John Shand
John Shand has written about music and theatre since 1981 in more than 30 publications, including for Fairfax Media since 1993. He is also a playwright, author, poet, librettist, drummer and winner of the 2017 Walkley Arts Journalism Award
The shows around town everyone’s talking about this week
Our critics take a look at what’s hot – and what’s not – on stages across Sydney.
- John Shand, Chantal Nguyen, Harriet Cunningham, Peter McCallum, James Jennings, Kate Prendergast and Cindy Yin
Latest
Four star-frenzy: These new albums are so close to perfect
This week’s must-hear albums include a jazz master’s opus, a Danish delight and a Western Australian gem.
- John Shand, Annie Toller, Nick Buckley, Tom W Clarke and Robert Moran
Bangarra’s next generation arrives in style, plus reviews of other big shows this week
Our critics take a look at what’s hot – and what’s not – on stages across Sydney.
- James Jennings, Cassie Tongue, Peter McCallum, Chantal Nguyen, Kate Prendergast and John Shand
Mitski pushes through fan frenzy and false start, plus reviews of other big shows this week
Our critics take a look at what’s hot – and what’s not – on stages across Sydney.
- John Shand, Rod Yates, Peter McCallum, Bernard Zuel, Kate Prendergast and Shamim Razavi
- ★★★★½
- Arts
Audience comes close to ducking in virtuosic thriller based on Hitchcock classic
The Birds made for a chilling movie – and it has lost none of its power on stage. Plus, our critics look at performances by Split Enz, the ACO and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
- John Shand, Bernard Zuel and Peter McCallum
‘I’m the lads’: The big challenge Paula Arundell faced doing a one-person show
Arundell’s turn in The Birds marks yet another one-person show to land on Sydney’s stages.
- John Shand
Peking Duk’s energetic party tunes solid but short of spectacular
Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles’ enthusiasm is infectious. But the swelling synths, flashing lights and banging bass got monotonous quickly.
- Millie Muroi, Daniel Herborn, Kate Prendergast, Peter McCallum, George Palathingal, Nadia Russell, Harriet Cunningham and John Shand
- ★★★★½
- Review
Beck sounds as good as ever with strings attached
Our review of alternative icon Beck teaming up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestras kicks off this wrap-up of shows around town.
- George Palathingal, Rod Yates, John Shand, Peter McCallum and Nicole Economos
Shelve that cynicism: Sincerity is making a comeback
A review of Mumford & Sons leads this round-up of the latest shows around town.
- John Shand, Michael Ruffles, Peter McCallum, Cassie Tongue, Kate Prendergast and Millie Muroi
Do you want chips with that? Tim Rogers serves up a masterclass
A review of veteran rocker Tim Rogers leads this wrap-up of all the latest shows around town.
- John Shand, Daniel Herborn, Amber Cunneen, James Jennings and Kate Prendergast