2024 represented a return to full service – and more – in the live music scene in Australia where the Backseat Mafia’s Backseat Downunder Team are located. With an ever expanding range of shows attended, we covered everything from international superstars like Taylor Swift to local bands plying their trade in small corner pubs. It is the most expansive coverage we have ever provided.
We wrap up 2024 with a list of our individual top five gigs for the year, along with a gallery of our favourite photographs. We would like to thank all the venues, touring companies, PR agencies and anyone else involved in this vital industry but in particular a thanks to the artists without whom any of this would exist, and many of whom constantly struggle to get their music heard and get properly rewarded for the pleasure they bring to us all. I would also like to thank the dedicated Backseat Downunder team who have provided the most amazingly erudite reviews and beautiful photographs over the year, purely for the love of music. Arun Kendall (Senior Editor, Backseat Mafia)
Top Ten gigs – Deb Pelser (Live Editor for Backseat Downunder, Backseat Mafia).
1. The Dare at the Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney, 3 December 2024
I went in knowing he’d collaborated with Charli XCX and carried the torch for the ‘indie sleaze’ revival, but nothing could have prepared me for the raw electricity of this gig. One guy, a wall of amps, two synths, and a high hat—that’s it. No flashy visuals, no backing band, just pure presence. The Dare owned the stage like it was his birthright, and somehow, the entire Metro was spellbound. It wasn’t a gig; it was a one-man revolution. Minimal setup, maximum impact.
2. St. Vincent at the Palais, Naarm/Melbourne, 25 November 2024
When St. Vincent announced she was playing a limited run of shows in Melbourne, I didn’t hesitate. Flights were booked, and expectations were high. Did she deliver? Absolutely. Annie Clark is not just a musician; she’s a force of nature. Her live renditions of All Born Screaming—my album of the year—cemented her status as an untouchable genius. Her band was tight, her stage presence commanding. She’s a queen of modern music, and her reign shows no sign of stopping.
3. Fever Ray at the Sydney Opera House, Eora/Sydney, 5 June 2024
Australia had waited long enough for Fever Ray, and when they finally graced the Sydney Opera House, it felt momentous. Dressed in a white suit with their band in dazzlingly unique costumes, they turned the hallowed venue into a pulsing, otherworldly dancefloor. By the fourth song, the entire crowd was on their feet, grooving like it was a festival. I’ve never seen an Opera House audience so unreservedly lose themselves to the music.
4. Moonchild Sanelly at SXSW Sydney, Eora/Sydney, 16 October 2024
Performing in the afternoon sun isn’t easy, but Moonchild Sanelly turned the grassy expanse of Tumbalong Park into her personal disco. Her energy was infectious—by mid-set, she’d abandoned the stage to dance with the crowd. Watching her turn strangers into a community of grooving, joyful souls was unforgettable. It wasn’t just a gig; it was a celebration.
5. Thom Yorke on the Sydney Opera House, Eora/Sydney, 1 November 2024
A legend playing in front of an iconic backdrop — Thom Yorke at the Opera House Steps was an experience that defied description. He seemed genuinely humbled by the roaring crowd as he stepped onstage, the Harbour Bridge looming behind him. When he played Let Down as his second song, time seemed to pause. I was supposed to be photographing the moment, but I stood frozen, the hairs on my arms on end. It was a masterclass in the power of live music to move you.
Deb’s Gallery – ten favourite shots from 2024
Altar Boy, Bar Italia, Kid Laroi, Kim Gordon, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, The LAst Dinner Party, Waxahatchee, Heilung
Top Ten gigs – Jess Hutton (Writer/Photographer for Backseat Downunder, Backseat Mafia)
1. The Pixies at Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney, 20 November 2024
1,200 die-hard fans packed into the sold-out Liberty Hall for a rare, intimate sideshow during the Pixies Australian tour supporting Pearl Jam. Their set included early gems like ‘Nimrod’s Son’ and ‘The Holiday Song’ alongside the ever-recognisable ‘Here Comes Your Man’ and ‘Where Is My Mind?’, each performed with a raw vitality that felt both familiar and thrillingly new. Live renditions of these tracks diverged just enough from their studio versions to feel like rediscovering a beloved classic and there’s such a special magic in hearing songs you thought you knew by heart take on a new life right before your eyes. It’s been thirty-five years since ‘Doolittle’ and here was the Pixies, still proving why they’re one of the most influential acts in alternative music. They remain a band worth the hype, worth rediscovering, time and again.
2. Fleshwater at Crowbar, Eora,/Sydney, 15 November 2024
Performing songs from their hit 2022 album ‘We’re Not Here To Be Loved’, with a few extras thrown in, Fleshwater transported the crowd to an era where grungey hardstyle reigned supreme. There was not a phone in sight, just flailing arms, furious headbanging, and pure chaos in the pit that had taken over the entire room. Fans screamed, throwing themselves into the depths or onto the shoulders of strangers to crowd surf. Anthony’s encouragement—“I want to see every one of you come over this barrier”—amused the already overworked security guards and those of us stuck in the side stages with nowhere to run. The ceiling and walls were dripping with condensation, a sickly rain of sweat and adrenaline. By the end of their 40-minute set, which felt like it passed in the blink of an eye, every face leaving Crowbar was damp and grinning.
3. Tkay Maidza at the Art Gallery of NSW, Eora/Sydney, 14 July 2024
Tkay Maidza proved why she’s one of Australia’s most exciting contemporary artists during her electrifying performance at the Art Gallery of NSW’s Volume Festival. Held in the gallery’s Naala Badu building, the show took place in The Tank, a repurposed WWII oil tank that now serves as an awe-inspiring live music space. The venue’s industrial design, with projections and a single cement slab stage, created an intimate yet otherworldly atmosphere. Tkay commanded the stage with her signature blend of hip-hop, pop, and electronic energy, delivering a captivating set backed by skilled dancers, dynamic lighting, and echoing acoustics. It was an unforgettable fusion of art, sound, and performance in a truly extraordinary setting.
4. TISM at Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney, 29 November 2024
Absurd, brilliant, and utterly unforgettable—TISM’s ‘Death to Art’ tour at Hordern Pavilion was everything you’d hope for from these cult icons. Thousands of drenched fans poured into the mini-festival-style event, which sold out well in advance, to witness a stellar lineup of homegrown talent, including The Mavis’s, Ben Lee, Eskimo Joe, and Machine Gun Fellatio. TISM’s set was a whirlwind of biting wit, chaotic theatrics, and sharp commentary, proving why their legacy endures. The night was a perfect snapshot of what makes Australian live music so uniquely brilliant—witty, weird, and often packed with nostalgia.
5. Johnny Hunter at Low 302, Eora Sydney, 19 April 2024
Johnny Hunter’s farewell show at Low 302 was as theatrical and poignant as you’d expect from this post-punk powerhouse. The Eora/Sydney band marked their impending move to the UK with three unforgettable sold-out nights at the cozy Low 302. Yes —not one, but three consecutive sold-out shows. This wasn’t my first encounter with the enigmatic allure of Johnny Hunter live, and with each show, their legion of followers appears to grow, with many effortlessly reciting the lyrics to every track in their discography. Johnny Hunter is a force, both dramatically beautiful and theatrical.
Jess’s Gallery – ten favourite shots from 2024
21 Savage, Banks Arcade, Berlin Psycho Nurses, Fat White FAmily, Fleshwater, Hi Vis, Lany, Phebe Starr, TISM, Tkay Maidza
Andrew Fuller (Photographer/Writer for Backseat Downunder, Backseat Mafia)
1. The Saints (’73 – ’78), The Odeon Theatre, nipaluna/Hobart, 26 November 2024
I had never seen The Saints in any of their guises over the years, despite having seen individual members on odd occasions. This was one of the bands, along with The Sex Pistols who took my teenage soul and forever changed the way I viewed music. There was absolutely no disappointment when the band, which included original members, Ivor Hay and Ed Kuepper, and Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys), Mark Arm (Mudhoney) and Mick Harvey (The Bad Seeds) took to the stage and belted their way through the first three classic Saints albums.
2. Claire Anne Taylor, Theatre Royal, nipaluna/Hobart, 27 January 2024
I had the great fortune to kick off my year with this album launch show for Claire Anne Taylor’s Giving It Away at The Theatre Royal in Hobart. It is hard to move past the emotion that her gravel-tinged vocals evoke, and with a band comprising some of Tasmania’s finest musicians, this was a must for my Top 5 gigs list.
3. follow – Altar Bar, nipaluna/Hobart, 16 November 2024
follow are a local, instrumental post-rock outfit formed by members of a number of great Tasmanian bands including Luca Brasi, Silver Fleet Ships, Baby Dave and Speech Patterns. They released their debut album back in May of 2023, and this was to be their first time playing together live in front of an audience. Given the wraps Backseat Mafia gave the album, it was exciting to see how the band fared in the live setting. Once again, I was not in the least bit disappointed, as the guys in the band turned it on for a powerhouse performance of instrumental rock that was the equal of, If not better than, anything I had encountered in this genre ever before.
4. The Church – The Odeon Theatre, nipaluna/Hobart, 30 November 2024
The Church are another long-time favourite of mine, having first seen them in 1982, then again 40 years later in 2022 at Bluesfest Byron Bay. So, to see them play again in 2024 was a super treat, as this time I was able to witness the full 2.5 hour event, as opposed to the Bluesfest show where I only saw their first 3 songs (as a photographer in the photo pit). Two sets of absolute magic were played from their first four classic albums, leaving an indelible hit on my musical soul.
5. The Hard-Ons – Altar Bar, nipaluna/Hobart, 31 October 2024
I was super excited to see The Hard-Ons for my first time with Tim Rogers providing vocals out front. Having seen them previously, it was super interesting for me to see what Tim would bring to the table in terms of performance and in a song-writing sense. I wasn’t to be disappointed, as the show, and the crowd, went off. Tim’s energy up front only served to further the potency that this long-time, iconic band of the Australian music scene has always had in spades.
Andrew’s Gallery – ten favourite shots from 2024
Ben Harper, Coheed, Fiona Boyes, Grinspoon, Jacjie Venson, Jebediah, Little Qurks, Magic Dirt, Regurgitator, The Church
Arun Kendall (Senior Editor for Backseat Mafia)
1. Underground Lovers, The Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne, 27 July 2024
The Underground Lovers in their home turf were celebrating thirty years since the release of what is probably their most commercially successful album ‘Dream It Down’. The band’s delivery was potent enough but what was even more endearing was the clear camaraderie on stage: each member with their own unique characteristic that combined to create something mesmerising and enchanting. From the drama and showmanship of Vince Giarusso, the dedicated concentration of Glenn Bennie, the stately presence of Maurice Argiro, the wild cookie monster demeanor of Richard Andrew, Philippa Nihill’s ethereal vocals and presence to the multi-talented Emma Bortignon, this was an outstanding performance.
Special mention should be made of the support act, Youth Group, who were stunning.
It felt like a very special evening, a particular moment in time to be treasured, and evidence that the Undies just keep getting better and better. In a very sad note, this was to be one of the last performances of Andrew, who tragically passed away a few months after the gig. Rest in peace – an universally acknowledged lovely man who will be sorely missed.
2. The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney, 1 August 2024
The Jesus and Mary Chain were on tour celebrating 40 years of noise laced with pop sweetness and follows the release of ‘Glasgow Eyes’ earlier this year (see my review here). I also interviewed Jim Reid last month where he talked about past performance anxiety and the post hiatus challenge of being sobre during live performances. There was no sign of this tonight.
One of the best gigs this year. Like a fine wine, JAMC seem to get better with maturity and are better when imbibed in copious amounts.
There was no contempt bred with the familiar – every song sounded stunning and new and yet with the eye watering familiarity that such classics as ‘Darklands’, ‘Happy When It Rains’, ‘Some Candy Talking’ and ‘Taste of Cindy’ can bring. The set list covered the band’s expansive repertoire with a nod to the more recent material.
2. The Psychedelic Furs, Pandemonium Festival, Naarm/Melbourne, 20 April 2024
The Psychedelic Furs, I will confess, are a personal favourite of mine and this was the first time I had actually seen them live. Despite some initial sound issues, their set was dynamic and exciting with a list of favourites sparking joy (‘Pretty In Pink’, ‘Love My Way’, ‘The Ghost In You’, ‘President Gas’ and ‘Heartbreak Beat’ to name but a few).
The two original members, Richard Butler on vocals and his brother Tim on bass, presented as stately and urbane, and the band’s newer members were suitably rock’n’roll cool. The live sound was subtle and nuanced, the delivery pulse quickening and the Butler brothers enigmatic, looking like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. As indeed were we in the crowd.
3. Jet, Uni Bar, nipaluna/Hobart, 11 May 2024
Jet, recent entrants into the Australian Recording Industry Association’s Hall of Fame, received a rapturous welcome in Hobart on a night when the Aurora Australis made a spectacular entrance over the southern skies. There were times you could tell singer/guitarist Nic Cester was overwhelmed at the wild, unrestrained reception. Before playing ‘Get Born’ in full, the band softened up the crowd with ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’ from 2006’s ‘Shine On’ album , ‘She’s A Genius’ and ‘Black Hearts (On Fire)’ from 2009’s ‘Shaka Rock’ album.
‘Get Born’ was weighted heavily with the iconic singles up front, which always poses a challenge for bands recreating an entire album, but the strength of “Get Born’ was always the fact that every single track was magnificent. But it cannot be denied that ‘Are You Gonna Be my Girl’, ‘Rollover DJ and ‘Look What You’ve Done’ were heart stopping.
I could hear the crowd singing every word from every song played and the crowd supplied the verses alone to the spine tingling ‘Look What You’ve Done’ perfectly. Nic Cester is of course a consummate and charming performer and Jet delivered the most energetic and enthralling performance filled with an energy that reflected their twenty-year ago younger selves. Once they had delivered the album, they returned for a five song finale. I have yet to see a band elicit such a fervoured response from a crowd. This was a thrilling performance and a perfect accompaniment to the stellar show in the skies.
4. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds, The Republic, nipaluna/Hobart, 24 April 2024
Kid Congo Powers and his band put on an extraordinary performance. In my recent interview with him, Powers spoke about starting his solo career seeing one of the last performances of The Cramps, where he had an epiphany of sorts. He realised that rather starting anew with a fresh new persona, he should, like The Cramps, be himself in performance – give it all and express himself. And he does just that. Larger than life in a cape and a cacophony of colours, he is expressive and totally immersed – a magnetic and enigmatic performer. It is as if he is in a deep trance – completely buried in the music, the lyrics and the delivery, gesticulating, rolling his eyes back, striking poses and evoking wild noises from his guitar. His inter song banter was hilarious and his presence luminous.
It is altogether too rare to see such a blinding performance that leaves you with a rictus smile as you leave the venue.
5. Paul Kelly, The Odeon Theatre, nipaluna/Hobart, 18 February 2024
Paul Kelly‘s set, part of the last ever MONA FOMA Festival, kicked off like a rocket with ‘Before Too Long’ and the nearly two hour set was just as incendiary. The band set fire to the material and the on-stage camaraderie was infectious and joyous – Dan Luscombe’s drumming was powerful and transfixing while Ashley Naylor and Dan Kelly guitar antics were mesmerising. Dan Kelly plied his trade with mandolins, banjos and guitars while Naylor create a shimmer with six and twelve strings. The backing singing and stage presence of Hitchcock was stunning – her performance in ‘Every Day My Mother’s Voice’ (a song dedicated to First Nations footballer Adam Goodes) had the entire theatre on its feet, joined by every hair on the back of my neck.
Indeed there were many moments during the evening that were transfixing and euphoric – certainly fueled by Kelly’s more well known tracks like the sentimental ‘How To Make Gravy’- the unofficial Australian Christmas anthem – and the sheer power of and majesty of ‘Leaps and Bounds’ and the anthemic ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’.
Arun’s Gallery – ten favourite shots from 2024
Courtney Barnett, Paul Kelly, Cash Savage, TISM, The Psychedelic Furs, Alice Cooper, Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds, Pond, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Underground Lovers (RIP Richard Andrew)
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