmistakeable good-time clap- and sing-along vibe has well and truly snaked its way through the crowd by the early appearance of "All I Want Is You" and, regardless of your personal feelings about cookie-cutter jindie-pop, it's pretty easy to see why Ball Park have won the legions of fans they have. Affable, catchy, smartly constructed -  though referring to a song as "the first 'chapter' on our new record" is a little art-gallery, in all honesty (disclaimer: this could have been "the first track from our new record" but am fairly certain it was not). Not that it matters either way - for favourites old ("iFly") and new ("Surrender"), the performance and its response remain upbeat, enthusiastic and just a little infuriatingly infectious. Sure, they're not all that new or up-and-coming anymore, but Ball Park Music are a near-perfect example of what Brisbanites can achieve if they just put their goddamn hips into it.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes

This is a band who have come prepared. The show has been road tested, the songs acclaimed and everything's firing for BIGSOUND tonight. The Bakery Lane tent is full - albeit a little sedate - and it's hard not to be enraptured by the dance moves, the tight band and - most importantly - Browne's incredible voice and the great songs that they produce, that come from the stage.

"she plays up to you" takes things right down mid-set before "Baby Caught The Bus" well and truly brings  the groove back to proceedings. But closer "Love Letter" is their finest pop song and their finest moment tonight.

It's an insanely polished and well thought out set, but one would hope the quality of the songs doesn't get lost in the showmanship of the entire spectacle.

- Dan Condon

Insta-Review: The Winter People

The Winter People are playing a set in the characteristically sweaty and non-winter-like Zoo. The sounds that come from behind the red curtain are those of desert breezes and sunny days, with violins being plucked and whistling that belongs on the soundtrack to the hippest cowboy movie ever. The frontman is humble and charismatic in the friendliest way, with a voice that never quite its the annoying part of country. The strings add a dramatic angle, while the harmonies coaxed the listeners into an upbeat stupor. their final track calls on a heavy heartbeat of drums, getting even the most solemn thumping their feet in time. This is a perfect note for them to end on, leaving people stumbling out onto the toad sweaty and super enthused about music in general.

- Eleanor Haughton

Insta-Review: RÜFÜS

Undoubtably one of the names of the moment, RÜFÜS' reputation may be all about having been in the right place at the right time. They hawk the kinda regurgitated pop that made late '80s radio so unbearable. All overwrought vocals, dramatic drum flourishes and cheesy keyboards. Oh the irony of it all might seem great as your friends vomit on your loungeroom carpet after a hardcore session of find-the-worst-song in your mum's CD collection but it doesn't necessarily translate to the stage. RÜFÜS not only face the handicap of   UPPERCASE and umlauts but also of following Flume who had Magic City overflowing (there's a lot more space for RÜFÜS). Even with the added EDM beats something smells stale here. But extra points must be awarded for the PA ascent and leap near set's end.

-  Andrew Mast

Insta-Review: Catherine Britt

Catherine Britt is so close to crossing over from country to the rest of the world it almost hurts. Nothing hurts as much as the heartache of track Sally Bones though, the stunningly haunting centrepiece of her new album - it stops you in your tracks live.

Bill Chambers is on guitar and back-up vocals tonight, and he adds a comforting depth - it's amazing how he fits in so effortlessly to basically every country artist in the country.

That said, he is totally overshadowed by Britt - and show he should be - who cuts through showcase pretensions to deliver a very human and pacing set.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: The Falls

Introduced by triple j Unearthed's Sarah Howells, The Falls were playing to a packed room of restless radio listeners. Barefoot and dressed in lace, Melinda was an ethereal hit.  While the duo of vocals definitely dominated, the backup nine-piece orchestration of strings, drums and keys separated these guys from your average guitar toting folksters. The sound was a beautiful kind of epic, which was unfortunately the best way for them to be heard over the endless conversations at the back of the bar.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Awaken I Am

Opening the 'punk' stage, Awaken I Am are part of the post-emo generation, but they aren't washed out by the trend of mediocrity. Good songwriting is aided by strong melodies, economical use of backing 'beat' tracks and strong guitar lines. Stadium built but club able. You'd almost compare themselves to today's The Getaway Plan, but without the reflection and patience that comes with a comeback.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Insta-Review: Caitlin Park

One of the first tracks Caitlin Park pulled out of their sultry bag of tricks was a cover of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song, with an extra folky twist, and all the best parts of a Western beat. This was followed by a number of tracks that only prove that she is one of the voices to keep an ear out for in future. The drum-pad and synths were so much more than an accompaniment, while the multitasking  drummer managed to get a Big Sound shout out into her beat boxing which made the audience chuckle over their Sailor Jerrys.

- Eleanor Houghton

Insta-Review: Grey Ghost

Indie hip hop-er-er playing a brilliant showcase set. Everything they're doing is not only instantly accessible, but instantly memorable as well. Mr Ghost himself is confident but there's an air of humility and the set's entirely welcoming. You know from one song that you're going to like this, you know from two that everyone else is as well.

- Scott Fitzsimons

Get A Flume

Seriously on a side note, if Flume doesn't get laid tonight the kid never will.

The view from the top - @ Flume, Magic City

Brohug For Bearhug

Five tight musicians swinging between early My Morning Jacket and Latter Dinosaur Jr pop; incredible!  (Brendan Telford)

Insta-Review: Strangers

Sydney straight talkers Strangers operate like a well-oiled machine. Ben Britton's vocals soar. There's the most handsome, shirtless, moustakaed mother fucker ripping on guitar, and Red Brick sounds like it was custom designed for the biggest fuck off wall of Marshalls built. It's a small crowd but they show their love and the band give off a real confidence that will hold some serious weight when they inevitably snatch Birds Of Tokyo's crown.

- Ben Doyle

Insta-Review: Henry Wagons

The cavernous carpark of QMusic is moderately full as Henry Wagons takes the stage sans his crew. He is in dry form, whipping through some country-fueled numbers that are flecked with soul, carnivale grotesquery and gallows humour. He ribs the crowd, dedicating a song to a sole bearded punter called Keep Your Hands Off My Sister, whilst off ranting in a casino reverie sworn to Las Brisbane. His connection to the crowd is infectious, with revellers hustling to the front to take his rustic sojourns with both barrels. He is "like a grade 4 kid finishing a project" when he gets Canadian songstress Jenn Grant onstage for a duet, and it is infectious. On a bill heavy with pop and garage rock, Henry Wagons does more than "escape his fate" - he sets the bar.

- Brendon Telford

Full Flume Ahead

Insta-Review - Go Violets

The Brisbane four-piece Go Violets have everything you could want in a guitar pop band - incessant hooks that snag in the ear like a burr, incredible three-part harmonies, and and an undying focus on marrying whimsy with ageless pop aesthetic. It's amazing they have slogged away this long without a multitude of zealous fans losing their shit to every narcotic-laced melody. But when they kill Teenager, you know their time has come.

- Brendon Telford

INSTA-REVIEW: TOM LARK

The Bill Cosby jumpers, black stove-pipes and knock-kneed poses make us immediately aware that the indie pop signature-look is the same in NZ as it is everywhere else. But while the rest of the world’s indie kids are chasing the illusive perfect-chantalong-song-for-a-phone-TVC, Tom Lark are busy harking back to a classic ‘60s pop sound (as filtered through a classic ‘80s indie sound). They may have struggled with harmonies in their opening number tonight but it mattered not coz they’ve got the hooks. They’ve also got the charm: "Hello to all the important people and all the people who dress like they are important.” They later hit us with "hang around for the rest of the NZ bands ‘coz they’re better." Gotta love a nice piece of self-deprecation. And ya gotta love an indie band that pull out a slow number without losing audience attention. And to top it all off they pull out a kazoo for that downtempo moment.

- Andrew Mast

Insta-Review: Fishing

The salubrious vibes of Fishing permeate Magic City as Big Sound Live kicks off. The duo delve in hypnagogic electro undercurrents, backed by blurry and warped VHS footage of the 80s Miami aquatic kind, and is the perfect introduction to a fun filled evening. The boys give a shy thumbs up to the enthusiastic crowd, eschewing the exultant set they present.

- Brendon Telford

Turn Up Transistors

At Kiwi party. 15 minutes and killed it. Tomorrow's show a hot ticket. (Brendan Telford)

Daniel Johns At BIGSOUND?

The ex-Silverchair frontman and Qantas songwriter was allegedly spotted at The Outpost.

Less Greens Means More Shows At Bluesfest Site

Peter Noble has told the Live Music Globally panel that he's actively looking to host more events at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm now "that it looks like the Greens have lost the election."

Read it here.

Anyone Up For A Roots?

Chugg's On The Frontline

Just witnessed Michael Chugg standing on the street handing out Lime Cordiale flyers. The man knows the value of good honest work.

Steve Earle: 'I'm Writing My Memoirs To Pay For My Son'

In an intimate keynote speech from Steve Earle, the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter has revealed that his autistic two-year-old son is the reason behind his memoirs. Read the story here.

Steve Earle Keynote Highlights (Via Twitter)

"Texas is more right wing than Italy in 1936 right now," Steve Earle #BIGSOUND

— theMusic.com.au (@TheMusicComAu) September 12, 2012

Steve Earle Speaks To theMusic

Ahead of his keynote speech this morning, check out Steve Earle's chat with theMusic.com.au where he speaks on his career. Read it here. He'll be at the Judith Wright Centre for a keynote speech at 10.30am this morning.

We're On The Ground

Southeast Queensland has really turned it on for our arrival, though the Queensland writers and editors tell us it's like this every day of the year.

More Live Coverage

BigSound Live

Brisbane QLD , 14/09/2012 — 15/09/2012
Night event, Bar, 18+
Some of the artists

Lineup

Clare Bowditch, Ball Park Music, Closure In Moscow, Hungry Kids Of Hungary, Oliver Tank, , Heroes For Hire, The Beards, Strange Talk, David Bridie, Rufus, Henry Wagons, Loon Lake, Violent Soho, Dallas Frasca, All The Young, The Darcys, The Jungle Giants, Boy In A Box, Catherine Britt, Eagle & The Worm , King Cannons, The Paper Kites, James Walsh, The Delta Riggs, Cairo Knife Fight, Emperors, Kira Puru & The Bruise, The Snowdroppers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Millions, Mosman Adler, New Navy, The Trouble With Templeton, Kingswood, Northeast Party House, The Cairos, The Good Ship, The Preachers, Electric Empire, Flume, Kingfisha, Seth Sentry, Set Sail, Winter People, Awaken I Am, Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes, Art Of Sleeping, Sons of Rico, Jenn Grant, Voltaire Twins, Straight Arrows, Jasmine Rae, Grey Ghost, Saskwatch, Split Seconds, Tin Sparrow, Elizabeth Rose, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Battleships, Hey Geronimo, Underlights, Founds, Young Men Dead, Transistors, Pigeon, Sola Rosa, Gung Ho, The Growl, Super Wild Horses, Tigertown, Twelve Foot Ninja, The McMenamins, Jeremy Neale, Royston Vasie, Step Panther, Tuka, Bearhug, Geoffrey O'Connor, The Falls, Teeth & Tongue, Cub Scouts, Argentina, Tom Lark, Your Favourite Enemies, Caitlin Park, Bankrupt Billionaires, Ben Wells & The Middle Names, YesYou, The Hello Morning , Current Swell, Ellesquire, , Fantine, Courtney Barnett, Adele & Glenn, Fishing, Hayden Calnin, All The Colours, The Belligerents, Run For Your Life, Shady Lane, We All Want To, I, A Man, Phebe Starr, Harmony James, The Slips, Kirin J Callinan, The DC3, Drunk Mums, Eden Mulholland, Brad Butcher, The Gooch Palms, 44th Sunset, Velociraptor, The Ashton Shuffle, Traveller & Fortune

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