Blog — Page 2 of 277

Luke Combs 
01 February 2025
Accor Stadium
Sydney, Australia

On a balmy February evening in Sydney, country music fans from across NSW flocked to Accor Stadium for what promised to be a historic night. Luke Combs, the global superstar who has redefined modern country music, made history as the first country artist to headline a full stadium tour in Australia and New Zealand. The scale was undeniably massive, the crowd was electric, and the hits were plentiful - but beneath the spectacle, there lingered a sense that something intangible was missing.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the first chords reverberated through the stadium, it was clear this would be a night of singalong anthems and polished production. Combs, backed by a technically flawless band, took the stage with the confidence of an artist at the top of his game. His setlist was a well-curated mix of crowd-pleasers and tracks from his latest album, Fathers & Sons, a deeply personal record that explores themes of family, legacy, and resilience. Songs like Remember Him That Way and the encore Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma resonated with emotional depth, their lyrics offering glimpses into Combs’ evolution as a storyteller.

There’s no denying Combs’ ability to connect with his audience. His down-to-earth charm and everyman appeal have always been central to his success, and tonight was no exception. The crowd hung on his every word, erupting into deafening cheers at the opening notes of hits like Beautiful Crazy and When It Rains It Pours. His rendition of Fast Car, the Grammy-winning homage to Tracy Chapman, was a poignant moment, though it felt more like a faithful tribute than a reimagining.

Yet, for all the technical precision and crowd-pleasing moments, there was a lingering sense of predictability. The show felt meticulously planned, each song and stage cue executed with clockwork precision. While this ensured a seamless experience, it also left little room for spontaneity or raw, unscripted energy, i.e.the kind of moments that transform a great show into a legendary one.

The production values were undeniably impressive with visuals played across massive screens, and the lighting design added a cinematic quality to the performance. But for all the spectacle, the most striking image was the sea of fans, their voices rising in unison, their energy palpable. It was a reminder that, at its core, a Luke Combs show is about community, i.e. a shared love for music that tells real stories about real lives.

As the final chords of Beer Never Broke My Heart rang out and the crowd roared their approval, it was clear that Combs had delivered exactly what his fans came for: a night of big hooks, heartfelt lyrics, and stadium-sized singalongs. For many, it was a dream come true. But for those hoping for a touch of unpredictability, a moment of unpolished magic, the night felt like a well-oiled machine - reliable, impressive, but missing that spark of rawness that could have made it truly transcendent.

Wardruna
25 January 2025
Enmore Theatre
Sydney, Australia

In the humid haze of a Sydney summer evening, the Enmore Theatre became a portal to another realm, a sacred space where time and place blurred. On January 25, 2025, Wardruna delivered a transcendent performance that not only captivated but transported its audience into the heart of Nordic mysticism. Anticipation had simmered since the band’s tour announcement in April 2024, and as the crowd gathered, clad in intricate folk-inspired attire, the atmosphere felt less like a concert and more like a ritualistic homecoming.

The stage design set the tone: drapery shimmered like torn, blood-soaked skin under shifting lights, evoking an eerie yet inviting atmosphere—more medieval dungeon than modern theatre. As the runic symbol of Wardruna glowed center stage, the crowd hushed in reverence. The opening notes of Kvitravn broke the silence, the haunting strains of the violin casting a spell over the packed hall. The silhouettes of the band appeared against an ever-changing backdrop, as Einar Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella’s voices wove a tapestry of sound that reverberated with the theatre’s pristine acoustics.

The performance unfolded like a story told through shadow and light. From the pounding heartbeat of Hertan to the feverish energy of Skugge, each track was a revelation. The textured drapery became a living canvas, projecting eclipses, fiery peaks, and ethereal snowfields, amplifying the emotional depth of each song. Wardruna’s mastery of atmospheric soundscapes was palpable; smoke rose from the stage, blending with the visuals to immerse the audience in a multisensory experience that felt both ancient and otherworldly.

Selvik’s versatility was on full display—chanting, drumming, and playing the kravik-lyre with an intensity that seemed to channel the spirits of old. Lindy-Fay Hella danced like a shaman, her movements feverish and free, as if conducting the energy flowing between the band and the enraptured audience. Tracks like Lyfjaberg and Heimta Thurs showcased the ensemble’s collective brilliance, with every instrument and voice contributing to the unfolding ritual.

The climax came with Helvegen, a song about death and crossing over. As the stage bathed in red light and runes reappeared, the crowd was invited to sing, their voices rising in unison like an ancient choir. The atmosphere was electric, reverent, and deeply personal—a moment of shared catharsis.

And then, in a final intimate gesture, Selvik returned alone for an encore, offering Snake Pit Poetry in a stripped-back, skaldic mode. His gratitude to the audience was heartfelt, his words a reminder of Wardruna’s mission: to reinterpret the past in ways that resonate with the present. 

In its essence, Wardruna’s performance was a bridge between worlds. It left the Enmore Theatre vibrating with the echoes of ancient chants and modern marvels, a shared experience that transcended language, culture, and time. 

Sometimes I get all introspective and ask myself why I do this.

Not very often, but the answer is always because I like music. It's that simple. I like to discover new stuff and I like to share it.

Every year, the staff at Scene Point Blank sink a ton of time into 3 big Year End features. Part of that includes a personal top 25 albums of the year.

I've made a playlist to my albums list. Enjoy.

Lung @ Lee's Palace
Toronto, ON Canada
November 19, 2024

Have you ever heard a distorted electric cello, with intense vocals and heavy drum beats?

Powerhouse duo, cellist Kate Wakefield and drummer Daisy Caplan, are not to be underestimated! Seeing them for the first time perform live has left me wanting more!

Better Lovers are making the rounds again, this time with a new full-length LP, Highly Irresponsible, released earlier this Fall. The hardcore mash-up of ex-Dillinger Escape Plan and ex-Every Time I Die members recently brought their show to So-Cal, and I had the pleasure of seeing how things have been going since last year. They brought along midwestern Shoegazers, Cloakroom, Hardcore Punk quintet SPY, and Grindcore act Full of Hell.

After getting stuck in traffic due to multiple accidents on the freeway, I found myself arriving just in time to catch the end of Cloakroom's set. Next up were SPY from Nor-Cal. The audience seemed anxious to get riled up and Spy were just the band to do it. A clash of hardcore dancers and circle pitters occupied the floor while the band roared on stage.

Full of Hell followed. I'm unsure if there were mic issues at the start, or if the band just played that loud, but frontman Dylan Walker was inaudible at the beginning of the set. It was a bit jarring to see Walker throw his head around with constant screaming faces but not hear anything. It seemed to be fixed by the second song, though the band did indeed just play so loud that it was still difficult to hear him.

Better Lovers were about to take the Observatory stage. The last time the band played here, it was in a small room no bigger than a Starbucks that sits inside the Observatory. The 1200-capacity room was packed by the time their intro track, a hodge-podge of songs about, or including the word "Love," began to play. It was a different vibe, but the energy in the room was the same. The band jumped into "Lie Between the Lines" from their new album, Highly Irresponsible. The band amped up the production with a half dozen strobes to mess with your senses and add to the chaos as frontman, Greg Puciato, screams in your face.

The band continued to chip away at tracks from Highly Irresponsible like "Future Myopia" and "Love as an Act of Rebellion," as well as throwing in tracks from their debut EP and singles "The Flowering" and "Two Alive Amongst the Dead." Crowd surfers made their way to the front aplenty. A small child even appeared to be offered up as a sacrifice. Don't worry, she made it back to her father. Better Lovers never faltered and ripped through their set without ever taking much of a breather. The band is only getting better. The night reached its apex as they jumped into their last song of the night, "30 Under 13." The crowd saw it as their last chance to go all out, so a few didn't hesitate to make their way onto the stage to head-walk or stage dive. Everyone in Better Lovers has been doing this for a long time. Between a new album that rips and an intense live show, it's clear that they have no intentions of slowing down.  Be sure to catch them when they tour with Poison the Well in 2025!