Year: 2015

WATCH: The Witcher III‘s first expansion, Hearts of Stone, is out now

Finished The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and are hungry for more? Of course you are, why wouldn’t you be? In good news for RPG fans with an itch to scratch until Fallout 4 releases, The Witcher 3‘s first big expansion dropped today.

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Rocket League is getting Back to the Future DLC and it’s all we’ve ever wanted

A very recognisable vehicle will arrive in Rocket League on October 21, a date that is also very important to fans of the Back to the Future trilogy.

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Quentin Tarantino on his way to Sydney and Melbourne to promote The Hateful Eight

Roadshow Films is set to bring legendary Academy Award winning Director Quentin Tarantino to Sydney and Melbourne to promote his latest film The Hateful Eight. It will all be going down next January, where Tarantino will first attend a premiere in Sydney before heading to Melbourne to host a fan event ahead of the film’s…

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Sydney’s Central Park announces a “Silent Disco” inspired Film Festival

From becoming part of Vivid Sydney’s program for the first time this year, to embracing the aMBUSH Gallery, Sydney centre Central Park has been impressively adding its mark to the artistic scene in Sydney since it opened in 2013. And their latest initiative will only add to their repetoire. The centre have announced that later this…

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DVD Review: Pernicious (USA, 2014)

I have a strange passion for trash cinema and ‘so bad-it’s good’ movies. Toss me a copy of Sharknado or a Troma film any day of the week and I’ll gladly watch it purely for the shits/giggles. But Pernicious is neither of those things. It takes itself far too seriously and is too polished to…

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TV Review: Doctor Who Season 9 Episode 4 “Before The Flood” (UK, 2015)

“Before The Flood”, the fourth episode of season 9, opened with something that I haven’t quite seen in Doctor Who before – the Doctor talking directly to the audience, breaking the fourth wall. The entire first sequence consisted of Peter Capaldi explaining the Bootstrap Paradox. It was fun, unpredictable, and really got you thinking; if a time traveler goes…

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Film Review: Legend (CTC, UK/FRA, 2015)

Many gangster movies have come before that have been considered great, The Godfather, Goodfellas, The Untouchables, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and all of these have depicted the highs and lows of the lifestyle. Where Legend differs, by utilising its lead to play both main characters, by taking an American spin on the British…

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Film Review: The Walk (USA, 2015)

After seeing the trailers for Joseph Gordon Levitt’s new film The Walk,I was anticipating a complete and utter disaster that would make me wonder what I ever saw in the actor. The preview entailed horrible French accents and what appeared to be incredibly unnecessary 3D. It seemed to be Hollywood gone wild; but oh, how wrong I was….

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Manta Restaurant and Bar – Woolloomoolloo (Sydney)

Manta at Woolloomooloo wharf has revealed a new fit out, new menu, and new sommelier. Like a lot of other restaurants near the water, the focus is on seafood, but at Manta there’s a Mediterranean slant. Head chef Daniel Hughes is bringing back simplicity and provenance. It’s all about fresh produce that you can trace…

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Last Week On Late Night: The Five Best Musical Performances On US Late Night TV (5th To 9th October)

US late night talk shows are a showcase of all-things celebrity, politics, humor, comedy and music. They are often treated as the final thing we see before we go to sleep. With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert debuting in the same 11:30pm slot opposite Kimmel and Fallon – all shows were keen to pull…

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Live Review: The Queen Extravaganza Show – The Star Event Centre, Sydney (07.10.15)

Attempting to fill the shoes of anyone in Queen is a difficult, and almost impossible task. Though for the official cover band, where members are chosen by Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Queen Extravaganza is injected with an aura of legitimacy in their quest to continue the Queen experience. How did they go when…

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Album Review: Neon Indian – Vega Intl. Night School (2015 LP)

The highly praised tribal leader of indie synth returns with his first album in four years. We’re of course talking about Neon Indian and his long awaited LP Vega INTL. Night School, officially available this Friday. Firstly – I need to know: how does one attend this night school? Because they will teach you all…

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Live Review: Grace Turner + Imogen Pemberton – 107 Projects, Sydney (07.10.15)

Photo Credit: Zana Kobayashi Grace Turner launched her new EP last week at the intimate, cosy 107 Projects in Redfern. 107 Projects is a tiny venue, that could be at the back of someone’s garage. With mismatched chairs and old lounges randomly placed throughout the space, it’s almost like being in a friend’s shed or…

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Kendrick Lamar announced for Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016; Sideshows In Sydney And Melbourne

The last time Australia saw Kendrick Lamar, the irrepressible Compton emcee was playing stadiums across the country in support of Eminem at Rapture Festival. This time, the To Pimp a Butterfly genius will be headlining arenas on a two-show (so far) tour in addition to a headline slot at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016. Little needs…

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Thy Art Is Murder (Sydney) Talk Holy War, Animal Rights And Touring With Parkway Drive

Australia’s biggest heavy music exports Thy Art Is Murder are about to wrap up their national tour with Parkway Drive before heading straight back out on their own headline tour. Having recently dropped their latest LP Holy War which debuted at #7 on the ARIA charts, the band has embraced the controversy surrounding the release,…

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Live Review: City Calm Down + Foreign/National + The Rememberz + Blush Response – Rocket Bar, Adelaide (09.10.15)

City Calm Down have maintained somewhat of an air of mystery around them in recent years. Having spent quite a bit of time away working solidly on their debut album, In a Restless House, the Melbourne band have still managed to cultivate and maintain a strong fan base within the local scene and following on…

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GRAPHIC Festival Review: Sarah Blasko – Sydney Opera House (11.10.15)

On album number five, Sarah Blasko shimmies and struts to the language of love. Her recent show at the Sydney Opera House for Graphic Festival saw the world premiere and official preview of her latest offering. It was worlds apart from her previous concert at this iconic venue where she was backed by the Sydney…

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Hermitude & The Preatures On Their Multiple ARIA Nominations For 2015!

Two acts who are up for a cheeky few ARIA Awards apiece this year come straight outta NSW but from different ends of the spectrum; you’ve got The Preatures, the five piece who have been elevated to become one of the country’s favourite live touring acts off the back of their debut album Blue Planet…

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Single Of The Day: Jordan Millar “True or Nothing” (2015)

Jordan Millar has long been a favourite with AU staff, the charismatic songwriter and performer always making an impact whenever we happen to catch him performing live. Regardless of the stage, Millar’s music presents itself as a great fusion of rhythm, lyricism and depth – his narratives are heartfelt and after releasing two albums and…

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Dan Sultan Announces November/December Tour In Support Of OPENLive!

Dan Sultan will be on the road with some new material through November and December, supporting new music platform OPENLive and the release of a limited edition physical CD of his recent National Theatre concert. OPENLive, priding itself on being able to produce mixed and mastered recordings of performances instantly after the event has joined…

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MC Bad Genius & Dan W Sweat on the return of The Philly Jays!

This month, the Philadelphia Grand Jury officially made their return, releasing their sophomore album, Summer of Doom. An album that almost wasn’t even made but spurred on following the overwhelmingly positive response to their small run of shows around Australia in 2014, the record arguably has the trio at their refreshed best. It would seem that time…

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Video Games Review: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (PS4, 2015)

From fairly humble beginnings, Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series became the must-have trilogy on the PS3, adventure games par excellence that revitalised climbing puzzles while remaining tense and cinematic. The entire series to date has now been given the PS4 remaster treatment courtesy of indie developer Bluepoint.

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DVD Review: Danny Collins (USA, 2015)

Just like starting over. Danny Collins is a film about an aging rocker who is strongly influenced by John Lennon. This dramedy is a predictable and formulaic film but it is redeemed by some great performances and its pleasant foray into the world of music. The film marks the directorial debut of Crazy, Stupid, Love…

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TV Review: The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 1 “First Time Again” (USA, 2015)

A horde of 30,000 walkers all built up in a large quarry!? So this is the reason Alexandria has managed to get by without being overrun; a nice, clever explanation to illuminate the mysterious history of the gated community, weaved in skillfully without taking away from the balanced amounts of drama and action that “First…

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GRAPHIC Festival Review: Ólafur Arnalds – Sydney Opera House (10.10.15)

Photo Credit: Prudence Upton One of the most anticipated musical events at the Sydney Opera House this weekend arrived as part of the House’s GRAPHIC Festival, featuring acclaimed Icelandic pianist Ólafur Arnalds, accompanied by a 15 piece Orchestra and special graphics commissioned specifically for the event, produced by Máni M. Sigfússon. On hand to conduct the 15…

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AC/DC Announce The Hives And Kingswood As Special Guests On Australian Tour!

Australian music legends AC/DC have announced Swedish garage rockers The Hives and Australia’s own Kingswood as special guests for the Australian leg of their ‘Rock Or Bust’ world tour. The 9 show tour will stop in Australia’s five major cities, before heading to New Zealand for two more shows to finish. AC/DC has already played…

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Music Video Of The Day: Walken “Even If It Kills Me” (2015)

Brisbane duo Walken have recently dropped the music video for their grunge-soaked tune “Even if it Kills Me” – a single that positions the band alongside the likes of fellow Queenslanders Violent Soho, The Smith Street Band and others in the crop of Aussies who have been flying the flag for music that is good…

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Tkay Maidza, Grenadiers, Timberwolf And More Unveiled As SA Music Award Nominees!

The nominees for the 2015 SA Music Awards have today been announced, with successful Adelaide export Tkay Maidza leading the charge, nominated for seven awards across 14 categories! Music SA this morning revealed the results of what has been a months-long judging process for a panel of local industry minds, reflective of the amount of…

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Hot Chip, Dirty Three, Courtney Barnett & More Announced For Sugar Mountain 2016!

Before the weekend, Le1f was the first name leaked/revealed for Melbourne’s Sugar Mountain festival, quickly indicating that the organisers had another vibrant and eclectic line up in store. This morning, they’ve gone and announced the full line up of artists, musicians and individuals set to take part in the event next January at the VCA…

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