Live Review | Public Enemy – Metro Theatre, Sydney – 11 May 2012

Review by Robert Pugsley
Looking over the crowd at the Metro Theatre in Sydney I was surprised to see that I looked like everyone else – Yes, White Middle Class Suburbia had come out in force to see Public Enemy, DJ Lord and the current S1W crew. Although it shouldn’t really surprise anyone, Public Enemy have been, despite their militant bravado, quite accessible to the average non rap/hip hop public.

It’s been 25 years since they started performing out as Public Enemy, their anger levels have risen and waned but through it all they have carried the message of equality and respect. The message of peace and equality can make performers look like self indulgent cocks but Public Enemy really put their money where their mouth is and have built up a reputation where they can push their message and people are going to lend them their ears. Which is just as well, as there was a lot of talking and preaching at this gig but the crowd listened appreciatively.
Continue reading Live Review | Public Enemy – Metro Theatre, Sydney – 11 May 2012

Event News: Jack Colwell & The OWLS ‘Picture Window’ Album Launch @ Good God Small Club, Sydney – 6 June 2012

Jack Colwell, Sydney’s classically trained composer (Conservatorium of Music) turned alt-pop pioneer releases his highly anticipated debut album, ‘Picture Window’ on 29 May 2012.

Originally conceived as an EP, Colwell’s ideas soon grew beyond the confines of a short-form release. The album features the vocal offerings of Daisy M Tulley (Bridezilla) who stars on the haunting “Waiting For Thee”. Jack also worked with producer Chris Rollans (Lanie Lane, Cloud Control) to create a fusion of dark pop, evocative piano riffs and heart rendering lyrics.
Continue reading Event News: Jack Colwell & The OWLS ‘Picture Window’ Album Launch @ Good God Small Club, Sydney – 6 June 2012

Tour News: World’s End Press – ‘Second Day Uptown’ Tour | June-July 2012

Liberation Music have announced the Second Day Uptown tour for Melbourne’s hotly-tipped World’s End Press. The tour will see the band perform shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney this June/ July.

The foursome always deliver live and are renowned for their electrifying shows on the festival circuit, having performed at Splendour in the Grass, Falls, Laneway, Golden Plains, Southbound and the St Kilda Festival amongst others. Over the last 2 years, they have opened for the likes of Primal Scream, Cut Copy, !!!, Little Red and Metronomy.

The upcoming gigs will be the band’s first headlining shows in close to a year. Fans can expect to hear live favourites, along with new single Second Day Uptown and other material from their forthcoming album (due for release later this year). This utterly infectious track is setting radios alight and earning rave reviews throughout the blogosphere.
Continue reading Tour News: World’s End Press – ‘Second Day Uptown’ Tour | June-July 2012

Single Launch: Bart Thrupp – “Everything You Own” – The Zoo, Brisbane | 25th May 2012

After successfully launching his new single “Everything You Own” in his hometown of Toowoomba, Bart Thrupp is bringing his show to Brisbane!

Everything You Own is a song that demonstrates Bart’s ability as a songwriter and a storyteller. Capturing a collection of organic and acoustic instruments, Everything You Own is the second release in a series of singles by Bart Thrupp and it has resulted in an outstanding folk-pop record. In Bart’s words, “Recording this new CD was great fun! It has given me a chance to bring out everything, from Harmonica to Telecaster and from Ukulele to Cowbell”.
Continue reading Single Launch: Bart Thrupp – “Everything You Own” – The Zoo, Brisbane | 25th May 2012

Live Review: THE GUM BALL Festival – 27-28th April 2012

Review by Stuart Blythe and Rachel Pope
Nestled in bushland within the beautiful setting of Belford in the Hunter Valley, The Gum Ball festival was held over the weekend of April 27th-29th.

Touted as a laid back family friendly, BYO musical camping experience, Gum Ball certainly delivered. From the moment you arrive there is an immediate positive feeling, a relaxed sense of self and an anticipation of good times ahead. The serenity of the surroundings, the diverse age group and the family friendly feel was both complementing and comforting.

Friday night kicked off in spectacular fashion with The Joe Kings, Front End Loader, Massy Ferguson, Two River Blues and The Tongue taking the stage with The Bakery closing out the night. For those who wanted to kick on there was also the Silent Disco. The entire night set a high standard for the day ahead.
Continue reading Live Review: THE GUM BALL Festival – 27-28th April 2012

Gyroscope postpone benefit show due to motorcycle accident

Just a few weeks ago GYROSCOPE announced their first hometown show for 2012. Now, with great regret the band must postpone THE BENEFIT FOR DANA VULIN due to guitarist Zoran Trivic’s involvement in a motorcycle accident.

ZORAN TRIVIC was struck by a vehicle when riding his motorcycle in Perth last Monday and has sustained two badly broken legs. Although he is expected to make a full and complete recovery, the next three to four months will see Trivic undergoing several operations and undertaking full-time rehabilitation in order to get back on his feet.
Continue reading Gyroscope postpone benefit show due to motorcycle accident

Photo Gallery: Groovin’ the Moo – Canberra – 13 May 2012

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Groovin’ the Moo – Canberra – 13 May 2012

Event News: Future Now feat. The Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor McFerrin – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney – 10 June 2012

Niche Productions presents a cross-genre, cross-generational bill for the June long weekend featuring the future of Jazz, Soul and Electronic music. Whilst all three artists have a deep affinity and spiritual association with Jazz, they all refuse to be pigeonholed and on Sunday 10th June, all preconceived notions about ‘what Jazz is and what Jazz isn’t’ are going to be blown out of the water.

The Robert Glasper Experiment makes its debut appearance in Australia off the back of their incredible new album Black Radio, which is out now on Blue Note (and debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Jazz Charts). Featuring a host of incredible guest vocalists and personnel, Black Radio is a concept that comes from Yassin Bey aka Mos Def (who contributes the album’s title track) who wonders why, if the Black Box is the only thing that survives a plane crash, do they not make the whole plane out of its material? Glasper himself is in a class of his own behind the keys and when joined by vocalists like Erykah Badu and Bilal as well as newcomers King and Chrisette Michelle, shines even brighter (if that’s possible). Nothing is predictable about a Robert Glasper Experiment performance and Australian audiences are about to get their very first taste. Watch a recent performance on David Letterman below.
Continue reading Event News: Future Now feat. The Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor McFerrin – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney – 10 June 2012

Live Review: Ball Park Music @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Cub Scouts & Yes You | 11 May 2012

Review by Lauren Sherritt
Word about the brilliance of Ball Park Music’s live show has swept the nation over the past year, as evidenced by their 180° tour selling out across many of the twenty shows and achieving no less for the final night in Brisbane.

The Hi-Fi filled quickly as BPM fans arrived to see support acts Cub Scouts and Yes You. Cub Scouts kicked off the evening, toting youthful charm in bucket loads and thrilling the audience with a remarkably well done cover of Destiny’s Child’s Jumpin’, Jumpin’. The dancing started with the band’s well-known track Evie, then the cheerful five-some departed the stage after giving yet more accolades to the upcoming Ball Park Music set.
Continue reading Live Review: Ball Park Music @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Cub Scouts & Yes You | 11 May 2012

Tour News: COLDPLAY – Australian Tour – November 2012

Undeniably the world’s biggest band, Coldplay, announced in March that they will be heading our way this November and Chugg Entertainment have announced the details of four very special stadium shows on the Mylo Xyloto tour in Australia and New Zealand.

This will mark the first time the seven-time Grammy Award winners have toured Australia since the overwhelming success of their 2009 Viva La Vida tour and their quick visit to our shores headlining 2011’s Splendour in the Grass.

Since their debut in 2000 with the global smash hit Yellow, off the equally successful album Parachutes, Coldplay have taken the world by storm with album sales in excess of 55 million and a slew of nominations and awards, including picking up their seventh Brit Award for Best British Group at this year’s ceremony.
Continue reading Tour News: COLDPLAY – Australian Tour – November 2012

Live Review: The Maccabees @ The Metro, Sydney w/ Argentina – 10 May 2012

Review by Sibel Kutlucan

Thursday night got underway at 8pm when early punters began filling into the doors of the Sydney Metro. The darkened room was a hotbed of activity, buzzing conversation as indie fans alike milled around drinking beer and anticipating the first time visit of English indie rockers The Maccabees to Australia. The quintet who are visiting this autumn for the Groovin’ the Moo festival, has a local bunch of Aussie fans who are eager to welcome the boys to the country for an intimate sideshow.

Argentina, the first and only supporting act of the night was greeted warmly by early-comers. The Brisbane based indie act seemed to have a bit of difficulty with their first song, technical difficulties and possibly nerves got the better of them. Gladly, by the second song they had sorted out their problems and they delivered a really enjoyable sound. The vocals were fantastic, with songs “Bad Kids” and “Plastic Excuse” they definitely played to their strengths and let their softer indie side come through, focusing on delicate lyrics and a steady beat that wasn’t competing with the vocals. Argentina played with a lot of heart and have a bright future ahead of them.
Continue reading Live Review: The Maccabees @ The Metro, Sydney w/ Argentina – 10 May 2012