Music

Following a massive 2019 where he played shows and festivals all across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and more, Perth-based singer-songwriter Ben Catley has dropped his new single: “Run”.  Describing “Run” as energetic and up-tempo is an understatement. Catley’s guitar work on the track is frenetic and blistering. Whilst, the track might be inspired by…

Last year, Kate Miller-Heidke took out the competition with her gravity defying song titled, well… “Zero Gravity”. Now, it’s that time of the year again – to choose who will represent Australia in this year’s Eurovision 2020. The 65th campiest, wardrobe malfunction prone music competition will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands this year. That’s right,…

Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter and visual artist Hailey Beavis released her new EP, Whatever You Feel I Do Too, earlier this month. Recorded at Pumpkinfield Studio, near Perth (Scotland), the EP is the second release on OK Pal Records, the label Beavis founded alongside her friend Faith Eliott in 2018. Kicking off the EP, is the beautiful…

Sydney’s Vetty Vials has hit the ground running in 2020. Next month, she’ll take to the road in support of Conversations With Myself, her debut album. But before all that, we have “Pride“, a glimpse of what we can expect from next month’s release. Of the upcoming album, the pop punk singer/songwriter says: “Conversations With…

Enduring punk legends The Offspring will be returning to our shores later this year. In their first Aussie headline tour in sixteen years, the California band will put together a set list of their greatest hits. Expect the likes of “Self Esteem”, “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, and “Original Prankster” to blow up venues across the…

Later this year, Arcadia will return to the idyllic Goomburra Valley, for a long weekend of music and merry-making. Headlined by Made In Paris and First Beige, the BYO festival promises an exciting roster of live music and DJs. Taking place over the QLD Labor Day weekend, Arcadia will run from Saturday 2nd May until…

“Softly” is the new single from Canadian band Heaps. Formerly known as The Kents, this is the group’s first single under their new direction, with a full length album to follow.  The forthcoming album, What Is Heaps, and the new single, were recorded at Union Sound in Toronto. The quartet enlisted Leon Taheny (Fucked Up,…

After a five year break between releases, during which he released a polarising feature film, Flying Lotus (real name Stephen Ellison) finally reacquainted himself to fans with the album Flamagra. Ever one to place visuals central to the musical experience, he has returned to Aussie shores with a new 3D live show. UK/Aussie Warp Records…

In 2017, Brisbane-based R&B singer-songwriter Wafia was starting to build her career, singing alongside acts like Vancouver Sleep Clinic and supporting acts like Daughter. Now, in 2020, she’s running her own show and practically selling out 170 Russel St on a Friday night. Modest yet engaging, Wafia truly captivated the audience with both her music…

“Given Up On Hope” is the new single from Faroese singer-songwriter Sigmund. Recorded last year in an old knitting factory, the track is Sigmund’s first ‘new’ release since 2014. It’s a short, sweet injection of twangy bluesy rock; and I’m very much here for it. I stumbled across Sigmund and his music almost by accident….

It’s been five years since Massachusetts pop punkers Four Year Strong released their self-titled sixth album. Now they’ve kicked off 2020 with news about the much awaited seventh, titled Brain Pain and due for release on February 28th. “Talking Myself In Circles” is one of two glimpses we’ve had at the forthcoming release, alongside the…

One of our favourite bands The Jungle Giants are back with a new single, “Sending Me Ur Loving”. It’s trademark Jungle Giants, with the jangly guitars, soaring vocals and a tune you want to shake your booty to. Sam Hales, the lead singer, says of the track “Sending Me Ur Loving has been with me…

Flying Lotus makes his long-awaited return to Australian shores this week, bringing his cosmic 3D live show to a series of East Coast dates this weekend. Whilst in the country the LA artist will be hosting a handful of exclusive and intimate in store appearances, taking place at Melbourne’s Northside Records and Sydney’s Network Connections….

Bad Friday Festival just got a whole lot more badass. The Sydney institution of a festival, Bad Friday (that ironically falls on Good Friday for all you angels out there) is expanding to corrupt you one day longer. That’s right, we’ve got a Bad Friday AND Saturday on our hands. The expansion of the festival…

On Wednesday, the Folk music scene is heading to New Orleans for the 32rd installment of the Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Usually the February conference is held in Kansas City, but this year – following a year in Montreal…

If you’re looking for a soulful slice of folk-pop, look no further! Canadian singer-songwriter Brielle Ansems has just dropped her latest single, “More Than My Heart“, and it’s absolutely stunning! Based on Prince Edward Island, Brielle has immersed herself in the community’s creative scene, crafting an emotive sound that blends pop, folk, and R&B influences….

We at the AU are a huge fan of amazing bills of Australians going to tour overseas together, and your latest favourite threesome have just announced they’ll be playing some shows in the US and Canada together for the first time. Aussie acts Didirri, Alex The Astronaut and Jack River are all headed to SXSW…

With the Hottest 100 voting closing today, we thought we’d take our annual look back on the best songs of 2019. And should you still have to vote, we wanted to give you some ideas on some great local music to consider including in your top ten. We’ve put the 40 songs together in a…

Melbourne Zoo Twilights will be kicking off their amazing new season very soon. Whilst many shows have sold out, there are still tickets available for an eclectic range of performances to suit any musical tastebud. Get a group together because you’re all invited to spend summer nights watching favourite artists in the lush surrounds of…

Formed in 2014, Samoaja are a four-piece ‘Landscape Pop’ band from Finland. Musically, the group blend Nordic soundscapes with a modern folk sensibility and haunting melodies. It all makes for a sound that is high on the atmospherics and ambience. Earlier this month, Samoaja kicked off 2020 with the release of their new single, “Their…

The new Australian startup LOUDAR.COM launched its beta website last month, promising to change the way artists and fans get paid – and we’re excited to be one of the industry partners supporting the new platform. The site has been set up by Tom Chwieduk and Mac Mikosik, two Gold Coast musicians with tech skill…

Adelaide’s Glass Tides have been blending post-hardcore with soft rock hooks and heartfelt vocals since their inception in 2017. Garnering comparisons to the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, The Used, and Young Lions, the quintet have just dropped their first full length album, In Between. With press praise from triple j and a recent Track…

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes kicked off the Aussie leg of their tour last night, bringing the noise to Brisbane’s Triffid. Led by ferociously energetic frontman Carter, the British punks are known for their live show, a manic yet heartfelt affair, and one not to be missed. Newcastle’s Eat Your Heart Out opened proceedings, with…

German duo Milky Chance have spent their festive season touring Australia off the back of Falls Festival. Hailing from Kassel, Philipp Dausch and Clemens Rehbein are a long way from home, yet their fanbase here sees their shows sold-out and in high demand. The band recently released their third studio album Mind the Moon, featuring artists…

It’s not uncommon for artists to try re-invent themselves. Whether it’s as solo artists or within the band they’re in, quite often it’s done to try and break the mould that they’ve become to be known for. Some do it well; others not so much. As for Hayley Mary, her debut EP is distinct and…

It’s that time of year when everything starts ramping up for the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas – where from the 16th to the 22nd of March, hundreds of acts from around the world descend on the Texan capital, including dozens of Australian acts. Ten more were added this week! The ten new…

The Primavera Sound lineup has dropped for 2020, and as usual the Barcelona festival is an absolute blockbuster. The event, which is celebrating its 20th year this year, is bringing together 211 artists of 35 nationalities, in a lineup that celebrates the best artists of this year, and the past twenty years or more, that…

The Aussie Folk Collective is hitting Sydney this Friday night, with two rising stars of the Australian scene taking part in the first Courtyard Sessions event of 2020. The free event has been running for the better part of the last decade now, seeing the Seymour Centre’s courtyard transformed into a live music venue on…

Taking place at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday 16th February, “Fire Fight Australia” is yet another massive concert aimed at raising necessary funds to help the country recover from the ongoing bushfires. Announced today, the first batch of artists helping make this a monumental event include Queen, K.d Lang, Alice Cooper and Olivia Newton-John. The…

Mac DeMarco, down under for a national tour kicking off today, will be hosting a Bushfire Relief BBQ this weekend in Abbotsford. Titled “Grill for Good”, the Canadian artist will be inviting a boatload of talented friends for an all-day, all-ages made up of an old school sausage sizzle with live music, chefs, DJs and…