Tag Archives: 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

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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

Photo Gallery | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014

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

Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
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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

The Phoncurves announce ‘Heartstrings’ EP + Tour

PhoncurvesFollowing on from the success of their debut single ‘Heartstrings’ and new single ‘Lover’, Brisbane two-piece The Phoncurves are proud to announce the reveal of their new Heartstrings EP, due for release on May 2. The harmonising duo will celebrate with a national headline tour of Australia through May and June.

Both instrumentally unique and soulful singles are happily whirling around the country on triple j and community radio, receiving outstanding praise. This success, along with their recent support slot with Caitlin Park and their position as triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, is further heightening the anticipation for the forthcoming EP. Written, produced and engineered by the ladies themselves, the EP holds true to its words; pulling at the heartstrings with every multi-layered track. It’s the inclusion of powerfully stirring, and emotionally performed tracks like ‘Motionless’ that make the four track Heartstrings EP a captivating listen from start to finish.
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Live Review | Monster Magnet + King of the North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney – April 4, 2014

Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
2014_MonsterMagnet_13-LTo say that we were a little concerned about Monster Magnet’s set upon reaching the HiFi Bar just as the doors were opening would be an understatement. Simply put, there was very little sign of life. Granted, it was a dismal evening with some drizzle and cold Autumn winds blowing through, but there was hot night of raucous rock and roll to be enjoyed inside.

Regardless, Sydney band Arrowhead opened the night’s festivities to an almost empty room, rocking out with an energetic mix of mid-paced stoner/desert/Sabbath vibes. The three-piece made a beautiful racket and the small crowd clearly appreciated their driving, grooving slabs of riffage.
Continue reading Live Review | Monster Magnet + King of the North + Arrowhead @ Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney – April 4, 2014