I’ve been wanting to do a “Top 10 Vinyl Records” post for a long time now, but I had no idea how to classify them – should I pick my favourite albums, the records that were hardest to find, or the ones that had the most value personally. I decided to choose this specific Top 10 based on rarity, colour, and price.

When purchasing records I always look out for any exclusive or limited edition versions. For example, a couple of months ago ‘Purpose’ by Justin Bieber was released on vinyl. I had preordered it on Amazon and it was a standard black vinyl edition. Just before the release date Urban Outfitters announced they would be releasing an exclusive clear vinyl of the album. I immediately cancelled my Amazon preorder and purchased the Urban Outfitters version, even though it cost a little bit more. I really love coloured records and although I included a few picture discs in this post, I’m not too fussed on those.

There are two records I am dying to get: English Rain by Gabrielle Aplin (Blue), and A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out by Panic! At The Disco (Gold). They are both astronomically expensive so if I ever see them at a decent price I will pounce on them straight away. But for now, here is my Top 10…

 

What I Paid: Not sure exactly but it was around $120

 

Fall Out Boy – Infinity on High (2 x 12″)
Hot Topic Exclusive
Colour: Clear with Blue with White Splatter
2500 copies pressed.
What I Paid: $24.55 USD

Joan Jett – Bad Reputation (12″)
Hot Topic Exclusive
Colour: Transparent Purple/Opaque Lavender split
What I Paid: $18.99 USD

Clueless Soundtrack (12″)
Urban Outfitters Exclusive Picture Disc (still available)
Colour: Yellow Plaid
What I Paid: $35.98 USD

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower – Soundtrack (12″)
Urban Outfitters Exclusive
Colour: Transparent Green
What I Paid: $22.98 USD

5 Seconds of Summer – Self Titled (12″)
Limited Edition Record Store Day Release
Colour: Picture Disc – album cover on one side, graphic design on the other
What I paid: $40-60ish on eBay

Justin Bieber – Believe (2 x 12″)
Limited Edition – only 1000 copies pressed for the VIP package on his Believe tour.
Colour: Picture Disc
What I Paid: $50 for the record + full merch pack from when Justin was in Australia. The insert is signed. It now goes for $500+ on eBay.

Ryan Adams – 1989 (2 x 12″)
Barnes and Noble Exclusive
Colour: Seafoam Green
What I paid: $30.60 USD on eBay – Available for $18.99 at Barnes and Noble

One Direction – Midnight Memories (7″)
Limited Edition Record Store Day Release
Colour: Picture Disc

Maroon 5 – Songs About Jane (2 x 12″)
Limited Edition – 500 copies pressed
Colour: Red/Peach/Black Swirl
What I Paid: $105.12 USD

I’d love to do my Top 10 Records I own in the future so do let me know if you are interested in that. Please leave me a comment if you are a vinyl collector – I’d love to hear about some of your favourites in your collection.

Last month I was fortunate enough to see Passenger perform at the Brisbane Riverstage! That venue is notorious for raining on the night of a concert but fortunately it was beautiful weather and there was not a drop of rain to be seen.

The highlight of the show was Life’s for the Living and the encore – Holes which you can watch on his FaceBook page (I highly recommend it).

It was just a quick post today but I hope you enjoyed it. If you get a chance to see Passenger live, please do so – you will love it.

Last night I went to see James Bay perform up in Brisbane. He’s wasn’t an artist I was desperate to see (the final act I ticked off that list was The 1975 last month) but I enjoy his music and knew he would be good live based on some YouTube videos I had seen. I’m happy to say that he surpassed my expectations – he’s an incredible performer and knows how to work a crowd. That venue can be a bit of a weird atmosphere sometimes but he controlled it really well and got people into it.

My favourite part of the concert was when he called out everyone in the seats to stand up for a song and to be like this one lady wearing black who was clearly in her 60s who had not sat down the whole time.

If you’re interested in seeing him I would highly recommend it. You can see how much he loves what he does and how grateful he is. There’s some people that you see in concert and think “they are not a star” – I did not think that at James Bay. He has something special about him. 

I cannot express in words how much I love this band. There are very few concerts I go to that I don’t want to end – in fact, I think there’s only been three of them in my whole life (I’ve been to a lot of concerts), but this was definitely one of them. I had such an incredible time at the concert with my friend Monia and just did not want it to end. In honour of the album coming out in one week(!!!) I thought it was about time I posted these photos and shared my experience seeing The 1975 live.

What I love about The 1975 is how vastly different each song is from the last. They have a very eclectic sound which is very enjoyable. Their staging was impeccable – the lighting and graphics reflecting the mood of each song and making each one a stand out. My favourite songs live were So Far (It’s Alright), Menswear, You, Girls (everyone went off during this one), Change of Heart and of course, The Sound – even Matty was surprised at how into that song the crowd was.

My only complaint for the entire show was that they didn’t perform their most recent single at the time, UGH! as I love that song and was looking forward to hearing it live. I would’ve preferred to hear that song than She’s American, Medicine or even fallingforyou. I just thought it was bizarre to sell a shirt with UGH! on it and then not even perform the song.

I cannot wait to see them again. It was incredible to see them in such an intimate venue – the same one where I saw One Direction for the first time. It’s always good to be left wanting more, than to wish it was over sooner. 

We all have those bands that have a monumental affect on us throughout our lives. For me, one of those bands was Australian rock band Kisschasy. A few months ago they announced their farewell tour – the final tour before they all go their separate ways and move on to whatever the future holds.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see them perform live twice before; once for their Hymns of the Non Believer tour in 2008 and the other tine as a support act for Good Charlotte back in 2007. I remember standing in the crowd during Black Dress, touching my necklace with my heart-shaped locket – I felt so connected in that moment which is a rare feeling for me.

Seeing them perform live for the final time was incredible. It feels amazing and very cathartic to stand in the second row of one of your favourite bands and get to scream out every word that has meant so much to you throughout the last 8 years of your life.

Unfortunately for me I had a really irritating girl behind me throughout the majority of the gig; she was absolutely smashed and kept hitting me in the head, touching me and trying to talk to me. I ended up having to elbow her away at one stage but she was so plastered I don’t think she even realised what was happening.

The highlight of the night was Black Dress when a bunch of guys from the support act appeared on stage wearing black dresses, stopping Darren Cordeux in his tracks, unsure of how to continue on.

Spray on Pants was a crowd favourite as we screamed out the lyrics drinks are cheap and vinyl’s cool, what do you think of my new shoes?

All good things must come to an end but Kisschasy are forever in my brain.

Last night I went to see The Lumineers in concert. I went to see them last March and they were incredible so when Tom (my brother) said they were coming back I knew I had to go. It’s my birthday on Wednesday so he bought my ticket as a birthday present.

We had a bit of a disaster getting to the venue – the concert was at The Tivoli Theatre – I’ve been to a few concerts there before and knew it was in the middle of nowhere so we decided to get a taxi as we were quite far away. The taxi driver had no idea where he was going so he dropped us over 1km away from the venue so we had to walk there which was really annoying, especially as I wanted to get a good spot in line and knew we’d be standing for at least another 4 hours. Anyway we got there around 6:25 pm and doors were to open at 7 pm. The line wasn’t too bad so we ended up getting in the third row right in the middle. I definitely recognised some people around us from the last concert – the couple in front of us were to my left last time.

It was an exciting moment when they brought out this drum.

The support act came on at 8 pm – they describe themselves as ‘Porno Country Folk Cabaret’ and they definitely lived up to their name. The Good Ship were really fun and so much better than the support act The Lumineers had last time who quite frankly bored me to tears.

Finally The Lumineers came on at around 9pm and they were incredible. Honestly every song on their album is a hit and I cannot wait for the next album. I think Ain’t Nobody’s Problem was my favourite song at this concert & Stubborn Love was great too. If you’ve never watched them live I definitely recommend checking out either this video or their iTunes Festival 2013 gig.

Woody Allen Duet (Fallin’)

Dead Sea

Charlie Boy

Jeremiah & Wesley

Darlene

Flapper  Girl

I would watch them every day if I could. 

Last night I went to see One Direction’s Take Me Home Tour in Brisbane! I was lucky enough to catch their last tour in April last year and hoped and prayed I’d be able to get tickets again this year. For days before they went on sale I felt ill at the thought of not getting tickets. I wanted to get Soundcheck tickets and hoped there’d be some left so when I logged in and clicked the link and saw that there was soundcheck tickets I was ecstatic! Then I bought them and realised I was to be seated in Row AA – the front row! Five hundred and some odd days later I was sitting pretty much right in the centre front row with three lovely girls either side of me (they were all 16 so I felt a little old) waiting for 5 Seconds of Summer to take the stage. But lets rewind to Sound Check – I met a lovely girl called Melissa there who I chatted to for most of the soundcheck portion of the evening.

I had a awkward moment with Harry. I was wearing a necklace and it felt kind of annoying so I had my arms around my neck trying to fix it and then Harry kind of looked at me and then crossed his arms around his chest kind of mimicking what I was doing which was funny. It’s like he was teasing me. Harry is so freaking charismatic it’s ridiculous. His eyes bore into yours from across the room. There’s a reason he’s the most popular one of the group – his charm is undeniable.