Something You Said’s top gigs of 2017
Last year, we spent many hours in sweaty venues and at muddy festivals. Here are some of our favourite live shows of 2017:
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Splendour In The Grass, New South Wales
My favourite gig of the year would easily go to Queens Of The Stone Age. Placing Homme’s recent foul stunt aside, QOTSA’s performance for a huge crowd at Byron Bay’s Splendour In The Grass was a pure rock and roll experience that I don’t take for granted. They say very few stadium bands exist these days, but of course QOTSA is very well and truly flying the flag. Despite the lethargy encapsulating over my body, I felt with every strum of the bass or smash of the snare, the energy that makes their style of rock and roll so exciting and sexy. Let’s hope Homme gets serious about his ego and fixes himself. Melissa Barrass
HACIENDA CLASSICAL – Royal Albert Hall, London
May 26, 2017, an emotional outpouring and middle finger salute just four days after the awful events in Manchester. G William Rex
THE SPOOK SCHOOL – End of the Road Festival, UK
The rainy weather was certainly a bummer on the last day of this excellent festival, but nothing could stop the feel-good vibes emanating from the best musical act of the weekend. In the Tipi Tent, The Spook School from Edinburgh belted out glorious, catchy-as-hell pop tunes through loud guitars, dealing with issues of gender and sexuality as they did so. Their between-song chat was hilarious and their songs were so infectious that even people who had never heard them before were singing along by the second chorus. It was absolutely glorious. Check them out (below), because they deserve to be your new favourite band. Bobby Townsend
WEAVES – The Green Door Store, Brighton
After hearing the current album, Wide Open, I somehow had to get to this gig being put on by Love Thy Neighbour at The Green Door Store in Brighton, so my meeting had to be cut short as attendance was a must. I most certainly wasn’t disappointed, these Canadian art rock/indie poppers certainly know how to put on a show without the need of props or backdrops. They draw you in and make you feel like part of the family before chewing you up and spitting you out. Jasmine Burke (Vocals) belts out her distinctive vocals/personal lyrics whilst appearing to stare you straight in the eye, smiling, her expression changes to a scowl that cuts you in half, Morgan Walters (guitar) goes from pure indie pop riffs to screaming into his pick ups to create a noise that send chills down your spine, Spencer Cole (drums) goes from straight beats to rabid thrashing and Zach Bines (Bass), from bouncing lines to filthy scuzz like a man possesed. If you get the chance, head to see them live, do it, it’s a journey of discovery, adventure and a show that you not only go to, but feel a part of. Dillon Hibbert
YOUNG HENRY’S ROCK N ROLL CIRCUS – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney
Easily it was Young Henry’s Rock n Roll Circus. To be fair the competition wasn’t high, although I had seen some festivals and small pub gigs from behind the lens. What makes this the gig of the year, aside from Murray Cook (Wiggle) rocking out on guitar, was the entry fee (free) the all star cast which included Henry Wagons, Rackett, Drew from Unicorn music, Davik Novak from Best Polish Club, Andy from You Am I, and other dudes (Brock and Wade from Wolf and Cub), Shogun from Royal Headache, Stav from Bluejuice who did a tongue lashing version of Prince’s Cream. All mixed together and Mc’d by Lindsay from Frenzal Rhomb. It was a fun night, people stage dived, the bands mixed the players amongst themselves to form all kinds of high energy sex plasticine (or Bar Flying Circus Band as they may or may not have called it). Anyway it was loud and fun. Good gig. Damon Collum
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