Melbourne's The Smith Street Band have announced a new national tour, set to embark on a run of dates around the place with some visitors from USA in Joyce Manor and Cheap Thrills! Showcasing their latest bunch of tunes, The Smith Street Band will be kicking ass through August and September; make sure to buy your tickets to see one of Melbourne's finest do the rounds again, and also welcome the newcomers to our shores for the first time.

This week sees the announcement of new albums from a huge range of acts. From the well known, highly regarded The National and James Blake, to debut’s from lesser-known locals. Not forgetting the surprising debut release from 80’s film star Molly Ringwald and the highly anticipated debut’s of Major Lazer and Charli XCX. This week has it all, plus much much more!

ABSOLUTE BOYS

Boasting names such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Killers, Animal Collective and Foals it was clear that the Big Day Out had bounced back from the bad run it had last year where half the tour got truncated versions of the event. This year, every show boasted the full lineup which was promising for the future of the event given the recent hurdles it has had to overcome.

In this issue: Shihad announced as Black Sabbath’s support, The Presets add extra shows, sold out national gigs, Blink 182 announce their supports and loads more.

Barry Gibb Announces Sydney’s Audio Vixen as special guests on his Australian ‘Mythology’ tour

If you have never listened to The Smith Street Band, then, as Gran used to say, 'you've got rocks in your head.' Lyricist master Wil Wagner will have you kill your brains laughing whilst uncontrollably smiling at the familiar but never before heard Melbourne punk rock sound. At least, that's what it did to me at Pyramid Rock Festival this year where I caught up with Wil and drummer Chris to eat trail mix and talk weird stuff.

This year’s Pyramid Rock Festival on Phillip Island in Victoria will be remembered by me not only as a paddock full of beer cans and flocks of seagulls. It will instead be remembered as the New Years Eve that someone threw a basketball at Dominic Simper of Tame Impala’s face. But let’s go back to the beginning, a time of sobriety and a lot less violence.

The Smith Street Band invited close friends Andy Johnson and Mick Thomas to their :Sunshine & Technology" album launch at the Tote back in August and asked them to film the whole thing. That entire night was pretty special for the band, playing to a sold out venue. The clip for 'Young Drunk' show off The Smith Street Band's live talent from the comfort of your own home.

We continue our Top 40 Albums of 2012 list with 30 to 21... These albums were voted by 42 of our fine contributors and the list that has resulted is an eclectic mix; from local indie, to international chart toppers, Australian Black Metal and all the way back again. We hope you enjoy our annual trip down memory lane...

Big Day Out fans were given something to get excited about when the festival released timetables, local band line ups and more for the 2013 installment! Along with this announcement, the Big Day Out is also thrilled to announce that the Lilypad will be making its return, and there will also be a brand new stage at all festival stops - the Red Stage.

Check out the additions to each leg of the Big Day Out below!

The Smith Street Band will be joined by fellow Melbourne group The Bennies and Bomb The Music Industry from the US on a run of dates next year.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Sydney Sideshow, Brian Eno screens new album this Saturday at the Opera house, Hard-On's are back playing for the first time since "the incident" in Australia and more!

Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Sydney sideshow!

Sunshine & Technology is the much anticipated album to The Smith Street Band’s 2011 debut No One Gets Lost Anymore and arguably lives up to the hype that frontman Wil Wagner and co have managed to build for themselves.

In this issue: Last Dinosaurs add new shows to tour, Grimes sells out east coast tour, The Brand New Heavies add second Melbourne show, Spiritualized ticket sales revised and many more!

LAST DINOSAURS ADD NEW SHOWS TO 'THE SATELLITE TOUR'!