Category Archives: Festival

Soundwave Festival 2009 Update

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Brisbane Soundwave Set times

To celebrate the extension in operating time we have added a couple of surprise additions exclusive to Soundwave Sydney.
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Photos | St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Brisbane 31 January 2009

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Photos, Brisbane 31 January 2009
Photographer: Kristen Ashton – Stillpixels.com
for LifeMusicMedia

CLICK HERE for full gallery

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St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Review, Brisbane 31 January 2009

Backstreet Joys

Elize Strydom gets friendly with Girl Talk, The Hold Steady and Architecture In Helsinki at the St Jeromes Laneway Festival in Brisbane.

I don’t think it’s possible to lose your posse at the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. I just tried but then I bumped into them – literally – amongst the throng shuffling between No Age and the Temper Trap. The same thing happened during The Drones‘ set – I glanced behind to see who would be sharing the musical goodness with me and there they were. It’s just that kind of festival. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we’re squished into a few forgotten back streets behind Brisbane’s RNA showgrounds and not a barren ten acre field. I get the feeling that’s what Danny and Jerome had in mind for this fair little festival from the start. I don’t get the feeling they could have guessed what their baby would grow up to look like when they celebrated the first year of St Jerome’s Bar in Melbourne with a bangin’ street party for a group of discerning music lovers. Since then ‘Laneway’ has become a national event, this year adding Perth to the itinerary. It definitely has its own niche, more ’boutique’ than ‘big day out’, and you’re likely to catch bands you may have heard in name only. Most probably dropped in conversation by the coolest kid you know.

Bands like the John Steel Singers. Okay, okay, so I’m sure you’ve heard their fanciful falsettos by now, what with the triple j Unearthed Artist of the Year gong and all, but they haven’t been on the national scene for long. The aforementioned falsetto is one of the first sweet sounds I hear as I bustle through the festival gates.

‘Is that the John Steel Singers?’ asks my mate. ‘I think so. Are there ten of ‘em on stage?’ I reply. So there are six band members, not ten, but you get what I’m saying right? We head over to the Alexandria Street stage and there they are bouncing around, long locks flouncing around their heads as they belt out tunes featuring the wonderful Pete and his trombone, Ross on drums, Pat on bass and the others on whatever instrument they pick up. They’re having fun and it’s catching. Bodies are walking towards the stage as if being pulled by some magnetic force. Slowly their limbs start moving…are they? Yes people are dancing, what a wonderful world.

Safe in the knowledge that I’ve left the punters in good hands I bolt over to the Car Park Stage one song into Tame Impala‘s set. My expectations are high because, you know, these boys are obviously so hot right now. It takes two seconds to see why. Or should I say hear. Visually, they’re three barefoot boys wearing plain tees and old Nike sports shorts but aurally they’re taking me on a psychedelic journey and I feel like I’m being hypnotised and I can’t stop my eyes from closing and my sensory perception is overloading and what are you doing to me?! Maybe it’s Kevin’s languid phrasing or the guitar distortion or the way each song takes on a life of its own and goes exactly where I want it to go, but didn’t realise. Forty One Mosquitoes Flying in Formation, Skeleton Tiger and that cover of Blueboy’s Remember Me morph into long jams. That sort of thing has the tendency to come across as a little indulgent and, at times, a sure fire way to lose your audience, but not today. Jay, Dominic and Kevin launch into Desire Be, Desire Go and I realise the magic is coming to an end. I could have listened to them all day and looking around it’s clear I’m not the only one.

Back over on the Alexandria Street Stage Holly Throsby helps to break my fall. Her gentle, quiet and unassuming stage presence is like the cool relief that comes when the breeze blows through the trees and touches our sweat-damp faces. This girl has a little something that sets her apart from the multitude of sweet-voiced singer/songwriters. I think it’s because when she sings tunes like Making a Fire, Things Between People and A Heart Divided you know she’s telling the truth, both lyrically and in her performance. A diminutive soul, Holly doesn’t make a fuss and seems completely at ease strumming the guitar or sitting at the keyboard. Her bandmates – Bree and Jans aka the Hello Tigers – swap between the drums, accordion, glockenspiel and mandolin, cello and bass respectively. They fill out Holly’s subtle melodies and create a beautiful sense of simple delight.

The crowd strolls away and I spot dreamy smiles spread across glowing faces. Some look like they’re planning to take a little kip and reflect on the day so far. But then something catches their eye. Is that Jay, drummer from Tame Impala, sitting bare-chested on a platform above a tank full of water? Why, yes it is. This day’s going from strength to strength! I soon catch on that it’s one of those Hit ‘n’ Dunk games where punters peg a ball at a target and if they hit the bull’s eye the poor sod on the platform gets wet. There’s a list of ‘Dunk Times’ posted on the brick wall and I see that members of Cut Off Your Hands, the Temper Trap, Jay Reatard and Still Flyin’ will all take a seat on the Platform of Doom. Good sports huh? Plus all the money raised goes to charity. Everybody wins!

Indie darlings Yves Klein Blue aren’t on the list, they’re on stage. Slick hair, big hair, red hair – these poppy, punky, jazzy rockers have got it covered. Charles swaggers to the mic in his high wasted Ksubi’s with the arms of his button-up shirt rolled tightly over his biceps. He surveys the crowd and a huge grin spreads across his baby face before he counts in a rollicking yet-to-be released tune. They boys are treating us to a swag of new songs from their highly anticipated debut LP plus favourites like Silence in Distance and Polka. It’s obvious that despite the success they’ve achieved over the past few years they’re still as wide-eyed and appreciative as ever.

After Yves Klein Blue make a reluctant exit, the all hootin’, all hollerin’ Born Ruffians take to the stage. At first the Canadian trio remind me of Vampire Weekend but I soon hear distinct differences. There seems to be a real buzz surrounding these guys; a large crowd has gathered and there are even three girls in the front row dressed (and painted) in red, yellow and blue – the name of the band’s first long player. By the time they hit their strides with songs like Hummingbird and I Need a Life people are singing along with every word. To be honest, I’m a little surprised. What was I doing while everybody else was off getting into these rascals?

I think I was busy trying to figure out the Temper Trap. When these Melbourne lads dropped Sweet Disposition they had my full attention. But I didn’t want to declare my love too loudly ‘cos I got the feeling they were one of those bands who had been on the scene for years making outstanding records with a small but dedicated following. That’s kinda true but apparently the band has come in a few different forms and represented a diverse range of genres. As expected, a large crowd has gathered around the Car Park Stage to find out more about this mysterious five-piece. From the word go I was transfixed on Dougy, the enigmatic front man, and his captivating vocals. Throughout the set, singing duties are shared and soulful harmonies come as an unexpected delight. Sweet Disposition is the fourth song on the set list and I’m more than impressed. I get the feeling that I’m witnessing something special from a collective on the verge of something big. They close with a cover of Dancing in the Dark by none other than the Boss. What? Where did that come from?! It doesn’t matter, the Temper Trap can do no wrong.

Meanwhile there’s potential for things to go horribly wrong for New Zealanders Cut Off Your Hands. The security guards are setting up wheelie bins in the pit and filling them with water. Huh? As soon as the boys bound on stage it becomes clear: lead singer Nick likes to get close to his fans, either that or he’s just had a six-pack of Red Bull and needs to burn off a little energy. Which would be totally plausible; this is one fire-cracker of a guy! At this point I’m torn: I really want to stick around for songs like Happy As Can Be, Still Fond and Oh Girl but The Drones are about to start over in the Car Park.

The Drones win. I arrive halfway through the first number and am greeted by Gareth’s dark and dirty snarl. It took me a while to warm to the Melbourne rogues but now I won’t hear a bad word against them. Oh My and the Minotaur are clear standouts. The Drones seem to project a surly lawlessness and devil-may-care attitude which works in their favour on stage. Gareth literally spits his words and is so direct I feel that if I take my eyes off him I’ll suffer the frightening consequences. Like poor Michael who cops a snare drum to the head during one of the crazier moments of the set. Things seemed to take a turn at that point. Nothing wildly out of hand, just your garden variety of rock ‘n rollery, I guess. On the surface it doesn’t look like the band connect; it’s as if they’re all doing their own thing (especially Fiona who has her back to the audience for the majority of the set) but that must be a ruse because they couldn’t possibly produce such gold unless they were well and truly cohesive. The last few minutes are a wall of distortion that trails after the band as they stride off stage.

The next 40 minutes are spent darting back and forth between stages trying to catch snippets of Architecture in Helsinki and Brooklyn boys, The Hold Steady. Not the best way to experience what each group has to offer, I must say. I don’t feel I’m able to really sink my teeth into either of the sets.
That said, these two acts are strong contenders for the title of “Band that Has the Most Fun on Stage’– so who cares if I enjoy it or not! I haven’t seen AiH before but everybody talks up their live show….and I can see why. Still, I overhear a guy nearby say he’s seen them six times and this is by far their most subdued performance. Geez, if this is ‘subdued’ I’d like to see ‘on fire’! The Melbourne collective bound and bop and jump and hop all over the stage as they belt out newie That Beep as well as old favourites from their impressive back catalogue like Hold Music and Heart it Races. They swap instruments, take turns singing and generally dish out the good vibes in spades.

The Hold Steady are also on the good vibes train riding off the back of last year’s record, Stay Positive. How Craig Finn remembers the lyrics to all of his songs I will never know. These tunes are wordy. Don’t believe me? Try singing along. Musically it’s classic, riff-driven pop rock but lyrically it’s like a life story packed into three minutes and 30 seconds. That can be damn annoying but The Hold Steady has the chops to make it work. Even if the kids didn’t know all the words they certainly join in for numerous choruses, with gusto! Visually the band keeps us entertained. Finn is a fan of gesticulating and generally waving his spirit fingers about the place. He’s also a fan of yellow microphones. That’s lost on me. Maybe he explained it while I was over watching Architecture in Helsinki?

Okay, it’s time for Girl Talk (aka Gregg Gillis) and something is not quite right. The mood has changed. Sure, people are drunker but they seem angrier too. Not what I expected from punters about to enjoy a DJ (sorry, musician) who mashes Gwen Steffani, Jay-Z and Michael Jackson. They’re packed in and getting impatient. Phew, here he comes. Gillis runs on stage and does a few laps before whipping off his hoodie (no, it’s not the last item of clothing to go). He then takes his place behind a big desk and starts playing with all of his musical toys. And what’s this? A whole bunch of people fill the stage. It appears they’ve been hand-picked to bust some moves and create a party vibe but it seems all they’re doing is making everyone else jealous. Guys and girls make attempt after attempt to fend off the security guards and launch themselves up on to the stage to join the rent-a-crowd. Some make it, some don’t, and it’s entertaining but gets kinda distracting. I like the idea of Girl Talk, really, I do. It takes a lot of skill and persistence and talent to produce these mash-ups. They’re fun to listen to and I turn that stuff up when it comes on the radio, but something about Gillis’ is bugging me… or maybe it’s the drunk dude who just made it up to on stage and is proceeding to get the junk out of his trunk for all to see? Hmmm, I think it’s time to back away slowly then make a run for it in the hope of catching a little Augie March.

A little is right, like, the last line of the last song. But from all reports it was a mesmerizing set.

There’s a tap on my shoulder. Who do we have here? It’s my posse! I told you it’s impossible to lose them.

Review by: Elize Strydom

The Byron Bay festival’s 20th Birthday Anniversary is hotting up!

bluesfest09sml The next round of artists to perform at the 20th Anniversary Bluesfest has today been announced. Read on to see why it’s going to be a joyous musical celebration to remember when Easter hits Belongil Fields in Byron Bay between April 9 and 13, 2009.

Continue reading The Byron Bay festival’s 20th Birthday Anniversary is hotting up!

HEAR and NOW Festival 2009 @ Brisbane Riverstage – Photo Gallery

HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009  The Herd @ HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 Kate Miller-Heidke @ HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 Grafton Primary @ HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 Bluejuice @ HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009 HEAR & NOW festival Brisbane Riverstage 25 January 2009
The HEAR and NOW festival @ Brisbane Riverstage certainly was the place to be over the Australia Day weekend.

Click here to see full Gallery

 

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Big Day Out 2009 Gold Coast Review

Big Day Out 2009 Gold Coast Review
Author: Tara Kai Hammond

Whilst 2009’s Big Day Out line up contained more locally-grown artists then big- name-crowd-pulling international acts; other activities and entertainment like the dunking-pool, the movie theatre, and the ‘ carny’ style rides; all helped this years festival to be a big day out of live sun, fun and music for all styles and ages.

dbogoldcoast2009
[photo: Stuart Blythe]

Sporting band leader outfits, The Grates to took the stage and were an obvious crowd favourite. Patience has an instant reapport with the massive crowd and has them singing along and on each others shoulders, poppin and bobbin.

Continue reading Big Day Out 2009 Gold Coast Review

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ATP 2009 Photo Gallery

All Tomorrow’s Parties
January 15, 2009
The Riverstage, Brisbane
Photographer: Matt Palmer
Click image for full gallery
NickCave16-M

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HEAR & NOW Festival: 100% Australian Lineup For Australia Day Weekend

HEAR & NOW FESTIVAL

hear-and-now-promo

Sunday 25th January, Australia Day Weekend

Midday – 10pm, Riverstage, Brisbane
HEAR & NOW: 100% AUSTRALIAN LINEUP FOR AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND

Brisbane’s Aussie day festival Hear and Now will return for its second coming on 25 January 2009. With a killer all Australian lineup the grassy slopes of the Riverstage and Botanic Gardens will be the only place to be over the long weekend.

Promoters Fuzzy and Ten Pound Crew have dug deep to bring Brisbane the absolute best Aussie talent, so that this Australia Day you’ll have even more reasons to bring out the green and gold.

Festival goers far and wide rated last year’s Hear and Now as their favourite summer festival (and best long weekend to boot).

Hear & Now 2009 is sure to be even bigger and better than ever before, and here’s a few reasons why:

Continue reading HEAR & NOW Festival: 100% Australian Lineup For Australia Day Weekend

Sunset Sounds 2009 Review

By Tara Kai Hammond
Sunset Sounds - Riverstage Brisbane 8th January 2009Sunset Sounds - Riverstage Brisbane 7th January 2009 - Tegan and Sara Sunset Sounds - Riverstage Brisbane 7th January 2009 Sunset Sounds - Riverstage Brisbane 7th January 2009 - The Hives Sunset Sounds - Riverstage Brisbane 7th January 2009 - Violent Soho

In an era when music festivals seem once again to be the current trend, there was definitely something very special and unique about The Sunset Sounds festival, put together by the same crew as the renowned Falls festival.

Originally the festival was proposed to take place in ‘beautiful’ Byron Bay, (under the name – The Byron Bay Arts festival). But the location had to change due to approval issues, and Brisbane’s Botanical Gardens was chosen to hold the event under the new banner – The Sunset Sounds Festival.

I was lucky enough to go along both days and soak up all the sun and sonic-goodness; and the following is an account of my first day at the festival.

*-:SUNSET SOUNDS DAY ONE:-*

After picking up my media pass and with a sense of excitement as I passed through the front gates, I headed straight for a big shady tree in front of the Hibiscus stage where I was entertained by the simple, laid-back, folk-rock, sounds of Australian band, TinPan Orange; which consisted of a Alex Burkoy on violin, and folk/soul driven female vocalist Emily Lubitz, – reminiscent of recent Australian artists such as Claire Bowditch – who strummed, plucked and tapped her ukulele, while singing from her heart and soul about love, life and loss.

Wandered over to the Garden stage for French based artist Soko; Soko‘s voice alternated enjoyablely between a husky-enunciation and a elevated-husky-shriek, but her songs of anguish and dejection, left me a little downhearted. The highlight of her set, for me, was the song I’ll Kill Her; Her live performance was a little strange with crying throughout her set, announcing her early retirement, and finishing her set rocking-out on the drums while singing about having a nervous-breakdown; I’m beginning to wonder if she will.

Recent graduate from Brisbane’s indie-dance-rock scene, Yves Klein Blue; were the first band on the River stage and seemed more than at home during their set. They played a high-energy show that left the crowd hyped-up and buzzing. The stand out song of the set for me and the rest of the audience was obviously the song Polka, but the set was so full-of-life and hot-to-go; that it was hard to tell whether the smoke that billowed of the stage during their set came from the band, smoke machines, or both.

Award winning English band Gomez, was next up on the Garden Stage; and I must admit to being a little bit disappointed due to their low-energy performance, which could have something to do with the fact that it was boiling hot when they played, or just couldn’t be bothered putting in much energy or effort. And also, because their set lacked a lot of the tracks they’re most famous for, like the tune Get Myself Arrested. However they did play some classics and crowd favourites such as Get Miles, Bring It On, GirlShapeLoveDrug, and We Haven’t Turned Around, amongst others. An excellent band in general, but I definitely had high hopes of them being even better live and couldn’t help feeling that they could have done better, (and would have at some point in the past).

I only got the chance to see The Rocketsmiths, (another quality Brisbane band), for a short while; but during that time I was quite impressed with the way they mix the funk-punk-rock-carnivalesque genres quite well. And they also reminded me of one of my favourite ‘old school’, Zappalesque, mixed genre bands, the one and only, Mr. Bungle.

If ego had a name, its name would be Howling Pelle Almqvist! The Hives certainly know how to entertain the crowd, and the power outage early in their set only fired up Pelle even more. The crowd wowed to their show but, for me, with Pelle declaring “You do not cut the power on The Hives!”, it was time to move along to the next act.
Making my way back to the Garden stage, The Cat Empire were a happy and vibrant breath of fresh-air, who put the crowd in a good mood, (with smiles and good vibes all around); got the crowd pumping, (arms and legs in the air and everywhere); and kept the happy-high-energy going the whole one hour set. Playing crowd favourites like Two Shoes, Someday, and So Many Nights, amongst others. And also a few covers as well – one of Paul Kelly’s songs Dumb Things, (which got the whole crowd singing along); and also a French version of The Eagles tune Hotel California, (which segued into their song Chariot). Throughout their six year career as a band they’ve received much recognition, (including their first album receiving seven ARIA nominations; their first two albums scoring double platinum sales; and the fact they’ve done around 600 sold-out shows between Melbourne and Montreal). The Cat Empire continue to be vibrant, warm, engaging, humble band; with attitudes of respect for creativity, the power of music, the environment, and other cultures and humanity in general.

The Cat Empires horn section eventually faded, sounding the end of the nights activities, and as the lights went down, the crowd cheered and began to quietly file out of the main gate like ants; tired, energized and eager all at the same time. And as I left the festival, (high on life and buzzing and beaming from ear to ear); I headed along the bamboo track that leads back into the concrete jungle, (a.k.a Brisbane City); and I let out a big “ahhhhhh” and thought – what a festival!!!… can’t wait for tomorrow!!!

By Tara Kai Hammond

Sunset Sounds Festival Photos – Riverstage, Brisbane 8th Jan 2009

Sunset Sounds – Riverstage, Brisbane 8th January 2009
Day 2 Gallery
Photographer: Stuart Blythe

   

Franz Ferdinand, Donavon Frankenreiter, The Grates, Blue King Brown, CW Stoneking, I Heart Hiroshima, Kat Frankie and the crowd…  Click read more to see the gallery.

Sunset Sounds Festival Photos – Riverstage, Brisbane 7th Jan 2009


Related: SUNSET SOUNDS 2010 Articles and Galleries!!
Live Review: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 1
Live Review: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 2
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 1 by Matt Palmer
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – Day 2 by Matt Palmer
Photos: Sunset Sounds 2010 – by Stuart Blythe


Sunset Sounds – Riverstage, Brisbane 7th January 2009
Day 1 Gallery
Photographer: Stuart Blythe

Woodford Folk Festival

The Woodford Folk Festival is almost beyond words. A festival fantasy land that will fill all of your senses. From it’s humble beginnings in 1987, known then as the Maleny Folk Festival, this yearly event has grown into one of the largest ‘folk’ festivals in the world.

Kate Miller-Heidke - Caloundra Music Festival 2008

Set in the picturesque countryside of Woodford and offering six days and nights of concerts, dances, workshops, circus acts, forums, street theatre, writers’ panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children’s festival, art and craft workshops, late night cabarets and special events including a spectacular fire event.

The Herd @ Quicksilver Pro-Show

A total of 23 different venues will host 580 separate acts and 1600 events over the week. Continue reading Woodford Folk Festival

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ATP 2009

For the inaugural Australian series All Tomorrow’s Parties (ATP) have announced that arguably the most significant Australian export of the last twenty years Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, are to make their curating debut. The Bad Seeds intimate knowledge of all things Australian (music and otherwise) coupled with their innate sense of the weird and wonderful will – we are sure – make for a series of very unique events.

Performers already chosen to appear at All Tomorrow’s Parties 2009 include seminal Australian punk band, The Saints – featuring original members Ed Kuepper, Chris Bailey and Ivor Hay performing their first Australian shows (outside Brisbane) since 1977; British transcendentalists, Spiritualized; avant-blues artist, James Blood Ulmer (US); krautrock supergroup, Harmonia (Germany); electro-terrorists, Fuck Buttons (UK); pioneering synth-minimalists, Silver Apples (UK); psychotic space rockers, Afrirampo (Japan); Ex-Swan M. Gira (USA), the jazz-noir stylings of the Laughing Clowns (Aust), former Go-Between Robert Forster (Aust), the synth-punk of Primitive Calculators: former Birthday Party guitarist, Rowland S. Howard (Aust), post-grunge/noise devotees, The Stabs (Aust), classical-rock teenagers Bridezilla (Aust) & the sublime ambience of The Necks (Aust)

Continue reading Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ATP 2009

The Big O Kick Starts Uni Life!

School’s out for summer, the craziness of Schoolies Week is over, and Christmas holidays are finally kicking in. Once the whirl of the New Year rolls around, it will be time to gear up for study again…but where to start? To edge all those students into university life, Secret Sounds is launching The Big O, an annual orientation week event to get your uni campus rocking.

The Big O will see The Music, The Fratellis, Ben Lee, Bluejuice, Yves Klein Blue and triple j Unearthed J Award nominees Cassette Kids hit the East Coast to welcome the school year. Coming to a campus near you, The Big O is a series of O Week events to be held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle. Tickets are available for both students and the general public. Please note these will be the only shows for headlining acts in each state! While The Big O is the official music celebration of O Week on campus, traditional initiation events will still be in full swing. Check your university website for full details..

In their last visit to Australia The Music danced up a storm, leaving the Splendour in the Grass tent bent at the seams and the crowd ballistic for more. Their headline shows sold out in minutes. Now, The Music look forward to returning to Australian shores in 2009. “It’s one of those places you look at when you are younger and can only dream about going to, so whenever I’m there I always feel privileged,” says frontman Rob Harvey. Their album ‘Strength In Numbers’ is out now. .

Glasgow guitar-slingers, The Fratellis are no strangers to the road. Having toured the UK and USA six times, the Brit Award-winning trio were one of the highlights of Splendour in the Grass 2008. Their second album ‘Here We Stand’ saw them go from indie stars to pop icons. Their sold out headline shows had venues shaking, bodies jumping, and punters shouting for more. .

Giving any crowd the warm and fuzzies is as easy as a smile and a tune for Ben Lee. The ex-pat Aussie returns home with a full band for the first tour of brand new material from his forthcoming album, “The Rebirth of Venus” due out on February 7th 2009. The ARIA Award-winning artist’s new single ‘I Love Pop Music’ has already elected Ben Lee the President of Pop. .

Who better to get a party started than Bluejuice? With a mandate to get people dancing with carefree abandon, the five piece pulls together a sweaty mix of rock, hip hop, electro and disco. Give them a little bit of vitriol on the dance floor at The Big O. .

Fresh out of the LA studio, Yves Klein Blue will be returning to their loyal Australian fan base. The Brisbane four-piece have been recording their debut album in Hollywood with Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids, The Vandals). Yves Klein Blue caused a stir in 2008 with the release of their debut EP “Draw Attention to Themselves” which saw them embark on a national and international tour, with sold out shows from home-town Brisbane to London and New York. Their debut full-length album is due out in April 2009. .

Sydney’s Cassette Kids are the final addition to The Big O bill. On the cusp of something big, Cassette Kids have already earned a fierce reputation thanks to captivating vocalist Katrina Noorbergen. They have toured with The Presets and shared the stage with Ting Tings, New Young Pony Club, Van She and many more. .

Get some higher learning as The Big O schools students across the nation in the art of a good party throughout Orientation Week 2009!.

Secret Sounds and triple j proudly present The Big O Tickets on sale from 12pm on Friday, December 19th, 2008.

Thursday, 26th February: Monash University, Clayton Campus, Melbourne Supported by FasterLouder, Street Press Australia and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 Polyester Records (Melbourne City, Fitzroy) Greville Records (Prahran) Missing Link (Melbourne City) Monash Student Association outlets For more information call (03) 9905 3035. This is an over 18’s event. Photo ID will be requested. .

Friday, 27th February: University of Sydney, Manning House Supported by FasterLouder, Street Press Australia and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 (GET TIX) 438 849 + Moshtix Outlets Including: Fish Records (Balmain, Leichardt, Newtown), The Music Shop (Bondi), Utopia (Broadway) Resist Records (Newtown) Red Eye Records (City) www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 In person from The Access Centre (Level 1, Manning House) Ph: (02) 9563 6103 For more information visit www.manningbar.com or call 1800 013 201. This is an over 18’s event. Photo ID will be requested..

Saturday, 28th February: University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus Amphitheatre, Brisbane Supported by FasterLouder, Street Press Australia and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545 + Oztix Outlets Including: Butterbeats (City & Valley), Gooble Warming (West End), Rockinghorse Records, Moshpit Music (Maroochydore), Sunflower Music (Broadbeach) In person from UQ Union 2nd Hand Bookshop For more information please call (07) 3377 2259 This is an All Ages event. Photo ID will be requested to purchase alcohol..

Tuesday, 3rd March: Australian National University Bar and Refectory, Canberra Supported by FasterLouder Street Press Australia, BMA and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 Landspeed Records (02) 6248 9220 For more information please call (02) 6125 3660 This is an over 18’s event. Photo ID will be requested..

Thursday, 5th March: University of Wollongong, The Great Hall & Uni Bar Supported by FasterLouder, Street Press Australia and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.bigtix.com.au Redback Music (02) 4229 6169 Venue Unishop (02) 4221 8050 For more information please call (02) 4221 8000 This is an over 18’s event. Photo ID will be requested..

Friday, 6th March: Newcastle Uni, Bar On The Hill & Outdoor Surrounds Supported by FasterLouder, Street Press Australia, Reverb and Channel [V] Tickets available from www.qjump.com.au www.bigtix.com.au The Rock Shop (02) 4929 1856 Billy Hydes (02) 4965 4222 Uni Campus Outlets (02) 4968 3845 For more information please call Uni Campus Centre (02) 4968 3845 This is an over 18’s event. Photo ID will be requested..

www.thebigotour.com

Soundwave 2009 Festival second round announced

As promised, Soundwave returns in ’09, and to paraphrase Southpark, it is bigger, longer and uncut!
Topped by one of this generation’s most talented and uncompromising bands in NINE INCH NAILS, the festival also sees a long overdue return of grunge titans ALICE IN CHAINS and juvenile delinquents The BLOODHOUND GANG.

Never one to rest on there laurels, they’ve announced the second round of artists for Soundwave 09!
So without further ado… joining the already massive cast will be the powerful live force that is the Dillinger Escape Plan, Florida Metalcore titans Underoath, the sky-high hooks of Forever The Sickest Kids, pop rock balladeers Jack’s Mannequin and the unrelenting rhythms of All That Remains.
As always, there is also plenty to offer the fans of punk, metal and the heavier end of the alternative spectrum, as well as signing tents giving artists the opportunity to meet fans, market stalls and the odd bit of crappy installation art for you to laugh at.
Artist Line Up:
NINE INCH NAILS,ALICE IN CHAINS, BLOODHOUND GANG,LAMB OF GOD, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, ALKALINE TRIO, BILLY TALENT, THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS, FACE TO FACE, IN FLAMES, RIVAL SCHOOLS, ANBERLIN, UNDEROATH, THE SUBWAYS, EVERY TIME I DIE, DEVILDRIVER, FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, LESS THAN JAKE, POISON THE WELL, MADINA LAKE, NEW FOUND GLORY, FROM FIRST TO LAST, BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH, JACK’S MANNEQUIN, HELLOGOODBYE, FINCH, GOLDFINGER, SAY ANYTHING, CHIODOS, SILVERSTEIN, SAVES THE DAY, LACUNA COIL, 36 CRAZYFISTS, STRAYLIGHT RUN, EVERGREEN TERRACE, MINUS THE BEAR, MONEEN, ACE ENDERS (THE EARLY NOVEMBER), I AM THE AVALANCHE, JAGUAR LOVE, UNEARTH, BAYSIDE, EMERY, HOUSTON CALLS, THE AUDITION, ATTACK IN BLACK, INNERPARTYSYSTEM, ALL THAT REMAINS, VALENCIA, IN THIS MOMENT, ALESANA, THE RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, HORSE THE BAND, MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER

TICKETS Details
General Public tickets are on sale now through Soundwave festival, ticketek.com.au & 132 849.
VENUES AND DATES
Saturday 21 February – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
Sunday 22 February – TBC, Sydney
Friday 27 February – Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne
Saturday 28 February – Bonython Park, Adelaide
Monday 2 March – Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean, Perth
* Venues, lineup and date may be subject to change
Licensed All Ages Event Photo ID Required
SOUNDWAVE – IT’S NOT FOR EVERYONE
Visit www.soundwavefestival.com for updates.