Latest news with #Powderfinger
Spectator
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Now it's getting late: on Neil Young, ageing and fatherhood
Neil Young once saved my life. Or at least, that's how I remember it. This was at an outdoor show in Finsbury Park in July 1993. I had pushed and squeezed my way almost to the front of a large crowd shortly after being passed something of dubious provenance to smoke. One moment everything was perfect: he was playing that romantic late career hit, 'Harvest Moon', the sun was setting, the moon, conveniently, rising, and I was swaying along, rapturous. But then, suddenly – bang… I fainted. This is the only time in my 45-year gig-going career that this has happened. But I was gone. I was briefly unconscious, then I came to lying on my back on the grass, looking up at dozens of legs all around and above me, almost on top of me. I realised that I needed to get up but I was still woozy, too weak to stand. I needed to gather my strength. Meanwhile Young was getting to the end: 'But now it's getting late… And the moon is climbing high.' I could no longer see the moon, just those legs. Then 'Harvest Moon' ended and applause and cheers came over my head, but I still couldn't stand. And this is when Neil Young saved my life, which felt at this moment as if it was in the balance. He did this by playing a ballad, 'The Needle and the Damage Done' (which is, perhaps appropriately, about the dangers of drug misuse). Because of this slow number I was able to spend another two minutes with my head between my knees steeling myself to get up. Had he played a rockier number – and 'Powderfinger', 'Down by the River', 'Like a Hurricane' and 'Rockin' in the Free World' were all on the set list that night – the space would have become a mosh pit and I would have been trampled. But 'The Needle' saved me. As it ended I finally managed to stand and then retreated to where it was less jammed to watch the rest of the show, shaken by how imperilled I had felt. And I realised that that song selection had been crucial in me getting out uninjured. I've seen Neil Young play a few more times in the years since – most memorably in an explosive performance at Brixton Academy in 2002, one of the best live shows I've ever been to. Alexis Petridis's review of that night in the Guardian concluded: 'Like one of his own guitar solos, you suspect [Neil Young] could go on forever.' And he pretty much has. But when I saw he was playing again this summer in Hyde Park in London, exactly 32 years to the day of that collapse in Finsbury Park, I initially had no urge to go. He'll turn 80 this autumn – and after seeing now voiceless Bob Dylan disappoint too many times, I felt Young would probably be going the same way. But then Number One Son started badgering me to take him. He's recently converted from being almost exclusively into hardcore US rap to preferring the rock bands of the early 1970s: Led Zep, the Stones and now also, it seems, Neil Young. So it felt like an open goal opportunity for some parent/child bonding. Arriving in Hyde Park, I realise I am at the younger end of the age spectrum in the audience, a rarity these days. We miss the first support act, Van Morrison, because he finishes half an hour earlier than he was listed to. It seems Young has made a late alteration to the timings to give himself longer on stage. We do see Cat Stevens and get to hug each other as he plays 'Father and Son' – a touching moment, even if the song is about parent-child estrangement. Before the main event, son goes for drinks and comes back ambitiously holding four pints. One minute you're feeding crying babies in the middle of the night, the next they're getting the beers in, I reflect. In Neil Young terminology, it seems like only yesterday that I was '24 and there's so much more' – Number One Son's age next birthday – and now I'm the old man being urged to look at the young man who is 'a lot like you were'. And indeed my son, I see, is a lot like I was. He is soon urging me to go further into the crowd. And we do this, with our four pints, only this time he does the pushing and apologising and I simply follow. I find myself thinking again of that night in 1993 when I came close to getting crushed and of other misadventures in my twenties that might have stopped me making it to my fifties. A number of my friends from those days didn't make it. Young opens his set with 'Ambulance Blues', which notes: 'It's easy to get buried in the past.' And he's right. So I try to stop brooding and to concentrate on enjoying the evening – to be in the moment, as they say these days. Once again he plays both 'Harvest Moon' – son's favourite – and 'The Needle and the Damage Done'. This time I manage to stay vertical. It's a wonderful night. The heatwave makes the air shimmer and Young can still sing that haunting high tenor, even if he is a curmudgeon who looks like a tramp. But, in fairness, so, increasingly, am I. Young also plays 'Hey Hey, My My', the companion piece to his punk era song that states: 'It's better to burn out than to fade away.' I wonder if he still thinks that? A couple of years after my 1990s white-out I attended another outdoor gig, in this same spot in Hyde Park – the Who, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan – and wrote about it for a Sunday red-top. I recall writing the extremely snarky intro: 'Hyde Park became Jurassic Park last night as the dinosaurs of rock turned out to play.' Those dinosaurs would have been considerably younger then than I am now, I realise. One of these days Neil Young will die. I'm hoping he predeceases me – and I'm hoping I predecease my son. Who knows what will happen to any of us. But it was briefly pleasing for all three of us to be in the same field for one evening in the summer of 2025.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Albanese's China challenge: balancing trade and values
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is back in Australia after a week in China. Did he come home with more than he had when he left? Yes and no. Albanese can say he met Chinese President Xi Jinping for two hours of talks, had a banquet lunch, magnificent dinners (Paul Kelly and Powderfinger songs!) and basically mended the rift from the Scott Morrison years. The two leaders were warm in their comments towards each country. Albanese can take this as an embrace, giving rise to a feeling as warm and fuzzy as watching a panda frolic in the sun. Albanese's week was an act of diplomacy that was necessary to Australia's economic wellbeing. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, China is Australia's largest two-way trading partner. Trade with China in 2023-24 accounted for 26 per cent of our goods and services trade with the world. Two-way trade with China totalled $325 billion, of which goods and services exports were $212.7 billion. Iron ore exports to China last year alone were worth $US79.6 billion ($121 billion). The seeming harmony of the past week is a far cry from the years of Morrison's government, when China placed trade bans worth about $20 billion on exports over what it saw as Australia's hostility towards it, partly due to Morrison's view on the origins of COVID-19, though this was never the stated reason. The sanctions have since been lifted. The thawing of this latest Cold War between Australia and China should be seen as but one front on the bilateral battlefield. While it is true, as French historian Montesquieu wrote 300 years ago, that 'peace is a natural effect of trade', it is not the only factor. In dealing with China, a set of scales is always on the table. On one side is the money and trade-derived wealth, on the other is the very nature of the regime, that is, its authoritarianism, its geopolitical ambitions, its treatment of its people and minority groups within its borders, including its suppression of human rights and dissent.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Whitlam, Nixon, Albanese: PM uses Great Wall to place himself in history
China has failed to democratise in the way many in the West had hoped in Whitlam's time. Albanese admitted he was dealing with a different beast, but said the best way to manage differences was to build as much trust as realistically possible. Loading 'We don't shout with a megaphone,' he remarked, referring to his predecessor Scott Morrison's confrontational diplomatic style that drew China's ire. If chumminess is the name of the game, China knew which buttons to press when Albanese came to town. The pub-rock-loving PM was treated to Chinese covers of Powderfinger, Paul Kelly and Midnight Oil at dinner in Beijing's Great Hall on Tuesday. Power and the Passion was the Oils' song played, according to Albanese. The lyrics from the activist band's hit are pro-Whitlam and make jabs at 'Uncle Sam' and the Pine Gap intelligence facility – all made in the context of paranoia around the US' role in Whitlam's 1975 dismissal. Albanese and Xi were splashed on page one of the China Daily, a state media publication. Russia's foreign minister, who met Xi on the same day as the PM, was relegated to page three despite Russia's 'no limits' relationship with China. 'They did the full kit and caboodle. And so, it was a splendid occasion,' Albanese said. It's hard to see how China's wooing of Albanese makes ambassador Kevin Rudd's job any easier in Washington as he works to preserve the AUKUS pact in talks with the China hawks in the Trump administration. The Great Wall, usually jammed with tourists, was cleared for Albanese's visit. Freeways across Shanghai and Beijing were also closed off for the prime minister's motorcades, with Australian flags lining the streets. Loading After a short press conference – decked in his Rabbitohs cap and tennis shoes – Albanese went for a walk up the wall with a tour guide and his fiancee Jodie Haydon. Once the money shot was in view, he took off his Ray-Bans, asked the guide and translator to move aside, shooed reporters and assorted hangers-on out of the way, cleared the path ahead of him for what he clearly expects will become an iconic photo in the same stretch of the wall as Whitlam. Even while feeling the weight of history, Albanese had his nuptials on his mind after photographers captured the scenic shot. 'Anyone here a celebrant?' he asked with a smirk.
The Age
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Whitlam, Nixon, Albanese: PM uses Great Wall to place himself in history
China has failed to democratise in the way many in the West had hoped in Whitlam's time. Albanese admitted he was dealing with a different beast, but said the best way to manage differences was to build as much trust as realistically possible. Loading 'We don't shout with a megaphone,' he remarked, referring to his predecessor Scott Morrison's confrontational diplomatic style that drew China's ire. If chumminess is the name of the game, China knew which buttons to press when Albanese came to town. The pub-rock-loving PM was treated to Chinese covers of Powderfinger, Paul Kelly and Midnight Oil at dinner in Beijing's Great Hall on Tuesday. Power and the Passion was the Oils' song played, according to Albanese. The lyrics from the activist band's hit are pro-Whitlam and make jabs at 'Uncle Sam' and the Pine Gap intelligence facility – all made in the context of paranoia around the US' role in Whitlam's 1975 dismissal. Albanese and Xi were splashed on page one of the China Daily, a state media publication. Russia's foreign minister, who met Xi on the same day as the PM, was relegated to page three despite Russia's 'no limits' relationship with China. 'They did the full kit and caboodle. And so, it was a splendid occasion,' Albanese said. It's hard to see how China's wooing of Albanese makes ambassador Kevin Rudd's job any easier in Washington as he works to preserve the AUKUS pact in talks with the China hawks in the Trump administration. The Great Wall, usually jammed with tourists, was cleared for Albanese's visit. Freeways across Shanghai and Beijing were also closed off for the prime minister's motorcades, with Australian flags lining the streets. Loading After a short press conference – decked in his Rabbitohs cap and tennis shoes – Albanese went for a walk up the wall with a tour guide and his fiancee Jodie Haydon. Once the money shot was in view, he took off his Ray-Bans, asked the guide and translator to move aside, shooed reporters and assorted hangers-on out of the way, cleared the path ahead of him for what he clearly expects will become an iconic photo in the same stretch of the wall as Whitlam. Even while feeling the weight of history, Albanese had his nuptials on his mind after photographers captured the scenic shot. 'Anyone here a celebrant?' he asked with a smirk.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Hottest 100 of Australian songs has celebrities shouting out their favourites
Social media feeds are quickly filling up with people's votes for the Hottest 100 of Australian songs, which triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed will count down on Saturday, July 26. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn't waste much time getting his votes in, opting for a very classic list of Aussie favourites from the past. The CSIRO had a go at lodging votes (the corella must have just missed out), and the Australian Sporting Commission confirmed that "Bradman" was a better Paul Kelly song than "Shane Warne" in their votes. We've spoken to a heap of beloved Australians to get a sneaky listen to the songs they're voting for as well. Below you'll see a handful of choices from musicians, footy players and entertainers, hopefully giving you a little inspiration to get those votes completed today. You can hear plenty more on The Hottest Seat, and once you're inspired, make sure to get your votes in. No time to muck around — voting closes on Thursday! Powderfinger — Whatever Makes You Happy Powderfinger have so many brilliant songs that I don't think Whatever Makes You Happy is going to even touch the first 1,000 songs. But that one is special to me. When Hamish and I first finished our radio show, we'd done a show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. U2 had come and performed, we got knighted by Bono, then John Farnham had come out of retirement to sing the final songs. Hamish and I went straight to Vegas after that. We bought two suits, one each, and that's all we wore. As we got there, Hame said, "I just wanna show you something," and pulled out a DVD — that's how old we are — and he played a compilation of photos from this ride of our lives: meeting at university, mucking around, having a TV show that got axed, and then suddenly being on the radio Whatever Makes You Happy by Powderfinger was the song he put it to. So that one certainly would be almost #1 for me as Australian songs of all time, probably cause it's sentimental. But, sorry Bernie and the gang, I doubt it's gonna make the top 1,000 for Australians. Sia — Chandelier Sia is a fellow South Australian. When we were younger, we used to go see her play with a band called Crisp, which was an acid jazz band. Later on in our lives we'd do a song with her called I Love It. We picked this song because Sia is a bloody Australian legend and icon. We're huge fans, and this is probably the perfect pop song. If you were writing a pop song and you walked out of the room after writing this, you'd be like, "10 out of 10. I did it. I wrote the perfect pop song". Flume — Holdin' On I remember this song from house parties and by the time I was going out [to clubs] it was still around. It is such a great track that brought back so many memories. I listened to it for the first time in a little while the other day, and it's still such a good song. Flume's done some amazing tracks, but this one's my favourite by him. BZ — Jackie {ft. Joanne} This is a very late-90s kind of song, and it just reminds me of my mum. I think this was her favourite song when I was a kid because I remember it being blasted everywhere. When I was looking on the triple j website at all the songs you could pick, I saw this song and it made me giggle. I was like, "Oh my God, I remember that song!" I haven't listened to it in years, but I just have fond memories of mum blasting it in the car on the way to primary school, so I had to include it. Silverchair — Miss You Love I could pick every song, I'm such a massive Silverchair fan. But Miss You Love was [released] at a time where I was in and out of young love. I remember this time my friend was talking about that song, she's like, "I'm going to get married to that song". But I was such a Silverchair fan that I knew that Daniel had said the song is about not being in love, not believing in love and not caring about it. Looking back on it now: it is a love song and it's the best love song ever. Violent Soho — Covered In Chrome Lots of memories of listening to these guys when I was first listening to triple j on a worksite as a labourer for an electrician. At Falls Festival back in mid to late 2000s, Violent Soho brought in the New Year and I distinctly remember being at the bottom of a triple [speaker] stacker, my mate Liam on my shoulders, someone else on his. A recollection of joy and happiness. This song is easy to get lost in when that chorus hits, particularly at a live gig. Divinyls — Back To The Wall Chrissy Amphlett was a bit of a hero of mine growing up. I just thought she was so bad-arse, and it was so cool to see a really strong woman out the front of a rock band being such an individual, and being so engaging as a performer. I was so inspired. Not that I've turned out anything like that, but it was really cool to see that you could be anything you wanted as a female performer. Angie McMahon — Letting Go There's something about Angie's songs that have this tension and release that I absolutely love. I get massive goosebumps when it goes to this outro, she lets go and her voice just goes into the stratosphere. It's exactly what you want from music, what you want from art. You want to be moved, you want goosebumps, you want the hairs to stick up on the back of your neck. Angie's music does that. What an inspiring song, especially at this time and the way the world is at the moment, it's very difficult to let go of all the tension that's around. John Farnham — You're The Voice As Aussies, he's the eighth wonder of the world. We always used to try and sing like John. We went to his concerts when we were very young and we became obsessed with him. We saw him in Jesus Christ Superstar and we thought he might actually be Jesus. Warumpi Band — My Island Home Growing up on a little island in Northern Territory, this song takes me back to my country, to my place. It brings back memories of sitting in the Troopy with my family and going fishing and sitting on the beach. This song is such a statement and a true representation of that nostalgic feeling. When you're so far away from home, this song calls you back. Flight Facilities — Claire De Lune This is a really special song. It's so spacious, the time that it takes from start to finish is something I find endearing and nice to listen to. It's a really beautiful headphone listen. I don't know if it's the strings or the glockenspiel or the naked vocal … it's just a really beautiful electronic track. The kick is so subdued and dialled back and quiet, it's just to keep your attention as opposed to needing to be something that's making you dance or making you move. When you see the song live, it's absolute euphoria from the crowd. They are still dancing, even though the kick is subdued. There's enough within it to make you wanna dance and smile. Tina Arena — Sorrento Moon I heard someone say once that you are either a Chains person or a Sorrento Moon person, and I have always been a Sorrento Moon girly. I just love the melody, the harmonics, the emotion and feel of the track. I just don't think we can talk about the best songs in Australian music without mentioning the queen, Tina Arena. The Hottest 100 of Australian songs happens on triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed on Saturday 26 July. Voting is open until 5pm AEST this Thursday afternoon. Listen to Hottest Seat on the ABC listen app.
