Wildwood Music Festival Brings Musical Magic to Port Macquarie

For some amazing Australian music in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, look no further than the Wildwood Music Festival, which is hitting Port Macquarie this October.

Now in its third year, this boutique festival boasts an exciting line-up featuring Blue King Brown, Montaigne, Claude Hay, The Lyrical, Mar Haze, and heaps more. The musical acts will be complemented by market stalls and children’s activities.

“Last year we knew we had reached new heights with the festival which has traditionally been attended by local folks. It’s been so well received we decided to ramp it up a notch and encourage like-minded festival people from Brisbane to Sydney to come,” explained Simon Leigh, the man behind Wildwood.

“At the conclusion of last year’s event, the whole forest filled with fireflies as punters were leaving the venue and adults and kids alike were covered from head to toe illuminated in their sparkling aurora. It was truly a magical ending to a really special day.”

Wildwood Music Festival is at Cassegrains Winery in Port Macquarie on October 2. Tickets are available from the LiveTix website.

Image used with permission from RAWR Music PR

Blue King Brown Announce First Headline Tour

Blue King Brown have been a bright spot on the local music scene for several years, so it’s amazing to think they’ve never headlined a tour. They’re about to remedy the situation this May when they set off on their Worldwize national tour.

Blue King Brown should be in fine form as they’ve got shows scheduled at South by Southwest, Canadian Music Week, and Babel Med in France before they hit Oz. The band has enlisted some awesome supports for the local shows including Ash Grunwald, Zennith, and Diafrix. Tickets for the following gigs go on sale tomorrow.

12 May 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra (with Diafrix)
13 May 2011 – Waves, Wollongong (with Diafrix)
14 May 2011 – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle (with Diafrix)
15 May 2011 – Bellingen Memorial Hall, Bellingen (with Diafrix)
19 May 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (with Diafrix)
20 May 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne (with Ash Grunwald and Diafrix)
21 May 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta (with Diafrix)
22 May 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra (with Diafrix)
26 May 2011 – Uni of Tasmania, Hobart (with Diafrix)
27 May 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide (with Diafrix)
28 May 2011 – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns (with Zennith)
2 June 2011 – Metropolis, Fremantle (with Diafrix)
3 June 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (with Diafrix)
4 June 2011 – The Metro, Sydney (with Diafrix)

Image source: Carlo Santone/AUM

John Butler Trio @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre – 7 September 2010

Yesterday was a day for real thought as Julia Gillard was officially announced as the prime minister of our first minority government in 70 years. I’m still not entirely sure of the ramifications of that, but I’m interested to see how it pans out. It seemed fitting that such a pivotal day should coincide with me making a trek to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre to catch two of the country’s most political acts, Blue King Brown and John Butler Trio.

All too often it seems that the support act is an afterthought, a new band that needs exposure or musos that are mates with the main act. Rarely do the artists fit together to create an evening that sends such a strong message. Both Blue King Brown and John Butler Trio create music with meaning. And the Newcastle crowd lapped it up.

Blue King Brown were first, led by the mesmerizing Natalie Pa’apa’a. I caught the band a few years ago when they supported Santana, and they’ve come a long way since that time. Long time fans may have been thrilled to hear old favourites, but the new material from their latest album Worldwize: North & South got me going. There seemed to be more emphasis on melody, more focus in the message and the crafting of the songs. Thankfully the set was made up of songs both old and new, which gave us all something to enjoy. While support acts too often suffer from chattering crowds keen for the main act to start, Blue King Brown seemed to captivate the audience. They listened intently to these songs and gave the band the respect they really do deserve.

While Blue King Brown impressed me, I was wowed by the John Butler Trio. I’d never seen the band before, so I was struck by John Butler’s incredible musical skills. The live arena is where they really come alive, and the key to that is the main man himself. It’s where John can play an epic, intricate instrumental guitar piece to a transfixed audience, and switch easily between electric and acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, and even drums. His technical talent is incredible, and his energy on stage electric.

That energy is what makes these powerful songs work. Rather than appearing preachy, the potent messages contained in the tunes take us back to the musical revolution of the late 1960s. Hearing John Butler speak about the proposed development of the Kimberley region gave “Revolution” extra power. The band’s gentle acoustic cover of Kev Carmody’s “Thou Shalt Not Steal” was one of the show’s most poignant moments.

But this isn’t the late 1960s, and bands that really have something to say are becoming rarer and rarer. Music has always been a great catalyst for change. As I watched the crowds clap their hands in unison in response to this band that has so much to say, I began to feel hope that real change is possible. And what a powerful thing that is.

Image source: own photos

Blue King Brown Promise to “Never Fade Away”

The single keep coming from Blue King Brown. The band, who are currently touring the country with John Butler Trio, has just released a vibing new track called “Never Fade Away.”

“‘Never Fade Away’ speaks about finding strength from our families, the importance of family and also the importance of seeing all human beings as being connected and part of a global community,” the band said in a statement. “’Never Fade Away’, the music video, was all shot in our hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It features some of our region’s finest multicultural artists, dancers and musicians; it’s recognition and a celebration of the strong multicultural foundation that is modern Australia.”

The song is the third single from Blue King Brown’s new album Worldwize Part 1: North & South which is in stores now.

Blue King Brown Prepare to Release Epic Double Album “Worldwize Part 1: North & South”

We heard a taste of Blue King Brown’s new album with the single “Women’s Revolution,” and now Worldwize Part I: North & South is almost ready to drop.

The epic double record has taken the band from their Melbourne base to New York, Las Vegas, and Jamaica. Along the way they worked with some incredible producers including James ‘Bonzai’ Caruso (Gwen Stefani, Nas, Damien Marley, Madonna), Colin ‘Bulby’ York (Rihanna, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Franti, UB40), Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare. They also collaborated with some top performers including Queen Ifrica, Jah Mason, Voodoo Dred, and Elliott Martin.

Northside is a vibrant, energetic journey while Southside has more of an experimental, dub sound. It all adds up to a release which can only be described as epic, and that’s just the beginning.

Worldwize Part 1: North & South will hit record stores around the country on August 20 ahead of the release of Worldwize Part 2: East & West next year. Get in quickly to receive the CD with a bonus Blue King Brown flag, as seen on stage at the band’s live shows.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Queen Ifrica Joins Blue King Brown for “Women’s Revolution”

Blue King Brown are back with their new single “Women’s Revolution,” a collaboration with respected Jamaican chart topper Queen Ifrica. Reflecting the heritage of both acts, its dynamic film clip was shot in Kingston and Melbourne.

“The song draws inspiration from the day-to-day female leaders in our world,” explained lead singer Natalie Pa’apa’a. “It also identifies and reinforces the philosophy that the best way to effect change in communities of developing nations is to educate, support and encourage the young female population, as they are most commonly the ones who grow up to be the anchors and teachers within their families and extended community. Queen Ifrica is one of Jamaica’s most gifted female artists and it has been incredible to have her collaborate with Blue King Brown. Feel it!”

“Women’s Revolution” will be available as a digital download from June 11. The song and video will be bundled together on iTunes for the special price of $1.69. “Women’s Revolution” comes from Blue King Brown’s sophomore album Worldwize, which will be in stores on August 20. The album’s release coincides with the band’s support slot on John Butler Trio’s April Uprising tour.

Big Names Play Small Towns

Here’s one for the kids in the bush. Indie radio network Triple J will rock the Outback with a series of free outdoor concerts.

Chart toppers Missy Higgins and Something for Kate will perform alongside blues band Blue King Brown at the tour’s first show in Humpty Doo. Around 5,000 people call the Northern Territory community home.

Powderfinger, The Cat Empire and Grinspoon will then star in concerts in Karratha, Burnie and Innisfail.

Local artists will play alongside the headliners at these very special events.

The Triple J Goes AWOL concert series aims to bring some of Australia’s hottest artists to some of its most remote regions.

“We are bringing live music to places that don’t get a whole lot of live music,” said a Triple J spokesperson.

The Triple J Goes AWOL series kicks off on July 21. See the Triple J website for more details.

Image source: ABC website