Blog

Sydney’s own heavy sludge doom metal outfit Mountain Wizard Death Cult will be hitting the road across April and May to celebrate the release of their forthcoming EP Vitrify, bringing their immersive, riff-driven live show to a run of intimate east coast dates. Known for their hypnotic repetition and a stage presence that leans as […]

Brisbane punk rock lifers Dune Rats have officially released their highly anticipated new album OLD MATES, anchored by the re-release of fan favourite Ratbags! (Re-recorded). The 12-track record celebrates the band’s formative years, blending the raw, scrappy energy that made Dune Rats an Australian punk institution with the polish and confidence of a band at […]

Sunshine coast based Punk Rock outfit The Wolston Butchers have just released their killer new single called Last Dance. The single was recorded with longtime producer and friend Troy Brady (The Amity Affliction) and is the first of a slew of singles set for release this year. The Wolston Butchers give a nod to the […]

Melbourne hard rock outfit Stonetrip return with their explosive new EP The Fight, set for release March 20 via Golden Robot Records. The EP is available for pre-save HERE, giving fans an early chance to lock in the band’s latest hard-hitting release. The Fight captures Stonetrip at their most electrifying, delivering a fierce blend of […]

Townsville based Indie/Punk Rockers Poison Oak have released their new single called Melt. The single is the latest offering from their upcoming album release. The band have also announced a single launch at Otherwise Bar (Townsville) on March 7 to celebrate the release alongside No Clue, Mire and Prior Self. “Melt is a satirical take […]

Legendary Sydney band Crow, who were feted by Juice magazine when they emerged in the early ’90s as “the best band in Australia since the Birthday Party“, are set to return with their first album in over 15 years, entitled Hold Sway, on Cheersquad Records & Tapes. While a release date has not yet been […]

5X Platinum-certified alternative rockers THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS rode the crest of a major career wave in 2025. They released X’S FOR EYES via BETTER NOISE MUSIC and enjoyed Fall 2025 appearances at key festivals, including Aftershock, When We Were Young, and Warped Tour Orlando. Today, the band cruises into 2026 with the release of […]

Sydney-based, female death metal musician Evilean has released her debut single and official music video Lost Cause. Drawing on a heavy, brutal, raw and dark narrative covering themes of violence, aggression, death, revenge and power, Evilean captures death metal in its most honest form — filthy, direct, and hostile. There is no polish, no trend-chasing, […]

You know it’s going to be a good night when Samantha Fish rolls into town. When the support act is the brilliant Zac Schulze Gang as well, you know you’re in for something special.

Opening the evening was Zac Schulze, and whatever he has for breakfast I’d love to know. From the very first note to the final chord, the energy coming off the stage was immense — and that’s before even mentioning the guitar playing. Schulze is one of those young-gun players who clearly lives and breathes what he does. Imagine Rory Gallagher’s fire, Wilko Johnson’s swagger and just a touch of Angus Young attitude, all rolled into one.

The trio delivered a set steeped in classic British R&B, played with conviction and serious muscle. Despite releasing their debut album Straight To It in September 2025, they only dipped into it once tonight with “High Roller” perhaps keeping the rest fresh for their UK headline tour planned for November 2026. What we did get was superb: three tracks from their Made of Three EP release along with the excellent “Woman”, a song that has been getting heavy play on Planet Rock.

The set flew by far too quickly, closing with a fantastic cover of the Fleetwood Mac classic “Oh Well.” But the highlight for me was their barnstorming take on the Dr. Feelgood classic “She Does It Right.” If you get the chance to catch them on that headline tour later this year, don’t miss it.

Then it was time for the main event.

Samantha Fish is no stranger to UK audiences. Since first coming over in 2013, she has built a loyal following through sheer grit and determination, returning virtually every year. That dedication has paid off, tonight she’s packing out the magnificent O2 Ritz in Manchester, a venue she’s played before and one that recently hosted The Foo Fighters only days earlier.

Samantha Fish and her band wasted no time kicking things into gear, opening with a storming cover of MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams.” It was the perfect introduction, which was greeted by huge applause from a packed Ritz crowd.

From there the set rolled through a powerful selection of material. “Paper Doll,” the title track from her latest album, sat alongside the groove-heavy “Can Ya Handle the Heat.” During “I’m Done Runnin’,” Samantha Fish paused to greet the audience  “How y’all doing?” before launching back into the driving rhythm.

One of the standout moments came with “Sweet Southern Sounds,” where Samantha Fish switched to a shimmering silver semi-acoustic guitar, creating a cool, laid-back groove that had the Manchester crowd swaying along. Later, “Lose You More” had the audience clapping along as the band laid fully into the groove.

Things turned up several notches during “Bulletproof.” Samantha Fish strapped on her cigar-box guitar and unleashed a frantic slide workout, screaming vocals cutting through the roaring tones, absolute guitar heaven.

The mood then dipped into something darker and sleazier with “Fortune Teller,” before moving through “Poor Mattie”and the razor-sharp new single “Rusty Razor.” By this point the band were completely locked in, riding the wave of a crowd that clearly didn’t want the night to end.

 

One of the biggest highlights arrived during “Black Wind Howlin’,” when Zac Schulze returned to the stage for an electrifying guitar duel. The two traded licks back and forth with joyous intensity, the kind of moment that reminds you exactly why live music is unbeatable.

Samantha Fish is the real deal a modern rock star in every sense. She struts the stage with the swagger of a young Phil Lynott while unleashing blistering blues licks that few players can match. Add to that a voice packed with power and raw emotion, capable of lifting you up one moment and tearing you apart the next.

Quite simply, live music doesn’t get much better than this. If Samantha Fish is playing anywhere near you on this tour, go see her. You won’t regret it.

Photos by David Pickles

With special thanks to Peter Noble of Noble PR for the media access.

GALLERY

The post LIVE REVIEW: SAMANTHA FISH at O2 Ritz, Manchester appeared first on The Rockpit.

“Life in Motion” wasn’t just a tagline on a screen Friday night — it was the first real breath you felt at the Opening Ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The post 2026 Winter Paralympics Opening Ceremony Review: Pure Magic appeared first on Audio Ink Radio.