John is a passionate photographer and reviewer, focused on Australia's vibrant music, culture and arts scenes. His vibe is one of infectious enthusiasm. Also enjoys romantic strolls on the beach.
The Greek mythological tragedy Orpheus and Eurydice is an epic tale of how the musician Orpheus descends into the Underworld to rescue his wife, Eurydice, after she dies from a snake bite on their wedding day. His music moves Hades, allowing her to return, on the condition that Orpheus walks ahead and does not look…
Holden Street is known as “Home of Theatre” during the Adelaide Fringe. For some 23 years, the artist-run hub has been at the forefront of cutting-edge theatre. Hidden away in Hindmarsh, it’s like a secret gem in the inner west. This reviewer saw a small selection of plays, each of which were world class, thought-provoking…
The circus spectacular, La Ronde made its debut at the Adelaide Fringe last year to rave reviews. Since then it has toured and transformed and is back at the Fringe better than ever. Created by the producers of Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO and with a blend of familiar and new characters, it is sure…
The Fairbairn brothers, Lachlan and Jaxon have developed a good social media following from their interactive banter. Their show Fair Dinkum brings the social media to a live stage with a form of improv sketch comedy. Their sold out show at the Factory in the Garden of Unearthly Delights caused some logistical issues, with extra…
The LIV Golf tournament starts at Adelaide’s Grange golf course this weekend, and we’re excited to hear that Johnnie Walker Black Ruby will the official whiskey. In fact the team have come up with a cocktail called Johnnie Walker’s Black Ruby Birdie, of course. It’s described as having a “refreshing burst of sweet berry flavour…
Meet Nathan Alexander, one of the brilliant minds (alongside Amy Johnson) behind Realscape Productions. These creative producers are all about pushing boundaries and delivering work that’s both mind-bending and emotionally charged. They’ve got a knack for blending different genres, from sci-fi dance in “Future Cargo” to psychological thrillers in “Ghost Stories.” And let’s not forget…
Have you heard of the Adelaide Fringe? It’s an amazing annual arts festival that takes place in South Australia. It’s a celebration of culture, place, and artists from all over the world. Imagine this: 8,000+ independent artists from far and wide coming together to share their talents. It’s a paradise for culture enthusiasts who want…
Californian punk rock legends Descendents will be heading down under in June 2026 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album Everything Sucks. In 1996, Milo Aukerman made a triumphant return with an album that paid homage to the band’s earlier, more aggressive hardcore sound. This album is a true game-changer, not only for Descendents’…
Newton Faulkner’s eighth studio album OCTOPUS marks a bold new chapter for the multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter and is his most adventurous work to date. Over five years in the making, the album signals a refreshed sense of artistic freedom, blending influences from funk, R&B, soul, and Latin grooves. We chatted to him about the making of…
When asked how to describe the Meredith Music Festival, my camping neighbour, Phoebe, told me it could be summed up in one word: “collaboration.” Examples abound: Campers negotiating space and interacting with their neighbours. Jostling for prime couch position on the banks of the Amphitheatre Supernaturale. Improved wi-fi access at the Meredith township (making for…
Debuting at ILA Immersive Light and Art for the 2026 Adelaide Festival, Manifest Destiny is an ambitious cross-disciplinary exhibition by acclaimed South Australian photographer Alex Frayne, in collaboration with digital artist Liam Somerville (Capital Waste) and composer Donnie Sloan (Empire of the Sun, Sneaky Sound System). Blending analogue photography, 3D digital immersion and original composition, Manifest Destiny marks a…
Adelaide alt-pop singer / songwriter My Chérie has just released Life is Short & Life is Long, an EP that explores identity, hope and healing. We teased an earlier single “Dishes in the Sink” back in August this year. The EP also includes “Life Is”, alongside the powerful new focus single, “Box of Pencils”. “Box…
Most young concert-goers don’t know the heady days of lining up and camping out overnight outside the ticket office to get a good spot to see to favourite band. Nowadays, everything is so much more efficient and logging onto the ticket website, you are met with helpful clues, such as “184 people in a queue…
The 2022 film version of The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser, earned two Oscars and a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Samuel D. Hunter‘s play, written in 2012, centres on a morbidly obese online English tutor trying to reconcile with his perpetually angry daughter. The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild,…
It’s been twelve years since Metallica last played Australia, but boy did they make up for lost time. Stopping at Adelaide on Wednesday as part of their M72 World Tour, the heavy metal juggernauts put on what could probably be called the show of the year. Some 50,000 fans of all ages packed out Adelaide…
Upcoming NZ director Ursula Grace Williams has created a playful and revealing story, documenting Marlon Williams‘ four-year journey of creating an album recorded in his native te reo Mãori language. The album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka, is a blend of Marlon’s familiar country folk tunes and the rhythmic styles of traditional Māori music. Williams was recently…
Honouring the tenth anniversary of Adelaide’s designation as a UNESCO city of music, Music SA hosted a gala event on Tuesday night at the Entertainment Centre to recognise the state’s musical talent. After a red carpet entrance, local all-girl rock group winners, Oscar the Wild, played a short, energetic set. Cliffy Wilson “Welcomed to Country”, before…
An essential part of a memorable festival is rain and mud. Throw in a violent electrical storm, and you have Bingo. Thus, Adelaide’s 2025 Harvest Rock Festival is memorable for this and many more reasons. A severe thunderstorm on midday Saturday meant that a shelter in place warning was issued. Rundle Street pubs were filled…
The State Opera of South Australia have reimagined Shakespeare’s story of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet as a beautiful ode to the power of love. Director Radula Gaitanou has taken Gounod’s distillation of Shakespeare’s play and imagined it as a love story that transcends time and space. It is a story of two young…
The Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) has continued to foster outstanding home-grown movies. With Diabolic, Adelaide director Daniel J. Philips has created an edge-of-your-seat horror thriller based on real-life events from co-writer Ticia Madsen‘s time in a fundamentalist Mormon church. Whilst the forbidden love story was real, the dark malevolent horror is pure blood-curdling fantasy. Walking…
In 2015, The AU Review’s John Goodridge interviewed Kiss founder Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley after the release of his 2014 solo album Space Invader. We stumbled upon it while thumbing through our extensive archives and are now publishing it in tribute to the pioneering musician, who sadly passed away on 16th October 2025, aged 74. Read…
The Adelaide Film Festival opened the 2025 season in style with a pink carpet outside the Capri Cinema in Goodwood. Gilbert Street was closed off between the Capri and the Good Gilbert bar, giving a sophisticated European chic. There was an expectant buzz about the Australian debut of Jimpa, a film about an Adelaide filmmaker…
Since hitting the scene as a fresh faced teenager, RUEL has continued to kick goals. He’s on the cusp of releasing his sophomore album, Kicking My Feet, due out on October 17th. To mark the occasion he’s released a new single “Wild Guess” which has the tonal textures and influences of LA, to where he’s…
It’s been a while between drinks for Adelaide (Kaurna Country) singer Hollie “Cookie” Baker. Her 2019 LP, This Is Not A Love Song, was a perfect introduction to her wide range of folk-pop influences. The release featured her 2017 duet with Tim Rogers, “The Summer”, which perfectly encapsulates long simmer days on the farm, related…
ARIA nominated indie dance band Cut Copy was created back in 2001 as a bedroom recording project by Dan Whitford, expanding to a fully fledged band with guitarist Tim Hoey, drummer Mitchell Scott and bass player Ben Browning. The band achieved breakthrough success in 2008 with their second album, In Ghost Colours, which included well-known…
The Linden Postcard Show is in its 35th year and this year there will be over 1200 artworks on display available for purchase. The Postcard Show runs from 6th September to 2nd November in the gallery in St Kilda in Melbourne. This is a much loved fixture in the Melbourne Art scene. As part of…
Artistic directors and cofounders of the Adelaide Ballet, Rejane Garcia and Sarah Humeniuk have a vision – to establish a professional ballet company that honours the timeless beauty of the art form, while telling the stories of South Australia. And, in the confines of the Light Room Studio at ILA, Adelaide’s Immersive Light and Art,…
Whilst The Magic Flute has been a staple since W. A. Mozart wrote the music in 1791, this performance of the opera by the State Opera South Australia has been produced with the co-support of Opera Hong Kong, Beijing Music Festival and China National Opera House. This gives it a multicultural feel. In the opera,…
If you’ve been to a major music festival recently, you may have been impressed by DJ RONA on the decks. She’s played Laneway, Pitch Music & Arts, Strawberry Fields, and Splendour in the Grass. Many are citing the 2024 Sugar Mountain Boiler Room set as a defining moment. RONA. is known for her original electronic…
At a recent high energy launch party at Sydney’s Chin Chin guests were introduced to a new classic Spritz, Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Blackberry & Soda. The launch featured a live set from rising pop artist Charley, DJ performances by Mowgli May and Yes Boone, and an immersive Black Ruby bar. The party was to announce Johnnie Walker…
