Live Review | The Wailers + Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang with Bitty Mclean @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney | April 19 2014

Review by Wanda Hill
THE WAILERS
The legendary Wailers played a mesmerizing set to a captivated audience at Sydney’s classic venue The Enmore Theatre. Hit song after hit song was played to perfection and delivered with passion, integrity and the magic that has captured fans of Bob Marley and Wailers, all over the world.

Bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett is the foundation of the band having co-produced and played with Bob Marley and the Wailers throughout the 70’s, writing many of the world famous bass line grooves. Keeping this music alive and spreading the message and wisdom contained within the lyrics remains a strong focus for Aston.
Continue reading Live Review | The Wailers + Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang with Bitty Mclean @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney | April 19 2014

Ms. Lauryn Hill | Australian Shows | May 2014

Lauryn-Hill1-1024x683After selling out her Melbourne show, the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill has announced a second date at Hamer Hall on Thursday 22 May.

Hailed as one of music’s leading ladies, Ms. Lauryn Hiill made history with her multiple Grammy wins and was a member of award-winning group The Fugees.

Released to massive critical acclaim, her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was a genre-bending record which blended R&B, doo-wop, pop, hip-hop, and reggae, and was lauded for its honest representation of life and relationships
Continue reading Ms. Lauryn Hill | Australian Shows | May 2014

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 3 Wrap

dave matthews_poto by stuart blythe_9006

Day three of Bluesfest.

With the sunshine continuing to beam happily down of the festival and music filling the air, there is no better place to be than Bluesfest.

Some Of Our Day 3 Highlights

Kate Miller-Heidke delighted fans with an early afternoon set. Kate’s stunning looks matched with superbly written songs delivered with pitch perfect vocals made for a great start to the festival day.

Jimmie Vaughan stepped up to the plate and showed us why he’s one of the most respected blues guitarist around. Keeping it clean and clear his guitar spoke volumes and there was nothing you could do but sit back and soak up the sound.

If you wanted to get up and shake it, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performance at the Mojo stage was the place to be. Kuti along with the band and the dancers took to the stage with their Afrobeat rhythms and it proved impossible not to get on your feet to jump and dance along.

A massive crowd assembled at the Mojo stage to witness John Butler Trio live and they were rewarded with a performance nothing short of amazing. Butler’s guitar work mesmerised throughout the set with clear fan favourites being “Ocean” and “Zebra”.

To say Dave Matthews Band blew the roof of the Mojo stage would be an understatement. Playing for almost three hour takes some doing but the crowd loved every moment. To top things off, Warren Haynes also made an appearance, joining the band on stage and playing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”… magic!

Day 4 headliners include Erykah Babu, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Govt Mule, Jimmie Vaughan, Ozomatli and many more! It’s a huge day and we recommend you get in early to also check out a few of the early performances.

Here’s a few suggestions:
Kim Churchill, C.W Stoneking, Foy Vance, Kasey Chambers, Tim Rogers… just to name a few.
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Day 3 – April 19, 2014

Visit www.bluesfest.com.au for all festival information and updates.

Kate Miller-Heidke_8755_photo by stuart blythe

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 2 Wrap

Joss Stone_7966_resize-L

Day two of Bluesfest.

For day 2 of Bluesfest we were blessed with beautiful weather to set the mode of the day.

Once again impressed with the festival layout that offers easy access to all stages, along with plenty of food stalls and bars, plenty of shelter *should you need it*, amenities aplenty. Overall verdict… fantastic!

Some Of Our Day 2 Highlights

Having seen Tijuana Cartel perform a number of times over the past few years, we were eager to arrive early and catch their 12:30pm set at the Mojo stage. Their style of infused Latin American/Afro Cuban break beat + world music was the perfect way to start the festival day and get you up and dancing.
Continue reading Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 2 Wrap

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 1 Wrap

john mayer - photo stuart blythe
This year is the 25th Anniversary of Byron Bay Bluesfest and possibly the biggest Bluesfest held to date. Arriving at the festival you immediately realise the size and scale of the event. Huge camping areas teaming with festival goers, friendly volunteers directing cars to parking areas and spreading an infectious happiness to all that pass by. The music emanating from the venue as you approach the gates. The blended aromas of various cuisines wafting from the food stalls and the overall “feel good” vibe in the air.
Continue reading Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 1 Wrap

Photo Gallery | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014

Photographer: Stuart Blythe
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014

Live Review | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014

Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
2014_KillswitchEngage_09-L
Last time this reviewer was lucky enough to see Killswitch Engagewas at what was then called the Forum at Moore Park (now the HiFi). It was a sideshow to another festival and the bill included Divine Heresy and Shadows Fall. It was a remarkable show housed within a diminutive venue when the band was fronted by the mighty Howard Jones – who, at one point in the show climbed the speaker stack and proceeded to fall into the crowd below. The anticipation level was high for tonight’s show.
Continue reading Live Review | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014

Temples announce Australian shows – May 2014

templestourPsychedelic newcomers Temples have announced their first Australian shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Joining Temples for these dates in May will be fellow indie-psychers Deep Sea Arcade.

Temples consist of lead singer/guitarist James Edward Bagshaw, bassist Tom Warmsley, drummer Sam Toms and keyboardist Adam Smith.The Kettering band, whose debut single ‘Shelter Song’ earned them kudos from the likes of Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher, and received solid triple j play, culminating in their debut album “Sun Structures” being awarded Feature Album status at the station.
Continue reading Temples announce Australian shows – May 2014

Closure In Moscow announce ‘Pink Lemonade’ Album + Tour

closureClosure In Moscow (CIM) are pleased to announce the release date for their sophomore full length ‘Pink Lemonade’ and the Pink Lemonade album tour. The album will be released independently through MGM on May 9th. It’s been a while between drinks, so those boffins at CIM HQ ran focus groups day and night to hone in on exactly what would satiate the hungry masses, baying for more sexy tunes from the Melbourne quintet… The results are conclusive! Turns out it’s all about quantity over quality, so this thing clocks in at over 60 minutes! That’s longer than an episode of The Block, and since that’s about to leave a gaping cultural void the guys figured it would be the perfect time to step up and slide up into that void like a warm kitten.
Continue reading Closure In Moscow announce ‘Pink Lemonade’ Album + Tour

Psycroptic + Aborted announce National Tour for June 2014

cdHailing from the remote island of Tasmania, Psycroptic have progressively carved a niche all their own within today’s overcrowded Metal scene. Staying clear of trends, the band incorporate many elements of music – extreme or otherwise – to capture a sound that is uniquely their own. Not to be pigeonholed, Psycroptic stand apart from the horde and add a fresh element in the extreme metal realm with their precise blend of brutality, intensity and groove.

Psycroptic’s latest album ‘The Inherited Repression’ which was released in February 2012, has been hailed by fans and the media as one of the most original and ‘fresh’ releases from within the metal realm in years!
Continue reading Psycroptic + Aborted announce National Tour for June 2014

Photo Gallery | Melbourne Fashion Festival – VAMFF 2014 | National Graduate Runway

Photographer: Naomi Rahim – Design & Photography
VAMFF 2014
Continue reading Photo Gallery | Melbourne Fashion Festival – VAMFF 2014 | National Graduate Runway