Blog — Page 215 of 282

UB 40

Hordern Pavilion

Sydney, Australia

November 24, 2017

As infectious and happy the UK’s biggest reggae export’s emissions sound, disputes had riddled the band’s legacy and resulted in a feud between the two resulting camps of founding members, with both still touring the globe under the same moniker, the one referring to the United Kingdom’s unemployment claiming form.  

Be it as it may, what descended upon tonight’s stage was a full-bodied seven-piece band that delivered the classics as well as newer tunes of the band’s extensive catalogue, which was warmly received by an appreciative and fervent crowd that was happy to chant and sway along, culminating in the night's final number, crowd pleaser and encore conclusion, the Neil Diamond-penned classic ode to the redness of vino, which made UB 40 a household name transcending generations – with tonight’s demographics being an example par excellence with a diverse crowd of all ages.

Tonight’s incarnation of UB40 delivered a fine celebration of ska, reggae and lovers rock infused with their trademark style with a heavy influence of psychedelically tinged guitars, analogue synthesizers, a brass section and a dub approach informing the irie vibe.

A band that knows exactly what their audience wants and dishes it out generously.

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Photo provided

The Aints play The Saints

Factory Theatre

Sydney, Australia

November 24, 2017

According to Sir Bob Geldorf, rock music in the seventies was changed by three bands—the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and The Saints.

Having seen Glen Matlock and Marky Ramone within the last eight days, the missing component of the triumvirate was performing tonight:

On the 40th anniversary of the release of The Saints’ classic album ‘(I’m) Stranded’, founding member, guitarist and songwriter Ed Kuepper revisited the classic material.

Alongside bassist Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys), drummer Paul Larson (The Celibate Rifles), keyboardist Alister Spence and a guest brass section The Aints’ performed the songs that comprised the first three full-length albums “Stranded”, Eternally yours” and “Prehistoric Sounds”.

The Aints reclaim the songs and the energy of The Saints.

Flanked by Peter Oxley on bass and the Celibate Rifles’ Paul Larsen on drums, along with a horn section and long-term collaborator Alister Spence on keyboards, Kuepper’s band is built for purpose, and purpose is to belt out the classics with passion and vengeance rather than a minute rendition of past glories.

Given the announcement of what territory was to be covered, the setlist was predictable in terms of being a classic fest with the occasional oddity, i.e. unrecorded ditty, thrown in for good measure, with the band visibly enjoying themselves, which translated to the audience.

I’ve seen The Saints in various incarnations and tonight was one of the more fun and engaging ones.

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Photo provided

Perturbator

Factory Theatre

Sydney, Australia

November 21, 2017

Producing dark and retro futuristic music with a strong 80’s feeling, James Kent AKA Perturbator is the considered to be the spearhead of the new synthwave revival (along with Danger, Lazerhawk, Kavinsky, and Dan Terminus). Since the project’s inception in 2012, Perturbator’s music has launched an explosion of hypnotic synthwave.   With Perturbator’s music making an appearance in the Hollywood movie The Guest, the TV show Limitless and the video games Hotline Miami 1 & 2, it has reached mainstream audiences globally.

Perturbator surfed the new wave of 80’s retro revival down onto terra australis for the first time and he could not have asked for a more welcoming crowd.

Heavy on 8-BIT barrage draws with influences from 80’s cyberpunk films such as The Terminator and Akira and with an emphasis on heavier songs of his oeuvre, Pertubator is a live context is an immersive, borderline cinematic experience.

While his recent albums feature slower songs that could have serenaded Ryan Gosling driving around in his getaway vehicle, he creates a more volatile ambience for his live incarnations with tension building exercises and resulting drops galore, which are rooted in metal along with chugging and blast beats, much to the acclaim of his devout audience.

Yes, given the fact that Pertubator is a one-man operation, there is zwangsläufig a lot of button pushing and hovering above synths and laptops involved, with visual entertainment mainly depending on the lightshow.

However, James Kent channeling his alchemy in his trademark druid-esque hoodie manages to make it an engaging experience that only hints at what could be pulled is he employed more organic orchestration, i.e. a band, and vocalists.

The performance was concise and dense with segues, well executed mixing and seamless transitions, eliciting a spectrum ranging from dance moves via less elegant theatrics to fist pounding.

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Photos by T

Italy on a Spoon

Doltone House

Sydney, Australia

November 20, 2017

World Week of Italian Cuisine? is a global event in its second edition?, which last year was celebrated ?in 105 ?countries with more than 1000 events?.?

To celebrate the occasion, Sample Food Event arranged for a sophisticated get together with stellar line up of Italian chefs joining forces to produce a cocktail menu showcasing regional cuisine from across Italy at the opening party of this Sydney Italian Festival.

The Italy on a Spoon event brought together seasonal fare matched with fine Italian wines and kicked off the week-long festival being celebrated in restaurants, cooking schools and specialty stores throughout the city.

Hosted by the Italian Trade Agency, Sydney Italian Week will be held from Monday November 20th to Sunday November 26th and kicked off with Italy on a Spoon at Doltone House with a splendid cocktail party.

The mouth-watering menu included:

Sardine 'Involtino' calabrian style, n'duja, liquorice reduction
By Chef Sandro Isabella of Sale Pepe Brookvale
Paired with Sensi "Collezione" Nero d'Avola Terre Sicilia IGT
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'Vitello tonnato', tuna sauce, puffed rice, raspberry
By Chef Andrea Tranchero, Barilla Australia
Paired with Sensi "Filo Grigio" Pinot Grigio Terre sicilia IGT
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Monkfish 'potacchio' style
By Fabio Dupretti, Unico Ristorante
Paired with Sensi Mandriano Vermentino Maremma DOC
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Rigatoni 'alla vaccinara', oxtail ragu, cocoa, raisin, pine nuts, pecorino
By Michele Liasio, Oliveto Ristorante & Bar
Paired with Sensi Mandriano Sangiovese Maremma DOC
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Saffron Risotto 'alla milanese' with veal ossobuco, gremolata
By Luca Ciano, Chef Consultant & Producer
Paired with Sensi Mandriano Sangiovese Maremma DOC
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Pasteria Napoletana
By Salvatore D'Altiero, Ristorante Isola D'Ischia
Paired with Sensi Vin Santo del Chianti DOCG
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Cassata gelato
By Laura Nobile, Alpino Gelato

The he creations of Andrea Tranchero from Barilla Australia, Michele Laiso from Oliveto Restaurant & Bar, Salvatore D’Alterio from Ristorante Isola D’Ischia, Fabio Dupretti from Ristorante Unico, Laura Nobile from ’Alpino Gelato and Luca Ciano, who produces his own Italian sauce range, could be sampled in an ambience that was infused with the essence of Italian hospitality: Authentic cuisine with fresh produce, the region’s local wines and welcoming, immersive gastronomy.

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Photos by KAVV

We’re All Going to Die Festival

Commune

Sydney, Australia

November 17, 2017

The We're All Going To Die festival was born out of Founder, Artist and Filmmaker and Director Stefan Hunt's experience.You see, he had anxiety, and it sucked.Two years ago it was really bad and he was so afraid of the unknown that he couldn’t make a simple decision.Life spiralled.

One day Stefan penned a poem titled 'We’re All Going To Die' and everything changed.Suddenly his fears seemed small.

He realised that if life’s only guarantee is death then why not take a few risks. The premise is based on the idea that the moment you realise that you’re not the only one living with fears is the moment it all changes and this festival was meant to create a platform to get people talking.

We’re All Going To Die is a festival and multimedia art project that uses death to shift our perspective on fear, and the role it plays in our lives. The first incarnation in Sydney saw a team of international artists coming together to create an interactive and immersive experience to get you thinking about life.

Set in COMMUNE’S large labyrinth of warehouse spaces, panel discussions on fear and death, judgment baths, interactive installations, secret dance experiences, death meditation and a mini film-festival were lined up.Despite being a big memento mori, the event was a joyful and inspiring occasion more than a somber, morbid exercise in melancholy.

The organisors describe the exhibited installation as follows:

The Hearse: Shying away from the ‘life’s short’ clichés, attendants were asked to stand in the presence of the rainbow hearse and listen to what your own soul is telling you.For “What would your tombstone say?” 20 international and local artists were asked to reflect upon what it means to leave a legacy on your own terms.Artists included: Ozzie Wright, Mia Taninaka, Land Boys, Otis Carey, Nadia Hernandez, Ben Brown, Georgia Hill, Nathanial Russell, Rad Dan, Simon Perini, Jake Donlen, Jim Mitchell, Chris Hope, Shaun Gonzalez, Matt Waters, Vinnie Valdez, Ornamental Confider, Hugo Mecke, Holly Greenwood, Jody Barton Bedroom Groves served as a forum to show the world your bedroom moves. Groove Therapy, in partnership with Retrosweat, explored the fear of judgment and the solace we seek within the privacy of our bedrooms.

This series of short five-minute performance works invited the audience to connect with childhood nostalgia in a bedroom installation whilst performers rotate through the space.

The 20-minute mini-film festival screened the world-premiers of nine short films by an award-winning list of international directors. Each director was assigned a word around which their story, in no longer than two minutes, unfolded. The final shortis Stefan Hunt’s film We’re All Going To Die the adaptation from the illustrated book of the same name in which a man has a conversation with death, pondering the what ifs and oh wells of life.

Directors included:

• Failure Directed by Smirit Keshari, New York
• Judgment Directed by Lincoln Caplice, Sydney
• Fear Directed by Genevieve Bailey 
• Unknown Directed by Meredith, Los Angeles
• Doubt Directed by Cate Stewart, Sydney
• Embarrassment Directed by Samuel Kristofski, New Zealand
• Rejection Directed by Claire Littler, London
• Life Directed by Russell Brownley, San Diego
• We’re all Going To Die Directed by Stefan Hunt, Byron Bay

A great first installment of an entirely crowd-funded festival that has with Commune found an ideal location.

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Photos by KAVV