Music

Festival Review: Saturday at Bonnaroo 2016 – Manchester, Tennessee (11.06.16)

The clouds opened up and the lightning came down, but no force of nature was stronger than Pearl Jam Saturday night at Bonnaroo. It had been eight years since Pearl Jam last played the Manchester, TN festival, but the wait was very much worth it. The unexpected 90 minute delay due to lightning only helped drum up…

Read more

Emma Russack set for three east coast dates with new album In a New State

Australian audiences have recently been seeing Emma Russack on the road around the country with Alex Gow and Dan Kelly, but next month she’ll be showcasing her new album “In a New State” on her own for an short three-date tour! Having garnered a solid amount of attention on radio in the UK, not to mention within the pages of the…

Read more

Kate Ceberano awarded the Order of Australia on Queen’s Birthday Honours List

She’s one of the country’s best known and beloved entertainers and this year, Kate Ceberano has been awarded another special note of recognition, the Order of Australia. Revealed as part of this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Ceberano is one of many esteemed individuals who have made the list. Ceberano has been officially recognised for her…

Read more

Music Video of the Day: Hedge Fund “What You’re Hiding” (2016)

This is a tune that comes jam-packed with brooding swagger that has had us hooked. Hedge Fund have stepped up once more with new single “What You’re Hiding” in fusing some cool post-punk waves in Mislav Belobrajdic‘s guitar and William Colvin‘s strangely hypnotic vocals and songwriting, with a tight musical execution reminiscent of some darker new-wave bands coming into…

Read more

Stumbled Upon #113 – FRAANCIS (Melbourne)

Our 113th edition of ‘Stumbled Upon’ sees us introduced to the very new, but very intriguing FRAANCIS. Recently dropping their debut single “XX” online to much the favourable response, the Melbourne duo draws influence from the likes of Jordan Rakei to J Dilla, all the while whipping up a sound that reminds us of early Flume…

Read more

Single of the Day: The Lulu Raes “Never Leave” (2016)

The Lulu Raes blend great melody with solid pop-rock rhythm on new single “Never Leave” – a great indicator of what’s to come from the band’s forthcoming EP, All Our Parents Are Divorced. The Sydney group have been making some great moves recently and this tune, highlighted by some excellent guitar work and of course, Eddie‘s unmistakeable…

Read more

Live Review: The Ataris + Columbus + Dead Joe – Fowlers Live, Adelaide (09.06.16)

Adelaide took a step down memory lane on Thursday night at Fowler’s Live. The Ataris, the early 2000s punk rock band that you could take home to mum were back in town for the first time in many years. Being there conjured memories of the glory days of punk in Adelaide when every pub had…

Read more

Festival Review: Friday at Bonnaroo 2016 – Manchester, Tennessee (11.06.16)

Bonnaroo hit its stride on Friday with a jam packed lineup meant to rock, surprise and most importantly distract the tens of thousands in attendance from the sweltering heat. Thursday marked the beginning of the 15th edition of Bonnaroo, but Friday marks the first day of the Main Stage and when the big bands come out to play. The day…

Read more

Live Review: Client Liaison – Fat Controller, Adelaide (10.06.16)

I’m rarely totally surprised at club shows these days. Sometimes there’ll be a moment or two that’ll take me off-guard, but not often. But then, then, there are moments that will have me looking around and noticing everyone else around me is having the same, ‘Is this actually happening?’ point of recognition. Cue Monte Morgan emerging from…

Read more

Album News Weekly: 10th June 2016

In this issue: Bands and Artists, old and new comers this week! Rock out to some Garbage or relax to The Temper Trap, or give it all a listen! FATHERDUDE Harlem-based breakout artist Fatherdude releases his fresh EP, The Balance, today! THE GOOCH PALMS The Gooch Palms release their much-anticipated sophomore album Introverted Extroverts on Wednesday, June…

Read more

We sit down in Barcelona with Faris & Rachel of Cat’s Eyes to chat about their new LP Treasure House

Over the weekend, as they celebrated the release of the Sophomore LP Treasure House – and just a few hours before they were set to play their first show in support of it at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain – I sat down with UK duo Cat’s Eyes. Made up of Faris Badwan (best known for his…

Read more

Album Review: The Temper Trap – Thick As Thieves (2016 LP)

From the time you first heard the opening vocals on “Sweet Disposition”, you knew The Temper Trap had just that little something that was going to differentiate them from the rest of the pack. A legitimate force when they released their debut LP Conditions, the band lost their way with their experimental, breaking-from-the-mould self titled…

Read more

Music Video of the Day: Glass Animals “Life Itself” (2016)

Glass Animals have continued to unfurl the craziness surrounding their sophomore album How To Be a Human Being in the release of the music video for “Life Itself”. It’s an exciting time to be an Australian Glass Animals fan, with the four-piece of course, heading out our way next month ahead of the album’s August release. Says…

Read more

In Loving Memory of Szymon – Eva Irwin & Kubush Borzestowski on their brother’s musical legacy & the upcoming show at Splendour in the Grass

Szymon‘s posthumous Tigersapp album was quick to envelop listeners in its sublimely constructed world of folk, pop and electronica upon its August 2015 release. A stunning musical offering from a talented creative, Tigersapp unsurprisingly reaped in the critical acclaim (including an ARIA Award nomination and a spot on this year’s Australian Music Prize nominee list). While existing as…

Read more

Single of the Day: BADBADNOTGOOD ft. Mick Jenkins “Hyssop of Love” (2016)

BADBADNOTGOOD recently showed off their latest cut of musical goodness in a recent collaboration with Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins, on “Hyssop of Love”. The track earned its Australian premiere on triple j overnight and has been something of an instant earworm of a tune for us! Jenkins’ rap flow snatches back and forth, firmly establishing a presence…

Read more

Jen Cloher on the importance of the Barunga Festival, taking Milk Records to the next level & more

Today, the 2016 Barunga Festival kicks off for another huge year of cross-cultural celebration and collaboration. This year’s theme is all about ‘Celebrating Women’ and the festival’s music line up definitely fits the bill, with some talented ladies in the mix with some of the NT’s best. Ahead of her debut appearance at the festival, I…

Read more

The State of Affairs (10th June 2016): Global independent label market report released, Fraud ticket warnings from Dark Mofo organisers & more!

This week in the music industry: the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) released their market report on the global performance of independent record labels in 2015 and fraud tickets for Dark Mofo are allegedly circulating the internet. Worldwide Independent Market Report  For the first time ever, the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has been able to extract the true market…

Read more

2016 AU Review Reader Survey: Win a trip for two to Sydney, a night out in Brisbane and more!

Every two years, we ask our Australian based readers to take a few minutes to help us get to know you a bit better. We want to make sure we are making the best possible site for you! Everyone who fills out the form and provides us with their email address will also go in…

Read more

Ingrid Håvik & Marte Eberson of Highasakite on Camp Echo & their new live shows

Highasakite are a day off releasing Camp Echo when we meet up in Brighton ahead of their Great Escape showcase. I sit down over some food with the gorgeous Ingrid Håvik and Marte Eberson – burgers, salads, milkshakes. The good stuff. Delving into the Norwegian group’s highly anticipated third album, both Håvik and Eberson describe the effect a solid amount of…

Read more

Experiencing Max Richter’s VIVID Sydney production of Sleep…from Adelaide – a review.

Friday night in front of the telly! With a trundle bed and big quilt, a candle, the rest of the household in bed. I’m excited, although exhausted after a big week and would have preferred a nice quiet lead up to a long eight hour broadcast. But, it’s not a usual simulcast in that it’s designed…

Read more

Single of the Day: Crystal Cities “Tell Me Now” (2016)

The third single taken from Crystal Cities‘ debut EP comes in the form of “Tell Me Know” – it’s melodic, catchy…a straight up solid pop song. The Sydney trio have been jamming together for some time now, coming together and releasing their debut single last year. “Tell Me Now” is the result of a recording session in…

Read more

8 reasons why every Australian needs to make the pilgrimage to Barcelona for Primavera Sound

I’ve just jumped off a plane from Spain, following a week in Barcelona for the annual Primavera Sound Festival – which, in its 16th year, is one of Europe’s most iconic and popular events. And there’s a good reason for it – it is unequivocally one of the world’s finest festivals. That’s a matter of opinion…

Read more

Gregory Porter set for Australian tour this September

Coming out to Australia for a select run of shows in September, Gregory Porter will be showcasing his acclaimed new album Take Me To The Alley. Fans will have to jump on these tickets fast as Porter’s Australian itinerary just has him playing two shows – one at The Basement in Sydney and one at The Croxton in Melbourne this…

Read more

Music Video of the Day: The Ramona Flowers “Dirty World” (2016)

Remember when bands like Friendly Fires, Phoenix and Passion Pit were ruling the indie music scene? There was something in that synth-driven, melodic music that packed more punch than we’d seen before; homage was being paid to the 80’s for sure, but there was a fresh flavour and approach to this music that was really connecting with eager music fans….

Read more

“Frankie Sinatra” and the return of The Avalanches – why Wildflower is worth the 16 year wait

Two years ago, Danny Brown told us his collaboration with The Avalanches would ‘change the world’. Dust settles now on that world – one in which The Avalanches are most definitely back – and whether or not “Frankie Sinatra” was worth the agonising sixteen-year wait is up for debate. But let’s get something straight: the collab Brown spoke of was not…

Read more

Music Video of the Day: Big Scary “Over Matter” (2016)

Big Scary‘s 2013 release “Not Art” was one of the most talked about records of the year, earning an Australian Music Prize among it’s huge critical acclaim. The duo took a short break in the last few years for guitarist/singer/pianist/producer Tom Iansek to focus on his project #1 Dads, but they’ve just returned stronger than…

Read more

Single of the Day: Unknown Mortal Orchestra “First World Problem” (2016)

A year since the release of their incredible third record Multi-Love, Unknown Mortal Orchestra have returned with the killer single “First World Problem”. Singer Ruban Nielson‘s voice takes command of this song, floating over Prince-esque guitars and the classic UMO blend of unconventional drum sounds and synths. Check out “First World Problem” here. Find Unknown…

Read more

Spring King (UK) on debut LP Tell Me If You Like To, touring with Courtney Barnett & Splendour in the Grass

Next month, Australian crowds will be introduced to Spring King for the first time. The British four piece are set to perform their debut Australian shows at Splendour in the Grass and alongside Beach Slang at their east coast sideshows, a perfect opportunity to dole out their now-popular chaotic post-punk rock show in some excellent venues. For now though,…

Read more

Leah Flanagan announces July tour dates for new single “Chills”

Leah Flanagan has given fans the first taste of her upcoming album Saudades in “Chills” and as an album opener, this one is definitely indicative of a gorgeously honest record. Flanagan shows off some of her best on the track – a combination of talented songwriting coupled with beautiful arrangement drew us into “Chills” and has got…

Read more

Live Review: Culture Club + Kids In The Kitchen – Adelaide Entertainment Centre (06.06.16)

Boy, oh boy. Adelaidians – a term now endorsed by Mr George himself – had to wait 32 years for Boy George and Culture Club to return to our fair city. But return they did, and with gusto. Kicking off the band’s world tour here in Adelaide on Monday night, the enigmatic frontman expressed love…

Read more