Day: 27 July 2017

Live Review: LCD Soundsystem puts Margaret Court on blast and bring the party to Melbourne

I tell ya what, Margaret Court Arena is going to be going through it over the next few months or at least, until the Melbourne venue is renamed. With Sigur Rós‘ much-anticipated show at the arena taking place this evening, an event that has directly called Margaret Court out herself and has taken steps to actively support…

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Single of the Day: Tia Gostelow “That’s What You Get” (2017)

To say that Tia Gostelow is still under the ’emerging artist’ banner… it is a bit of an old hat for the young songwriter to don. Since taking out triple j’s Indigenous High competition last year, Gostelow has been harnessing for herself a powerful presence within the crop of Australian songwriters who have been coming out…

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Live Review: Hypnotising as ever, Banks’ return to Melbourne kept The Forum under her spell

For Melbourne music fans, Splendour sideshow week is like Christmas, the abundance of exciting international artists hitting the city is like no other, Banks at The Forum being a particular standout on the schedule. Opening the evening was Zimbabwe-born, NZ-raised rapper TAPZ who revelled in the eager early-comers converged on the floor. Recent single “Run…

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Photos and Interview: LA based Bishop Briggs explores Kings Cross in her first ever visit to Sydney

While she was in the country last week for Splendour in the Grass, I took rising star Bishop Briggs – fresh from celebrating her birthday – around Kings Cross, on a cold Sydney afternoon. You’re in town for Splendour, and a few sideshows – including one where you’re supporting Catfish and the Bottlemen in Wollongong!…

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Interview: We find out more about the WayHome Music Festival from Ryan Howes

Earlier this year, at Canadian Music Week, just after the event won at the Canadian Live Music Awards, I sat down with WayHome Music Festival’s creative director Ryan Howes. The event, which takes place this weekend (July 28th to 30th), will see a massive lineup descends an hour out of Toronto, Canada. We spoke about…

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First Preview: We take Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus AKA Nazi Killing Simulator 3000 for a test ride

If there’s one thing that 2017 has taught us, it’s that Nazi punching is back in style. Given that’s the case, Wolfenstein II has arrived with most fashionable timing. If you’re like me, and you love a good Nazi maiming, then this is the game for you. Last week, The Iris was given the opportunity…

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Bris Funny Fest to return next week bigger and better than ever

From international touring comedians to rising local stars, Bris Funny Fest is back for its second year and it’s bigger and better than ever before! With over 50 shows to choose from, the festival will take place in various locations around Brisbane from the 2nd-20th of August. A Game Of Thrones improvised parody, a pleasure…

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Review: Blackrock is a powerful, painful, must-see piece of iconic Australian theatre (at La Boite, Brisbane until August 12th)

A group of teenagers come together for a party on the beach. But come morning, a fifteen year old girl is dead, raped and then beaten to death. The work of late playwright Nick Enright, Blackrock follows the aftermath of this terrible act, as the party-goers explore their guilt, whether as perpetrators or as bystanders,…

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POPSART: La Boite Theatre’s Blackrock, a brutal tale of sexual violence against women that is still relevant as ever.

The new production of Blackrock, a play written by Nick Enright some 20 years ago, opened at La Boite Theatre in Brisbane last night. Its opening coincided with the acquittal of four men found not guilty of the gang rape of a fifteen year old girl in the Blue Mountains; it’s clear this horrifying narrative is as…

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Review: The screening of The Wharf Revue by The Actors Benevolent Fund was a fine celebration of Australian satire

The Actors Benevolent Fund is a non-profit, charitable organisation who has been providing financial and practical assistance to professional performers since 1944. They support individuals who are unable to work due to illness, injury or disability. This charity recently held a fundraising night at Dendy Opera Quays where they screened a recording of the 2015…

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Review: Frankenstein is a uniquely different version of Shelley’s gothic book (at Theatre Works until 29th July)

In Theatre Works’ latest showing, Frankenstein gets an 180-degree turn in a shadowy and modern portrayal of a horror icon, however, this portrayal felt overly simplistic despite the theatrical reframing. This premier season directed by Phil Rouse tells the gothic story by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley flipping gender and turning to a somewhat contemporary angle by…

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Din Tai Fung announce exclusive 18-course degustations for Melbourne and Sydney

Dumpling favourite Din Tai Fung has announced two exclusive one-night-only degustation menus for August, both on the same date with one being in Sydney and the other being in Melbourne. The set menus will feature a whopping 18 courses for guests, including various new dishes never seen on Din Tai Fung menus before, sitting alongside…

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Recipe: Matt Moran’s Ham & Gruyere Potato Gems

Matt Moran’s Paddo Inn Bar & Grill has whipped Sydney’s iconic Paddington Inn into shape. The celebrated celebrity chef has always been reliable when it comes to a good ol’ fashioned pub refurb, so his re-focus from the venue’s up-scale pub grub to a more casual grill has unsurprisingly been a hit with the locals….

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Australia has a new curated delivery service bringing rare wines from France to your door

Wine enthusiasts have long known that specialised distributors are the way to go, a gateway to experiencing some of the best drops that local bar or restaurant may not have on the menu, while also taking away the painful hours of research (and the ever-stressful opportunity cost) that comes with trying to find the best…

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