This time it's the View, who performed cool sets at both Falls Festival and the Hifi in Melbourne.
From Falls, this is Wasteland
Here's the Falls setlist:
From their sideshow at the Hifi, this is Glass Smash and Grans For Tea:
The setlist:
DUNDEE!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The View @ Falls Festival (30/12/2009) &@ the Hifi (03/12/2009)
Some more lateness! Why not!?
This time it's the View, who performed cool sets at both Falls Festival and the Hifi in Melbourne.
From Falls, this is Wasteland
Here's the Falls setlist:
From their sideshow at the Hifi, this is Glass Smash and Grans For Tea:
The setlist:
DUNDEE!
This time it's the View, who performed cool sets at both Falls Festival and the Hifi in Melbourne.
From Falls, this is Wasteland
Here's the Falls setlist:
From their sideshow at the Hifi, this is Glass Smash and Grans For Tea:
The setlist:
DUNDEE!
Editors @ Falls Festival (30/12/2009) & @ The Palace (04/01/2010)
Editors! This is London's finest, caught in all their glory at the Falls Festival in Lorne as well as their sideshow at the Palace in Melbourne.
Falls Festival, including In This Light and On This Evening and Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool, both off the new album.
Here's the setlist from Falls:
And if you wanna read about Editors at Falls (albeit briefly), you can see my review at FasterLouder by heading here.
And at the Palace (1hr 45min show :D). In order of appearance: Blood, All Sparks, The Racing Rats and Munich
"I swear to God, in this light and on this evening, Melbourne's become the most beautiful thing I've seen."
What's happening in Hue?
Hue isn’t what you would call a “big city”; its tourism area is its ancient citadel, ravaged by the American War and slowly progressing with reconstruction. The city life seems pretty easy-going, with pushbikes making up a good majority of the traffic. The market has long been a hub of Hue activity, too (for tourists as much as locals); its narrow maze of fresh produce, clothes and all sorts of junk (and not so junk) making it as much of a challenge as it is a way of life. It was the main hub, that is, until a Big C Supercentre opened at the other end of town... And all hell seems to have broken loose.
Hue's marketplace
Hue's Supercentre
You walk into the plaza entrance and it immediately feels as though you’ve been plucked out of Vietnam and plonked into Bangkok, but it still seems reasonable enough... Go upstairs to the Big C itself and it’s another story. First off, security will chase you through the store if you haven’t seen them before entering. It’s policy to have your bag sealed in plastic before entrance; obviously no thought given to the fact many people keep their money in their bag. But hey, it’s amusing nonetheless. The crowds are like those at Myer, first thing on Boxing Day, only this is 5 o’clock in the afternoon and there are no sales (but that doesn’t mean there are no specials).
Sealed for protection (or something) - you're not allowed in with an unbagged bag
The crowds are an indication of just what this centre has brought to Hue – lower prices. There were literally swarms of people scrounging through piles of clothes. The isles were bursting at any given moment. There was a bakery upstairs that had sold out of baguettes. The crowd were wrestling one another off as they loudly waited for more bread, which was to be bought in bulk by those patient enough to wait and sold for an inflated price on the street outside (clever, but kind of annoying that they tried to mark ours up about 500%). The place was cheap, sure, but for any specials one had to face the madness; a consumer madness that seemed totally new to these Vietnamese.
Now, for the average Joe, this all seemed wonderful, but the effects of this Supercentre – all new and shiny – are seemingly yet to arise. Of course this is only an assumption, but doesn’t having a giant mall, which purchases produce in bulk (serious bulk) and undercuts the prices of everything on the street kind of drive out the local shopkeepers and vendors. And aren’t a bulk (serious bulk, yet again) percentage of Hue citizens such local merchants?
As a tourist, I’m more than happy to be ripped off a “little” (perhaps “miniscule amount” is more appropriate, remembering that 20 Aussie cents is a lot in Vietnam) buying water or beer off the street – it’s common and it’s helping the little man. But such a sentiment is hardly universal, so what happens when suddenly everything becomes so much cheaper and the “little man” can no longer compete...
And what happens to the city itself? It may be at the other end of town, but I’m sure that’s how the development of Saigon started as well (and look where that’s gone in three years). How long before the citadel’s reconstruction efforts are transferred to the consumer development of Hue as the next big city? I for one would like to see Hue guarding canons aimed at the Big C.
Food for thought, so to speak.
Andrew Bird @ The Hifi (01/01/2010)
So I'm a little late getting this one up.. whoops. There's plenty more lateness to come here on Goattube, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, Andrew Bird is, was and will be amazing. I came out of the Hifi saying this was the best gig of the year. Sure, it may have been the first day of the year, but it was certainly a brilliant show nonetheless! You can read all about it on FasterLouder by heading here.
I got one vid from the night, The Privateers:
In the meantime, Andrew Bird is, was and will be amazing. I came out of the Hifi saying this was the best gig of the year. Sure, it may have been the first day of the year, but it was certainly a brilliant show nonetheless! You can read all about it on FasterLouder by heading here.
I got one vid from the night, The Privateers:
Monday, January 4, 2010
On the road to Sapa... A day in Bac Ha
I did a few little bits and pieces of writing whilst in Vietnam. Here's the first of them - along with pretty pictures =D
Nine hours on an overnight train sounds pretty daunting, what with the in and out speed between townships and the rickety rockety swing of the bunk. Our previous night on Halong Bay had been a treat – the rumbling hum of the motor and steady pace made us feel not the least bit seaborn. Happily enough, though, after much nervous energy spent on “oh, we’re gonna be stuffed tomorrow,” it was 6 am and we were sitting in Lao Cai, North Vietnam, eating Pho and ready to embrace the day ahead.
That is, provided that the rain gave way. I think my laughing at those back home in Melbourne must have caught up with me – the heavens had opened and we certainly has ominous expectations. A lot can change in three and half hours, though, and that it did. Our thoughts turned from fear of the rain – which did eventually cease – to angst towards our “guide’s” tardiness. Apparently, they can’t drive in the rain here so they had to wait. Right.
With a bit of warmth back in the sky, it was off to Bac Ha markets to see how the tribe people do it (“it” being “stuff in general,” of course). First and most obvious things first – the Hmong tribe women do things bright – they wear traditional clothes so technicoloured that Joe himself would be jealous. They’re a social people, too; a pair of older women stood happily amongst the pushing throb of tourists chuckling away (probably at the red head watching them chuckling) and the eatery of the market was simply bursting with voices of those eating “stews” – floating pig knees, anyone?
The colours of Bac Ha
Trading incense
Lunch time
A little local
The men, whilst I think of it, are the lazy ones here, leaving all of the work to their better halves whilst they laugh away behind a spoon and, more importantly, a drink. We were told that Sunday is a day for the men to drink. We were later told that was a lie, and that every day is a day for the men to drink.
Drink some wine, play some cards, drink some more wine... The guy in the blue has actually passed out from drinking too much
The market is serious business. Whilst the shopping quarter might cater for the tourists and remain relatively docile, the locals’ quarters are anything but, with women swarming enmasse after the fresh produce and materials to make the items then found back in the shopping section. There’s all sorts of trade going on here, but none more confronting (for me) than in the top level of the market – the dog trade. Now, I completely see the point that: “If we bred dogs and cats for eating and had sheep as pets, we’d be mortified at the thought of lamb shanks” (mmm, shanks)... But the fact of the matter is simple, I don’t love sheep. I don’t love cows, pigs, snakes, iguana (yep, they eat em here). I do, on the other hand, feel very uneasy seeing pups traded up to be dinner in the months to come. This was the part of Bac Ha I just had to turn my back on.
[We did later learn this – the Vietnamese keep dogs as pets and they would never eat their own pet, just their neighbours! ...Their words, not mine.]
From the markets of Bac Ha, it was off to see how the Flower Hmong lived further out of the town. The lives of these tribe people is nothing short of impressive – the way they are so self contained on these mountains. These particular tribe people are well known in the north for one particular type of produce – corn wine! This is powerful stuff, seriously so. Say one wanted to prepare a chicken for dinner (get ready for this Christopher Walken); simply give it a sip of this stuff and it’ll pluck itself (or, in some cases, simply explode). Myth? Maybe. This stuff is sometimes used as lighter fuel and volunteering eagerly to try it before actually realising the fact was an interesting touch to the day. Chest = burning.
Brewing the corn wine
As startling as a gulp of corn wine might be, nothing quite compares to the thrill (“thrill”?) of a Vietnamese driver. Now, I thought the Europeans did bus driving up hills crazy... Well they have nothing on this. It’s not so much the speed, but moreso the desire to never be stuck behind any vehicle, even if the vehicle in front is keeping good speed. A honk means means “look out, I’m overtaking you.” A flash from an oncoming vehicle means “get back in your lane, I’d rather not faceplant your bus.” Sure, decent enough communication, but hardly useful when one bus overtakes another in a full 180 turn around a mountainside, with sheer cliff to the left and yet another bus oncoming around the bend. It happened. And again. And again. The drivers might just have a death wish, or they might be trying to scare the tourists. Hell, for lack of any amusement parks they might just be trying to boost tourism via makeshift thrill rides (“With unbeatable views to boot!”).
Oh, and only a Vietnamese driver could replace his review mirror with a DVD player, screening some Miss World bikini, followed by the finest (cough) in Vietnamese pop karaoke contest no less.
Who likes a sing along?
All of this for under $15... sounds good.
Nine hours on an overnight train sounds pretty daunting, what with the in and out speed between townships and the rickety rockety swing of the bunk. Our previous night on Halong Bay had been a treat – the rumbling hum of the motor and steady pace made us feel not the least bit seaborn. Happily enough, though, after much nervous energy spent on “oh, we’re gonna be stuffed tomorrow,” it was 6 am and we were sitting in Lao Cai, North Vietnam, eating Pho and ready to embrace the day ahead.
That is, provided that the rain gave way. I think my laughing at those back home in Melbourne must have caught up with me – the heavens had opened and we certainly has ominous expectations. A lot can change in three and half hours, though, and that it did. Our thoughts turned from fear of the rain – which did eventually cease – to angst towards our “guide’s” tardiness. Apparently, they can’t drive in the rain here so they had to wait. Right.
With a bit of warmth back in the sky, it was off to Bac Ha markets to see how the tribe people do it (“it” being “stuff in general,” of course). First and most obvious things first – the Hmong tribe women do things bright – they wear traditional clothes so technicoloured that Joe himself would be jealous. They’re a social people, too; a pair of older women stood happily amongst the pushing throb of tourists chuckling away (probably at the red head watching them chuckling) and the eatery of the market was simply bursting with voices of those eating “stews” – floating pig knees, anyone?
The colours of Bac Ha
Trading incense
Lunch time
A little local
The men, whilst I think of it, are the lazy ones here, leaving all of the work to their better halves whilst they laugh away behind a spoon and, more importantly, a drink. We were told that Sunday is a day for the men to drink. We were later told that was a lie, and that every day is a day for the men to drink.
Drink some wine, play some cards, drink some more wine... The guy in the blue has actually passed out from drinking too much
The market is serious business. Whilst the shopping quarter might cater for the tourists and remain relatively docile, the locals’ quarters are anything but, with women swarming enmasse after the fresh produce and materials to make the items then found back in the shopping section. There’s all sorts of trade going on here, but none more confronting (for me) than in the top level of the market – the dog trade. Now, I completely see the point that: “If we bred dogs and cats for eating and had sheep as pets, we’d be mortified at the thought of lamb shanks” (mmm, shanks)... But the fact of the matter is simple, I don’t love sheep. I don’t love cows, pigs, snakes, iguana (yep, they eat em here). I do, on the other hand, feel very uneasy seeing pups traded up to be dinner in the months to come. This was the part of Bac Ha I just had to turn my back on.
[We did later learn this – the Vietnamese keep dogs as pets and they would never eat their own pet, just their neighbours! ...Their words, not mine.]
From the markets of Bac Ha, it was off to see how the Flower Hmong lived further out of the town. The lives of these tribe people is nothing short of impressive – the way they are so self contained on these mountains. These particular tribe people are well known in the north for one particular type of produce – corn wine! This is powerful stuff, seriously so. Say one wanted to prepare a chicken for dinner (get ready for this Christopher Walken); simply give it a sip of this stuff and it’ll pluck itself (or, in some cases, simply explode). Myth? Maybe. This stuff is sometimes used as lighter fuel and volunteering eagerly to try it before actually realising the fact was an interesting touch to the day. Chest = burning.
Brewing the corn wine
As startling as a gulp of corn wine might be, nothing quite compares to the thrill (“thrill”?) of a Vietnamese driver. Now, I thought the Europeans did bus driving up hills crazy... Well they have nothing on this. It’s not so much the speed, but moreso the desire to never be stuck behind any vehicle, even if the vehicle in front is keeping good speed. A honk means means “look out, I’m overtaking you.” A flash from an oncoming vehicle means “get back in your lane, I’d rather not faceplant your bus.” Sure, decent enough communication, but hardly useful when one bus overtakes another in a full 180 turn around a mountainside, with sheer cliff to the left and yet another bus oncoming around the bend. It happened. And again. And again. The drivers might just have a death wish, or they might be trying to scare the tourists. Hell, for lack of any amusement parks they might just be trying to boost tourism via makeshift thrill rides (“With unbeatable views to boot!”).
Oh, and only a Vietnamese driver could replace his review mirror with a DVD player, screening some Miss World bikini, followed by the finest (cough) in Vietnamese pop karaoke contest no less.
Who likes a sing along?
All of this for under $15... sounds good.
2009 Gigs - The Challenge
Hey everyone,
I've made this video for everyone to see my year of gigs in 2009. The challenge now lies in guessing as many of the gig/festival sets as possible! The best score gets, well, credit..?
Enjoy!
I've made this video for everyone to see my year of gigs in 2009. The challenge now lies in guessing as many of the gig/festival sets as possible! The best score gets, well, credit..?
Enjoy!
My Top 10 Gigs of 2009
This list was very hard, given the quality of music last year brought with it. The list has dropped the likes of my favourite Scots (payback for no photo, Alex), as well as the amazingly skilled Kaki King (who wowed Tait and I at Ruby's in Feb). It also fails to include The Drones, who I consider probably the best Aussie live act, and Martini's funeral, which could possibly top a "Strangest Gig List" if I had one. Still, I'm pretty happy with the following selection...
10.
Painters & Dockers @ Prince of Wales (20 November)
Age EG Awards
Old fellas playing with more energy than most younger bands. Cool (and creepy).
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
9.
Birds of Tokyo @ Melbourne Town Hall (15 November)
Broken Strings Tour
They're great live usually, but add a string quartet and it's an even grander event!
8.
Doves @ Palace Theatre (28 July)
Beaten on this list by the band that supported them (see No. 7) Doves can't do much wrong as far as I'm concerned - an awesome night!
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
7.
The Middle East @ The Corner (11 October)
As far as captivating goes, I've never heard the Corner so silent. A gorgeous show.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
6.
Port O'Brien @ Northcote Social Club (3 February)
This was a real surprise for me - a pack of folkies that really know how to put on a show.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
5.
Dr. Dog @ Gershwin Room (10 January)
Another great live band, playing off the back of 2008's brilliant Fate.
4.
Kaiser Chiefs @ Palace Theatre (1 April)
Just shafted by No. 3, the Kaisers continually prove to be one of the best live acts around. Damn fun!
3.
Maximo Park @ Billboard (11 November)
Paul Smith's dancing never fails to impress me. These guys had the room in the palm of their hands.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
2.
"Before Too Long" A Tribute to Paul Kelly @ Forum Theatre (14 November)
Just a great bunch of musicians playing the classic Aussie tunes of Paul Kelly - beautiful.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
Dumb Things:
And the winner is...
1.
Augie March @ Forum Theatre (29 August)
Favourite band, favourite venue, 2.5 hours including heaps of old material... doesn't get much better than that for me. And the band's last gig for a long while :(. Funnily enough, it's the only show in this list that I have no review/photos/vids for...
Painters & Dockers @ Prince of Wales (20 November)
Age EG Awards
Old fellas playing with more energy than most younger bands. Cool (and creepy).
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
Birds of Tokyo @ Melbourne Town Hall (15 November)
Broken Strings Tour
They're great live usually, but add a string quartet and it's an even grander event!
Doves @ Palace Theatre (28 July)
Beaten on this list by the band that supported them (see No. 7) Doves can't do much wrong as far as I'm concerned - an awesome night!
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
The Middle East @ The Corner (11 October)
As far as captivating goes, I've never heard the Corner so silent. A gorgeous show.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
Port O'Brien @ Northcote Social Club (3 February)
This was a real surprise for me - a pack of folkies that really know how to put on a show.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
Dr. Dog @ Gershwin Room (10 January)
Another great live band, playing off the back of 2008's brilliant Fate.
Kaiser Chiefs @ Palace Theatre (1 April)
Just shafted by No. 3, the Kaisers continually prove to be one of the best live acts around. Damn fun!
Maximo Park @ Billboard (11 November)
Paul Smith's dancing never fails to impress me. These guys had the room in the palm of their hands.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
"Before Too Long" A Tribute to Paul Kelly @ Forum Theatre (14 November)
Just a great bunch of musicians playing the classic Aussie tunes of Paul Kelly - beautiful.
Read all about it here at FasterLouder
Dumb Things:
Augie March @ Forum Theatre (29 August)
Favourite band, favourite venue, 2.5 hours including heaps of old material... doesn't get much better than that for me. And the band's last gig for a long while :(. Funnily enough, it's the only show in this list that I have no review/photos/vids for...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
My Top 10 Songs of 2009
The presentation of this post is far less fancy than the last, but here are my favourite tracks of last year!
1. Jamie T – Sticks and Stones
2. Metric – Stadium Love
3. Editors - Papillon
4. Doves – 10:03
5. Whitley – Head First Down
6. Kid Sam – We’re Mostly Made of Water
7. Bertie Blackman – Byrds of Prey
8. Temper Trap – Resurrection
9. Franz Ferdinand – Bite Hard
10. White Lies – Death
Though these following two make 11 and 12 for having awesome film clips:
11. Philadelphia Grand Jury - The Good News
12. Kasabian - Vlad the Impaler
1. Jamie T – Sticks and Stones
2. Metric – Stadium Love
3. Editors - Papillon
4. Doves – 10:03
5. Whitley – Head First Down
6. Kid Sam – We’re Mostly Made of Water
7. Bertie Blackman – Byrds of Prey
8. Temper Trap – Resurrection
9. Franz Ferdinand – Bite Hard
10. White Lies – Death
Though these following two make 11 and 12 for having awesome film clips:
11. Philadelphia Grand Jury - The Good News
12. Kasabian - Vlad the Impaler
My Top 10 Albums of 2009
My lists begin, first of all with my favourite albums of 2009! So, here we go...
10.
Seemingly a little more serious than their previous albums, Quicken The Heart doesn’t seem to having any owning tracks like Our Velocity or Apply Some Pressure but its sinister numbers certainly make it something amusing. Top tracks are Let’s Get Clinical and The Kids Are Sick Again.
9.
I was pretty worried to here Editors had gone “electronic” with their third album, but luckily for me the reports were a little over the top. This is certainly a change for the Englishmen, but certainly not a bad one. I like it more and more with each listen. Top tracks are Papillon and Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool (for its title, if nothing else).
8.
I had my reservations about this album at first – I hadn’t realised it was released for several months after the fact and then discovered a few questionable reviews. It might not be as kickass as Pawn Shoppe Heart, but I for one think its quick, punchy rock and roll numbers are great. Top tracks are She’s Dead To Me and Blame Game.
7.
Completely changing your tune works! Not that I didn’t like her music before (Favourite Jeans was great) but Secrets and Lies just has too many good songs to excuse Bertie’s decision. It also has one of naffest choruses (White Owl). Top tracks are Byrds of Prey and Black Cats.
6.
Best festival performance of the year + two incredible singles = top 5. Again, this is a versatile album that doesn’t seem to ever get boring. Top tracks are Stadium Love, Help I’m Alive and Sick Muse.
5.
I can’t stop listening to this album, which is lucky because I loved their first album so much. This is certainly a different take to the debut, though. The View stepped away from the attitude a bit, but certainly tried out a bunch of cool new ideas. Top tracks are 5 Rebeccas, Glass Smash and Distant Doubloon (for being so theatrical).
4.
As much as I love the first two Kasabian albums, I find I’m liking this one more and more thanks to its diversity. It really moves around and provides more interesting tracks than the first two albums, albeit not as anthem-like. Top tracks are Fire and Vlad the Impaler.
3.
I saw the Arctic Monkeys at the Palais in January and immediately liked new songs (Crying Lightning, Dangerous Animals). Humbug is the perfect evolution for this band. Basically, they’ve received criticism for their live show not equalling the party energy of their tracks, whereas here they’ve developed a much darker sound that’s more mature (and awesome on a different level) to Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.
2.
I was expecting to love this album and luckily it delivered. Having seen these guys many times before they disappeared, it was weird that they had completely ditched all their old material. Releasing the album under a mass of hype then disappearing overseas seems like it paid off – doesn’t look like I’ll be catching them at the Toff again anytime soon. Top tracks are Resurrection and Science of Fear.
1.
There is not one song on this album I don’t like and I was instantly sold on its lead title track. Jimi Goodwin is singing at his best on this album. It was actually the first of the Doves I’ve heard, which of course led me to their back catalogue. Jetstream is a brilliant opener, Kingdom of Rust, Winter Hill, House of Mirrors and 10:03 are all addictive listens. An awesome show at the Palace certainly helped this choice, too.
Seemingly a little more serious than their previous albums, Quicken The Heart doesn’t seem to having any owning tracks like Our Velocity or Apply Some Pressure but its sinister numbers certainly make it something amusing. Top tracks are Let’s Get Clinical and The Kids Are Sick Again.
I was pretty worried to here Editors had gone “electronic” with their third album, but luckily for me the reports were a little over the top. This is certainly a change for the Englishmen, but certainly not a bad one. I like it more and more with each listen. Top tracks are Papillon and Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool (for its title, if nothing else).
I had my reservations about this album at first – I hadn’t realised it was released for several months after the fact and then discovered a few questionable reviews. It might not be as kickass as Pawn Shoppe Heart, but I for one think its quick, punchy rock and roll numbers are great. Top tracks are She’s Dead To Me and Blame Game.
Completely changing your tune works! Not that I didn’t like her music before (Favourite Jeans was great) but Secrets and Lies just has too many good songs to excuse Bertie’s decision. It also has one of naffest choruses (White Owl). Top tracks are Byrds of Prey and Black Cats.
Best festival performance of the year + two incredible singles = top 5. Again, this is a versatile album that doesn’t seem to ever get boring. Top tracks are Stadium Love, Help I’m Alive and Sick Muse.
I can’t stop listening to this album, which is lucky because I loved their first album so much. This is certainly a different take to the debut, though. The View stepped away from the attitude a bit, but certainly tried out a bunch of cool new ideas. Top tracks are 5 Rebeccas, Glass Smash and Distant Doubloon (for being so theatrical).
As much as I love the first two Kasabian albums, I find I’m liking this one more and more thanks to its diversity. It really moves around and provides more interesting tracks than the first two albums, albeit not as anthem-like. Top tracks are Fire and Vlad the Impaler.
I saw the Arctic Monkeys at the Palais in January and immediately liked new songs (Crying Lightning, Dangerous Animals). Humbug is the perfect evolution for this band. Basically, they’ve received criticism for their live show not equalling the party energy of their tracks, whereas here they’ve developed a much darker sound that’s more mature (and awesome on a different level) to Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.
I was expecting to love this album and luckily it delivered. Having seen these guys many times before they disappeared, it was weird that they had completely ditched all their old material. Releasing the album under a mass of hype then disappearing overseas seems like it paid off – doesn’t look like I’ll be catching them at the Toff again anytime soon. Top tracks are Resurrection and Science of Fear.
There is not one song on this album I don’t like and I was instantly sold on its lead title track. Jimi Goodwin is singing at his best on this album. It was actually the first of the Doves I’ve heard, which of course led me to their back catalogue. Jetstream is a brilliant opener, Kingdom of Rust, Winter Hill, House of Mirrors and 10:03 are all addictive listens. An awesome show at the Palace certainly helped this choice, too.
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