News

My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams and Cold Chisel kick off a massive Bluesfest Byron Bay 2012.

With the sun shining and the crowd numbers strong (though a decline from the heavyweights that comprised the 2011 lineup, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Grace Jones et al), Bluesfest reminded the crowd what it’s all about: the music, the good vibes and the experience. The Doley brothers – favourites of Bluesfest – kicked the day…

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Buried in Verona announce massive June tour with In Hearts Wake and more.

To help launch the release of their third album Notorious (via UNFD on June 1st, 2012), Buried In Verona will be touring nationally on The Notorious Tour this June with support from The Plot In You [USA], In Hearts Wake and Silent Screams [UK]. The dates take on all major Australian cites, with an extensive…

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The Boss kicks some "Tex-Ass" with a star-studded SXSW performance.

When Bruce Springsteen was announced as the keynote speaker for the 2012 SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas, the addition of a one off, intimate show was inevitable. Not only was this added, but tonight, in front of two thousand or so lucky fans at ACL Live, he brought his sixteen piece E-Street Band along…

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Playground Weekender cancelled due to flash flooding concerns.

Some unfortunate news to those who had planned a weekend away to the sixth Playground Weekender. Following the advice of NSW State Emergency Service, the festival has been asked to cancel its event with the following: “New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSWES) directs the Playground Weekender boutique music festival be cancelled under the State…

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"Lemonade Stand" wins the 2012 Tropfest in Sydney.

As the rain poured and the lightning could be seen in the distance, the winners of the 20th Anniversary of Tropfest were announced by an impressive group of judges that included Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Toni Collette. Winning the competition was “Lemonade Stand”, by Director Alethea Jones of Melbourne. Coming in second…

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Faker and Pluto Jonze to play the 2012 Movie Extra Tropfest in Sydney.

Aussie rockers Faker have been added to Movie Extra Tropfest’s line-up of free entertainment, which also includes an afternoon performance by 2009 Tropscore winner Pluto Jonze, a giant bungee trampoline, photo booths, bucket loads of free things to take home, and of course world class short films on Sunday 19 February in Sydney’s Domain. Bring…

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Eilen Jewell announces March Australian tour dates.

Following the release of her latest record Queen of the Minor Key, Alt Country Chanteuse Eilen Jewell has announced tour dates in Australia to accompany her previously announced appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April. Eilen will be accompanied by her regular touring band of guitarist Jerry Miller, drummer Jason Beek, and upright bassist…

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Mark Lanegan Band bringing Blues Funeral to Australia this April

Last in Australia performing spellbinding shows with Isobel Campbell for Splendour, Mark Lanegan will be bringing his Band to Australia for the first time in 8 years, celebrating the release of their new record Blues Funeral, released just last week. Produced by Alain Johannes, Blues Funeral (out now through Remote Control) is Mark Lanegan Band’s…

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Splendour in the Grass to return to Byron Bay this year!

It was revealed today that Splendour in the Grass will be returning to its home in Byron, after two years at Woodfordia. But given the public forums over the application to have the festival at North Byron Parklands, they have decided to return to where it all began: Belongil Fields. According to the press release,…

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Sleepmakeswaves kick off national tour tomorrow with Mr Maps and more.

Sleepmakeswaves, the Sydney-based instrumental rockers, kick off an extensive Australian tour tomorrow, celebrating their debut album …and so we destroyed everything. The band’s “(hello) Australia” tour stretches across 6 states in February and March, before heading to the USA showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas and then embarking on a headlining European tour, including co-headlining…

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Kaiser Chiefs, Adrian Lux, Digitalism and more announced for the 2012 Groovin' The Moo.

And so here we have it. Another day, another festival announcement. But there are few we get quite as excited about as Groovin’ The Moo. Touring five region cities every May, the festival is a unique way to connect with festival goers outside of the capital cities, while creating a lineup and atmosphere that competes…

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Disney's The Lion King to return to Sydney in December 2013

Speaking at a press conference in Sydney a short time ago, the Hon. George Souris (NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts) alongside the President of Disney Theatrical Group, Thomas Schumacher, on satellite from New York (along with a few performers from the Broadway production), announced the return of The Lion King to…

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Festival News: The crowds sell out a sunny Sydney Laneway Festival.

Yesterday the sun came out in Sydney, without a cloud in sight, and the revellers came out in force, selling out the 2012 Laneway Festival in the mid afternoon. Bands M83 (pictured above), Feist, The Drums, Cults and Active Child received among the largest crowds (and singalongs thanks to their triple j hits) of the…

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News: Big Day Out thrills a massive Australia Day Crowd in Sydney

If it wasn’t for the surprising amount of attention Big Day Out has received for not selling out as in previous years, you wouldn’t have known that the Sydney Big Day Out wasn’t a sell out. Lines were still long (but reasonable), stages were still packed, more people arrived before noon than we had seen…

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Tour Announcements: Cobra Starship, The Bride, A Rocket To The Moon, Attack! Attack!, The Necks, Step-Panther, Audrey Auld and Buckley Ward!

We have a pile of new live show announcements for you on this Friday, and we kick things off with three hotly anticipated Soundwave sideshows… for more details about these shows, head to the Soundwave Official Website. Cobra Starship + Forever The Sickest Kids + These Kids Wear Crowns -+ Kill Hannah MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY…

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Jurassic Lounge returns to Sydney for Season Three

Fresh from winning the FBi SMAC ‘Remix the City’ Award for 2011, Jurassic Lounge is back in 2012 with another summer season of after-hours events at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Dinosaurs and dragons will unite on 31st January 2012 when Jurassic Lounge launches its third season with an official City of Sydney Chinese New…

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Bombay Bicycle Club announce Australian Headline Shows

One of our favourite bands in the world right about now, Bombay Bicycle Club, are finally making a visit to Australia supporting Elbow in March. And now they’ve announced some headline shows of their own, too! Perth – Astor Theatre – Sunday March 18th (All Ages) Book through www.bocsticketing.com.au Melbourne – Corner Hotel – Tuesday…

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Fatboy Slim announces Future Music Festival sideshows.

The one and only Fatboy Slim will be gracing our shores as part of Future Music Festival, ready to show us his new visual interactive show after a three year absence from our shores. He’ll also be touring through Sydney and Melbourne for sideshows with Ajax, and we’d also like to request the attendance of…

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Album Release News Weekly: Friday the 13th January 2012

Welcome to our new weekly news feature where we round up the latest news in the world of album release dates. We’ll be pounding through dozens of news pieces from the last few weeks, so let’s get moving! Unless otherwise mentioned, all release dates apply to Australia only. In This Issue: Of Montreal, Sleigh Bells,…

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The State of Affairs – Latest Music Industry News: Friday 13th January 2012

Today we’re also premiering the new section “The State Of Affairs”, where we fill you in on what’s been happening of late in the local and international music and arts industries. From break ups to make ups, from firings to hirings… you’ll read it all here. In This Issue: All-Ages Events get a load of…

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the ARTS review: what's happening in the world of arts & film – issue 001

In our new news series, here’s the latest news from the world of the arts… In This Issue: Washington artwork to exhibit in Sydney, Sydney Dance Company announces new dancers, Strandbeest to roam Fed Square, Queens Street Stdio announces Residents, Alaska Project to present Samuel Hodge, WASHINGTON ARTWORK TO EXHIBIT IN SYDNEY To celebrate her…

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Jägermeister Hunting Lodge to launch a series of free concerts at Sydney Festival 2012 with Tim Finn next week!

Sydney Festival has announced the official line-up of artists that will be appearing at the Jägermeister ‘Hunting Lodge’, which will be popping up in Honda Festival Garden in Hyde Park from next week, 10-29 January 2012, as a semi-permanent bar and performance space. The Jägermeister Hunting Lodge will be home to a series of intimate…

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January Line Up Announced for Fed Square Live in Melbourne

Fed Square’s FREE live music series, Fed Square Live presented by The Push continues through January with a line up of indie, blues, dance and rock performances by Australia’s top independent acts and emerging talent. The January line up features Bleeding Knees Club + Snakadaktal (12 January) and Stonefield + Tessa and The Typecast (19…

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Festival goers ring in 2012 at events across Australia.

As we hit the second day of 2012, we take a look back at how hundreds of thousands of music fans around Australia brought in 2012 through a string of events on New Years Eve and New Years Day. PEATS RIDGE FESTIVAL Over 10,000 music fans a day travelled to picturesque Peats Ridge – just…

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millions, Nantes and Northeast Party House announce co-headline Triple Treat Tour.

In February 2012 three of the nations hottest upcoming outfits – millions, Nantes and Northeast Party House – are combining their indie-rock sounds for a co-headline tour around the country – The Triple Treat Tour. MILLIONS Brisbane brings to the table garage-pop marvels millions. They were barely six months old when they were hand-picked by…

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Gotye, Hermitude and Ball Park Music take out the 2011 J Awards

Last night, in front of a packed industry crowd at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory, the 2011 J Awards winners were announced, and Gotye was crowned the big winner of the night – winning the J Award for Australian album of the year after Art Vs Science belted out their hit single “A.I.M Fire!”, which was…

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Adam Cohen to tour Australia for the first time in March.

The Frontier Touring Company today announced that singer/songwriter Adam Cohen – son of legendary poet-balladeer Leonard Cohen – will head to Australian shores for a series of intimate shows next March. It’s his first tour of Australia and he’ll be showcasing the unique and distinctive voice that has made him a success in his own…

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Canberra's Mission to Launch New Years Eve event cancelled.

Organisers of Canberra’s Mission To Launch Festival regretfully announce that the festival has suspended ticket sales and is officially cancelled. The decision has been a very difficult one for organisers who, as Canberra locals themselves, envisaged bringing a world-class party to the nation’s capital for New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, the current economic climate has seen…

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Kasabian, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, Girl Talk, Royksopp and many more announce Big Day Out sideshows for 2012.

Let’s get those diaries open… it’s time for the Big Day Out sideshow announcements! While this is the vast majority of sideshows we’ll be getting for BDO in 2012, we’re sure there’s more dates to come and more artists to be announced so stay tuned… but for now… away we go! Tickets to all shows…

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