Margaret Court Arena on Thursday night looked very different to the Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday night. Gone was the disco ball that hung over LCD Soundsystem’s stage; in its place was a full lighting production and screens on to which brilliant computer-simulated visuals would eventually project. We are here for Sigur Rós and we…
If you are catching the last of this year’s ski season and want to break up the long drive, have a night stopover in the capital city. QT Canberra, a boutique hotel in the heart of the city, have a hotel package going for $179 per night, meaning you can get a great night sleep…
It’s been four years since Two Door Cinema Club have blessed the ears of their Melbourne fans, so it came as no surprise that the Irish pop-rock outfit went all out to make their show at Festival Hall one to remember. Planting their feet on our shores initially for their appearance at Splendour in the…
Nick Mulvey has gotten our attention today with his new single, “Mountain To Move”. As we continue to endure the wait for his sophomore album release, Wake Up Now, Mulvey’s music that is being released so far is doing some pretty great work in getting us excited. Once again proving the songwriter’s talent and charm with lyrics,…
Following the release of his latest LP, Mister Mellow, Ernest Greene opens up about being overwhelmed in the internet-age, the inspiration behind crafting a visual-album companion piece and future Australian tour plans. Hi Ernest, thanks so much for your time. How are you going? Doing well, doing well. I’m sitting on a tour bus in Charleston,…
Fierce Mild are a group who may strike as slightly confusing at first – but in the best possible way. Their music invites the listener to immerse themselves, get caught up in the various sonic influences they’re playing with and hell, if you find yourself trying to break things down or decipher where they have…
Strategy card game, The Elder Scrolls: Legends, featuring characters from across the Elder Scrolls series, is now available to download for free on iOS and Android via the App Store and Google Play Store. Featuring a newer, streamlined interface, immersive deck building, and the recently launched Heroes of Skyrim expansion pack, which includes lore, abilities and fan favourite characters from the game,…
In celebration of WWE Superstar John Cena’s 15 year career, 2K has announced the Cena (Nuff) Collector’s Edition of WWE 2K18, releasing worldwide on October 17th. The Cena (Nuff) Edition will be limited to 30,000 copies worldwide, and packed with memorabilia and digital content paying homage to the popular star. While the game releases across…
The sixth season of the Showtime series Homeland is touted on its home release cover as its “timeliest storyline yet”; a big call from a long running series which has always lifted its storylines from the real world – albeit in a typically exaggerated, over-the-top, fashion. But in spite of a few speedbumps along the…
While millions were playing World of Warcraft, or even the first MMORPG Final Fantasy XI, my first true experience of the open world format was with the game changing Final Fantasy XII in 2006; a title that helped bring an end to Square Enix’s PS2 era with one of the series’ most impressive entries. I…
Most hotels have some kind of unifying design manifesto that ties the entire place together. Hotel Indigo in a departure from the Golden Age Of Hollywood aesthetic that has become so common in LA hotels, is all about the history of the Downtown district in which it is located. Found on Francisco Street, and (at…
After kicking off in Sydney last year, The Festival of Death and Dying is set to arrive in Melbourne for the first time, from the 9 – 10 September 2017, with workshops, performances, talks and ceremonies on a huge range of topics. Highlights who will be headlining the festival include performance maker Allan Schacher with…
Restrung Festival is returning to Brisbane next month for its third season of cross-genre and contemporary classical strings-driven ensembles, bands, soloists, dance and physical theatre. From August 17 to 19, Brisbane Powerhouse will host an all-star line up of international, national and local guests for three huge days of ticketed concerts and free events. More…
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…
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…
BIGSOUND has bolstered its 2017 artist list with a stack of new names being released today, taking the official count to 133 (so far). The list sees some BIGSOUND debutantes in the mix with some returning names and a block of Australian favourites set to mix it up in Fortitude Valley this September 5th – 9th….
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…
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!…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
With his 2015 debut album Eons, Jim Lawrie was quick to establish himself as a songwriter and performer who needed to be on more music fans’ radars around the country. Bringing together some lovely folk tendencies with classic rock sensibilities that has proven to resonate so well with live audiences in particular, Jim Lawrie’s music generated the…
You know that old rule your mum used to tell you: ‘If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all’? While it sure is nice to be spoken to politely, Sigur Rós must have listened really well to their mums, as they played the nicest and most awe inspiring of sets you’ll…
