Ups and Downs - Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
A very polished performance, supported by The Crystal Set back in March. A good night had by all.

Painters and Dockers - Archies Creek Public Hall
The Creek is one of those rural communities dragging the inner city sound to the bush and there is nothing more to say than this was a hoot away from their normal Memo Music hall domicile.   Archies Creek, Meaniyan, Castlemaine and Birregurra amongst others are all keeping the sounds alive. Google Maps is well utilised and the trip alcohol free, for us drivers.

Cosmic Psychos - The Corner Hotel, Richmond
While we go out to the bush to hear the Inner City sounds, lead singer and bassist Ross Knight heads in from Central Victoria to play the Psychos classics to an adoring audience for an afternoon gig. It was a nice day to go to The Corner. 

Ed Kuepper- Solo. At last! @ Birregurra Hall
Birregurra, two hours from the burbs, is another delightful town and Ed's solo performance was wonderful after we’d washed down lunch at the pub over the road. Another afternoon gig that appears to be taking off.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Federation Square (free gig), Melbourne
The band were at their quintessential best but it was the young and really large crowd that I was amazed about. There is hope in the new generations. This was the same venue that the Sniffers had to abandon due to the crowd size and those locked out forcing entry.

SnarskiCircusLindyBand - 3RRR FM Brunswick
3RRR have a performance space in their building and do the occasional one-hour gigs along with a Q&A session. This was mind blowing in its awesomeness and the collective talent is more than the parts (although those parts are exceptional.)  Our nights would be dark and empty if 3RRR, 3PBS, 3CR and 3CCC were not on the scene.

Belle Phoenix & Jeffrey Wegner - Town Hall, North Melbourne
You can't go past a Belle and Wegsy gig and it was another early evening affair. Belle just owned the entire pub by walking through the crowd and you could watch and listen to Jeffrey on the drums all arvo. The way he plays is mesmerising. 

Bruce "Cub" Callaway with Penny Ikinger - Odeon, Richmond 
The Odeon is a newish small venue and art space you should check out. Bruce took us through his amazing career through music and talk finishing up with a duet with Penny Ikinger to playa Louis Tillett song. Two and a half hours of memories and stories. Thanks Bruce.

X - 40th @ George Lane, St Kilda
This is one of the great Melbourne venues. Fenn Wilson and the Weather opened the night with a wonderful display with X coming on and smashing the George. It's not the Rock Against Work gigs but it's damn close. A fantastic evening, reliving the inner city sounds.

charlie in red

Charlie Owen - The Pig and Whistle, Main Ridge
Charlie had a warm up gig before a long tour. Charlie's pedigree is immense and this was a wonderful night amongst his family and friends in a very cozy environment. The venue was sadly perched on too many zig-zag bends to have a decent red.

New Christs, The Tote, Collingwood
The venue they couldn't kill with the band that goes on forever ably supported by JJ McCann Transmission and River of Snakes and the soundmix was top notch.

Strange Tenants - The Curtin, Carlton
Strange Tenants are the Melbourne ska band that dragged me into this scene back in 1982 and this was their final gig. They are all accomplished musos who left on an absolute high. The night was a celebration of two-tone and a bit teary to say the least. When it comes to sticky carpet, no one beats The Curtin and it's damn hard to skank on. Not even the old Espy carpet came close.

Yeah Hup!!!