Music

Interview: Xavier Rudd (AUS) chats Twilight at Taronga, Storm Boy and the world’s ego

Off the back of his seventh solo studio album, Storm Boy, Xavier Rudd is playing a few select dates across the country including two sets at ‘Twilight at Taronga’ – a picturesque harbour-backdrop amphitheatre surrounded by the chorus of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. Ahead of his soon-to-be-sold-out shows, Xavier was able to chat about his newest album, his married…

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Live Review: Primitive Calculators pumped Brisbane full of ugly muscle with The Goon Sax and Lilith

Chatter within Brisbane’s The Bearded Lady had one common topic: the Nazi flag incident. The previous week, a punk band caused outrage when two dim-witted members unveiled a Nazi flag. It reeked of desperate attention-seeking, especially compared to the sonic provocations of Melbourne noise legends Primitive Calculators. Formed in 1978, Primitive Calculators existed for two…

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Live Review: The Beautiful Girls + Bobby Alu + Pat Tierney – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (18.01.19)

There’s something really underrated about bands that play with as a three piece. Sure, having twelve people in your band means you can add incredible depth to your sound, but the raw basic-ness of guitar, bass and drums is something that will always manage to be magic in live setting. This is no different when…

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Track of the Day: Strand of Oaks “Weird Ways” (2019)

Chalk Eraserland up as one of the most anticipated albums of 2019, as Timothy Showalter, better known as Stand of Oaks, previews his seventh full length album with the astounding beauty of “Weird Ways”. In a dark place, Showalter was ready to quit music entirely last year before being coaxed back into creating his remarkably…

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Festival Review: Mona Foma shines bright, weird and wonderful in its Launceston debut

Following ten years in Hobart – and a free block party last year in Launceston to test the waters – Mona Foma made its official debut in the Northern Tasmanian City this weekend, with a stellar weekend of art and music which took over Launceston for an event unlike anything locals have ever seen. Grimy…

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Photo Gallery: Mona Foma 2019 ft. Courtney Barnett, Jonathan Bree, Neneh Cherry & more – Launceston, Tasmania

Mona Foma made its official Launceston debut over the weekend, featuring art installations around the city and performances from the likes of Courtney Barnett, Jonathan Bree, Neneh Cherry, Nakhane (pictured above), WWWATER, Ewah and the Vision of Paradise, Southeast Desert Metal & much, much more. Larry Heath was on ground at the event and brings us…

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Live Review: Summer Series 2019 Feat. The Jacksons + Kool & The Gang and more – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne (16.01.19)

While it is often true that Wednesday nights are relegated to early evenings or an easy night in at home, those who ventured from the safety of these homes were rewarded earlier in the week by a mammoth live performance of nostalgia and music with some of modern music’s famous artists spanning the course of…

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Sydney Festival Review: Paul Capsis with the Fitzroy Youth Orchestra showed a dark gothic chameleon paying tribute to his inspirations

Paul Capsis is a performer who appreciates artists who are both unique and true to their real selves. You could argue that he too fits into this distinctive mould. His Sydney Festival show at the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent was an eclectic love letter to his many inspirations. The repertoire for the night was arranged by…

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Live Review: Leon Bridges proves to the Sydney crowd once and for all he’s a Good Thing

Leon Bridges is a man constantly wanting to change things up. Whether it be the generation of fans he’s aiming his music at, or the type of music he’s playing, the Fort Worth musician is all about taking things down a slightly different path and hoping you come along for the ride. Returning to Sydney…

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Air Mofo makes its inaugural flight from Melbourne to Launceston as Mona Foma kicks off in its new Tasmanian home

After 10 years at Mona Museum and surrounds in Hobart, this year marks the iconic arts festival Mona Foma’s controversial move to Launceston. Now, just as they helped changed the artistic landscape in Hobart, they‘re hoping to do the same in Launceston, and today pulled out all the stops to ensure that the festival which…

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Album Review: Cub Sport – Cub Sport by Cub Sport (2019 LP)

Contrary to popular belief, Cub Sport by Cub Sport is not a fragrance but boy if you could wear it, you would be at least double-dosing. The third studio album from this four-piece Brisbane band takes them to a new strength, solidifying their reputation of colossal sound evolution in each body of work they release….

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Five Australian country music artists you should be watching in 2019

Country has long been a dirty word in the Australian music industry. That iconic image of a grizzled, cowboy hat-wearing, man strumming away on his banjo and singing about the bush is a thing of the past. But the genre is changing, albeit a little sexy, with home-grown artists Keith Urban and Morgan Evans, as…

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Live Review: After more than two decades under the influence, Taking Back Sunday show Sydney how it’s done

Once upon a time, I really enjoyed Monday night shows. This was at a time when I was at uni without any real obligations. Now, I am a boring person with a desk job that gets up early for work five days a week. You’re probably thinking, why am I telling you this? There is…

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Fleetwood Mac announce Australian arena tour for 2019

The legendary Fleetwood Mac have today announced that they will be returning to Australia for a six-date arena tour across August and September. As one of the first mammoth tour announcements for 2019, the Grammy winning band responsible for hits like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way” will be making stops in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney…

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Here’s the epic food lineup for Download Festival in Sydney and Melbourne

As if a festival with Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Alice in Chains and Judas Priest (and those are only the headliners) wasn’t enough, a supersized food program packed with some of the East Coast’s finest eateries has been announced for both the Sydney and Melbourne legs. As was the case last year, Jake Smyth and Kenny…

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Photo Gallery: FOMO Festival – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (13.01.19)

FOMO Festival wrapped up in Melbourne over the weekend at Flemington Racecourse. One stage and one huge party, it was a great day with artists such as Nicki Minaj (no photography allowed), Rae Sremmurd, Mura Masa, Aminé, Kali Uchis and more. Photography by Rebecca Houlden

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Live Review: Grow Your Own 2019 was a midsummer’s daydream festival experience

Now in its third year, Grow Your Own Festival takes place on the North Coast of NSW in the Forster-Tuncurry area. Started in 2016 by local Holly Rankin, aka Jack River, the original motivation of the event was to bring more music to the region for the youth of the area. It has since grown into…

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Interview: Chris Wallace of Southeast Desert Metal (NT) on breaking the isolation through touring

Southeast Desert Metal singer/guitarist Chris Wallace is introducing the basics of his Indigenous language, Arrernte. “In our language,” he says, “If I say ‘Werte’, it means ‘greetings to you’. You greet me back with ‘Mwere’. That means, ‘How you been?’” The Arrernte people’s traditional land is located in the centre of Northern Territory, including Alice…

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Album Review: MIKE’s War in My Pen (2018 LP) is a concise exploration of maturity and loss

This project from prodigious New York rapper MIKE dropped just before the end of last year, and may have flown under the radar as a result. Though it proves more than deserving of proper attention, despite being lost in the flurry that is the holiday season. MIKE’s style of music is an incredibly experimental take…

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Live Review: Mahalia and Jack Gray captivate at Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel

Fresh from the Falls and Field Day circuits, British artist Mahalia rocked a sold-out show at The Lansdowne Hotel on what could have otherwise been a quiet Monday night. Opening for her was Jack Gray: the combination of beachy waves, a silk shirt and old school boyish charm. The Sunshine Coast singer had the crowd…

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Kim Churchill to curate intimate “in the round” show in Sydney next week

The month In The Round Sessions return to Sydney’s Leadbelly (42 King St, Newtown) for its next edition on Tuesday 15th January, with Kim Churchill hosting and curating the evening, for an intimate appearance from the globally touring star. The show will be one of his only appearances in Sydney ahead of the release of his next album, and…

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Here’s what you’ll be eating at FOMO Festival this weekend

Heading to FOMO Festival in Sydney or Melbourne this weekend? Well, this is just a reminder to enter on an empty stomach because both legs have a very tempting food line-up planned alongside live music from the likes of Nicki Minaj, Rae Sremmurd, Kali Uchis, Mura Masa and more. Like all boutique festivals nowadays, the…

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Live Review and Photo Gallery: Soccer Mommy + Kelso – Howler, Melbourne (07.01.19)

Falling in with the other major internationals on sideshow duty Soccer Mommy finished the Melbourne; and final show of her two leg Australia tour. The show was filled with many fun moments as well as Soccer Mommy’s (Sophie Allison) appreciation towards her Melbourne fans who filled the Howler in Brunswick for the near sold out…

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Live Review: The Vaccines show their strength at Sydney’s Metro Theatre

Kicking the year off again with another Falls Festival sideshow, I ventured on down to Sydney’s Metro Theatre to take in the goods that The Vaccines are currently delivering as part of their current Combat Sports album tour. Opening up the night were Newcastle band Vacations. Making the trip down to Sydney, the touring five-piece…

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Live Review: OVO Sound’s dvsn show Sydney what R&B really is

The recent debate about who is the current “King of R&B” (sparked by a claim from Cash Money artist Jacquees) is not as clear cut as it has been made out to be. This isn’t the first time someone who has claimed to be the king of a genre or style of music. T.I once…

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Photo Gallery: Falls Downtown Day 2 – Fremantle Oval (06.01.19)

It was the second day of the Falls Festival tour in Fremantle. Day 2 presented a mouth-watering line-up that featured the likes of Vance Joy, Interpol, Hilltop Hoods, Toto, DMA’s, Ocean Alley, Tired Lion and more. Our photographer Stuart Sevastos was there to capture the highlights of the day.

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Live Review: The Vaccines radiate their punk persona in Melbourne

Twenty Nineteen is finally at our feet and to mark the moment, The Vaccines flew across the entire globe to give Aussies something to remember during the first week of the new year. The English group appeared at The Croxton Bandroom (Thornbury) alongside Newcastle band, Vacations, and left the sardine-packed crowd drenched in a sublime blend of both perspiration and…

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Album Review: On I am > I was (2018 LP), 21 Savage emerges victorious despite all odds

21 Savage has, for the past few years, stood as a divisive character in modern hip hop. Though, regardless of countless criticisms he has definitely become an established figure on the scene – becoming one of the most commercially successful and well known members of the early soundcloud-rap renaissance of 2016. As a result, following…

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Photo Gallery: Falls Downtown Day 1 – Fremantle Oval (05.01.19)

The sun was out and everyone was having a good time as the Fremantle was the last stop on the Falls Festival tour. Day 1 featured the likes of CHVRCHES, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Flight Facilities, Amy Shark, Dean Lewis and more. Our photographer Stuart Sevastos was there to capture the highlights of the day.

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