Gig Review - Kiss 40th Anniversary Tour 2015

So October 10th 2015 marked the day Kiss performed for their 40th Anniversary Tour at Allphones Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, Australia. The difficulty to contain the sheer awesomeness experienced is almost impossible.

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I have never seen a bigger show that is so true to the glam rock performance style. For many people in the audience it was their first time seeing Kiss and for my own sister it was her first rock concert. Regardless of whether you enjoy rock music or not it is a life experience to go to at least one rock concert in your life.

Going through their big hits and some of their classics they performed rather flawlessly. Granted Paul Stanley was probably feeling ill he managed to bring it together as the Starchild should. The tech crew dealt a few mistakes in the beginning but I will also grant that there was so much to focus on with suspension wires, fireworks, pyrotechnics, and such but you would expect the sound to be the main priority.

Don’t misunderstand me, I loved the performance, truly the greatest rock concert in the world that anyone could go to. With a fully equipped moving spider-stage with a raising platform. Gene Simmons flew up to it after a super fuzzed bass solo and blood drool before breaking into a thick intro to God of Thunder. Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer performed as a true Catman and Spaceman would delivering the tunes to their high-octane performance. They skilfully brought us through every song and solo from Deuce to Black Diamond with the truest passion of rock.

Guesting with Kiss were Aussie rock group; The Dead Daisies. Their usual guitarist was unavailable to perform so the band requested their friend Dave Leslie from Baby Animals to fill in, and did he deliver. To learn the songs of another band and solo perfectly in every song, it was a most impressive performance.

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Overall, if you’ve never seen a Kiss concert you have not experienced a true rock performance. True rock legends who never lost what they still have.

Drake Concert Review

On the 25th of February, 2015, one of the most respected artists in the industry came to Sydney. Mind due, Drake released a 16-track mixtape a week before arriving in Sydney and was shocked by the response of the crowd when they started singing back the track to him. His concert was all about the 6 years his been in the game and taking it back from the beginning on the journey he went on. Midway through the concert he cames back on stage wearing the countries Rugby Union jersey of the Wallabies and the crowd went wild with support for Drake. 

He then levitated over the stage when he started singing his fan favourite "Hold On, We're Going Home" ensuring the crowd that "He isn't going home" that this is the best city, doubtful that he didn't say that at every city he toured in. Besides that he got the crowd involved and was very interactive and kept them entertained. The atmosphere being there was something I haven't experienced the whole Allphones Arena reciting the same lyrics as you to a song that has a different meaning to everyone is really something magical. 

Here is a little clip of "Know Yourself" only being released a week before the concert and the audiences reaction and Drake's reaction.  

Drake - Know Yourself (Live Sydney)

Unsigned Artist Spotlight: Lord Nelson and the Funky Fantoms

One of the goals of my posts is to introduce people to great new artists that I think aren't getting enough exposure and with that in mind I make my post today about a great new unsigned band, Lord Nelson and the Funky Fantoms (LNFF).

The band has just come onto the scene in Sydney after originally forming in high school after guitarist Will Jones and drummer Anthony Dominic stealing convinced rival band singer James Turner  and bass player Joe Faukner to join them. The band then set about developing their sound and laying down tracks.

Their sound blends funk, surf and rock and gives them a dose of alternative flavour with powerful riffs and unusual sound sources

LNFF's debut self titled EP is set to be released in November so for the moment the only way to hear them is to see them live. They have a gig coming up on the 12/10/15 at the Manning Bar. Make sure you check them out!

My Top 5 Tracks of the Year So Far

Circa Waves released their album 'Young Chasers' to great success this year.
http://www.lollapalooza.com/2015-artist/circa-waves/

This year has featured a heap of huge tracks from a huge assortment of artists and genres and to pick just 5 songs is absurd. That being said I’m going to do it anyway.

In no particular order…

•  T-Shirt Weather – Circa Waves: This is the perfect track with summer just around the corner bringing images of sunsets, road trips and the beach to mind.
• Cream on Chrome – Ratatat: Off their 5^th album ‘Magnifique’, this track features sublime guitar work, littered with catchy riffs and a pumping solo. This is one of the top tracks of the year despite the band being strictly instrumental.
•  Sadness Disease – Urban Cone: With a nuanced blend of electro and indie pop, Urban Cone’s latest offering is an instant classic. Catchy hooks, thoughtful lyrics and synths a plenty is what makes this track a must hear.
• Perfect Picture – I Know Leopard: 10/10 would listen again. Nothing else to it.
• Too Much Time Together – San Cisco: It was hard to pick just one of the tracks off their latest album ‘Gracetown’ which is possibly the best album of the year. The track features a well crafted chorus with a pop sensibility, punchy drums and a synth line that’ll be stuck in your head for days.

What do you think of my top 5? Do you agree or disagree? Did I miss any amazing track? Comment bellow and let me know what you think.