Year: 2020

Over the next few weeks, the AU review will be highlighting five different restaurants in different cities that have re-opened after weeks of devastation. Acting in accordance with current health measures, each of these venues have opened to ten dine-in customers at a time and are following strict hygiene standards to adapt to the ongoing…

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

You may know (Noah) Harris, the Melbourne singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, as the lead vocalist of rock outfit Fan Girl. You might even know him as the keyboardist for indie supergroup primetime. Now he’s releasing a new solo single, “Sheena Is A Bush Doofer”, replete with accompanying DIY video clip.  Produced by Sam Swain, and featuring…

Bose’s SoundLink Micro is one of my favourite small speakers to date, so I’m always going to pay close attention when the reliable audio company plays in the portable space. More recently, that’s been with the bluntly named Bose Portable Home Speaker (BPHS) which is essentially a more powerful and thicker finesse of the popular…

While airlines around the world start to lay out their new health regulations, Qatar Airways has announced what may be some of the tightest measures by an airline yet. This includes hazmat suits worn by cabin crew over their regular uniform, and passengers must wear a mask on board otherwise face a rather high fine…

Across decades, Lonely Planet has built up an incredible bank of award-winning travel shows and videos in addition to their ubiquitous guides. Now, the Australian-born company has launched their first-ever travel-only video streaming platform which features over 350 episodes of pure wanderlust and cultural immersion. Given the prospects of international travel are still vague, Lonely…

Qantas Group has today announced a range of strict health measures to prepare for when domestic travel resumes. Both Qantas and Jetstar will be implementing a new “Fly Well” program to ensure a safe travel environment and give travellers peace of mind as state border restrictions after lifted across the country. This includes masks on…

Given we’re all trying to be pro chefs right now, as lockdown continues despite slight easing of restrictions, one of Australia’s finest culinary minds is about to lend us his considerable talents. Teaming up with Harris Farm, Matt Moran is pushing forth with weekly virtual cooking classes every evening, aimed at helping viewers up their…

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

Though disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein does not physically appear in The Assistant, nor does his likeness or even his name, this quietly disturbing drama from Australian filmmaker Kitty Green very much has him in mind. There’s a humiliation and systemic mentality that rings true throughout the film’s brisk 85 minute running time as it…

Dharawal singer-songwriter Aodhan released his latest single earlier this month. “Drive”, written in collaboration with his musical hero Josh Pyke, follows a hugely promising debut year for the award-winning fifteen year old.  Produced by JP Fung, Aodhan began writing “Drive” in 2018. Back then he envisioned it as an indie rock/pop song, but the song…

Although it only happens three times a year, Click Frenzy has reliably been one of Australia’s most valuable online mega-sales. With online shopping a hotter topic than usual right now, this Tuesday will likely be the sales initiative’s biggest yet. Conceived as the Australian answer to America’s Cyber Monday, the event will start at 7pm…

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

Merivale’s newly formed “Just in Delivery” service is slowly bringing some of the group’s most popular venues back to life, offering menus so diners can enjoy almost-ready meals from the comfort of their homes. The new menus take in the likes of Bar Totti’s, Lotus 2.0, Mr Wong, Coogee Pavilion, and Merivale newcomer Jimmy’s Falafel,…

Radiohead frontman and all-round brilliant person Thom Yorke now has his very own radio station as one of the first programs as part of new streaming service Sonos Radio. Over 60,000 radio stations will feature on the platform, as well as dedicated artist stations, which is where Yorke comes in, curating songs along the simple…

Hunter Valley’s award winning Talits Estate has launched virtual wine tastings for the opening of their Cellar Door. The family-owned vineyard is situated on an extensive 26-acres with inspired French Provincial décor surrounded by beguiling bush land. Wine packages are now available and will be delivered directly to your doorstep. Live virtual sessions will be…

Taken from EP Petrichor, “Broken” is the latest from Alice Springs singer-songwriter Colin Lillie. We’re excited to be bringing you an exclusive look at the track’s video here on The AU Review! Since the release of acclaimed debut album Glass Homes, Lillie has had a great run, including taking home the first ever NT Live…

There have been some incredible Isolation gigs of late, mostly broadcast from home in the bedroom or living room with a desk lamp and an iPhone. For artists with new material, in particular, you can sense their frustration at not being able to showcase the new songs in the best of light. One artist who…

The latest film to be trotted out onto Netflix’s new rotation is The Wrong Missy. Straight up, you should know that this project comes courtesy of Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions team, so that might immediately throw up some questionable flags to begin with. Bankrolled by the streaming giant, predominantly set in Hawaii (presumably as…

The most famous pink and red biscuits in Australia can now be remade at home with the official recipe for Iced VoVo. The iconic Arnott’s treat is the latest to be demystified by the Aussie brand as part of their generous series revealing once-secret recipes for those in lockdown. That eternal favourite combination of marshmallow,…

Streaming on Netflix now, Caliphate is an eight-episode thriller shot between Sweden and Jordan, following a planned ISIS terror plot in Stockholm while at the same time examining the much deeper issue of radicalisation. With a long-running show like Homeland wrapping up (rather well, might I add) after eight seasons, it’s expected that some fans…

Megan Washington has clearly been creative during Isolation. She is back with a new track, “Dark Parts” and an animated video which she has created herself. It’s a hell of a party track, even if it does ask us to open up and share the parts of us we keep hidden. This song is playful…

Qatar Airways will resume some of their Australian services starting Wednesday 20th May. The announcement follows the airline’s approval to operate to Brisbane, granted back in early April when the carrier helped take over 5,000 people home in the face of tough state borders. This is, of course, part of the gradual restart of services…

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

Following a four-week ban placed on Velocity members redeeming points with Virgin Australia, the airline is now allowing frequent flyers to use the virtual currency to book domestic flights. Of course, this is all contingent on the troubled airline being sold soon, but things do at least look promising with several potential buyers on the…

Emirates has become the latest international carrier to pick up some key routes following the relaxation of lockdowns around the world. This includes flights into, and out of, Sydney and Melbourne. After the current pandemic forced them to cut some of their most valuable services, Emirates plans to restart services from 21st May, including to…

Every now and again a specific kitchen essential rises in ranks, sitting comfortably at the end of frenzied shopping queues and rushed online orders. The awkwardly pear-shaped airfryer is having such a moment right now, and despite aesthetically being the George Costanza of kitchen tools, the hype has been well-placed. Aldi recently put a budget…

It’s been a full year since The AU Review caught up with KIAN, when the then 16-year-old dropped his debut EP BLISS. Since its release, KIAN has ticked off phenomenal milestones musicians decades his senior are waiting to achieve: he played Splendour in the Grass and Spin Off Festival, toured the UK and Europe with Conan Gray, travelled…

During these unprecedented times, when staying at home is of the utmost importance, us here at The AU Review are going to be doing everything we can to help readers live their best lives, indoors. As with many other media companies who typically focus on getting folks out and about, we’re shifting to adapt to…

Over the next three days, Tourism Australia will unleash a diverse live program of virtual travel experiences, showcasing a huge range of the country’s best to inspire domestic travel once restrictions lift. Anyone with an internet connection can discover a wide range of Australian experiences across everything from nature to music, world-class food and, of…