Culture
Live reviews
Two of the most interesting artists on the planet have arrived in Melbourne
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have been writing and singing together since the ’90s, and they play as though they are one mind moving through two guitars.
- by Liam Pieper and Cameron Woodhead
Latest
Amyl and the Sniffers’ biggest show yet is a riotous celebration
There’s a real sense of community and communion as the crowd thrashes, screams and whoops for 90 minutes of pure chaos.
- by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Cameron Woodhead and Andrew Fuhrmann
Amyl and the Sniffers: Uninhibited Aussie pub rock at its finest
Amyl and the Sniffers’ lead singer Amy Taylor performs like an X-rated Barbie doll on magic mushrooms.
- by Peter McCallum and Kayla Olaya
Plenty of moments to fill your soul or make you gasp with awe
Our reviewers give their verdict on the latest shows.
- by John Shand, Bernard Zuel and Peter McCallum
Stranger than Trump? Penn & Teller provide the best performance art of the day
In a tour celebrating their golden jubilee, the duo showed a packed Hamer Hall exactly why their act is so enduring and beloved.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Jessica Nicholas and Vyshnavee Wijekumar
This new musical set during the marriage equality debate shines light on a grey time
Set in 2017 during Australia’s marriage equality debate, Bearded follows two queer teenagers as they navigate coming out.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Will Cox, Andy Hazel and Andrew Fuhrmann
Resistance is futile when Primal Scream unleash their bangers
Our critics give their verdict on the latest shows around town.
- by George Palathingal, Kate Prendergast and Kayla Olaya
Dark Noon rips apart the American Dream with savage intensity
Our reviewers give their verdict on the latest Sydney Festival shows.
- by Joyce Morgan, Chantal Nguyen, John Shand, Cassie Tongue and James Jennings
In an electric gig, this performer proved that she isn’t bothered about norms
For the dancing alone, it’s worth the price of admission – with some of the best moves in the game, Tinashe is hypnotic.
- by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Kate Jones and Tony Way
★★★½
Sydney Festival
Dusty ghosts haunt this retelling of a famous Sydney murder
Our reviewers give their verdict on the opening shows from Sydney Festival.
- by Peter McCallum, James Jennings, Kate Prendergast and John Shand
A critic’s view on Melbourne theatre in 2024
From a theatre company that keeps raising the bar, to an awkward return, to shows that punch above their weight, it’s been an interesting year on our stages.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/live-reviews