Are we seriously all okay with the fact that 2024 is almost done and dusted?
Dear God, it’s such a blur. One day we’re 16 and sneaking into our first pub show and the next we find ourselves arguing in the Facebook comments about whether so-and-so is actually “punk” or not. Suddenly, the rising stars of our youth are on their anniversary tours and the buzzy new artists look like they’re still in high school (because they probably are).
Please excuse the existential crisis – we get a little sentimental near the end of the year. It’s just that we’ve been with you through it all, still dancing no matter who’s playing. And there’s something sweet about that, isn’t there? The longstanding venues getting glossy makeovers, the emerging artists influenced by the classics like a big ol’ family tree…
In this edition, we’re paying tribute to modern greats and next-gen legends. Our cover stars The Flaming Lips take us on a retrospective of their come-up in the ’80s, Amyl and The Sniffers share the joys of a $5 ticket and Franz Ferdinand brings us into their “bubble of the surreal”.
Greek-Australian sibling band Frenzee talks about playing punk to a bunch of traditional shepherd people and Melbourne four-piece Radio Free Alice describe the bittersweet success of breaking overseas. Plus, we have a gift guide for all you last-minute shoppers, and so much more!
As we kiss 2024 goodbye, we’d like to toast to you, our dear readers. May your dedication to the sesh and your insatiable appetite for new tunes keep us dancing for many years to come. Cheers!
