John Shand | Music & Other Spheres Posts

January 12, 2017 / Features - Archive

What were they thinking? Technologically diabolical live sound should be a thing of the past, like overheating cars. So to encounter this phenomenon plaguing five high-profile concerts in five different rooms in 2016 was disgraceful. The worst offender was the delightful Esperanza Spaulding’s Emily’s D+Evolution in the Joan Sutherland Theatre.…

January 10, 2017 / Theatre Reviews - Archive

Lyric Theatre, January 8 7.5/10 One’s ability to succumb to Cinderella stories tends to wither with age – and I don’t mean reaching one’s riper years. About 10 should do it. So this withered fruit sat with arms folded, little inclined to cut a musical version of Madeleine St John’s…

January 9, 2017 / Concert Reviews - Archive

The Basement, December 14 8.5/10 The expectant buzz for this one thickened the sweltering air still more. Steve Gadd has been to Australia several times, but not leading his own band. The room was crammed with musicians eager to hear what the world’s most imitated drummer does when he’s not…