Year: 2017

I have been a British India fan from the start. I remember playing “Tie Up My Hands” on repeat back in 2007, and since then, I’ve followed their progress and danced in their moshpits in venues and festivals all over Sydney. To say their sixth album, Forgetting the Future is great is an understatement. Their…

We obviously know his work with Medicine for the People, but the group’s frontman Nahko is striding out solo with his debut album, My Name is Bear, this month. The first single from the record has been released in the form of “Dragonfly” and with the official music video, Nahko linked up with close friend, Paris Jackson. “I specifically…

Netflix original series Stranger Things will premiere its first episode  of its highly anticipated second season at an exclusive event at the Sydney Opera House on October 27 for fans of the show. It will air the same time as the global LA premiere and a number of hours before Australian audiences can access the…

The Pacific Rim franchise is back with Pacific Rim: Uprising, which has recently released its first official trailer. For those of you that don’t know, Pacific Rim takes place in a world where alien giants have risen from the oceans, and our only defence against them are huge robots powered by human pilots. It was…

If a relationship break-up has ever left you questioning, “Why?” or “What’s next?” then Afterlov is the film for you. This Greek dramedy sees its main protagonist grappling with these questions to the point of obsession. So what is this leading man to do but confront these things as well as his ex. The only…

Ravn, a respected physician, is desperately seeking a cure for his dying wife, Vilma. When the hospital stops her treatment, Ravn continues working in secret. He is aided by the corrupt civil defence man Leif, a doomsday prepper and former patient of his. Deep underground, Ravn and Leif open an illegal clinic for treating off-the-grid…

Sydney’s latest five-star hotel has officially opened in the heart of Darling Harbour. Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, the first newly built international luxury hotel since the Olympics, features 590 stylish guest rooms boasting some of the best views across Darling Harbour and the city, a swanky rooftop bar and infinity pool, three sophisticated bars and…

Located in the heart of Singapore’s historical and cultural district, Rendezvous Hotel is probably the prettiest hotel that I’ve ever been in, and definitely one of the most convenient. I was less than a five minute walk away from the Bras Basah and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations, and there were plenty of things I could…

Melbourne’s trams are brightening up your everyday commute, with the first art tram hitting the tracks as part of the Melbourne Festival and Art Trams initiative. Eight trams are hitting the city’s tracks until April next year offering Melbournians a creative contemporary art experience.  The first Melbourne Art Tram for 2017 has hit the tracks…

Like the dawning of a new day, a gentle light envelops the stage. Slowly we become aware of a solitary figure crouching in the gloom, gradually becoming clearer. Aakash Odedra dressed in traditional flowing Indian robes, unravels his body and dances across the stage in increasingly faster yet controlled movements. The name of this piece,…

There’s something very appealing about translated fiction these days.  Whether it’s because more amazing novels from other languages are being translated than ever before, or whether the quality of those translations is better than it is ever has been is something an expert would need to weigh in on.  I can only comment on my…

I’ve been a big fan of Wolf Parade for years – one of Canada’s most iconic indie rock groups, with chronic overachievers Dan Boeckner (Handsome Furs, Operators, Divine Fits etc.) and Spencer Krug (Frog Eyes, Sunset Rubdown etc.) serving as the band’s chief songwriters. I’ve spoken to Dan quite a few times over the years…

This week we had the chance to explore the open beta version of Star Wars Battlefront II, which featured a limited range of maps and modes to explore, as well as new characters, weapons and a whole lot of loot. Chief among the modes present was the ultra fun Strike Mode, which allowed players to…

Off the back of last year’s hugely successful event, Mr Black’s Festival of the Espresso Martini is set to pop-up at Melbourne’s famous Meat Market for a full weekend in November. Set to be bigger than last year’s festival, the venue will be transformed into four different bar areas for coffee lovers to get across,…

Returning for its fourth year, the End of the Line Festival is hitting Woollongabba for another killer all ages, free event. Headlined by WAAX and featuring the likes of Jeremy Neale, Flowertruck and Slow Dancer, End of the Line is bringing some A-grade Aussie music to fans on a schedule that boasts no clashes whatsoever, not to mention a boutique festival…

People are talking about how Discovery is a fresh take on the Star Trek formula, and I’d have to agree, though whether it’s better than the others remains to be seen. Taking place ten years before The Original Series (TOS, to fans), and settled snugly within the prime timeline, Discovery has been planted in fertile…

It’s the most magical time of the year, and I’m not talking about Halloween. PAX Aus 2017 approaches and the full panel and event schedule has gone live this morning. Time to start planning your PAX weekend.

Although numerous rumours these past few months haven’t exactly allowed Sonos the element of surprise here, the famed electronics company best known for their high quality speakers have now officially announced that their newest product will be a smart speaker with support for multiple voice-activated services. Dubbed Sonos One the device, which launches around the…

Fiji’s Coral Coast now has its first water park, opening up at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa on Yanuca Island. The park, featuring rodeo slides, monkey bars, a wiggle bridge and action tower, will be open exclusively and complimentary to guests staying at the resort. “The installation of our water park which is the…

Stepping into Marquis Reforma in Mexico City is what I’d imagine stepping into a palace is like. Staff greeted my friend and I as the taxi dropped us off, and held our suitcases for us while we checked in. The lobby is decorated with marble-effect tiling, gold and black statues, and large plants. There are…

Oftentimes, a contemporary theatrical work can leave a strong impression on an audience, but none more so than the modern-day adaptation of Federico García Lorca‘s YERMA. Directed and re-written by Australian Simon Stone is a radical production of this intense Lorca masterpiece. Starring Billie Piper in her Olivier Award-winning role, and joined by acclaimed Australian actor Brendan Cowell sees the…

It’s astonishing to think about how much music has filled our ears and hearts over the years; and I don’t just mean the years we’ve been alive. I’m talking from day one, when Earth was created. Think about the genre discoveries, the melodies, the development of instruments, idols both past and present. Imagine, what it…

Liveworks, the celebration of performance and cross-disciplinary art, is returning to Carriageworks this month with its most exciting program yet. From 19 to 29 October 2017, a mix of leading Australian and international artists will showcase their works exploring gender, the environment, queer and trans identities, sexuality, race, politics, Indigenous memory and land rights, and the…

Across two nights, 11th and 12th October, Sydney’s popular Australia Square Piazza will be hosting their own free-entry night markets with all the usual suspects like live music, food stalls and a special bespoke cocktail pop-up by Ryan’s Bar. Aimed at highlighting the food and drink offerings of the Australia Square precinct, the market will…

Parkway Drive have come a long way from their early days in Byron Bay, this much is true. Marking ten years since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Horizons, the boys have announced a special anniversary tour that will see them reconnecting with that early era, charting what’s been a huge journey to where they…

It’s a big day for Adelaide’s K21. Having spent a good chunk of 2016 working on his long-anticipated new record, the final result has now taken form. Any Given D-Day is its name and came from some fruitful and lucrative sessions spent writing and recording in Chicago – a mecca for many hip hop fans and artists,…

One of NSW’s finest is coming through with a new EP due out in early 2018 but today, check out the latest from Borneo. Their new music video, “Alert!”, has been taken from their eponymous EP and as the latest hit of music from the Sydney ‘funk punks’, it’s a pretty great indicator of what’s coming…

Adelaide’s Porchland festival is gearing up for a fantastic year this year, debuting its first line up today. The boutique event is heading to The Range Hall (just out of McLaren Vale) on December 2nd and will be hosting some interstate visitors in 30/70, Stella Donnelly and Stu Larsen, while Adelaide’s own Bjear joins this initial line up announcement this afternoon….

Festival of the Sun is coming up in a matter of a few months now, set to host some of our best loved artists including Meg Mac, The Preatures, Ball Park Music and Holy Holy. The festival is completely sold out – unsurprisingly – for another year, but the good news out of the FOTSUN camp…

Baker Boy‘s 2017 has been huge, particularly looking at his impressive BIGSOUND debut last month. Proving to be more than a buzz name, the Arnhem Land rapper’s ascent is one that is fast gaining speed and we’re loving watching it only get stronger. His new single comes in the form of “Marryuna”, a collaboration with…