By Courtney Dabb, Sydney Correspondent
CW Stoneking + Peter Bibby- Manning Bar – 30.10.15 Sydney, Australia
The parallels between Peter Bibby and Courtney Barnett are incredible. Australiana in all its unpolished glory but whereas Courtney’s global rise to fame and reflections of a safe inner suburban lifestyle, Bibby’s honest and realistic commentary on welfare, alcoholism and homelessness hits harder with a greater sense of accuracy and straight shooting that is absent in most of Courtney’s lyrics. Bibby is a musician who speaks of the uncomfortable truths and a man who has lived and breathed the darker side of despair and disadvantage.
Opening to a full house, the predominately rock-a-billy crowd were visibly excited to catch CW Stoneking and his band of merry men. Starting with tracks from his most recent work Gon Boogaloo, the dual harmonies of industry mainstays, Vika and Linda Bull osculated between gentle notes heavy chested singing. The subtle accompaniment of James Clark’s double bass was exchanged for the horizontal kind and back again throughout the opening tracks.
CW’s vocals ranged between hitting gritty Deep South blues with a mouthful of chewing tobacco to near choir boy notes, showcasing his ability and diversity. With the crowd fully involved and clapping in unison Jungle Blues took on a tropical, Caribbean flavour which almost suited the balmy conditions of the night. Recalling his time as a school handyman, the aptly named Handyman Blues received a warm welcome. Covering an extensive collection in a solid 2 hour set, CW Stoneking showed why he has received local and international praise for his Northern Territory meets Mississippi brand of blues.
PHOTO GALLERY
CW Stoneking
Peter Bibby
C.W. Stoneking – “Ragged and Dirty”
C.W. Stoneking “The Zombie”
Peter Bibby “Cunt”
Peter Bibby “No More Sleepovers”
My entry into the photography world is purely an extension of my love affair with music.
My entry into the photography world is purely an extension of my love affair with music. The first event I ever attended was the Big Day Out festival in 1992 as a 13 year old, catching the likes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop and local legends Tumbleweed. I caught the bug and just loved the indie scene. Some 20 years and countless gigs later I wanted to go from behind the barrier to behind the camera.
Photographic residencies Include:The Manning Bar, Max Watts house Of Music and the Roller Den. Each venue sees a huge variety of local and international artists come through the doors making each shoot a unique challenge.
- Dispossessed and Neurosis in Sydney: raw, political and rocking - February 21, 2017
- The Oxford Art Factory features an energetic evening of garage rock - September 4, 2016
- Weedeater, Conan, and Lo! shake up Manning Bar with wild abandon - July 20, 2016
