Author: Pace Proctor

Dell’s UltraSharp series has long been a go-to for professionals chasing image quality, thoughtful ergonomics, and dependable build quality. The latest in that lineage, the U2725QE, continues that tradition. Not through total reinvention, but refinement. This current release takes lessons from Dell’s previous models and folds them into a cohesive, modern package. With smarter connectivity…

If you’ve ever tried setting up a wireless security camera only to find it barely clings to your home Wi-Fi signal, you’ll know how quickly excitement can turn into frustration. Swann’s new MaxRanger 4K Mini proposes a fix for that. A compact, battery-powered camera kit that ditches the usual home network setup in favour of…

On Saturday night, Brisbanites poured into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre as the season’s first summer storm rolled overhead. The forecourt descended into semi-chaos as hundreds of fans battled the pelting rain at the open-air entrances. However, not even the rain could dampen the excitement for American phenom Teddy Swims. The musician’s meteoric rise has been…

These days, remakes and remasters are often seen as a way to play it safe. They can delight fans with welcomed nostalgia, but they can also signal an unwillingness to take creative risks. A year on from the remake of Silent Hill 2 and with the Silent Hill 1 remake already announced, Silent Hill f…

Approaching one year on from the release of their tenth studio album The Night the Zombies Came, Alt Rock legends The Pixies are headed back to Australia this November for a run of special double-night performances across the country. Celebrating the anniversaries of Bossanova (1990) and Trompe le Monde (1991), the band will play both…

Alienware has never really been shy about spectacle. Their machines are often the centrepiece of any setup, not just because of the performance under the hood, but because they look like they’ve been stolen from the set of a sci-fi film. The new Alienware Area-51 (2025) doesn’t break that tradition. It’s massive, unapologetically bold, and…

Beloved indie folk artist Iron & Wine will make his long-awaited return to Australia in early 2026, bringing a run of intimate solo performances and festival appearances to audiences across the country. It marks the first Australian visit in eight years for the project of US songwriter Sam Beam, who has been releasing music under…

For years, Ready or Not has built a reputation on PC as one of the most hardcore tactical shooters around. A throwback to the unforgiving SWAT-style sims of old, but with modern weight and grit. Now it’s made the jump to consoles with cross-play intact, and against all odds, the leap has paid off. What…

Not every monitor needs to push bleeding-edge display tech to stand out. Alienware’s AW2525HM proves that going all-in on core performance (speed, colour, and comfort), can be more than enough. Designed for the competitive crowd but accessible to anyone chasing a high-refresh experience, this 25-inch Full HD panel delivers blistering speed, accurate colours, and a…

Following the success of 2021’s Simulation Ride, Melbourne/Naarm-based artist Merpire (Rhiannon Atkinson-Howatt) returns with Milk Pool. Across eleven tracks, she leans into themes of longing, intimacy, and self-worth. Moments of quiet vulnerability meet fuzzy distortion, holding tension between softness and grit. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes unevenly, but always with sincerity. Opening track “Leaving With You” immediately…

On a cold Friday night in Brisbane, every square inch of the footpath leading to The Tivoli was packed with punters braving the chilly wind sweeping across the city. The headliner? Byron Bay’s beloved surf-punk trio Skegss, playing to a sold-out crowd. As part of the Open Season festival, the band were in town touring…

As he gears up for a long-awaited return to Australian stages this November, David Gray has plenty to be excited about. His latest record, Dear Life, marks the 13th studio album from the iconic UK singer-songwriter, whose 1998 classic White Ladder, became 25 times platinum Ahead of his Australian tour, Gray caught up with The…

If you’ve been looking for a do-it-all laptop that feels at home in a lecture hall or remote work setting,  Dell’s 14 Plus 2-in-1 makes a strong case for itself. It’s a sleek, well-rounded machine that leans into modern AI integration without getting too far ahead of itself. With the addition of Intel’s new Core…

With the emergence and rapid adoption of hybrid work around the world, portability has become a non-negotiable requirement. Versatility is an essential requirement for working between a tight home setup, improvising on the go or just trying to avoid the busywork of multitasking on a single cramped laptop screen. For this reason alone, having a…

While most of Brisbane was settling in for State of Origin on Wednesday night, the line to The Princess Theatre saw Maroon jerseys replaced with corduroy jackets and baggy jeans. Inside, the anticipation was building for Nashville-based indie rock artist Soccer Mommy (the alias of Sophie Allison), who was bringing her signature blend of shoegaze…

There’s a romance to policing in fiction that real life rarely lives up to. The flashing lights, the procedural rhythm and the legend of a lone beat cop fighting against a crime-ridden city. It’s built for drama, as television has proven since the 1970s. The Precinct, from American Fugitive developers Fallen Tree Games, taps into…

Not every display needs to cost a fortune to feel premium, and Dell’s S2725QC is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. This 27-inch 4K monitor doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but then again, it doesn’t have to. Priced at A$449.90, it delivers a smart blend of sharp visuals, a high refresh rate, and USB-C…

With the advent of streaming, music has never been more accessible. The assumption might’ve been that artistic creativity would thrive in a technological era unburdened by label demands, industry cynicism or trend-chasing. Commercial interests however, continue to outpace creative ones. Rather than fostering experimentation, the streaming system has rewarded immediacy. Playlist-friendly singles and algorithm-driven exposure…

On a wintery Sunday night, Brisbane’s jacket-clad masses shuffled out of the bitter cold and into the welcoming warmth of a sold-out Princess Theatre. Despite the layered attire and a looming workweek, the crowd arrived ready to move. With UK five-piece Ezra Collective in town, that almost felt like a prerequisite. Wrapping up their whirlwind…

On a rainy Friday night in Brisbane’s Woolloongabba, excitement was building for the long-awaited reunion of Australian indie outfit Cloud Control — a return seven years in the making. Formed in the mid-2000s in the Blue Mountains and breaking through with their acclaimed debut Bliss Release in 2010, the band had been on hiatus since…

On a brisk Brisbane evening a line formed down the block for the opening night of Open Season 2025, one of the city’s most exciting winter festivals. Despite the time reading 7:30pm on a Sunday, punters huddled in the Princess Theatre’s courtyards and bars with a buzz in the air. The occasion? The first Brisbane…

When most artists choose to get introspective, they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeve. Hein Cooper, however, opts to open the door to the garage, set up the mic, and let the world listen in. Written, recorded and produced entirely by Cooper in his mum’s garage over six months, My Own is the artist’s…

After nearly two decades, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has returned, not with a sequel or a reboot, but with a remastered glow-up that breathes new life into one of Bethesda’s most endearing RPG titles thus far. This updated version, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 by the team at Virtuos, doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but…

It’s rather uncommon for a band approaching two decades in the business to release a self-titled album. It might seem even more uncommon when that same album happens to be their fourth studio release. Lucius, however, the American four-piece led by Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, is far from common. The band’s self-titled fourth album,…

Alienware’s AW3225DM might not arrive with the fanfare of its QD-OLED sibling, but don’t mistake it for a budget compromise. This 32-inch, curved VA-panel display strikes a sweet spot between performance and price, offering immersive visuals, quality build, and ergonomic design at a surprisingly affordable $699.60AUD. Certainly not the cheapest offering, for those seeking a…

Brisbane’s live music scene is gearing up for one of its biggest seasons yet, with Open Season 2025 set to deliver an electrifying mix of world-class performances, homegrown talent, and unforgettable live experiences this winter. Running from May to July, this citywide festival—now in its fifth year—has expanded once again, with The Tivoli and The…

While busy touring the globe, Lime Cordiale have announced their most ambitious tour to date. The group are set to reimagine their indie-pop anthems with a symphonic twist, teaming up with some of Australia’s leading orchestras, starting in August of this year. Lime Cordiale with the Symphony Orchestras will see the Leimbach brothers bring their…

After a huge year that’s seen him top the charts and sell out venues around the world, US artist Teddy Swims is bringing his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour to Australia and New Zealand in October 2025. With his full band Freak Freely in tow, the GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter will play arenas across seven cities,…

If pushing toy diggers, trucks, and loaders in a sandpit consumed hours of your childhood, and you’ve been waiting for a more immersive, engaging driving simulator, RoadCraft might just be your next obsession. Developed by Saber Interactive, this upcoming title blends the meticulous off-road navigation of SnowRunner with an ambitious infrastructure-building component, letting players reshape…

Last Friday, Melbourne/Naarm-based singer-songwriter Annie-Rose Maloney released her highly anticipated debut album, Circle Walking. Aptly described as “alt-folk/country-ish,” Maloney has captured the alt-folk world’s attention with previous singles “Lost In Coburg,” “Hold Me” and “I Run From Pain”. With a promising but ultimately short catalogue, the former cricketer, current high school teacher, and now singer/songwriter…