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 →

Photographer: Naomi Rahim

Photographer: Naomi Rahim
Continue reading Feist @ Palais Theatre, Melbourne with Mountain Man – 1st February 2012 | Photo Gallery →

When August Burns Red unleashed their 2009 breakout album, Constellations, they became a band that could no longer be ignored. They debuted in the Top 25, co-headlined the AP Tour, headlined Warped Tour and connected fiercely with a colossal legion of fans. Suddenly the Pennsylvania-based metalcore giants have found themselves in some rather unexpected places. From the cover of Alternative Press to Fox’s American Dad, from the sands of Dubai to Japan to South America.

Having briefly stopped by in 2010 to say G’Day to Aussie fans as part of the No Sleep Til tour, August Burns Red are now set to grace our shores once more in support of their fourth full-length album Leveler. Revolver Magazine concluded that the release set the standard for their entire scene in 2011, so it’s only fitting then, that the band brings some of the genre’s finest live bands along for the ride on their mammoth Australian tour.
Continue reading Tour News: August Burns Red & Blessthefall Australian Tour – April 2012 →

Review by Billy Geary
Remix albums for any band, be it a full blown electronic act or a big metal band are risky business. Rarely is a remix album put together that actually improves a bands sound or even adds a worthwhile extra dimension to the group’s music. In fact, with the exception of a couple of select releaseas (such as Gotye’s stunning Mixed Blood), most remix albums follow the general formula where there are a couple of great tracks, a couple of terrible tracks and a whole bunch of filler.

Much maligned metalcore band Asking Alexandria are the latest of a growing trend of metal bands going down the remix path, with a collection of remixes of tracks taken from their two albums to date. Unsurprisingly, Stepped Up and Scratched can be summarised in much the same way as any other remix album; there’s a couple of impressive interpretations mixed in with plenty of filler.
Continue reading Album Review: Asking Alexandria – Stepped Up And Scratched →

Music Video for “Superbad” performed Live at the Roxy by Unwritten Law from the album Swan.

– By Helen Brown
One woman, one guitar and a whole lot of attitude. “F*ck you, and your untouchable face” unwittingly became a feminist catch cry of the mid 90s, and the lady who imparted these empowering words, Ani Difranco, is back with Which Side Are You On? after a three year break from recording. Drawing influences and support from many talented Louisianan musicians, each song is a story unto itself.

‘Splinter’ is one of the stronger tracks and is about keeping the balance between naturism and materialism, and not letting ourselves become consumed by living too comfortably: “Sweat in the summer, shiver in the winter / just enough to know you’re alive.” With an animated guitar and booming timpani, Difranco sounds down to earth as though she is practicing or experimenting in a home made recording studio. She also weaves medieval renaissance notes and cool little riffs into Which Side Are You On?, all the while maintaining clever lyrics and frantic sing-song melodies.
Continue reading Ani Difranco – Which Side Are You On? | Album Review →

Forget what you know about heavy metal. Masters of their craft, MACHINE HEAD have been redefining the genre for the better part of 15 years since their breakthrough classic ‘ Burn My Eyes’ blazed a path for all to follow.

In 2007 they created a masterpiece of modern metal, ‘The Blackening’ and delivered the knockout blow to the rest of the metal world. Critics and fans alike agreed that this was one of the purest, finest, most powerful expressions of modern heavy metal released.

Four years since the epic success of “The Blackening”, the MACHINE HEAD studio album “Unto The Locust” was released in June this year. It is simply their most innovative and ambitious offering to date displaying punishing brutality with Metal Hammer declaring ‘the album is a storm of complex arrangements and riffs, compiled by musicians who have gained absolute command of their vision. It’s breathtaking work.”
Continue reading Machine Head – Soundwave 2012 Sideshows Announced! →

Photos and words by Robert Pugsley
Aussie group The Kill Devil Hills rocked the Annandale Hotel in Sydney, playing to a good sized crowd considering the enormous competition they faced with so many festivals on at the moment!

The Kill Devil Hills are just back from a 40 date European tour, in which lead vocalist Brendon described to Life Music Media as “a fantastic learning experience”, Brendon went on to say how well respected Aussie acts are in Europe, “we have concentrated a lot on Europe in the past 18 months…they know more about Australian music than a lot of Australians…Aussie music is valued, they value the artistry, it is kind of cult music…they really welcomed us with open arms”
Continue reading The Kill Devil Hills @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney – 20 January 2012 | Live Review →

Share a night of tales and songs with one of Australia’s most iconic singer songwriters
One of Australia’s favourite artists, John Butler returns to his roots to perform a series of solo concerts throughout the country in March and April. Aptly titled “Tin Shed Tales”, the tour takes in capital cities and a host of regional areas; these shows will be a rare opportunity to hear the music of this iconic artist in a raw and intimate setting.

John will be bringing his Tin Shed along for the ride, decked out with a collection of personal art pieces, old skool skateboards and vintage guitars, these items are laid out in his shed at home where he draws inspiration for his art and songwriting.

The Tin Shed Tales tour will feature special guests Felicity Groom and Mama Kin, who will open and participate in the shows (see list of shows below).

In December last year John decided to put on a surprise concert for his fans in Perth. The unplugged acoustic show was announced a day before the performance and with only 300 seats available it sold out in under seven minutes. He shared many anecdotes with the audience and performed songs from his vast catalogue spanning across all five albums.
Thus the “Tin Shed Tales” concept came to life.
Continue reading John Butler Announces National Tour – March-April 2012 →

What do Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby, Peter Helliar, Claire Hooper, Mike McLeish and Tim Minchin all have in common?

Before becoming some of Australia’s most recognisable names in comedy, they all finessed their funny and took on RAW Comedy, Australia’s biggest and most prestigious annual open mic comedy competition.

RAW Comedy, a Melbourne International Comedy Festival initiative has been launching the careers of countless comedians since 1996. Once again they are set to scour the country in a bid to lure out humourists hiding in the offices, workplaces, classrooms, pubs and homes throughout our neighbourhoods.
Continue reading Raw Comedy Competition 2012 →