Year: 2017

Taking on a motto of “kinda hood, kinda classy”, Ripponlea Food and Wine have finally reopened their venue, unveiling their expanded space after being closed for renovations since October 2. Expertly designed by Black Milk Interiors (Sash Japanese, Ms Collins), the new space features a glamourous new cocktail bar that seamlessly connects to the existing…

A new refined modern Japanese dining restaurant just opened in Barangaroo and its name is Fujisaki. Heavy hitters in the dining scene that are part of Lotus Group’s new venture include executive chef Chui Lee Luk, formerly of Claude’s restaurant,  sushi chef Ryuichi Yoshii, formerly of Yoshii, and sommelier Annette Lacey. Yoshii pwns the raw…

Hardcore Sydney fans and Newtown locals may have to say goodbye to Hartsyard as they know it but the Newtown institution plans on reopening in early January 2018 with Hartsyard 2.0. After nearly six years, chef and owner, Gregory Llewellyn, decided it was time to head in a new direction and change things up. This includes…

The onslaught of Japanese desserts continue to hail down on Australia. From the team that brought you Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart, comes PAFU, a puff pastry store launching in Melbourne’s QV this December 16th. What exactly is PAFU? A puff or ‘パフ’ in the Japanese language, is the Japanese response to the traditional French apple turnover…

On the leafy Queen Street, Bistro Moncur is tucked away within Woollahra Hotel. With a meticulous eye for quality ingredients, the bistro has been dishing up classic French fare for the last 24 years. As expected, the French onion soufflé gratin ($24) to start is excellent. The airy French onion flavoured soufflé yields sweetness, while…

Hella Good, the new sister of one of Melbourne’s longest Greek establishments, Stalactites, is bringing a fresh take on Greek favourites with an on-the-go souvlaki joint. Hella Good brings a fresh take on the flavours and fresh taste of Stalactites with juicy,marinated meat sliced straight from the spit and greek dips and desserts made fresh…

For this writer, seeing Jack Johnson live has been fourteen years in the making. I vividly remember being at a family-friends’ house and their youngest son playing Johnson’s break out track “Taylor” on repeat (or near enough) for the entirety of the night. Little did I know that in 2017 I’d get the chance to…

Success stories don’t get much better than that of Vallis Alps. The Sydney electronic duo have spent the last year playing massive international festivals such as Reading and Leeds and Splendour in the Grass, as well as performing over 40 sold out headline shows across Europe, the US and Australia. After the huge success of…

Tonight will see the second part of the ABC mini-series Friday on My Mind air on TV. Following the first part airing last week, we caught up with actress Aileen Beale, who plays George Young’s mother in the series, to talk about it and the show’s reception. This mini series is garnering quite a lot of acclaim…

The legend of The Beatles, Wings and countless songs and projects from the last fifty-plus years returned to Australia tonight for his first tour in almost 25 years. Paul McCartney‘s show at NIB Stadium in Perth – ahead of five dates along the east coast – brought with it a jam packed, three hour setlist…

2017 is in the homestretch as we count down the days until the new year. But don’t despair! We’ve picked plenty of gigs to keep you partying throughout the Christmas period. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAMRMQr48g PAUL McCARTNEY The man who needs no introduction. He’s a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with 21 Grammys under his…

FIVE years since gracing Australian stages, Sia has made a monumental come back with a performance like no other- transforming Melbourne’s AAMI Park into a brooding arthouse. After critical success touring North America, the Nostalgic For The Present Tour saw the Adelaide born singer play her first arena concert, the first of three performance to…

South Australia’s wine region is renowned for its top quality drops and in recent years, the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale districts have been jumping into the music pond, hosting concerts by some stellar Australian and international artists. The Bird in Hand winery out in the Hills has thrown down the gauntlet for…

With the Download Festival set to finally hit Australian shores early next year, Live Nation have today dropped details of some official sideshows from the likes of Good Charlotte, Neck Deep, Prophets of Rage and more. There are still stacks of Download Festival goodness to be announced, but in the meantime sink your teeth into the following… PROPHETS OF…

It is always great seeing artists you’ve followed for a while finally receive the recognition and sold out venues their skills deserve. In this instance, it was the brilliant Gordi who got to sell out a hometown (sort of) show and show off to the Oxford Art Factory crowd just why she’s been copping a…

Guitar/keyboardist Andre from Sonori recently took some time out to sit down and answer a few questions for us as their self-titled debut EP enjoys its long awaited release!   By way of introduction to our readers, can you tell me a little about how you came together as a band? When I moved to Katoomba five…

Formed on the NSW South Coast, sunny surf-rockers Sun Sap are back with a new single from their upcoming EP Sometimes, Always, Never, Maybe which is set for release next year. Finding success with tracks “Love is Gone” and “Miss Behind” the band has spent the year touring in support of bands The Orwells, Hockey Dad, Guantanamo…

For another year, Sydney’s FBi Radio have unleashed the nominees for the SMAC Awards. Celebrating the city’s artistic and creative community, the SMAC Awards will be returning to Carriageworks in January for the ceremony to be held on the 30th and broadcast live on FBi 94.5FM. Among the nominees this year, Alex Cameron and Cloud Control are…

Sufjan Steven‘s last album Carrie & Lowell received a tonne of critical acclaim in 2015, we even listed it in the top albums of the year. This year, Sufjan Stevens is back with a mixtape The Greatest Gift, featuring outtakes, remixes and demos from Carrie & Lowell including four unreleased tracks. This new mixtape makes for an…

December might be the one bringing us Christmas, but it seems like Netflix is bringing us the goods too! Being a busy month in every way, Netflix is bringing its own sleigh of new content. Here’s 5 new series and film additions to catch on Netflix this December. Dark – Season 1 Dark follows the story…

Beloved dumpling restaurant Din Tai Fung are bringing back their dumpling roulette sessions for a limited time across their Melbourne and Sydney restaurants. The temporary addition coincides with the launch of new and returning menus specials (did someone say fruit popsicles?) which will be available from 1st December up until 5th January. The popular dumpling…

It seems Neil Perry has merged two of his closest relationships into one epic, industry-first partnership. The renowned chef has long had a close working relationship with Qantas, which he has now fused into the ever-growing Rockpool Dining Group – of which he is Culinary Director – with a special treat for point-lovers all across…

Gift guides popping up all over your feed is a good thing; it’s another sign that the holidays are finally here. 2017 is about to be done and dusted, but first you’ve got the Olympic sport that is gift-giving to get through. However you choose to celebrate the Christmas holidays, it’s going to be all…

Having been awarded their thirteenth chef’s hat in a row and evolving under new management, Wollongong’s treasured Caveau is enjoying an eventful 2017. The award-winning fine dining institution is now being managed by chefs Simon Evans and Tom Chiumento, both whom have been running the kitchen since late 2015 and have a strong sense of…

NYE on The Hill have continued to build up their 2017 event in dropping their set times this morning. As well as announcing two more acts in Melbourne’s DJ Kodiak Kid and South Gippland’s Janie (Jay) Gordon to join the already revealed line up including Ball Park Music, Regurgitator and Jordan Rakei, NYE on the Hill have provided punters with playing times…

The National Live Music Awards have today announced the performers set to take to stages around the country as we enter the home stretch of the event’s countdown. Taking place in eight venues around Australia next Thursday, the NLMAs have got special guests in store for each and every one. The Melbourne Gala, hosted by triple…

The Smith Street Band have been striding through 2017, making moves that their audiences have kinda come to expect. The Melbourne group doesn’t do things by halves and in the establishment of their own label – Pool House Records – The Smithies have taken their burgeoning musical empire to the next level. So obviously, the…

Last night belonged to Gang of Youths and Paul Kelly, with the band from Sydney’s inner west and one of Australia’s most beloved songwriters taking home four ARIA Awards apiece at the 2017 ceremony held at The Star Event Centre. Along with them, the ARIAs proved to be huge for A.B. Original, who won ARIAs in the Best Urban…

Last Friday, The Easybeats were celebrated on record with the release of a tribut EP entitled REBEAT. Bringing the music of the iconic Australian band into 2017 and the hands of some of the country’s favourite soul, indie and dance/electro artists, the work of the Sydney rock group has been reworked to excellent effect. But what has…

On Saturday, the 25th of November, the Spilt Milk festival brought its A game with the weather, location and acts. Commonwealth Park in Canberra was beautiful with the lush green gardens in the sunshine with everyone’s sunny outfits to match. Starting early was Mallrat looking super cute in a green baby dress with the moves to…