2012 has been an interesting year for international tours around Australia, with more than a handful of eagerly anticipated acts (read George Michael - admit it, you were gutted too), unfortunately cancelling their tours and a few festival dramas thrown into the mix. Thankfully, those that did make it to our shores more than made up for the cancellations. Without further ado, here are the top twelve international tours of 2012 as voted by the AU Review contributors.

Perth duo Sun City caught up with us backstage at the Beresford in Sydney last week just before they hit the stage and filled us in on their favourite albums of 2012...

In this Issue: The first details about Groovin The Moo, more acts added to Summadayze, Laneway announce Future Classic stage and give free mixtape, Pyramid Rock Festival set times announced, Bring Me the Horizon announces sidewaves and plenty more!

Groovin the Moo Dates and Venues Announced

Popular Swedish synth band Miike Snow are a supergroup of sorts; Each of the three members bring with them an abundance of experience and success, mesh it all together, and create some of the most celebrated indie-pop of the past few years. Their wide-spread popularity in all the cool-kid circles doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon, and with the way their Splendour in the Grass Sydney sideshow went I think their reputation has been set in stone.

Splendour In The Grass got off to a super muddy start for the second day, but this time, I was ready; prepared with some brand new boots after the Vans I had on the Friday were sacrificed to the vengeful festival god. It made walking into the Supertop to catch the breezy-indie pop stylings of Last Dinosaurs (pictured) easy, and it’s hard to think of a better soundtrack to wade through mud to than their whacked out cover of Modjo’s “Lady”.

Pictured: Bloc Party

It's that time of year again - the pilgrimage of many to Byron Bay for Splendour in the Grass begins this week, while just as many scowl at the fact they can't get there for whatever reason. If you have a radio or internet streaming available however, you can be part of the party as well, with Triple J bringing Splendour straight to you!

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA

New York’s experimental dream-pop group, School of Seven Bells are pleased to announce that they are returning to Australia for The Hi Fi Shoreline Series to perform their third full-length album GHOSTORY.

Having previously toured Australia twice before including a stellar performance at Splendour In The Grass Festival fans can expect to be enthralled in fuzzed-out, weirdo-pop goodness.

The Jezabels are set to hit the stage with long list of big names, including Black Sabbath, at this years Lollapalooza festival in Chicago.

In 2011, the Music portion of SXSW was extended a day to cross over with the final day the interactive event. This now gives Film, Music and Interactive badge holders the opportunity to check out the wares of one and other, as the Interactive badges show their signs of fatigue, giving Music badges a glimpse into their own future.

Massive week! Lots of huge releases from big acts from Laura Marling, Paul Weller, Marilyn Manson, Katy Perry, All American Rejects, The Chemical Brothers and Grinderman to name a few! Also releases from oldies and new local acts such as The Manks as well as dance acts such as Far East Movement and electro from Laps. There’s something for everyone and heaps to get through so get stuck in! Stay posted for next week, it’s going to be another big one!

Massive week! Tons of new releases with heaps of big ones from Laura Marling, Paul Weller, Marilyn Manson, All American Rejects to The Temper Trap, just to name a few! We have a few oldies like The Hives and new local acts such as The Mank and also a few dance releases from Far East Movement and elctro from Laps. There's something for everyone this week and there's heaps to go through so get stuck into it! Next week is set to be huge too, stay posted!