The Queensland Tennis Centre is ready for next month’s Brisbane International following the completion of flood repairs works to Pat Rafter Arena.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves and State Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn today inspected the refurbished arena, in particular the back-of-house facilities which sustained water damage earlier this year.

“The QTC and Pat Rafter Arena are back better than ever and the venue is ready to welcome some of the world’s best tennis players to Brisbane in January, reinforcing our reputation as the events state, as well as the champions state,” Mr Reeves said.

“Just two days after Robin Soderling defeated Andy Roddick in the men’s final, flood waters inundated the venue.
Continue reading Queensland Tennis Centre set for a smashing Brisbane International →

The headline from a recent Billboard article says it all: “Like They Never Left.”

Legendary British rockers BUSH, fronted by charismatic lead singer Gavin Rossdale had more success in their first half dozen years of their career than most bands do in a lifetime. Forging a sound that would go on to characterize an entire decade releasing some of the most successful rock albums that redefined a generation.

BUSH now return with their first album in over a decade ‘The Sea Of Memories’ which is drenched in the bands trademark intensity combined with Rossdale’s emotive vocals propelling the band to compelling new directions. With a new sharply driven focus BUSH will be performing 2 intimate shows on the back of their appearances at Soundwave 2012.
Continue reading Bush Sidewaves announced! →

From a suburban Los Angeles garage to becoming a worldwide institution of rebellion, few bands boast a history like BAD RELIGION. 30 years on, the worlds still a mess and BAD RELIGION’S fiery songs are more relevant and necessary than ever.

On their 15th studio album ‘The Dissent Of Man’ BAD RELIGION pushes the boundaries of music as much today as they did in their formative years as a genre defining punk rock band with absolutepunk proclaiming ‘The Dissent Of Man’ “The best album they’ve written in well over a decade, compelling, charming and whipsmart storytelling.”
Continue reading Bad Religion Sidewaves announced! →

Followers of theatrical punk cabaret stars THE DRESDEN DOLLS can rejoice as news breaks of their upcoming reunion tour. The dynamic pair, comprised of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, reached infamy through their brand of art house rock, steadily climbing out of the artistic trenches from which they were born.

The Dresden Dolls beguiling breed of stylised Brechtian punk cabaret erupts with theatrics, spontaneity and genuine frivolity. Fans and critics cannot wait to get in on the action once again after their previous tours proved to be such a treat:

“On stage they interact intuitively and naturally, their rapport is palpable. The best songs are manic, like ants at fairy bread…The songs are visual, they come to life, and seem made out of pieces of goddesses and monsters, troy horses and walking sticks.” – Brag

“From the second Palmer touches the keys and opens her mouth, a scene is set. It is century old European cabaret and it’s wonderful…Now that’s what I call a show.” – Drum Media

“It’s difficult to imagine anyone else pulling this off so convincingly.” – Rolling Stone

Whilst Amanda is certainly no stranger to our shores, it has been six years since she and Brian performed here as The Dresden Dolls and in the minds and hearts of their devoted fans, that is truly six years too many.
Continue reading The Dresden Dolls Return To Australia – January 2012 →

Christmas has come early for former world No.39 Casey Dellacqua (WA) with confirmation today of a wildcard into the Brisbane International. Dellacqua, sidelined for most of 2009 and 2010 due to shoulder and foot injuries – both of which necessitated surgery, started her return to the game earlier this year and quickly collected a Grand Slam title, taking out the mixed doubles championships at Roland Garros in June.

Continue reading Dellacqua scoops the first Brisbane wildcard! →

2012 BIG DAY OUT LOCAL ARTIST ADDITIONS!
NATIONAL TIMETABLES NOW ONLINE!

The Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx tag team in an Australian first on the Skate Stage in Perth and Adelaide

Hi everyone,

The full picture of what’s in store is now reaching completion.

Of course there is always more to discover on the day.

The Big Day Out was and always will be about creating the best experience possible.

Now that all the confusion has calmed we all hope you feel as excited about these shows as we do. Great music, great atmosphere and much fun to be had by all.

Thank you all for your support, it’s much appreciated.

Just to set the record straight – there will be no special deals, discounts, “2 for 1’s” or ballots.

When it sells out. That’s that.

Ken West

Of course the full picture is not complete without playing times and we’re happy to announce that they’re available today from www.bigdayout.com. And this year we’re making it even easier to build your own BDO schedule, and share it with friends!
Continue reading Timetables and local additions announced for the 2012 Big Day Out! →

** USA Times and Dates ***

Put on the hot chocolate…find a warm, toasty location…and join us on the night of Dec. 13-14 for our “Up All Night with NASA” live Web chat about the 2011 Geminid meteor shower!

The Geminids — the final major meteor shower of the year — will be somewhat obstructed by a waning gibbous moon. Anytime between Dec. 12-16 is a valid window for Geminid-watching, but the night of Dec. 13-14 is the anticipated peak.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, meteor experts Dr. Bill Cooke, Danielle Moser and Rhiannon Blaauw from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will be answering your questions about the Geminids via a live Web chat. Join them on Dec. 13 at 11 p.m. EST, then stay up until 5 a.m. EST for the meteor shower.

Joining the chat is easy… go to the uStream site http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc for all the details.

More About the Geminids

Geminids are pieces of debris from an object called 3200 Phaethon, which is something of a mystery. Near closest approach to the Sun (perihelion), Phaethon exhibits increases in brightness similar to that of a comet; however, its orbit is characteristic of an asteroid. Extinct comet or asteroid? The debate still rages among astronomers.

In mid-December of each year, Earth runs into the stream of debris from Phaethon, which causes the Geminid meteor shower — a beautiful display of meteors for us to enjoy. Unlike the Perseids or Leonids, the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first reports occuring in the 1830’s citing rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased — it is now the best annual meteor shower – and we regularly see between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. The Moon will hamper that this year, but if your skies are clear you can still expect to see as many as 40 per hour.

One can tell if a meteor belongs to a particular shower by tracing back its path to see if it originates near a specific point in the sky, called the radiant. The constellation in which the radiant is located gives the shower its name; Geminids all appear to come from a point in Gemini, Leonids appear to radiant from Leo, and so on.

Review by Ben Connolly

It must be hell to be a potential suitor for soul-stress Sharon Jones. First, you’d need balls of steel to go back through her now 4-album catalogue to learn the litany of transgressions those who’d fallen before you had made; then, after what could only be assumed to be a steamy, tumultuous romance, you run the risk of having your love life not only dissected in song-form, but ridiculed and belittled to within an inch of its life. And so begins Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings’ fourth album Soul Time!, with “Genuine Pt. 1” not only laying down the seriousness of the groove, but also

the seriousness with which the singer views her lovers. “No money, no phone, no fancy car; Is gunna make no man a superstar / If he ain’t a man down to his bones; he’s gunna wake up one day and I’ll be gone” – a line which serves as both a warning shot and a call-to-arms, and continues the emotive tone which has seen Jones and the Kings claim a serious piece of niche musical real estate. Likewise, “He Said I Can” and “I’m Not Gunna Cry” are both scathingly gorgeous moments of end-of-relationship affirmations.
Continue reading Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Soul Time! | Album Review →

Resist & VIA Studios present
La Dispute Australian Tour February 2012
La Dispute are five close friends from Grand Rapid’s Michigan with a strong belief in the concept of music and art as a medium for making new friends. Driven by a firm passion for the relevance of a live show, both for the bands involved and for the people in attendance, La Dispute will be bringing their artistically, technically, and emotionally engaging music to Australia’s shores for the third time this February. Join them on an exploration of the struggles that confront, damage, and redefine us inevitably in life.
Continue reading La Dispute Australian Tour February 2012 →

Quiet Child have announced that they’ve been asked by Opeth to join them on their national tour of Australia. The tour will kick off on Dec 15 taking in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. This comes just months after the release of their second album Thumper which saw the band tour the East Coast extensively. For those hoping to catch Quiet Child in Adelaide, they will also be supporting The Red Paintings on Jan 14 at Fowlers Live. www.facebook.com/quietchildtheband

Continue reading QUIET CHILD confirmed as national support for OPETH – December 2011 →

Fresh off the back of a grueling 2 month tour of Europe, The Kill Devil Hills will be returning to the East Coast in January with a new single in tow; The Week in Pictures.

The Week in Pictures is a jarring, throbbing menace of a rock track, a strange and beautiful montage of images of our world seen from afar.

Hard at work on their fourth album and to celebrate the release of The Week in Pictures, The Kill Devil Hills will be bringing their trademark blend of swamp, punk, country-rock, blues and folk to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The Week in Pictures and B-side The Bends are out now via Bandcamp or on limited edition 7” vinyl through Beast Records (France) or direct from the band at live shows.
Continue reading The Kill Devil Hills “The Week In Pictures” East Coast Tour – January 2012 →

After the recent success of their latest album ‘Father, Son, Holy Ghost’, San Francisco’s GIRLS are back to tour Australia.

The release of their second full-length album brought GIRLS some much deserved attention across the globe.

The album received a glowing 9.3 review on Pitchfork, a stellar live performance of their single Honey Bunny on Jimmy Fallon and plenty more unconditional love for this stand out pop gem.
Continue reading GIRLS – Touring February 2012! →

Live Nation have announced that Roxette fans all over Australia can now join the joyride! Due to surging demand from fans across the nation, legendary pop duo Roxette will now extend their Australian visit and play shows across Australia plus a second show in Sydney next February with tickets going on sale on Monday August 29 at 9am sharp. Super-fast ticket sales in Sydney saw the show sell out on its first official day of sale with fans begging for an additional Sydney show, which is now confirmed for Thursday 16th February 2012.

Roxette have topped the charts three times in Australia with singles It Must Have Been Love, Joyride and The Look. Look Sharp went to number two on the Australian album charts in 1988. Joyride followed in 1991 also reaching number two. Roxette’s next albums, Tourism and Crash! Boom! Bang!, both reached number 3 on the Australian album charts while their first greatest hits album Don’t Bore Us, Get To The Chorus landed in the Australian top ten in 1995.
Continue reading Roxette to play Brisbane – February 2012 | Tour Details! →