Dean Lewis is one of those artists who has an effortless charm about him. At The Great Escape this year, I was able to watch him perform twice – a proper introduction to his onstage presence – and it was undeniable, the hold the songwriter had over his audience. He’s slightly awkward, almost coy, in his…
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Indie rockers The Districts are back, dropping their second single from their upcoming LP, Popular Manipulations. “If Before I Wake” is heavy on the drone, citing influences from shoegaze to The Velvet Underground. There’s a distinct sound to these guys, touching on that 00’s indie rock vibe, with some modern finesse, all moulded by vocalist Rob Grote‘s distinctive and soaring voice. Of…
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One in four performing artists have attempted or considered suicide. More than one in three performing artists, and one in four industry support workers, report mental health problems (Entertainment Assist, 2014). Think about the last band you listened to, or the last gig you went to. A four person band? At least one person from…
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Our friends at PBS 106.7 FM are holding their annual Radio Festival right now, driving subscriptions to one of Melbourne – and Australia’s – finest community radio stations. Entirely non-for-profit, PBS relies on subscribers to champion local and underrepresented music across Melbourne and Australia and so they’re festival drive is one of the most important…
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The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is returning to Australia and New Zealand in late August for a run of dates. The show, which performs music from the ever-popular series of Nintendo video games backed by a full orchestra, now in its fourth season, is returning with an expanded program.
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It supposedly didn’t do as well as expected in its opening week in the USA, but Australians haven’t been quite so tough on King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword. In its first appearance at the Australian box office, it earned $2.32m. That’s not to say it’s been hugely successful here. Its performance at the box office so far has…
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Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer is a light comedy film about a human of New York. But he’s not just any human. The eponymous Norman is a wheeler/dealer and the undisputed king of networking. The film is what you’d get if The Ides of March were directed by…
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Handsome Devil is cut from the same cloth as Sing Street and Dead Poet’s Society, but it also leaves a few things deliberately ambiguous. This is a pleasant, coming-of-age tale set in a private, all-boys boarding school in Ireland. The story ends on an encouraging and positive note where you should be yourself because it…
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Hoo boy. This review is gonna be all over the place. It’s going to be this way because this game, even as a concept, is all over the place. You would think that, given that Tetris is already the most grueling activity a person can engage in, interrupting it with a quick round of the colour-matcher Puyo Puyo would be as…
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A fan of The Sound of Music since childhood, I have fond memories of watching the classic 1965 movie musical with my family. Then, when I got older, I watched it with my friends. Even now, I manage the yearly screening on TV. So it was definitely a dream come true for me to head…
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Liz Newell and Emily McLean have returned to The Blue Room Theatre with Toast, a charming exploration of grief, loss, and family. Following the sudden death of their mother, three sisters come together to clear out their childhood home. The headstrong Candice (Alison Van Reeken), recovering alcoholic Alex (Amy Mathews), and adoptive sister Sydney (Anna…
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Hendrick’s Gin is partnering with Sydney’s Siren Theatre Co to create an hour-long warehouse experience that is intriguingly light on details this June. This “journey”, as they are calling it, promises to delight your body, mind, instincts, emotions and reactions through a series of unexpected scenarios. Not to mention each ticket comes with a series…
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Manly locals sure are spoiled when it comes to quintessential drinking spots. They’ve got Four Pines, which remains a favourite, and now just a short stroll down from the wharf is Manly Spirits Co., the Northern Beaches very first artisan distillery. Just opened recently for public tours, tastings and cocktails, the distillery aims to welcome…
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Opened just a few weeks ago in Darlinghurst, Madame Shanghai is an old-school Shanghai street food and yum cha spot by the same team behind Sydney’s beloved Lotus restaurants and Papa Bo Min. Vintage-minded with a love of all things Chinoiserie, the new venue overlooks Hyde Park and brings a bit of Sydney’s leafy icon…
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With a focus on age-old Italian cuisine, the much-anticipated trattoria-style Bacco Osteria e Espresso has now opened in Sydney, fronted by Executive Chef Andrew Cibej and Head Chef Scott Williams, both whom are well known for their work at favourites like Ester and Berta. This is their first CBD venture as a team, positioned on…
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