2023 was a pretty big year for me! It all started with getting asked to join the team at Wall Of Sound, which is arguably one of the coolest and most rewarding things that has ever happened to me. To coincide with finishing my journalism degree, being a part of WoS allowed me to attend some of the most life-changing gigs of my life, peer into a life of music journalism, and gave me a platform to interview one of my favourite artists of all time! 2023 truly had a lot in store for me! Luckily, it was all soundtracked by some incredible releases!The year was nothing short of stellar for both local and international acts, as well as a year that has solidified itself as one of the most rewarding in terms of live music. Here are some of the most important moments of the year 2023!
Top 10 Albums of 2023
10. Holding Absence - The Noble Art of Self-Destruction9. Polaris - Fatalism8. Knuckle Puck- Losing What We Love7. Paramore- This Is Why6. Silent Planet- SUPERBLOOMhttps://youtu.be/S5JbWqXJN7E?si=WbpNNBVTCAg1CqpR5. Spanish Love Songs - No Joy4. Movements- RUCKUS!3. To The Grave - Director’s Cuts2. Trophy Eyes - Suicide and Sunshine1. Sleep Token- Take Me Back To Eden https://youtu.be/vFHBOKa_ZG0?si=84g7A_KsuZydKy5n
Top 10 Songs of 2023
10. Ice Nine Kills- ‘Meat and Greet’9. Neck Deep- ‘Take Me With You’8. Bloom- ‘Bound To Your Whispers’7. Thornhill- ‘Viper Room’6. Currents- ‘Living In Tragedy’https://youtu.be/1YP74fZlLA8?si=ztkxPUF_gAHCZVHx5. Poppy- ‘Motorbike’4. Sleep Token- ‘Take Me Back To Eden’3. Trophy Eyes- ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ 2. Kublai Khan TX- ‘Theory Of Mind’1. The Plot In You- ‘Forgotten’ https://youtu.be/sqnR8MnUD1w?si=Lb28b6YgvyEsJuGs
Best Music Video of 2023
Knocked Lose- ‘Deep In The Willow / Everything Is Quiet Now’https://youtu.be/H4KYH7LK2_0?si=cC7KoSrU33eai-g8
Top 3 Gigs Of The Year
2023 was a huge year of live music for me. Whether it was multiple dates of a tour, a gig night after night, or traveling across state borders in search of live music, this year proved that both the local and international scene are well anticipated by Australian audiences. So too, live music is not merely an event, but a home for a night.
- Movements / Boston Manor @ The Factory Theatre
This show came about quite randomly for me, becoming what some would call a devout Movements fan in a mere two weeks before the show. Regardless of this, it ended up being one of the most emotionally profound and impactful gigs of the year. With such a sense of community fostering a chance to meet some incredible people, all soundtracked by their beautiful songs, how could it not make the list? Bring on New Bloom Fest!!
- Trophy Eyes @ The Metro Theatre
I was lucky enough to catch Trophy Eyes on multiple occasions this year, but none more special than their show at the Metro Theatre. Fresh from the release of their incredible album Suicide and Sunshine, the show was nothing short of an emotional exploration of the band’s long-spanning, heartwrenching, and utterly perfect discography. Somehow, my long history of Trophy Eyes shows had evaded the live performance of ‘Suicide Pact’. At this show, I finally got to hear it (and crowd-surf to one of my favourite songs of all time, ‘Chlorine’).
- My Chemical Romance @ Qudos Bank Arena, Night Two
After years of holding on to my tickets, cancelled international flights, and what seemed like a perpetual state of unknowing, March rolled around and My Chemical Romance hit Sydney shores. After all but blacking out during night one, night two gave me an opportunity to immerse myself in this incredible moment from the second row of thousands of people inside Qudos Bank Arena. Something about locking eyes with Gerard Way and hearing ‘Mama’ live truly changed this young woman's life. It is quite safe to say that I have never sobbed as violently at a show as I did this one, and the surreal feeling of witnessing such an act of perfection and professionalism (as well as greatness) will never, ever, be topped. It still does not feel real. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqKRH2_plvk/?img_index=1
Music Festival Of The Year
Knotfest Sydney @ Centennial Park Knotfest was a spiritual experience that lingered with me for many months to come, especially via that one bruise on my chest that has only just seemed to clear. Running from stage to stage with no breaks, it was perfect chaos that shone a spotlight on the best up-and-comers, and the foundationary acts of the scene at hand. With nothing but some Ventolin, a single water break, and a dream, Knotfest was a day jam-packed with fun, music, and moments you will never forget- just what a music festival should be. Did you know it rained during Northlane?
Next Big Aussie Act To Watch In 2024?
Bloom has already well-established themselves as one of Australia’s best acts. With electric live performances (and some stellar opening and festival slots under their belt) as well as transformative and vulnerable recorded songs, they lace all their work with an emotive, connective undertone that makes them an inescapably capturing listen. With their signing to Pure Noise Records and the release of the debut album, Maybe In Another Life, out on February 16th, 2024 is the year Bloom will take over the Australian scene (and the world)! https://youtu.be/V86cky_uD6w?si=RPA3_gwrIVWFTzP9
What Are You Most Looking Forward To In 2024?
Personally, I’m looking forward to delving into more writing, reviews, and interviews here at Wall Of Sound. I can't wait for the opportunity to connect with even more of my favourite artists (which is still such a surreal thing), cover more gigs, and share my thoughts on some of the upcoming releases coming our way! There are already a few reviews in the works!Musically, I am so excited about Neck Deep’s new album, and cannot wait to witness the next step in their jaw-dropping evolution that ceases to see them expire creatively. Gig-wise, I think two nights of Bring Me The Horizon and Sleep Token will see me ascend to some sort of higher power. I will have to see if anything can top what I expect to be my show of the year! Written by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002https://youtu.be/CHhIoUxOisM?si=0x6Y-HnvSYNz9Yiu
