The Blurst of Times music festival spread across three venues, and Matt made it to each one with his camera. Featured were bands such as The Cairos, Violent Soho (pictured), Velociraptor, Drunk Mums and more...

For those of you wanting to get away for the Easter weekend and boogie down with some amazing music we introduce to you Boogie 7 in Tallarook. This boutique camping festival is bringing to you this Easter Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Tav Falco & the Panther Burns, Money For Rope, Velociraptor, Henry Wagons & his very welcome All Star Company, The Preatures and loads more for three days of rocking, bluesy, folk fun.

This is my last week for State of Affairs as we hand the writing duties for this column to both Priyam Chovhan and Ruby Niemann. On this week’s column though, we see a new artist on the ARIA singles chart finally, the Australian list for Europe’s answer to SXSW, The Great Escape grows, and Bigsound announces that registrations and applications are open for bands. Exciting stuff for conference loving musicians everywhere

In this issue: The Presets announce new dates, Boys of Summer announce unexpected line-up change, Tim Rogers & The Bamboos add new dates, Amanda Palmer confirms Australia & New Zealand shows and more!

Mitzi to join Foals at Sydney Club Shows

In this issue: The Gov is set to host a mammoth amount of names this summer, Wintercoats and The Townhouses are bringing Sound/Light/Stone to Sydney and more!

The Gov heating up with massive acts this summer!

The Gov is heating up with a whole heap of high profile acts set to tear up the stage in over the coming months.

Goodgod Small Club is packed early on and it's great to see people watching the support acts. Even when the support act is Palms, who seem to be supporting everyone in Sydney. It's the fourth time I've seen them this year and to their credit they are improving as a live act.

This week in the column: Insane activity in the ARIA charts, opportunities with FBi Radio, and little observations from BIGSOUND + more.

One can’t mention Velociraptor without mentioning their insane, hectic and unfettered live performances, whether it’s the full ensemble of 12 or with a few members of their party gang missing. Often described as being better live then on record, Velociraptor prove this to be a woefully wrong appreciation of the band with their new 8-track mini-LP, World Warriors.

This years BIGSOUND was bigger and better than ever. They boasted 120 bands over 12 stages. They did not fail to deliver. With all new venues including Magic City, Mustang Bar, and Press Club, the whirlwind Live program just that, a whirlwind. 30 minute sets, 20 minute turnarounds. With five sets per venue per night, there was absolutely no way to get to everything, but oh my, did I try make the most of sensational two night live music event.

If three's company and four's a crowd, what do you make of a band that rock a 12-piece garage-pop ensemble? Velociraptor have taken their love of Jurassic Park to the next level and crafted some sweet, '60s-flavoured indie jams in the process. With their new record The World Warriors set to drop later this week, we caught up with resident vocalist and tambourine shaker Jeremy "Coach" Neale ahead of the band's slot on this year's BIGSOUND, Brisbane's annual music conference and Australia's answer to the Texan SXSW Festival.

We've got a huge update here, with about 50 releases getting mentions this week. There's literally something for everyone in this list, so take a look and see what catches your eye!

NICK CAVE & WARREN ELLIS

Velociraptor have set their sights on world domination with not only the release of a mini-LP titled The World Warriors but with a tour of the same name. The 12 person 'supergroup' will be touring with two less guitarists this time as they hit up venues along Australia's East Coast in October.