Top 10 Gigs of 2007

1) Daft Punk (with Sebastian & Kavinsky, The Presets, Bang Gang Deejays, Cut Copy, Modular DJs and Muscles) @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl, VIC; December 14
What can I say that I haven't already written in my epic review just under this post? It was the best night of my life. Nuff said.

2) John Butler Trio @ The Gov; April 2
Who would have thought that one of the best gigs I've ever been to would be a Myspace Secret Show? Well, it was. Crazy, huh. After lining up for about 6 hours, we got to witness a solid 2.5 set from arguably one of the best bands in Australia. The first time they ever played any material of their, at the time, newly released album Grand National, they played the ENTIRE new album, as well as many old favourites. The intimate venue of the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel really made this gig something special and to remember - totally packed and just a room full of so much joy. They specifically chose Adelaide to play their fist gig for the new album, and it was amazing. Highlights from the set included Daniella, Peaches and Cream, Something's Gotta Give, Good Excuse, Funky Tonight, and, without a doubt, the epic 10+ minute acoustic guitar solo song that John performed called Ocean. It had us all in awe, just staring. Was beautiful.

3) Peter Combe (with with Thom and Emily from The Finishing School and The Beards) @ The Gov; November 11
As with the Daft Punk review, there is a big post on this gig just a bit further down this page. But, let me say that it was glorious, every 18+ person in the venue that night reverted back to a little kid, and it was joyous.

4) Dave Matthews Band (with Xavier Rudd) @ Festival Theatre; May 2
This was quite a special show, indeed. The amazing Xavier Rudd opening the show, and recieving a standing ovation (crazy for an opening act!), and then only to be followed by the amazing Dave Matthews Band.. They haven't played a show in such a small and intimate venue in quite some time. I had never been to a real concert at the Festival Theatre, and the acoustics were great. Their setlist wasn't as good as what I'd hoped, but I still had the time of my life, none the less. And, to think, I went solo! Such a great night. Highlights from the set included the opening track Dont Drink The Water, Crash Into Me, Sister, Crush and Ants Marching.

5) Beyonce (with Chris Brown) @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre; April 24
Okay, while I usually do stick to a kind of "alternative" music theme for my gigs... there comes times when an artist comes along that I just have to see, regardless of all hype and popularity surrounding them. One of them was Beyonce. This woman really knows how to please a crowd, a really full set that spanned material from both her solo albums, as well as an awesome medley of Destiny's Child song, she was great. She really worked the stage, her dance moves are flawless. Her all-female band is amazing, such a tight group. And her voice.. my god, her voice is unbelievable. Highlights from her set included opening number Crazy in Love, Deja Vu, Ring The Alarm, Listen, and the amazing Irreplaceable. Really glad that this big superstar actually came to lil' old Adelaide. Was quite the show.

6) Bass in the Grass (with Mammal, Hilltop Hoods, Young Divas, Shannon Noll, Enth Degree, TZU, Little Birdy, Behind Crimson Eyes, Eskimo Joe) @ Darwin Ampitheatre, NT; May 26
Not only was this my first trip to the Northern Territory, but on top of that I got to attend an annual music festival that takes place in Darwin called Bass in The Grass... and it was great. All Australian bands, some more famous than others, but all having a great time performing for this musically deprived audience. The crowd was great, the Northern Territory is left of tour schedules so much that when a band finally does make it up there way, they really show their appreciation. As I'm sure some of you read in my review in May, the highlight was (much to my suprise) the Young Divas! Crazy! I'm going back to Darwin next May for this festival, again. It was great fun. I urge everyone to make it up there at least once for this event. It really is such a fun day.

7) Dappled Cities Fly and Red Riders (with Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!) @ The Gov; June 24
The Dappled/Riders co-headline tour finished up in Adelaide on June 24.. after both bands came on stage to flip a coin as to who would "officially" headline (Dappled winning), the show opened with local band Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! unleashing a whole heap of awesome new tracks onto the crowd. Red Riders were different to what I expected, but still great. But, wow, the highlight was Dappled Cities Fly. I had never seen these guys before, or really known too much about them... but, jeez, they were great. So much energy on stage, they were really having such a fun time. And so were we. I had the biggest smile on my face for the entire show. Was great.

8) Justin Timberlake (with Paris Wells) @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre;
November 3
Yes! That's right! THE Justin Timberlake came and played a show in our fair city of Adelaide... and it was great. His show was so well polished, and usually that hurts the flow and the enjoyment factor... but, it just added to it. Highlights from the show included FutureSex/LoveSound, Cry Me A River, What Goes Around and SexyBack.

9) Parklife (saw: Greenskeepers, Kid Kenobi and MC Shureshock, The Sounds, MSTRKRFT, Digitalism, Busy P, Justice, and M.I.A.) @ Botanic Park; September 23
This was just an all-round great day. Checking out acts I'd never really heard of before, and also checking out acts I've been wanting to see for quite some time. That day I saw one of the best live acts I've ever encountered... The Sounds. This Swedish group is amazing, and I had such a fun time jumping around to them at the barrier. MSTRKRFT and Digitalism played killer sets... and while I was a little dissapointed by Justice not doing a live set as advertised, and instead doing a DJ set with Busy P, I couldn't complain. Checking out M.I.A. was great, though. Despite her sound problems, she puts on a great show.. and, y'know, her crowd surfing and me touching her ass didn't hurt my enjoyment of her set one bit :)

10) Toni Collette & The Finish (with Brendan Welch) @ Fowlers; March 9
Earlier in the year, when I found out that Toni Collette had released and album, I listened to it.. and discovered that it was actually brilliant. Great songs, with an exception band and beautiful vocals. So, when I found out she was taking it on tour, and playing Adelaide for only $21, I had to go. She puts so much energy into her performance. While the show did bring out a very strange "arty" crowd that probably had never heard her album... it was still great. Being front row was good fun, and she looked at me several times. Muriel looked at me! hahaha.

~Film-Fanatic