It seems The Getaway Plan have been bitten by the touring bug. They’re currently traveling around the country as part of The Big Day Out festival and are already planning their next run of headlining dates.

The Melbourne rock act are still riding high on the release of their second album Requiem, which hit stores in November. This time around they’ll steer clear of the capitals, preferring instead to play regional centers along the East Coast next month.

Tickets are on sale now for the following over-18s shows.

15 March 2012 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
16 March 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
17 March 2012 – Pier Live, Frankston
21 March 2012 – Clarendon Tavern Windsor, Windsor
23 March 2012 – Hornsby RSL , Hornsby
24 March 2012 – Harbord Diggers, Freshwater
29 March 2012 – Kings Beach tavern, Caloundra
30 March 2012 – Fitzy’s, Loganholme
31 March 2012 – Runaway Bay Tavern, Runaway Bay

Image source: The Harbour Agency

With Hall and Oates in the country and Duran Duran on their way, it makes sense for Adam Ant to take advantage of our obsession with the 80s and announce his own Aussie tour.

According to the picture he’s not quite as handsome as I remember him, but I’m sure the diehard fans won’t care when he’s playing “Ant Music,” “Goodie Two Shoes,” and “Stand and Deliver” in some lovely intimate venues. We’re also likely to get a sneak peek at some new material, as Mr. Ant will release a new album Adam Ant is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunners Daughter in June. Shall we just award him the gong for best album title of the year already?

The tour will also introduce local audiences to fellow Brit band Georgia Girl and Her Poussez Posse, who just happen to be signed to Adam’s label. Adam Ant’s also written songs for the act, so it should be worth fans turning up early!

Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning for the following shows.

23 March 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
28 March 2012 – Metro City, Perth
30 March 2012 – Palace, Melbourne
5 April 2012 – Barton Theatre, Adelaide
8 April 2012 – Tivoli, Brisbane

Image used with permission from AVM Publicity

With a brand new single “Sword to a Gunfight” burning up the airwaves, it seems the perfect time for Children Collide to announce another tour.

The single has a unique sound for the band, which frontman Johnny Mackay shed some light on.

“I was paddling down the river somewhere between Primal Scream & Boney M and ended up falling out of the boat into a time-travelling disco space-punk song which I still think is hilarious,” he explained. Well that clears that up!

The shows will give fans a sneak peek at Children Collide’s new album, Monument, which will hit stores in April. The single builds on the band’s post-punk roots and develops them into something the band has dubbed an “aural theme park.”

“There’s one or two ghost trains, a few rollercoasters and even a couple of tea-cup rides. It’s always hard to describe these things from the inside but the sound and production feels very here and now to me”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow from the venues for the upcoming shows.

9 March 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
10 March 2012 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
11 March 2012 – Breath of Life, Launceston
15 March 2012 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
16 March 2012 – Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast
17 March 2012 – The Zoo, Brisbane
21 March 2012 – The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
22 March 2012 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
23 March 2012 – The Patch, Wollongong
24 March 2012 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
29 March 2012 – The Gov, Adelaide
30 March 2012 – Capitol, Perth
31 March 2012 – Players Bar, Mandurah
1 April 2012 – Mojos, Fremantle
12 April 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
13 April 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Crucial Music

Offbeat Brisbane rockers Drawn From Bees are hitting the road this month on their Dusty Midnight Cowboys tour. The band will kick off the shows in Sydney and play several festivals before they return to Queensland.

To coincide with the gigs, Drawn From Bees will star in their very own cowboy themed comic strip. Make sure you stay tuned to their website to see the western saga unfold.

Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets for the following shows.

4 February 2012 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney (with Our Monk)
12 Feb 2012 – St Kilda Festival, Melbourne
17 Feb 2012 – Woodland, Brisbane (with Green Stone & Howling Rabbits)
26 Feb 2012 – Move Mountains Music & Art Festival, Toowoomba
3 Mar 2012 – Gold Coast Arts Festival, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy Music

Indie label Broken Stone Records is hitting the road with some of its most promising artists for a roadshow extravaganza.

Up and comers Sister Jane, Magnetic Heads, The Maple Trail, and Caitlin Park will touch down in key capitals and a selection of regional towns next month. The musical acts will be backed by live footage VJ-ing and projections of their video clips. The events will also include an exhibition of artworks seen in Broken Stone’s film clips and on the album covers.

The events are a fantastic opportunity for music lovers to discover some hot new talent. Tickets are on sale now from the venues.

9 February 2012 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen (All Ages)
10 February 2012 – Byron Bay Brewery Bryon Bay
11 February 2012 – The Waiting Room, Brisbane (All Ages)
17 February 2012 – The Street Theatre, Canberra (All Ages)
18 February 2012 – Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton (All Ages)
19 February 2012 – Horse Bazaar, Melbourne
22 February 2012 – The Lass, Newcastle
23 February 2012 – The Standard, Sydney
24 February – The Clifton School of Arts, Clifton (All Ages)
25 February – The Baroque Bar, Katoomba

Image source: Broken Stone Records website

I’ve fallen hard for the raw confessional lyrics and sweet ethereal voice of Brisbane singer-songwriter Diefenbach. He sent me his song “Loser” this week, a cut from his sophomore album Missing Person, and I just can’t stop playing it.

It seems I should have discovered this Queensland talent some time ago. He’s won a bunch of cabaret awards and performed alongside Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Capsis, and The Dresden Dolls. There’s a gorgeous sense of theatre to his music, but it doesn’t feel as dated and affected as some showtunes do.

I’m really keen to hear more, so I’ll make sure to post a review of Missing Person up here when I get my hands on the disc. But before then I wanted to make sure you all know about Diefenbach’s album tour. He’ll play a string of acoustic shows in Melbourne bookended by full band sets in Sydney and Brisbane. On the strength of this one incredible song I have no hesitation urging you all to get out and hear Diefenbach’s amazing music at the following shows!

9 February 2012 – El Rocco, Potts Point
10-12 February 2012 – The Butterfly Club, South Melbourne
16 February 2012 – The Zoo, Fortitude Valley

Image used with permission from Jake Diefenbach

It seemed like every time I switched on my TV on Australia Day, Shannon Noll’s face was staring back at me. I should have guessed he wasn’t simply getting patriotic; there’s a Nollsy tour a-brewing.

He’ll head back on the road next month to support the release of “Living in Stereo,” the latest cut from his newish album A Million Suns. Never one to do things by halves, the tour will run for five months and take in more than 30 cities across six states and territories.

Shannon is promising to play new tracks and plenty of old favourites backed by a full band. As he’s been performing in acoustic mode for some time it’ll be great to hear him really rocking out.

“Really looking forward to getting back out on the road to play in front of my fans, it’s been too long,” Shannon said in a statement. “I’m really happy with the new show, and I think my set is the strongest it’s ever been. Bring on the first gig!”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

24 February 2012 – Charles Hotel, Perth
25 February 2012 – Endeavour Tavern, Lancelin
26 February 2012 – Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood
17 March 2012 – Hallam Hotel, Hallam
23 March 2012 – Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi Umbi
24 March 2012 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
30 March 2012 – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill
31 March 2012 – North Sydney Leagues Club, North Sydney
13 April 2012 – Mounties, Mt Prichard
20 April 2012 – Canberra Southern Cross Club Events Centre, Canberra
21 April 2012 – The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown
27 April 2012 – Dapto Leagues, Dapto
28 April 2012 – Penrith Panthers, Penrith
4 May 2012 – Urban Country Music Festival @ Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Caboolture
5 May 2012 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
9 May 2012 – Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln
10 May 2012 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
11 May 2012 – Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
12 May 2012 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
13 May 2012 – Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier
19 May 2012 – Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville
25 May 2012 – Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point
26 May 2012 – Belmont 16FT Sailing Club, Belmont
9 June 2012 – Bathurst Panthers, Bathhurst
10 June 2012 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
22 June 2012 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
23 June 2012 – Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga
29 June 2012 – Fitzy’s Loganholme, Logan
30 June 2012 – Twin Towns Services Club, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Universal Music

With Australia Day celebrations in full swing it seems an appropriate time to mention that one of our most dinky-di performers, John Williamson, will release his new album The Big Red tomorrow.

The Big Red is actually John’s 48th studio recording, which is a fair effort by anyone’s summation. It features songs penned by John over the past three years about our country and its people. You know what you’re getting here; John’s always reliable and that’s exactly why we love him.

The album features the first single “Hang My Hat in Queensland,” which is an autobiographical tale of John’s life in the Sunshine State.

“At last The Big Red is out of the box. I think those who know my music will think ‘Yes! This is what we’ve been waiting for from Willo.’ For those who don’t know; clear the mind of American influences. This is purely Australian. I hope it makes you as proud as I am of the place,” he said in a statement.

John will see plenty of his beloved country over the coming months when he embarks on The Big Red tour. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

27 January 2011 -  Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth
16 February 2011 -  Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
17 February 2011 -  Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, Wonthaggi
18 February 2011 -  Frankston Cultural Centre, Frankston
19 February 2011 -  West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul
22 February 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 February 2011 -  Swan Yacht Club, East Fremantle
1 March 2011 -  Redlands Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
2 March 2011 -  Logan Entertainment Centre, Logan Central
3 March 2011 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
4 March 2011 -  Caloundra RSL, Caloundra
21 March 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
29 March 2011 -  Shepparton Eastbank Centre, Shepparton
30 March 2011 -  Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
31 March 2011 -  Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton
1 April 2011 -  Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
11 April 2011 -  Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
12 April 2011 -  Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
13 April 2011 -  Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay
14 April 2011 -  Townsville Civic Theatre, South Townsville
18 April 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
19 April 2011 -  Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock
20 April 2011 -  Newcastle West Leagues Club, New Lambton
21 April 2011 -  Nelsons Bay Diggers, Nelson Bay
22 April 2011 -  Toronto Workers Club, Toronto
4 May 2011 -  Campbelltown RSL Club, Campbelltown
5 May 2011 -  North Sydney Leagues Club, Cammeray
6 May 2011 -  Castle Hill RSL Club, Castle Hill
16 May 2011 -  Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
17 May 2011 -  Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
18 May 2011 -  Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
19 May 2011 -  Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
23 May 2011 -  ’99 on York’, Sydney
24 May 2011 -  Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
25 May 2011 -  Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange
26 May 2011 -  Dubbo Regional Theatre, Dubbo
27 May 2011 -  Condobolin RSL Club, Condobolin

Image source: John Williamson media room

Buckley Ward have set the scene for a cracking new album with the release of the sophomore single “Into the Darkening Blue.”

I’ve got to admit, I missed the first cut but I won’t make that mistake again. I love the track’s natural, almost accidental harmonies and the casually lush meeting of guitars and keyboards. It’s got just the right amount of optimism for a summer single.

“Into the Darkening Blue” comes from Buckley Ward’s second album So Pretend, which will hit stores soon. Until then music fans in the major capitals can satisfy their fix with a blink and you’ll miss it single launch tour. Buckley Ward will play Sydney’s FBI Social Club on February 11 before moving on to Melbourne’s Buffalo Club on February 18.

Image used with permission from Show Off Recordings

Canadian cutie Dan Mangan is heading Down Under to promote his brand new album Oh Fortune and current single “Rows of Houses.”

The track is the perfect showcase for Dan’s delicious rasp and edgy brand of folk music. Rest assured it’s only a matter of time before this Vancouver native blows up and we’ll have to brave larger venues. Enjoy the intimate shows while they last folks.

22 February 2012 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 February 2012 – Notes, Newtown
25 February 2012 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
26 February 2012 – Black Bear Lounge, Brisbane
28 February 2012 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
29 February 2012 – The Fly Trap, Fremantle