Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
There’s little disputing Karnivool‘s place among the top echelon of Australian music. Their unique brand of progressive rock/metal has won them fans all over the world, including international music critics and renowned musicians alike.

However, the tardy Sydney crowd had this reviewer more than a little worried when four-piece support act High Tension took to the stage to a half-full Metro Theatre. Had Sydneysiders let one of Australia’s best bands down? Had we all fled the city for the Xmas holidays?

Thankfully it was not the case and as High Tension, led by their Eva Spence-style screaming front woman, ripped through their high-energy, fuzz-bomb of a set (only their third gig, apparently), the room continued to fill with eager punters. It’ll be good to watch this band continue to get more stage time together as their incendiary riffage will benefit from an even greater stage presence.
Continue reading Live Review: Karnivool + High Tension @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – 29 December 2012 →

Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au

Photographer: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au

Bands: Karnivool, High Tension
Venue: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Date: 29 December 2012
Continue reading Photos! Karnivool + High Tension @ Metro Theatre, Sydney – 29 December 2012 →

THE BOYS describe themselves as:
“the girl power of the Spice Girls, the grunge stylings of the Smashing Pumpkins and the visceral energy of The Runaways, THE BOYS are an all-girl grunge outfit from Brisbane. Reviving 1990’s riot grrrl, the band is notorious for their brutally energetic live sets consisting of powerful guitar solos, hard-hitting drums, colourful hair and passionately dirty lyrics. ”
Continue reading Discover: The Boys – Stripper (Video and Stream) →

The Waterboys will be joined by Australia’s Oh Mercy at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall shows.

Earlier this year Oh Mercy delivered their stellar third album ‘Deep Heat’ (through Capitol/EMI), following previous releases ‘Great Barrier Grief’ and ‘Privileged Woes’. ‘Deep Heat’ drew critical acclaim, garnering an EG Music Award nomination, adding to the Oh Mercy’s 2011 ARIA nomination.

Featuring ‘My Man’, ‘Drums’ and ‘Pilgrim’s Blues’, the album is described as: “modern, forward-thinking pop; a colourful mix of styles all held together by a singular groove”, proving a perfect fit to open The Waterboys’ forthcoming Sydney and Melbourne shows.
Continue reading Oh Mercy Join The Waterboys Australian 2013 Tour →

Photographer: Katja Liebing – Blue Moon Photography

Photographer: Katja Liebing – Blue Moon Photography

Event: Kendrick Lamar
Venue: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Date: 20 December 2012
Continue reading Photos! Kendrick Lamar at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 20 December 2012 →

Toucan are a Boy/Girl Duo from Sydney.

Jess and Shea have had a busy 2012. They kicked the year off with a performance at Peats Ridge Festival before supporting The Kooks on their Australian tour. As well as headline shows along the East Coast,Toucan have supported The Mystery Jets, Last Dinosaurs, The Jungle Giants, Sneaky Sound Systemand Daniel Merriweather.

Their second EP ‘Swim’ will be distributed in January 2013 through Inertia. The self-produced EP was recorded at two home studios, a converted warehouse in Sydney’s inner west and Sydney Conservatorium’s recital hall. The ambitious pop/indie EP features numerous synths, electronics, orchestral percussion, a youth choir, strings and brass ensemble. Tony Espie (The Avalanches, Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts) mixed the EP over two months at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne.
Continue reading Toucan new single ‘Warrior’ ready for Big Day Out →

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater
Continue reading Photos! Festival Of The Sun 2012 →

It is hardly a secret. BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE are this generations greatest exponents of metal. Not simply because of one, two or even three amazing albums destined to be classics in the genre; but also because of the manifest evolution – with each album pointing the way to peaks that remain beyond the powers of ordinary bands.
Continue reading Bullet For My Valentine Sidewaves announced! →

High Highs kick-off 2013 with debut LP ‘Open Season’; laneway festival appearances + headline sideshows.

High Highs have revealed plans to release their debut album, Open Season, on Fine Time/Sony Music on January 25th. The band will support the release in Australia with an intensive schedule of live appearances, including three at the Laneway Festival, and headline gigs in Sydney and Melbourne.
Continue reading High Highs announce album details and Laneway 2013 Sideshows →

CYPRESS HILL TO PLAY HEADLINE SHOWS IN MELBOURNE & SYDNEY THIS FEBRUARY

Soundwave Touring together with Illusive are excited to announce that iconic West Coast hip-hop group CYPRESS HILL will perform two headline shows whilst they are in Australia for the sold out 2013 Soundwave Festival.
Continue reading Cypress Hill To Play in Melbourne & Sydney – February 2013 →

The Gum Ball announces the first round of acts for the 2013 festival.

With a combination of record ticket sales, an extra day in the program, and now an impressive first round line up of local and international artists, the boutique festival known as The Gum Ball is building a solid reputation for diversity and quality.

The Gum Ball will be held over the 25th, 26th and 27th of April 2013, hosted by the Johnston family on their pristine bushland estate ‘Dashville’ in Lower Belford, in the Hunter Valley. The festival is BYO and family friendly. It offers camping, great food, markets and open spaces with an eclectic mix of music and activities suitable for all ages.
Continue reading The Gum Ball Announces 1st Round Lineup for 2013 →

Review by Billy Geary
Let’s start this off by stating the obvious, The Living End are one of Australia’s most loved rock bands. They’ve played at nearly every rock festival this country has offered over the past ten years, sold god knows how many albums and are revered all over the place. However, it is the live environment in which they truly excel. The three Melbourne lads have won stacks of awards for being an outstanding live band over the years, which ultimately cemented them as Australian rock royalty.

Then, as we come to December 2012, The Living End are embarking on their biggest tour yet, playing each of their albums in full one at a time across the country. On Tuesday night, the tour started off in their hometown of Melbourne, playing their phenomenal self-titled debut from start to finish. It was the first of 11 gigs at The Corner Hotel over the space of about two weeks and if it was anything to go by, each night was going to be treated to something special no matter which album was being played.
Continue reading Live Review: The Living End at Corner Hotel, Melbourne – 11 December 2012 →

Photographer: Naomi Rahim – Design & Photography

Photographer: Naomi Rahim – Design & Photography
Continue reading Photos! The Living End at Corner Hotel, Melbourne with The Meanies – 11 December 2012 →

Fresh off the back of a three-month international writing stay in New York and a national tour with Missy Higgins and Gurrumul, Brisbane songbird Emma Louise is delivering an exclusive sneak peek of her debut album to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with a run of intimate shows in January. Playing with a full band, this will be Emma’s first major headline tour since July and the also the first to preview material that is currently being captured on tape in the studio.
Continue reading Emma Louise – Album Preview Tour – January 2013 →