Music

Track of the Day: Red River Dialect “Snowdon” (2019)

British folk rockers Red River Dialect have this week announced the forthcoming release of record number five, Abundance Welcoming Ghosts, and have dropped lead single “Snowdon” in celebration.  Recorded in rural South West Wales, shortly before principal songwriter and singer David Morris moved to a remote Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia, the record finds the…

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Interview: Humans As Animals (Melbourne)

Lillian chats with the local and amazingly talented lads/musicians of Humans as Animals. The band have been performing together around Melbourne for six years and are about to release a 4-part epic-funk opera that incorporates a character called Bilack. Their debut EP Eukaria’s release is just around the corner, August 1st, and we chatted to…

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Photo Gallery: James Blake – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (24.07.19)

James Blake performed his second Sydney Splendour in the Grass at The Enmore Theatre last night. Belinda Dipalo was there to bring you these photos.

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Live Review: James Blake stuns a sold-out Enmore Theatre

No one wails quite like James Blake. The Enfield artist has a unique way of catching his listeners and drawing them deep inside of his music, coaxing them to the very centre where his vocals are at their most penetrative. He touches your soul, truly, in the same way legends like Sam Cooke and Marvin…

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Live Review: The Lumineers + Tyne James Organ, Enmore Theatre, Sydney (22.07.19)

After a couple of stellar Splendour In The Grass sets between both The Lumineers and their opener, Tyne James Organ they were able to back them up again during the only Australian sideshow The Lumineers provided. Tyne-James Organ was a brilliant opener for The Lumineers, while his sound had an abundance of energy, Tyne-James has…

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Splendour Interview: Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (AUS) on performing at festivals, mushrooms and Shannon Noll

Hailing from Perth (but really the UK), the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are just as wild as their name suggests. We got to catch up with Jack McEwan, Luke Reynolds, Luke Parish, Chris Young and Danny Caddy ahead of their Splendour In The Grass performance to chat about their latest single, “Hymn For A Droid”, and a whole…

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Track of the Day: Double Screen Feat. Blakkheart “Blood Stream” (2019)

Dublin based DJ and producer Double Screen (Dónal Sharpson) has teamed up with Cork singer and beat maker Blakkheart (Eimear Ann O’Sullivan) for soulful new single, “Blood Stream”.  Built for easy listening and the club, “Blood Stream” combines Blakkheart’s sublime soul enriched vocals with heavy bass lines, tribal drums and some experimental production, leaving the…

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Track of the Day: Nas “Vernon Family” (2019)

Though The Lost Tapes 2, the highly anticipated new release from legendary New York rapper Nas, features a jaw-dropping line up of classic beatmakers like Pete Rock and RZA, it’s actually Pharrell Williams that has turned in the album’s best moment. Already hailed as a “return to form” for the top-tier lyricist, the album has…

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Photo Gallery: The Lumineers + Tyne-James Organ – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (22.07.19)

The Lumineers put on a memorable set on Monday for their only Splendour In The Grass sideshow, the group catered to their adoring Sydney fans with a set list that included all of the fan favourites and a couple from their up and coming album III.   

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Exclusive Video Premiere: Four Lions “Gone” (2019)

Alt-country rockers Four Lions have just dropped their latest single “Gone“, and we’re stoked to be bringing you the exclusive premiere of the track’s video! “Gone” is the third release from the Bendigo band’s latest album Hard Days. Penned by frontman Shann Lions, it was one the earliest songs to make it to the track…

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Live Review: Friendly Fires are back and burning brighter than ever

It once seemed like St Albans’ party-starters Friendly Fires were destined to become one of the biggest bands of their time, back in the days of their 2008 self-titled debut. Frontman Ed Macfarlane, earnestly goofy in his stage presence, seriously clever in his delivery, could light a room on fire; their music was remarkably detail-oriented…

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Track of the Day: Nautical Mile “Marionette” (2019)

Perth pop-punkers Nautical Mile have just dropped their latest single, “Marionette“, and it’s a belter! Since forming in 2015, the band have released two killer EPs, and shared stages with the likes of Trophy Eyes, Hellions, Hawthorne Heights and The Decline. Consisting of Brodi Owen on vocals, Dan Ray on guitar, Caleb Wynter on drums, and…

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Track of the Day: Sampa the Great “OMG” (2019)

Exploring the idea of home through her African heritage has evidently given Sampa the Great a whole new burst of creative energy, because “OMG” (along with preceding single “Final Form”, which shares a Sylvers sample with Ghostface Killah’s “Be Easy”) represents the emcee’s finest work to date. Lifted from her forthcoming album The Return, due…

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Spotify now has a dedicated Disney hub for classics, Marvel and Star Wars

Disney-loving streamers using Spotify have some pretty nostalgic listening sessions ahead of them, as Spotify launches a dedicated “Disney Hub”. Created in response to the increasing popularity of Disney tunes on the service, the new list of curated playlists within Spotify was launched just last week from a partnership between the two companies. Just this…

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Live Review: Spin Off Festival – Adelaide Showgrounds (19.07.19)

Adelaide played host to the Spin Off Festival, the annual mini-Splendour event which featured headliner Childish Gambino, alongside an impressive lineup of international and local acts. The one-day festival took place at the Adelaide Showgrounds on what turned out to be a sunny Friday for Adelaide in winter. The event tried a new set-up this…

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Live Review: Hilltop Hoods close Splendour In The Grass, Day Three, Byron Bay, (21.07.19)

Splendour In The Grass’ final day of performances saw the acts wind down and a softer mood take over the festival. Folk performances were aplenty with Matt Corby and The Lumineers putting together some incredible moments, intermingling with the raucous energy of masterful performances by SZA and Hilltop Hoods. Of course, the day was haunted…

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Photo Gallery: Friendly Fires + World Champion – Metro Theatre, Sydney (22.07.19)

Friendly Fires set Sydney’s Metro Theatre alight last night during their Splendour in the Grass sideshow, making their first time back in Australia in six years. Belinda Dipalo was there to bring you these photos.

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Splendour Interview: Meg Mac (AUS) on her SITG surprises, Hope and collaborating

Meg Mac drew one of the largest crowds to the G.W. McLennan tent at Splendour In The Grass: Day One (check out our review: HERE) Dressed in all-white with her now iconic wide-brimmed hat, her sun-down performance echoed around the festival as she played her tracks from the early days to now. We got the chance…

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Splendour Interview: Odette (AUS) on her SITG debut, poetry and James Blake

Odette is an ephemeral angel, quite frankly. Both in performance and in person. Her debut Splendour performance was just that, with transcending lighting states and dance moves that sent the crowd to another planet. Currently on-site at Splendour, The AU Review chatted to her ahead of her set to see how those debut-nerves are doing….

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Live Review: Maribou State + Swooping Duck – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (18.07.19)

Completing their run of Splendour slideshows before their inevitable super set on Saturday, Maribou State put on a brilliant set for those unfortunate enough to miss out on the festival action over the weekend. The London duo used the evening to stamp their quality as they melded live instrumentation with some golden production work. While…

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Live Review: Childish Gambino nourished our spirits – Splendour In The Grass, Day Two (20.07.19)

After the high spirit opening day of Splendour In The Grass’, its second had a lot to live up to. Of course, this was no problem with a line-up that would be the envy of most other festivals in Australia. While a minority of the crowd skulked through the gates, looking a bit rougher around…

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Photo Gallery: Spin Off Festival – Adelaide Showgrounds (19.07.19)

Adelaide’s Splendour In The Grass side festival Spin Off grew to a whole new level in 2019 with an amazing line up featuring Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wolf Alice, Ballpark Music, Ocean Alley, Hockey Dad, Mallrat, Kwame and Ruby Fields. Kerrie Geier was there to take some snaps for the AU review.  

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Photo Gallery: Splendour in the Grass – Byron Bay, Day 2 (20.07.19)

The second day of Splendour in the Grass is underway with another glorious day and plenty of music to keep everyone entertained. Check out this gallery of Wolf Alice, Dean Lewis, Catfish and the Bottlemen and much, much more. John Goodridge was on the ground to bring these images.

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Live Review: Splendour In The Grass 2019, Day One, North Byron Parklands, (19.07.19)

After selling over 40,000 tickets this year – a sell out, as always – Splendour in the Grass led up to headliners Tame Impala with a string of stunning performances by both international and Aussie acts. A testament to how strong the festival’s curation has gotten, those strictly in it for the love of live…

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Splendour Interview: KAIIT (AUS) on her SITG debut, manifesting and thrift shopping

KAIIT is a 21-year-old R&B protegé currently based in Melbourne, but making some serious waves across the nation. Her debut EP Live From Her Room has garnered her an incredible amount of attention and even landed her the Unpublished award at the 2019 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition. At such a young age, this performer appears well…

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Photo Gallery: Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, Day 1 (19.07.19)

What a beautiful sunny day to start the three day Splendour in the Grass music festival in Byron Bay. With stellar performances from the likes of Tame Impala, Foals, Broods, and Wolfmother, there was something for everyone. John Goodridge was there to bring you these photos.  

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Chance the Rapper cancels headline set at Splendour in the Grass

Due to headline Splendour in the Grass on the festival’s final day, Chicago emcee Chance the Rapper has unfortunately been forced to cancel on his highly anticipated headlining set. Citing illness, the rapper hasn’t even been able to board the flight to Australia. News that will no doubt put a huge disappointment for fans who…

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Track of the Day: Midas.Gold Feat. Boy Graduate “The Mood” (2019)

We’ve been anxiously waiting to see what’s next for one of Australian hip hop’s brightest stars, Midas.Gold, following last year’s huge two-step infused single “Passions”. Turns out it’s pushing away from the electronic waves of previous work and moving more towards contemporary hip-hop. Employing heavy use of auto-tuned effects and a spaced out production, Midas…

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Track of the Day: Anna Smyrk “Home” (2019)

The second single from singer-songwriter Anna Smyrk‘s sophomore EP, “Home” combines stunning vocals with a haunting, almost folkloric sound. It’s a glorious piece of musical storytelling, and we’re so excited to be naming it as our final Track of the Day for the week! From growing up on a Central Victoria lavender farm, to two…

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Exclusive Video Premiere: 3SIDEZ “Something About Mary” (2019)

Today we have the exclusive video premiere of an exciting hip hop artist from Adelaide, 3SIDEZ, illustrating his latest single “Something About Mary”. Adventurous and soulful, he blends various genres into his hip hop, delivering an ecelectic and certainly very infectious style. “Something About Mary” has a really lovely upbeat groove running through it, with…

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