Top 10 Gigs 2005
The choices in these lists are in no particular order.


Polyphonic Spree
Enmore Theatre
“Tim Delaughter and his band of robe wearing (and very talented) freaks bring a smile to all in the room and let their freak flag fly.”

Midnight Oil
Manly Leagues Club
“This was their warm-up gig for Wave Aid and was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Unlike what recently happened at Cronulla, this made me truly proud to be Australian.

Parliament/Funkadelic
Enmore Theatre
“This band would have been truly mesmerizing in their prime. It was still an honour to be in the same room as George Clinton, Bernie Worrell and co.  More flying freak flags.”

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Big Top - Luna Park
“Shit venue, great band back at top-form touring a brilliant new album. Not the best show I have seen them play but still more than worthy of the inclusion.”

British India
Spectrum
“A bunch of 19 year olds with enough spirit and confidence to call their debut EP, We Are The Counterculture. Naive as fuck and cool as fuck!”

Paul Kelly A-Z
Space Adelaide
“How many artists are capable of playing 100 of their own songs alphabetically over five nights. I caught two nights and loved every second.”

Faker
The Annandale
“Hometown triumph for these boys. Such an exciting band live and Nathan Hudson is an awe-inspiring front man.”

The Living End
Splendor In The Grass
“This band makes this list every year, but I reserve the right to claim this one as their best gig ever. Should be on EVERY festival line up.”

The Finn Brothers
Splendor In The Grass
“Australasian songsmiths deliver anthems for joy to all and sundry and finish off with the most punk rock moment of the festival with fifties something Tim Finn bouncing around the stage like a mad man for I See Red.”

The Go-Betweens
Tivoli Theatre
“What a special night for everyone in attendance. I have to use that word triumph again. Queenslanders should be so proud of this band.”
Graham Ashton
Capitol Music


TZU
Stjeromes Christmas show
“200 people cramped into a back ally jump'n with a few Coopers greens in the system!!”

Spoon
The Northcote Social Club
“Not enough people saw this show! Where were you music fans?”

Jose Gonzalez
NSC
“Fun night with a not too serious approach.”

Airborne
The Duke of Windsor
(Five times in a row)
“If you haven't yet, you gotta check these guys out and leave your critiques at home and just enjoy!”

The Exit
CMJ
“Was spoilt to see these guys and was one of the best shows I've seen to date. I know big call hey.”

Calexico
Austin, Texas
“Pinch me I'm dreaming!”

Fat Freddy's Drop
The Prince
“New Zealand roots that'll melt you.”

Denison Witmer
CMJ
“Just him and a guitar. It was bliss amongst the madness of NYC.”

Youth Group
The Corner
“Finally people are hearing it! Superb album.”

Innaway
New York
“Blew my mind, 50 odd people crammed into what sounded like a stadium show in the 70's.”
Grant Gilles
Mushroom Music International


David Byrne
Brisbane Convention Centre
“Mesmerising. Burning Down The House say's it all.”

Paul McCartney
Las Vegas
“Thirty-five hits and a killer band.”

Wave Aid
Sydney Cricket Ground
“Oils, Oils, Oils.”

Rufus Wainwright & Family
The Tivoli
“This guy knows how to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow!”

The Grates
The Zoo
“I imagine this would have been the same mood as CBGB's circa 1976.”

The Go-Betweens
Moon Bar
“Here Comes A City - their best single in fifteen years.”

Nick Cave
Brisbane Convention Centre
“Dynamic.”

The Finn Brothers
Brisbane Convention Centre
“They played Shark Attack - who would have guessed it?”

Bernard Fanning
Powerhouse
“The kid's got talent.”

Joe Cocker
Queensland Performing Arts Complex
”Stunning version of U2's One brought the house down.”
Sean Sennett
Time Off Magazine


Sigur Ros
The Tivoli
“One of those rare shows: really enjoyed it while I was watching it, but it only really dawned on me how great it was on the drive home. Took a while to sink in, but what an astonishing gig!”

Joanna Newsom/Smog,
The Globe
“Harp plucking virtuosity and epic, personal narratives delivered in that unforgettable voice from Joanna and vintage Cash gravel from American gothic storyteller Bill Callahan.”

Jens Lekman
The Troubadour
“A man and a ukelele. Who knew such a magical concert could be created by so little?”

The Delgados
The Zoo
“Pristine indie pop perfection from these talented Scots.”

Oasis
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
“Coldplay, Schmoldplay. These mouthy Mancs are still the greatest British arena rockers on the planet.”

Go Betweens
The Tivoli
“Filmed for posterity, this was a celebration of nearly 30 years of classic Australian songs.”

REM/Bright Eyes
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
“Lacklustre recent material aside, there was still plenty of classics behind these Athens, Georgia veterans, and they performed them impeccably. Support act, Bright Eyes were equally impressive, Conor Oberst recalling an electric Dylan.”
Matt Thrower
Rave Magazine