Top 10 Gigs 2004
The choices in these lists are in no particular order.


The Flaming Lips
Sydney Big Day Out 2004
“Dancing on stage with a smile that didn't leave my face for days. This was
the best gig that I have seem in over a decade.”

George’s Bush
The Troubadour
“Such emotion, such joy.”

Evan Dando, Tim Rogers & Bob Evans
Gaelic Club
“The trifecta.”

Hoodoo Gurus
Metro
“Amazing sounds, amazing lights, amazing moves by Brad Shepherd. May this band never stop!”

Tim Rogers and the Temperance Union
The Basement
“Singalong drinkalong smilealong.”

Paul Kelly
State Theatre
“Amazing songs, amazing band, amazing venue.”

Jet
The Forum
“Rock on with your frock off!”

Speedstar
The Tivoli
“More musicians onstage than you could poke a stick at. A triumph!”

The Who
Sydney Entertainment Centre
“Just try and call Pete Townsend a dinosaur! - Go on - I dare ya!”

The Living End
Alexandra Hills Hotel
“The best live band in Australia just keeps getting better.”
Graham Ashton
Capitol Records/EMI


Sonic Youth
Stubbs, Austin
“Dropped my bag in Austin walked up the street, grabbed a beer and pinched myself.”

Lucero (pictured above)
Some BMX bowl out back of a warehouse in the Mexican side of Austin
“Photo says it all, once in a lifetime. If you love Dashboard Con., you'll love these guys!”

Broken Social Scene
Stubbs, Austin
“Canadian all star band, one of the highlights of SXSW.”

The Dears
Spaceland, LA
“A band that lives up to your expectations, check'm out, they're here in March.”

Calexico/Neko Case
Hi Fi, Melbourne
“Haven't had this sort of excitement in a while, they supported Nick Cave and announced they'd do a show at the Hi Fi on the following Tuesday night I think it was… Sent the city into a spin… Line ran down Swanston Street… Gig of the year for me.”

Gillian Welch
Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
“They were brilliant, again Melbourne turned it on selling out seven shows. Thought they weren't going to let them leave.”

Grant Lee Phillips
The Corner, Melbourne
“Played all the favorites, you're never going to get better than GLP playing Fuzzy with a 12 string!

Art Of Fighting
The Corner, Melbourne
“Wasn't prepared for this one, love those surprises.”

Brian Wilson
The Regent Theatre
“A must see for anyone remotely interested in music. It was a brilliant night in one of Australia’s most impressive venues, The Regent Theatre.”

TZU
St Jerome's, Melbourne
“Just a few weeks ago, this one capped off the year so well. Cool little venue in the heart of Melbourne. Walked up the little lane to hear them starting and I felt like a 20 year old again. Walked out the back and the full house was jumping. TZU are it and a shit load more!”
Grant Gilles
Liberation Records


The Strokes
Big Day Out 2004
“Vibe merchants par excellence.”

Hirst/Greene
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
“Rob Hirst and Paul Greene open for Ani Di Franco. Bloke rock at its' best.”

David Bowie
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
“The return of the Thin White Duke.”

Paul Kelly
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
“The great Australian songbook comes to life.”

Belle & Sebastian
The Tivoli
“Intimate. Magnificent.”

My Friend The Chocolate Cake
The Tivoli
“David Bridie. Great songs with a ticker.”

The Who
Sydney Entertainment Centre
“Pete Townsend guitar playing made the trip worthwhile.”

Alecia Keyes
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
“The female Michael Jackson (when he was good.”

The Finn Brothers
Brisbane Convention Centre
“What a catalogue! Worth it to hear 500 people sing Weather With You.”

Brian Wilson
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
“Yes, it was worth the wait.”
Sean Sennett
Time Off Magazine


Brian Wilson
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
“Brian and 18 other musicians did breathtaking, note-perfect renditions of Beach Boys classics, plus the legendary Smile album in its entirety. It doesn’t get better than that... “

The Flaming Lips
Big Day Out 2004
“Surrealist pop theatre of the highest order. Wayne Coyne is a true visionary.”

Kings Of Leon
Big Day Out 2004
“Triumphant swamp rock from the Followill family.”

Devendra Banhart
The Zoo
“Rambling, oddball folkie took the acoustic guitar to outer space.”

Kiss
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
“Fire-breathing, blood-spurting showmanship. Bombastic stadium rock at its best.”

Belle & Sebastian
The Tivoli
“Scottish indie legends provided the feel good show of the year.”

Denvar / Halfday
The Zoo
“These two bands quite simply entertained the hell out of me.”

Youth Group
The Troubadour
“Still one of Australia’s most powerful live bands.”

Grandaddy
The Arena
“Trucker-hat wearin’ all-American cosmic rock.”

Cut Copy / Wolfmother
The Zoo
“Shimmering electro pop and tight-trousered stoner prog metal on the same night! An utter joy.”
Matt Thrower
Rave Magazine