Delta Goodrem may be wowing them over in the United States, but it won’t be too long before her Aussie fans get to see her back on home soil.

Delta’s just announced a national tour, and it promises to be her most special yet. She’ll play some intimate theatre shows, allowing fans to get closer to their idol than ever before.

“It’s extremely exciting. I can’t believe it’s taken this long but I’ve already started putting the set list together and there are so many songs to play,” Delta said in a statement. “I have been inspired by some intimate shows I have done recently here and internationally, and by playing theatres I can be closer to all the people who have taken my record home.

“I would have liked to tour earlier, but I’m just glad I can finally tell people the dates when they ask me when I’m touring next. There are lots of songs from over the years people know to sing along with and I’m going to do some fun covers but I don’t want to spoil the surprise!”

Delta Goodrem’s Believe Again tour will kick off in the New Year in Newcastle before travelling all around the country. Considering the size of the venues, you’d better get you tickets quickly when they go on sale on Thursday 21 August.

9 January 2008 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
12 and 13 January 2008 – State Theatre, Sydney
16 and 17 January 2008 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
24 January 2008 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
27 January 2008 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
30 January 2008 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
3 February 2008 – Kings Park, Perth

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr 

When I spoke to James from Beats Working earlier this month he said the band would soon get out on the road. Well he’s made good on his promise, announcing a bunch of shows for later this year.

If you haven’t gotten into Beats Working yet, now’s the perfect time. This exciting urban band blends hip hop with funk, soul, and pop music for a sound that’s all their own.

Their debut album Harbour Drive will be in stores next Wednesday, July 30. Fans can look forward to hearing these songs come alive at the following venues.

21-25 July 2008 – Schuss Bar, Thredbo
27 July 2008 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
15 August 2008 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
29 August 2008 – Uber, Brisbane
6 September 2008 – Revolver, Melbourne
13 September 2008 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
19 September 2008 – UTS Loft Bar: Proper 11, Sydney
10 October 2008 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
25 October 2008 – Village Fair Festival, Bathurst

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Say it isn’t so! My favourite musical lovebirds Lisa Origliasso and Dean Geyer have split up!

Sadly this isn’t a case of the rumor mill dishing up half truths. The celebrity glamour couple, who became engaged in April, issued a statement to confirm the news. It reads:

“Our careers demand we be in different parts of the world now and in the future, and the pressures associated with this have forced us to make this very difficult decision. We remain committed and caring friends, with love, admiration and support for one another. We would appreciate respect for our privacy at this time.”

They seemed so happy together. Sad news indeed!

Melbourne’s pop-punk outfit Front Counter are poised to become Australia’s next big thing. Haven’t heard of them? Trust me, you will. With their debut EP A Toast to You and Me slated for released next month and a trip to Ramsey Street set to coincide, this Aussie five-piece are destined for greatness. Today I had a chat with the band’s bass guitarist Adin. Here’s what he had to say about their devoted teen fan base, gigging, and his love of fast food.

Critics are already comparing Front Counter to Simple Plan and Green Day. How would you describe your sound?
We’re just a fun-loving band. “Looking to party” music, but there’s a serious note to it as well. We want to write stuff that people can bob their heads and just energy kind of stuff. I wouldn’t compare us to Simple Plan or Green Day but obviously the influence is there with bands like that.

You formed the band with Josh and Anton back in 2004, but it’s taken to this year to complete the lineup with Rhys and Josh. What have they brought to the band that was missing before?
Rhys brings a really good pop element to the band. He just has a knack for picking up these melodies and he’s really good at harmonising Anton’s vocal parts as well so there’s different voices there. And Josh the new guitarist, he can really shred. He’s a really good guitarist so he brings that element of musicianship that we were kind of missing before.

I read that your name was inspired by a sign at Hungry Jacks. Are you all fast food junkies?
At the moment we are, just because we’re all stressed [laughs]. But honestly, we’re not the healthiest band going around. We’re not fast food junkies, but we do like our fast food.

You played the massive Taste of Chaos tour last year. How was that experience?
That was amazing. The Melbourne night was just amazing. There were so many people that didn’t know who we were, and it was really good that the kids come up to you after the show and say, “Hey, I didn’t quite catch your name, what’s your name, I’ve never heard of you” and they were asking about us, it created a bit of a buzz. It was really cool.

Read the rest of this entry…

We might all be freezing our extremities off, but summer can’t be too far away. How do I know? Well, those summer festival announcements are filtering in.

Today the bill for Homebake was announced. That’s always particularly exciting because it’s a celebration of homegrown talents. And who needs to import bands when you can assemble a lineup like this?

We’ve got Crowded House as headliners. This is a massive deal considering they haven’t played here since those sold out shows last November. If you missed the lads then, here’s your chance.

They’ll be supported by a couple more Aussie rock heavyweights looking for comebacks: You Am I and The Vines. Add a little dance music courtesy of Sneaky Sound System, Cut Copy, and PNAU, a splash of country with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, and a dash of pop with Gabriella Cilmi and it’s all sounding pretty impressive.

The 12th annual Homebake concert will hit The Domain on December 6. It always always sells out, so you’ll want to grab yours when they go on sale from Ticketek on August 18.

Image souce: Alterna2 @ Flickr

I have a confession to make: I love a good torch song. Give me some sappy lyrics and a strong melody and I’m a happy girl. So Delta Goodrem’s latest single “I Can’t Break it to My Heart” is right up my alley.

Just quietly, I found “Believe Again” boring and “You Will Only Break My Heart” a little lacking in substance, so I’m thrilled to see her back to her best with this single. Yes it’s super daggy, but I just love it. The song really seems to come alive when she steps on stage, so please enjoy this version from Delta’s Max Sessions concert filmed earlier this year!

A Day on the Green is heading back to Mudgee with a massive Aussie lineup.

Fresh from their comeback tour, The Angels will join the Hoodoo Gurus as co-headliners for the October 18 show at Oatley Wines.

But the classic Aussie artists don’t stop there, with The Models and Dragon (well, they’re adopted Australians, right?) also on the bill.

The day will kick off with local Mudgee outfit McGee.

You won’t see a lineup this good in some time, so it’s definitely worth a road trip. You can grab your tickets from Ticketmaster on August 1.

Image source: The Arris @ Flickr

Things are definitely on the up for Melbourne’s Little Red. They were virtual unknowns when they won a slot at the V Festival through the V2 garage-band comp.

Now the retro rockers have released their debut album Listen to Little Red which recently debuted at number 29 on the ARIA Charts. It seems plenty of Aussies want to do just that, because they’re booked for shows all over the country next month.

When can you listen to Little Red live? Here are all the dates!

3 August 2008 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay
4 August 2008 – The Metro, Sydney
6 & 7 August 2008 – The Prince of Wales, Melbourne
14 August 2008 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
15 August 2008 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
16 August 2008 – Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
20 August 2008 – Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
21 August 2008 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
22 August 2008 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
28 August 2008 – Barwon Club, Geelong
29 August 2008 – Jive Bar, Adelaide
30 August 2008 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
31 August 2008 – Swan Basement, Fremantle
4 September 2008 – Flynn’s Beach Surf Club, Port Macquarie
5 September 2008 – The Sound Lounge, Currumbin
6 September 2008 – The Globe, Brisbane
8 September 2008 – Swindler’s Bar, Mt Hotham
11 September 2008 – The Pub, Bendigo
12 September 2008 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 September 2008 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
4 October 2008 – The Great Escape, Sydney

Image source: JB Hi-Fi 

I am loathe to praise anything related to Telstra. But I can’t help feeling all patriotic about their new ads featuring that unofficial anthem “I Am, You Are, We Are Australian.”

Thankfully there’s not a children’s choir in sight. Instead the song’s been given a modern makeover thanks to Sydney urban outfit The Botanics.

I’d love to see this released as a single. It’d be the perfect song to start blaring as we take gold at the Games, don’t you think?

Frank Black must have gotten a taste for Australia when he toured with The Pixies last year. He’s just announced a local tour for his other musical outlet, Black Francis.

Black Francis will showcase tracks from Bluefinger and the recently released mini-album, Svn Fngrs.

He’ll play Sydney’s Great Escape Festival, and solo shows in a handful of other cities. Check out Black Francis at the following Aussie gigs!

28 September 2008 – Metropolis, Fremantle
29 September 2008 – HQ Complex, Adelaide
1 October 2008 – Arena, Brisbane
2 October 2008 – The Forum Theatre, Melbourne
4 October 2008 – Great Escape, Sydney

Image source: Djenvert @ Flickr