SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS Heads Home To Byron Shire In 2012

Yes that’s right. Splendour In The Grass is planning to return to Byron Bay for the 2012 event.

After two years at Woodfordia in Queensland, we are now working on bringing Australia’s premier winter music and arts festival back to where it all started, Belongil Fields in Byron Bay.

The dates for the 2012 event are Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July.

“Despite great efforts to have the festival at North Byron Parklands this year, we are yet to have a determination on the application.” said Splendour Co-Producer Jessica Ducrou.

“In the meantime and after much consideration we are excited at the prospect of returning to the birth place of Splendour.”

One of Australia’s premier holiday locations, Byron Bay is internationally renowned for its beautiful beaches, lush hinterland and laid back culture.
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BRITNEY SPEARS: THE CABARET @ Brisbane Powerhouse | Review

Review by Lauren Sherritt
A cabaret show written about arguably the world’s most infamous and off the rails pop starlet, Britney Spears The Cabaret does not fail to deliver in any sense. Comic genius is coupled with unsettling and well timed truth-telling, while a masterful cabaret performance makes the show count as top notch entertainment.

Poking fun without being mean spirited, Britney Spears The Cabaret portrays Britney as a kind of manic but sweet-hearted, ditzy yet relatable character, and ultimately wins by ensuring that by the end of it all, the audience is completely head over heels for the leggy blonde.

Christie Whelan plays Britney who, along with her “court appointed pianist” Matty, tells the story of her life in the bright lights through words and song. Whelan’s voice is remarkable; strong, clear and containing just enough of Britney’s signature nasal accent to hark back to the original singer.
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News: Gareth Liddiard Melbourne Show – March 2012

Photo Credit: Olga Bennett

Gareth Liddiard will be playing a one off solo show at the Regal Ballroom this March.

Gareth is currently writing songs for a new album and will soon be heading to Tokyo and beyond with The Drones for ATP’s I’ll Be Your Mirror.

But before then you can catch him with Lost Animal at the beautiful Regal Ballroom, conveniently located right in the middle of the capital of the southern hemisphere, Northcote.
Continue reading News: Gareth Liddiard Melbourne Show – March 2012

Interview with Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember

Interview: Billy Geary
With A Day To Remember set to hit the stages of Soundwave 2012 (along with a couple of sideshows), A Day To Remember singer Jeremy McKinnon took time out for a quick chat ahead of their Australian visit.

LMM: A Day To Remember has come to Australia quite a lot in the past few years. Is there anything in particular that makes you want to keep coming back?

Jeremy McKinnon: Australia was the first place that got it right away. It always feels like the people are more appreciative when we play in Australia as opposed to other countries.
 
 
LMM: When you last toured Australia in early 2011, you guys brought over a pretty big stage production, complete with beach balls and confetti.
Do you plan on bringing something on a similarly larger scale for Soundwave?
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Groovin The Moo (GTM) 2012!

POWER TO THE TRIBE OF GROOVIN THE MOO 2012 – LET US BRING THE NOISE!
BENDIGO | TOWNSVILLE | MAITLAND | CANBERRA | BUNBURY |
Presented nationally by Cattleyard Promotions and Co-Presented in Bunbury by Sunset Events. Supported nationally by triple j, Channel [V], Faster Louder, inthemix, Streetpress Australia & triple j Magazine

Rich feathers…precious stones. The Groovin’ the Moo (GTM) cosmogram returns in 2012. With the milestone of a record ten international Artists alongside local essentials coming together for Australia’s only touring regional event, the scene has been set for a ritual of musical and communal expression. From City and Colour, Kaiser Chiefs to Public Enemy and more, this will be one fun techni-colour spectrum of artist-all-sorts handpicked for GTM fans to enjoy this May.

Now in its eighth percussive year, the GTM tribe of 75,000 strong across the land will hold up the sky for another gathering culminating in a happiness explosion of epic proportions. Sporting head dress and holding talisman, White Eagle Desert Dweller aka Stephen Halpin (GTM Promoter, Cattleyard Promotions) relayed in anticipation, “I’m really excited about this lineup. So many fresh locals, festival favourites and breaking internationals to keep the outdoor stages rocking and the Moolin Rouge banging. Looking forward to checking out Mutemath and The Maccabees who are making their first tours of Australia. I’m sure everyone will give them a friendly GTM welcome.”
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Big Day Out 2012 – Melbourne – 29th January 2012 | REVIEW

Review by Ben Connolly
Photos by: Naomi Rahim
Photos Credit: Naomi RahimWith 20 years under its belt and a major crisis in confidence, Big Day Out organisers and marketing teams got all introspective in the lead up to the 2012 event. For many, it was time to question the event’s continued validity in the now flooded one day festival market. That questioning, undoubtedly, led the co-founders to part ways and this year’s event to succumb to circumstance and dramatically downsize. And with recent news that the Auckland leg was no more after this year, it’s pertinent to reflect upon what, exactly, the BDO brand has brought to the rock festival table over its two decades.

What are rock festivals all about these days?

Rock festivals are still about discovering.
Early in the baking summer’s day, Melbourne’s BONJAH held the fort at the aptly-named Hot Produce stage. Now with a rockier edge compared to its urban-roots inflected past, the five-piece oozes charisma, with front-man Glenn Mossop’s chiseled looks and studied moves adding to his extraordinary brooding, honey-dipped drawl. A kicker of Portishead’s “Teardrop” adds icing to the cake and pegs this performance as a great way to ease in to the steamy afternoon.
Continue reading Big Day Out 2012 – Melbourne – 29th January 2012 | REVIEW

BLUESFEST SIDESHOW: Blues Guitarist BUDDY GUY with special guest JONNY LANG

There are great guitarists … superstar guitarists … legendary guitarists… and then there is BUDDY GUY.

An all-time favourite and an absolute legend! And if this wasn’t enough Buddy’s special guest for two very special shows in Melbourne & Sydney is guitar virtuoso JONNY LANG.

“BUDDY GUY was for me… what Elvis was for others”, said Eric Clapton… and he wasn’t alone in following his ‘mentor’“BUDDY GUY plays from a place that I’ve never heard anyone play” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
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(Hed) P.E. @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – 2nd February 2012 | Live Review

Review by Kenada Quinlan
M.C.U.D (Hed’s Jahred Gomes) stops to briefly meet and greet fans at the back of the line before piling into a minivan and fleeing the scene, permitting the venue doors to slide open.

Kid Crusher’s loyal horror masked comrade drops dirty bass under his allegedly shocking lyrics. Spitting rhymes and perfected deep throated howls cause the few ‘in the know’ to bounce to his semi-interesting blend of rap and vinyl induced metal noise.

With the venue filling steadily, Sydney’s RECOIL takes the stage and unleashes their brand of fierce double kick driven metal. Musicianship is precise, complex guitar work in order. Stunning vocals propel from centre stage, refreshing the senses. Giving away a free band Tee encourages further movement in the front row, while nods of endearment multiply during their all too short but sweet residency.
Continue reading (Hed) P.E. @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – 2nd February 2012 | Live Review

Tour News: Aqua Australian Tour – March 2012

Arguably the biggest pop/dance crossover acts of the 90’s, AQUA are making their long awaited return to Australia this summer to perform all of the number one hits that made them a household name the world over and saw them sell in excess of 33million albums and singles.

With songs like Barbie Girl, Doctor Jones and Lollypop (Candyman), sweet-toothed Australian pop fans embraced AQUA making this country one of the most successful markets for the group. Featuring the original line-up of vocalists Lene Nystrøm and René Dif, keyboard player Søren Rasted and Claus Norreen on guitar, AQUA are set to rekindle their Australian love affair by bringing the pure pop delight they are famous for to life right across the country.
Continue reading Tour News: Aqua Australian Tour – March 2012