US festival Bonnaroo sets new dates and lineup for 2021 with Tame Impala and King Gizzard set to join Lizzo, Foo Fighters and more

The past year has been hard on the world and especially tough to live music fans. But as vaccines start to roll out and Covid-19 numbers go down the hope for a return to normal gets stronger. As Bonnaroo unveiled its 2021 lineup, it started to feel like the world might be slowly looking familiar…

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Bose Sleepbuds II Review: Helping you get those eight hours

Inconsistent battery performance and some design flaws lead to Bose discontinuing their first iteration of the Bose Sleepbuds a few years ago. Which was disappointing. It’s an incredible concept – having some buds designed and in complete dedication to getting quality sleep, as opposed to music -playing in-ear phones that also threw in a bunch…

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The Paris Affair

Book Review: Pip Drysdale’s latest thriller The Paris Affair explores the deadly side to the city of love

The protagonist of Pip Drysdale’s third novel, The Paris Affair, would be a difficult woman to get along with in real life. By her own admission, she only keeps one friend close, claiming that all other people are “fake and they try to make her ‘fake’ too.” Yet for someone who supposedly hates phonies as much as…

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JBL Quantum 800 Review: The perfect mid-range gaming set?

JBL’s recent focus on gaming is long-overdue and so very, very welcome. The brand has been at, or at least near, the very top when it comes to professional-quality headphones, with an obvious love to big, meatier sounds that still retain plenty of detail. That’s replicated over on the Quantum series, which tackles just about…

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Australia’s first Fairmont hotel to open in Port Douglas

Plans have been announced for Australia’s first ever Fairmont hotel, adding more than just a touch of luxury on the fringes of both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The $300 million Fairmont Port Douglas will be the first new-build hotel from Accor’s legendary Fairmont brand, which is inextricably tied to the railroad…

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Live Review: The Presets at Factory – Metro City, Perth (01.04.21)

Summer may be long gone but Perth’s Factory Summer Festival has been rolling the past few weeks, delayed due to the WA government’s restrictions, with The Presets the latest to grace the stage at Metro City. Factory has traditionally attracted a younger crowd with its inviting outdoor set-up and trendy image, so this year’s forced…

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Film Review: Blithe Spirit is one visitor you’ll be summoning the Gods to return to its resting space

So much of Blithe Spirit‘s ingredients point to signs of a tasty meal, and yet one can’t help but feel entirely ready to return this flavourless chaff to the kitchen within minutes of its arrival. Adapted from Noel Coward‘s 1941 play and boasting the appealing quartet of Dan Stevens, Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher and Judi…

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Oya, the Japanese City that turned to stone

It’s not often that pebbles and rocks are the main feature of an attraction, but here in Oya, the proverbial gold really does lie at one’s feet. Oya, known as “Stone City”, sits on the fringe of Utsunomiya. This low-key town has seen a small resurgence in popularity, with a number of modern cafes and…

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Film Review: The Courier is an emotionally fraught thriller balancing its emotional and educational mentality

British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) doesn’t have the most suave persona.  And it’s because of this very reason that MI5 and the CIA have collaborated in their bid to maximise the potential of an insider during the time of America and Russian intensifying their nuclear arms race. “You drink too much and you’re not…

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Interview: Ascendant director Antaine Furlong on being a first-time filmmaker and taking a hands-on approach for his ambitious debut

With Australian cinema exceeding expectations at the box office in 2021 alone, now feels like as a perfect a time than ever for homegrown productions to thrive within their own country.  Founding his own company to pursue his passion of filmmaking, Dublin-born Antaine Furlong had followed his dream to technical fruition as his debut feature…

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Interview: Mali-Koa on Hunger, her 5SOS family and social movements

Western Sydney-born, London-residing Mali-Koa is best known as the older sister of Calum Hood – the bassist of global sensations 5 Seconds of Summer. However, she’s been cutting through the industry and making a name for herself outside of her family ties. In 2020, she released her debut album Hunger, featuring collaborators such as Grammy-Award…

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5 albums you may have missed in Q1 2021

We’ve been blessed (musically) with a killer opening quarter to 2021, with plenty of stellar and groundbreaking albums and EPs already released, many of which have received our Album of the Week. From Shame to Arlo Parks, Julien Baker, Genesis Owusu and Middle Kids, 2021 has so far seen a variety of albums released that…

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Film Review: The Father is a staggeringly authentic portrayal of the heartbreaking journey through dementia

When an esteemed actor’s five-decade-long career includes one Academy Award from five nominations, three BAFTA Awards from eight nominations, and two Emmys from five nominations, you hardly expect to see them deliver their finest performance in the twilight of their career. But Anthony Hopkins‘ astonishing performance in The Father may just be the greatest he’s…

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NSW Dine & Discover Vouchers: Here’s How To Redeem For Free Movies

The NSW Government has launched Dine & Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about and support dining, arts and tourism businesses. NSW residents aged 18 and over can apply for 4 x $25 vouchers, worth $100 in total: – 2 x $25 Dine NSW Vouchers to be used for dining at…

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Interview: Spirit Untamed director Elaine Bogan on her directorial debut and history with animation

To coincide with the trailer launch of Spirit Untamed, the latest from Dreamworks Studios telling of the epic adventure of a headstrong girl and the wild horse she shares a kindred spirit with, Peter Gray chatted with the film’s director, Elaine Bogan, detailing her experience as a first-time feature director, her background in animation, and…

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Black Pumas band

Interview: Black Pumas on their GRAMMY nominations, “Colors” and busking beginnings

Black Pumas released their debut album in 2019, just two years after the band’s formation. They have since become four-time GRAMMY nominees and performers. And then there was that small matter of being invited to play at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and having their music featured in a Super Bowl ad. Their rise has been…

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Sammy Honeysett

Track by Track: Sammy Honeysett takes us through her debut EP Queen of Wands

Sydney-based singer/songwriter Sammy Honeysett has today dropped her debut EP, Queen of Wands. We premiered the final single from the EP, “I C UR LIPS”, and we are delighted to have a track-by-track breakdown from Sammy highlighting the background to each song on the record. This is well-crafted indie-rock. Honeysett has a voice that can be…

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Presets & Illy to fire up Perth’s Factory Summer Festival this Long Weekend

The hard work of organisers is set to pay off with Perth’s Factory Summer Festival set to fire up this Easter long weekend and for the remainder of April with The Presets, Illy and Northeast Party House among the acts to come. The Factory Summer Festival, originally slated for December and January, had to be…

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Pete The Sheep

Theatre Review: Monkey Baa’s Pete the Sheep is a snappy adaptation of a children’s classic

Jackie French’s much loved children’s book, Pete The Sheep has been a staple of households since its first pressing in 2004, with the story of a loveable shearer and his ‘sheep sheep’ Pete teaching children about differing viewpoints and acceptance of change. Theatre company Monkey Baa have lovingly produced a stage musical based on the story,…

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Tussaud

Book Review: Belinda Lyons-Lee’s Tussaud is a delightfully devious gothic mystery

It should have been Marie Tussaud’s greatest success. An automaton, rendered lifelike through her waxworking skills. It would stand, walk, elegantly wave a fan. Even sweeter that it should be Marie Antoinette; the French Revolution had cost both queen and artist plenty. But when her business partner, a magician named Philidor, ignores her instructions, the…

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A Short Stay in Gyoza City at JR-East Hotel Mets Utsunomiya

Business hotels are one of the most common types of hotels available across Japan, offering no-frills accommodation with a very affordable price tag. But not all business hotels are created equal, and the hotel boom in Japan has left tourists spoiled for choice, with some now offering a few exciting features. JR-East Hotel Mets Utsunomiya…

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Updated: Byron Bay Bluesfest 2021 cancelled

In what is devastating news for the organisers, artists and vendors, Bluesfest 2021 has been cancelled due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak. This is the second year in a row where the festival has been cancelled due to the virus. Needless to say, it is a great disappointment, given the effort put in by the…

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papparich nasi lemak burger

PappaRich’s ungodly nasi lemak burger has returned to Australia

PappaRich has finally bought back their monstrously popular Nasi Lemak burger, which is now on the menu across their Australian stores for a limited time only. A crowd-favourite every time it has been popped back onto the menu, the burger is available from until 30th May – that’s a good amount of time you have…

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Polarize

Guest Playlist: Polarize share their weekend soundtrack

Alt-rock outfit Polarize have today dropped their Lucky Eye EP today. This is a tight collection of six songs, with sweet melodies and neat guitars. These are all well-composed tunes, great vocals and beautifully layered. This is an EP that is a joy to listen to from start to finish. If you are after touchpoints…

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Waxflower

Waxflower takes us behind the scenes of filming the music video for “Food For Your Garden”

Brisbane pop-punk band Waxflower have just released the video for their latest single “Food For Your Garden”. True to the title of the song, the boys have filmed the video in a nursery, and today we have a behind-the-scenes look at what went on during filming day. “Food For Your Garden” is the final single…

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Interview: The Father writer/director Florian Zeller on adapting his stage play and working with Anthony Hopkins

An award-winning French novelist and playwright that the Times of London referred to as “the most exciting playwright of our time”, Florian Zeller has transitioned from the stage to the screen with the adaptation of his award-winning production,  The Father.  Set for release in Australian cinemas on April 1st (you can read our review here),…

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True Vibenation

Behind The Lyrics: True Vibenation and A.GIRL take us inside their track “More Than You’ll Ever Know”

Did you catch the collaboration between the mighty African-Australian True Vibenation and the latest soul hit-maker A.GIRL? Yep, they released the tasty “More Than You’ll Ever Know” last month, and it is a delicious feast of soul, afro-beat and RnB. The two creatives fit dove and tail, and hopefully, they will collaborate again sometime down…

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Stevie Jean

Track of the Week: Stevie Jean “Menace” (2021)

She hails from the Northern Territory but has now relocated to Melbourne, and it’s Stevie Jean who gives us our Track of the Week, with her latest offering, the blistering “Menace” which has just been dropped. “Menace” is the lead track from her upcoming full-length debut album, The Dark, which is slated to be released…

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Film Review: Tom & Jerry is a kitty litter-filled excuse of a film that dishonours the cartoon’s legacy

Given the fact that Tom & Jerry screenwriter Kevin Costello has a duo of self-aware, critically acclaimed projects to his name – the dramedy Brigsby Bear and Jean Claude Van Damme’s underrated television series Jean Claude Van Johnson – one might think he’d be able to create something innovative off the basis of 7-minute cartoon…

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Interview: Brisbane burlesque star Trigger Happy talks all things Shreklesque

You might know him from America’s Got Talent, but burlesque performer Trigger Happy has added another string to his already well-strung bow in the form of Shreklesque. Yep, you read that correctly. Shreklesque. Blending burlesque, drag, and everyone’s favourite orgre, Shreklesque has been entertaining sold out audiences since its first outing at Perth Fringe last…

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