Western Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to musical talents. If most states put together an event celebrating local music, it’d be a pretty lacklustre affair. However in Western Australia, such a festival is worth travelling for.
Thirty of Western Australia’s established musical exports and up and comers will descend on Perth’s Concert Hall on June 2 for the State of the Art music festival, an event which coincides with WA Day. Artists including Bob Evans, Gyroscope, Kav Temperley, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and Grace Woodroofe will play on three outdoor stages. Blues legends Dave Hole and Chain, gutsy pop act Abbe May, and hard rock royalty Karnivool will also play special showcase sets inside the venue.
Tickets are on sale for a mere $13.95 for access to the outdoor stages, and $24.60 per concert hall showcase. These premium tickets also allow punters to enjoy the music outside. Get your tickets now through Ticketek.
Image used with permission from The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc. Image credit Kane Hibberd
What’s the only thing better than great gigs? Great free gigs of course! Davey Lane will treat Sydneysiders to just that next week when he brings his Four Night One-Man Racket to the New South Wales’ capital.
The shows from the You Am I founding member celebrate the June release of “You’re the Cops, I’m the Crime”. We enjoyed the track when it was previewed online in February, so it’s great to see it’ll reach a wider audience soon. Music lovers can look forward to it and other tracks from Davey’s forthcoming solo album The Good Borne of Bad Tymes at these shows.
Now unfortunately, these gigs will see you venturing out on school nights, in this wintery weather no less. But Davey’s charisma, and the lure of free entertainment, should make it worth your while.
28 May 2013 – Corner House, Bondi
29 May 2013 – Midnight Special, Newtown
30 May 2013 – Soda Factory, Surry Hills
31 May 2013 – Low 302, Surry Hills
Image used with permission from Reckoning Entertainment
Some of Australia’s most exciting up and coming acts will join forces this July for the Hoodie Weather tour. The all ages shows will feature sets from The Never Ever, Nine Sons of Dan, A Sleepless Melody, Way with Words, and With Confidence.
After successful shows in New York City to support their new EP Ghosts and Ghouls, Sydney’s The Never Ever are keen to get back in front of local audiences. No doubt Melbourne’s A Sleepless Melody will be just as keen, as they’ve spent a quiet few months writing new material. After supporting the likes of Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte in the last 12 months, Gold Coast’s Nine Sons of Dan are in fine form. Way with Words and With Confidence are newer names on the scene, but they’re also bound to impressions with their indie pop sounds.
The fun kicks off in Sydney on July 5 before traveling to major capital cities around the country. Tickets are on sale now through Oztix.
5 July 2013 – The Brewhouse, Sydney,
7 July 2013 – Studio 454, Brisbane
11 July 2013 – HQ, Perth (Nine Sons Of Dan and With Confidence not appearing)
12 July 2013 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide
14 July 2013 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
If you missed out on tickets for Splendour in the Grass, don’t stress. The good folks at Spin Off Festival are bringing many of the event’s big names to Adelaide on August 2.
The Spin Off Festival serves up a killer line-up of eclectic acts including Of Monsters and Men, Chet Faker, Passion Pit, and Dune Rats. Fans will enjoy their talents in the intimate surrounds of the Thebarton Theatre. Age is no barrier either. While it’s a licensed gig, music lovers of all ages are welcome.
Tickets are a whole lot cheaper than Splendour too at just $99. Get yours from Venuetix now.
Irish folk act Villagers are heading to Australia to celebrate the recent release of their sophomore album {Awayland}. They were already announced as part of this year’s Splendour in the Grass bill, but if you missed out on tickets, or simply want another helping, you can catch Villagers at their sideshows.
And when they make music this good, why wouldn’t you? “Nothing Arrived {a day in the life of Terrence Bliss}” is just one of the stellar tracks from the follow-up to 2010′s Mercury Award nominated debut Becoming a Jackal. It builds on Villagers’ folk sound with frontman Conor O’Brien utilising the talents of other musicians. Without needing to take control of every instrument, Conor’s been able to focus on lyrics influenced by everyone from Kurt Vonnegut to Nick Drake to Curtis Mayfield.
Make sure you turn up early to catch the support slot from the very talented local “avant gardener” Courtney Barnett.
30 July 2013 – The Corner Hotel, Richmond
1 August 2013 – The Factory Theatre, Marrickville
2 August 2013 – Fly By Night, Fremantle
Aussie pop-rock wild child Abbe May is celebrating the recent release of her Kiss My Apocalypse album with her national tour.
The follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut Design Desire, the follow-up sees Abbe moving from retro, reverb-drenched music to a more stripped back approach. The guitars are turned down and the vocals move to the fore. However happily the attitude that made us sit up and take notice remains.
“Pop is sexy when done well and it’s incredibly difficult to do it well if you try too hard,” says Abbe. “We wanted to get away from music that took itself too seriously. I’m so tired of this whole shoe gaze – it-cost-a-lot-of-money-to get-a-haircut-that-looks-like-I-haven’t-brushed-my-hair-in-months type shitt. “Artists” in denial that they are basically just entertainers. Being an entertainer is more meaningful if you ask me. It’s not such a selfish pursuit.”
Expect plenty of entertainment and sass when Abbe embarks on her Kiss My Apocalypse tour.
1 June 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
2 June 2013 – State of the Art @ Perth Concert Hall, Perth
13 June 2013 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
14 June 2013 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
15 June 2013 – The Gov, Adelaide
21 June 2013 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
22 June 2013 – Republic Bar, Hobart
Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting
You probably couldn’t find more different acts than Erykah Badu and Suicidal Tendencies, yet the musicianship of bassist Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner has been an integral part of both of their sounds. He’s also an accomplished solo performer, and on the eve of the release of his sophomore album Apocalypse, he’ll bring his smoking live show to his Australia.
That album won’t hit stores until July, but we get a taste of what’s in store with the silky smooth single “Heartbreaks + Setbacks”. Its easy groove and those sexy vocals have totally won me over.
If you love what you hear, make sure you catch this stellar artist on his all too brief Aussie tour this June.
7 June 2013 – The Forum, Melbourne
8 June 2013 – The Bakery, Perth
9 June 2013 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Allow yourself to be charmed by the simplicity of Tom West’s debut single “Jonathan’s Farm.” Head over to Triple J’s Unearthed page where you can stream it, and download a free copy.
This is music as it should be, with expert fingerpicking of an acoustic guitar and lyrics that set such a vivid scene. If this single’s any indication, Tom’s album A Spark in the Dark will be a real treat when it hits stores in August.
Fans can get a sneak peek of some of the songs when Tom tours the single around the country. That launch tour kicks off for his hometown fans in Adelaide this Sunday night.
19 May 2013 – Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
5 June 2013 – The Front Bar, Canberra
6 June 2013 – Dowse Bar, Brisbane
7 June 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
8 June 2013 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
4 July 2013 – Ya Ya’s, Perth
It’s taken a little time to reenter the limelight, but Adam Martin’s determined that he won’t be forgotten once the new Voice finalists are named. The season one graduate is making his mark with a new single “In My Dreams”.
The husky tone and unique delivery that turned Keith Urban’s chair and inspired millions of us to vote shines through this song. If you think this pop-rock ditty sounds a little Evermore-esque, you’d be right. Adam penned the song in collaboration with the band’s Jon Hume.
It seems Adam’s found a fan in the Kiwi-born singer, as Jon’s also taken Adam on the support act for Evermore’s latest tour. A few dates have passed, but you can still catch Adam and Evermore at the following shows.
15 May 2013 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
16 May 2013 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
17 May 2013 – Players Bar, Mandurah
18 May 2013 – The Charles, North Perth
23 May 2013 – The Basement, Sydney
24 May 2013 – Revesby Workers Club, Revesby
25 May 2013 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
26 May 2013 – Hornsby RSL, Hornsby
29 May 2013 – ANU Bar, Canberra
30 May 2013 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
31 May 2013 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
1 June 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
I can scarcely believe it’s been almost two years since I reviewed Owls of the Swamp’s stellar album Go With River. I hadn’t realized how much I missed his gentle folky tunes until I heard the man his mum calls Pete Uhlenbruch is back!
I don’t just mean with a new single either, although “The Hypnotist” is gorgeous. What an apt name for a song that serves as a kind of modern lullaby. It’s made even sweeter with heavenly guest vocals from Marketa Irglova, who folk fans will know from her time working with Glenn Hansard on The Swell Season.
No, I mean Owls of the Swamp is planning to be back on home soil by the end of the month. “Owls” spends most of his time in Europe, but he’ll return to Australia for a quick tour to celebrate the single release. Here are all the places folks in the major capitals can see him play!
30 May 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
31 May 2013 – The Hideaway, Brisbane
2 June 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne (afternoon show)
Lauren Katulka cannot remember a time when music was not a part of her life. Raised on an eclectic diet of Van Morrison, The Eagles, Cold Chisel, and Barbra Streisand, she remembers saving all her pocket money for weeks so she could buy cassettes featuring her favourite singers. At the tender age of 11 she saw her first live concert when Jimmy Barnes took his Soul Deep tour to Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. There was no looking back.
Today Lauren is a happily married freelance writer living on the New South Wales Central Coast. When she's not obsessing about the latest band, or some old favourite, she loves to experiment with new recipes, watch indie films, and cuddle her Devon Rex cat Gizmo.
Thirty of Western Australia’s established musical exports and up and comers will descend on Perth’s Concert Hall on June 2 for the State of the Art music festival, an event which coincides with WA Day. Artists including Bob Evans, Gyroscope, Kav Temperley, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and Grace Woodroofe will play on three outdoor stages. Blues legends Dave Hole and Chain, gutsy pop act Abbe May, and hard rock royalty Karnivool will also play special showcase sets inside the venue.
The Spin Off Festival serves up a killer line-up of eclectic acts including Of Monsters and Men, Chet Faker, Passion Pit, and Dune Rats. Fans will enjoy their talents in the intimate surrounds of the Thebarton Theatre. Age is no barrier either. While it’s a licensed gig, music lovers of all ages are welcome.
