“Chimers, an ex-Irish pat and stand-up drummer from Wollongong, and man they were pretty fucking great as well. Damn straight they were: echoes of Shellac and Seam and all those impassioned one-chord noise merchants from the early 90s, blood on the fretboards and sullen, sweet moments of tenderness interposed between the noise” – Everett True

“The pair’s chemistry was magnetic, summoning Shellac-like angularity and a humidity of sound that belied their two-piece configuration. Chimers’ final track, 3AM, sealed the deal with roars of appreciation from an already buzzing room.” – Rock Shot Magazine

“Before we can discover whether this line-up will enhance The Saints’ legend or risk tarnishing it, we have Chimers attempting to blow us away as the support act.” – Punk in Focus

The early part of 2026 will see Chimers in writing mode as they begin the follow up to 2024’s Through Today.

If the attendance of your fellow musicians were a measure of success then The Saints ‘73-‘78 USA / UK / Sweden / Berlin tour would be rich! Emmett Kelly (The Hard Quartet, Ty Segall), Clay Tarver (Chavez / Bullet La Volta), Falling James (Leaving Trains), Penelope Houston (The Avengers), Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless / Off), Jello Biafra, East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys), Steve Turner (Mudhoney), Stephen Malkmus (Pavement / The Hard Quartet), Alex Hedkins (Metz), Matt Sweeney (The Hard Quartet), Stu Spasm (Lubricated Goat), Ian MacKaye, Guy Picciotto, Brendan Candy (all-Fugazi), Mac (Superchunk), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Tony Thewlis (Scientists), Damien O’Neil (The Undertones), Jim White (Dirty Three / The Hard Quartet), Mick Turner (Dirty Three / Bleak Squad), Robert Hampson (Loop), Kristof Hahn (Swans) were just some the fellow musicians we were aware of enjoying the first-ever tour of the USA by a Kuepper-Hay line-up of The Saints plus their return to the UK for the first time since 1978. But could these old guys recreate the sound of their youth?

“Out of everything I’ve seen this year, I can’t think of anything more exciting and thrilling. This was one of those performances that makes this longtime fan grateful to be there and to be alive!” – Under The Radar USA

“This has been an awesomely faultless performance from start to finish — utterly gobsmacking.” – Punk in Focus

“I will forgive you pretty much anything, but I will never forgive you for not loving The Saints.” – Everett True

Remaining Saints merch available via thesaints73-78.com

From the sublime to the ridiculous (musically speaking) EDM maverick Four tet enjoyed his biggest ever Australian shows headline to 20,000 people across 2 in Sydney and Melbourne and further 5000 on the Gold Coast. Loose associations sometimes place Four tet amongst the Fred Again, Skrillex, Floating Points axis and while they are his friends and sometime collaborators Four tet a/k/a Kieran Hebden remains firmly has own man. His recorded music being textural, psychedelic, often drawing on his Indian heritage, whereas his DJ shows are an altogether different trip taking off in any direction; house remixes of Nelly Furtado, Mazzy Star samples, co-opting UK post-punk outfit The The or just playing hardcore icons Minor Threat outright! It’s a mixed bag, and in a very good way.

“Hebden conjures a low-key, calm-before-the-storm atmosphere with driving house and intricate tekky rhythms before going for the jugular with the Nelly Furtado-sampling Only Human. He gives us that possum-eyed glint that says “I’ve got ‘em good”, plays his remix of PAX by DJ ADHD and Chloe Robinson then I recognise another cracker: Tony Romera’s jacking 2009 (Extended remix). A mate turns to me “He’s laying Leave a Trace !” Another quips “It’s a DISCO BOWL!” as the whole place goes nuts to the dappled lights kissing our foreheads. Good shout.” – Music Feeds

Bleak Squad were the new kids on the block this year but featuring some familiar faces; Mick Harvey (The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds), Adalita (Magic Dirt), Mick Turner (Dirty Three / Mess esque) and project engineer Marty Brown. Their debut album Strange Love was been a roaring, out-of-left-field success. Topping the AIR Chart, making a top 40 ARIA Chart debut, RRR and 3PBS Albums of the Week, and being shortlisted for The Australian Music Prize. Plus their first live shows that have left audiences mesmerised, including sold out shows in Queenscliff, Meeniyan and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

“By the time closer Melanie collapses in squalls of distortion, something is excised. It’s less a statement from veteran players, than a conjuring of something kinetic and conversational.” – tinnitsit.com

Those shows behind them Bleak Squad head off on a brand new tour this Feb-March with festival appearances at Perth International Festival, Golden Plains and Riverboats plus their first ever headline shows in Springwood, Sydney, Canberra, Ballarat, Castlemaine. Brisbane, Eumundi and Murwillumbah. Says Brown: “We looked at our calendars for next year and there were only a few weeks we were all in the country and available, so we’ve jam-packed as many shows into them as we could because god knows when the next opportunity to play live together will happen again”

To coincide with the tour Bleak Squad will release a limited edition vinyl single, Black & White, released in January and available now for pre-order via Poison City. Tickets for all shows are also available now via feelpresents.com

Mention of Mick Turner brings us to another of his projects; Mess esque. They too found themselves shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize this year via their 2nd outing Jay Marie, Comfort Me. The raw emotional deliver of singer / keyboardist Helen Franz combined with the jagged edges and water colours of Turner’s guitar scapes made for one intense, yet joyous trip while live their stature grew with increased performances.

“It’s hard to describe the subtle power and happy-sad magic of Mess Esque.

A month ago, a small but devoted audience at the Petersham Bowling Club in Sydney found themselves in their eerie and warm embrace, one of those nights where you are honoured to have stumbled into the company of one of the finest bands in the world.

This kind of thing can happen in small and odd places when you are lucky, a karmic gathering of sound and spirit where every single thing – even the mistakes, the simple turn of a face sideways, the right amount of feedback – collects into something flaw-fully perfect.

I was there.

I saw Mess Esque up close at the Petersham Bowling Club.

As good as anything I have ever seen in my life

Casually intense and unexpectedly beautiful, the music takes you on a journey towards the underworld, then up and through into the warm light of living where you stand.

Go see them. Make sure you stand as close as you can. Warm yourself on their rock ‘n’ roll sorrow-joys and slow-burn melodies; the intimate way they’re amused, hurt and inspired: a pagan people of great devotion on stage.” – Mark Mordue

Mick Turner is an overnight sensation 40 years in the making. Let’s see what heights he can scale in 2026.

Of course there can be no mention of Mick Turner without also speaking of his long time side kick Jim White. Partners since 1985 and the brilliant and explosive Venom P. Stinger, Turner and White are also the longest servicing association of anyone within the Feel Presents family reaching back nearly all of those 40 years. Memory still recalls the day mid-80s we were summoned to the Newtown share house of writer David Nicholas where Jim White was staying, his sleeveless shirt ripped and held together by safety pins putting forward his belief in Venom P. Stinger and why we should be working with them. He’s like that, Jim. Confident, purposeful, persuasive. He was right of course. That band rules as does Jim.

Jim released his second solo outing Inner Day in August this year. It features our pick for Single and video of the Year I Don’t Do/Grand Central a duet with NYC artist Zoe Amba. It also features Jim’s first ever lyrics and vocal performance. And what an ear-worm it is! Buoyed by the reaction to the track (and album) Jim’s other partner in sound, Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto – and there’s an unlikely pairing – told us that Jim has been writing reams of lyrics for his next album. It’s our destiny to make Jim White the star he deserves to be so keep an eye out.

Jim White was also present earlier this year with The Hard Quartet, his brand new outfit alongside Emmett Kelly, Matt Sweeny and Stephen Malkmus. Their self-titled debut was a truly collaborative one drawing on the skill and craft of all 4 members equally yet sounding like nothing any of them had done before. They chose Australian as the launching pad for their live career and we took to them in kind.

“Half way through the set I was realising I was seeing something special. Over the years there have been a few really special moments of live music etched in my brain forever. Seeing Fraternity with Bon Scott, The Stones in 1973 at Memorial Drive, Queen with Freddie Mercury at Sunbury 1974, T.Rex at the Apollo Stadium, R.E.M. at Thebby, Even’s legendary three hour set at Jive and Explosions in the Sky at The Gov in recent years.

“The Hard Quartet’s performance this evening is one of those special memories that will remain with me until I depart to the great gig in the sky. It’s only January but I may have already seen the concert of year. Yes, it was that good.” – hifiwaylive.com

Dirty Three meantime, that other band for Mick and Jim, just completed their first UK / European tour in 14 years. Third cog in the D3 wheel, Warren Ellis, declaring via text that the band were “playing so well”, that he was playing “more piano on the old songs” and that the band were playing “better than Australia”. Ouch… Should have taken up their offer to go on the road with them. Anyhoo, the USA have their turn next year when D3 return for the first time in 15 years playing the Big Ears Festival plus a series of headline shows. If you are reading this from the USA: DO NOT MISS THIS.

Earlier this year Osees did their best to live up to the oft-suggested claim that they are the best live band in the world. Sold out shows in Auckland, Wellington, Raglan, Melbourne and Sydney, a brilliant Golden Plains Festival appearance and the reviews also doing their best to back it up.

“By the time the final notes rang out, The Gov was left in a state of exhaustion and exhilaration. If there were any doubts before, they were obliterated. Osees aren’t just one of the best live bands today, they are, quite possibly, the best.” – thenote.com.au

“The Metro was back to its heyday and feels like a furnace, packed to the rafters by an underground band. The remarkable OSees summon the wildest mosh-pit. That’s is befitting as they are one of the best live bands in world.’’ – i94bar

“Osees obliterate Hollywood Theatre in Avondale with a frenzied, neolithic assault. The queue for tonight’s sold-out show was already spilling in two directions, a restless anticipation bubbling beneath the surface.” – redrawn.news

Osees have just announced US, UK and European tour plans for mid-late 2026. That can only mean one thing right?

Or man Dan Snaith a/k/a Caribou was his usual delightful self when he landed in December playing the New Years Eve Lost Paradise festival in Glenworth Valley and subsequent headline shows down the east coast and across to Perth. The band’s non-stop ‘band-as-DJ’ show – one set, no breaks – was revelatory and the light show took them to another stratosphere visually and emotionally.

“Sometimes it didn’t feel as though the musicians were even there as the psychedelic spirals on the screen became the centrepiece of the show casting a mesmerising glow over the crowd, yet the silhouette of the band members was always visible enough to recognise their application to their instruments and talented performance.” – scenestr

“Caribou treats us to the spaced-out funkiness of Bowls and this leads to Odessa from the album Swim which arguably features some of Snaith’s finest work. The epic sprawl of Sun is simply awe inspiring as it sinks deep into intense kosmische psychedelics where the motoric beat is transformed into an intense techno thud.” – themusic.com

Some years ago Caribou was the first EDM act to play the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall followed closely by his pal Four tet. This year his pioneering ways continued when he performed as Caribou DJ at Melbourne’s Federation Square drawing an estimated 10,000 people om just 48 hrs notice. An exercise that has now been put into place by the Melbourne council which has since featured such acts as Kneecap, Sun Ra Arkestra and Eddy Current Suppression Ring.

In 2026 Ed Kuepper will celebrate 50 years as a recording musician having begun with the iconic (I’m) Stranded, released in August 1976 but written by 19 yr old Ed on Inala train station back in 1974. To celebrate the occasion we’re planning some special events though, aren’t most Ed gigs special? New on that to come.

Besides the overseas tour this year for The Saints ’73-’78, Ed also performed solo in Australia for the first time in 5 years playing towns and cities all over the east coast. This largely sold out tour was followed by a limited edition 4 show run with (that guy again) Jim White, following the release of their debut album After The Flood. Ed & Jim also finding a couple of spare days on The Saints US tour for their duo debut.

“Even when Kuepper played songs associated with his early bands (Laughing Clowns, the Saints), they were completely made over, with new, driving arrangements and surging, heavy waves of guitar under his coolly observant vocals. There was nothing stripped down about the duo format as Kuepper and White interacted with dynamic power, unveiling selections from their new album, “After the Flood,” alongside unreleased new songs.” – Falling James / LA

“These performances are also significant because until the other week, Kuepper had not performed in the U.S. since 1996 (almost thirty years!). Hopefully, given how inspired these shows were, he’ll be inclined to do it again despite his dislike of traveling. Regardless, this was a real treat!” – Under The Radar / NYC

Michael Beach was a new addition to the Feel roster this year. An exemplary singer / songwriter / musician, Michael is Californian born but has made Melbourne his home the last 20 years. Having courted cult status in his adopted home town over recent time, his talent finally found a presence elsewhere via his stupendous album Big Black Plume (Poison City). Contributors to his album include Mick Turner, Ethan Miller (Comets On Fire / Shelley Orcutt Miller), Lloyd Swanton (The Necks), Gareth Liddiard (TFS). Yes, he is in rare company as far as his admirers go and maybe, MAYBE his own material sounds like a combination of all those talents and more.

“It all begins with The Sea, as Beach echoes a Dylan-esque diatribe that sees the songwriter navigating through the miasma of pianos, Turner’s knotty guitars and Maddy Macfarlane’s saxophones. All told, it’s a melodic mélange of noise not a world away from Sonic Youth’s Rain on Tin. Poison Dart follows and later with Sick Century, both come as advertised. Backed by Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin’s cavalier heroics, it’s the kind of surging noise that would lift the roof off any inner-city Melbourne pub, as the Tropical Fuck Storm duo drag Beach into the sordid realms of mutant rock where he adds his own embellishments; the result, a raging collision of heartland rock and Ragged Glory-era Neil Young.” – sun-13.com

You want to find something new that you know little about but which will blow your socks off, Michael Beach is your man. Catch him (if you can) when he plays The Phoenix Central Park Sydney in January ’26.

Thanks for letting us in this year. It’s been a thing. Keep updated via the gram, the book or the site.