Most of us weren’t lucky enough to score tickets to Cold Chisel’s upcoming show at the Hordern Pavilion, but we don’t have to miss out. The show will be beamed to cinemas around Australia live on April 18.
Fans can see the performance as it unfolds in high definition with Dolby 5.1 sound. Given that the Hordern’s a bit of a shed, I wouldn’t be surprised if it sounds better at the movies! The band promises to play tracks from their brand new album No Plans as well as a healthy arsenal of their hits.
“We’re really proud of this new album and want as many people to hear it as possible”, explained Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes. “The idea of having this gig beamed out to Cinemas seemed like a great way of getting people to hear a few of the new songs live as well as all the ones they know. We’ve played a lot of gigs around Australia over the last 35 years but this will be the first time we’ve played in over 100 places on the same night!”
Tickets are on sale now through CinemaLive for $39.50. That’s a bit of a bargain as they come bundled with a copy of No Plans. Will you be tuning in?
Image used with permission from Stephen Green Consulting
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you probably know that Cold Chisel have been hard at work preparing their first new studio album in 14 years. However you might not know that the band got the touring bug during last year’s massive Light the Nitro run, and are planning shows to launch No Plans.
No Plans features 13 songs, including last year’s single “All For You” and “I Got Things to Do” penned by the band’s late drummer Steve Prestwich. The album also features Steve’s last recorded performances. Its title comes from the important lesson the band has learned in the wake of Steve’s untimely death.
“In late 2009 the five of us made plans to record together again and do a tour,” said frontman Jimmy Barnes. “After lots of twists and turns that’s exactly what we’ve ended up doing but due to Steve’s passing those plans changed a lot along the way. The last two years have reminded all of us that sometimes life deals up things you don’t expect. You can’t take anything or anyone for granted. Sometimes it’s best to have no plans.”
Cold Chisel will launch No Plans at Bluesfest on April 5 before is hits stores the next day. Following that, Chisel will play some very special “one night only” album launch shows. After last year’s big arenas, the smaller venues will allow the band to better connect with the fans that have supported them through the years. Tickets for these shows go on sale on March 19, but if you want to get a jump on the competition sign up to the Cold Chisel mailing list for pre-sale information.
See Cold Chisel supporting the release of No Plans at the following shows
5 April 2012 – Bluesfest @ Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay
7 April 2012 – Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley
12 April 2012 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
18 April 2012 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia
I’ve only just returned from some well earned time away from the office, so this week’s chart report is coming to you a bit late. I was happy to arrive home to see Reece Mastin’s still hanging on to his spot on the top of the ARIA singles charts with “Good Night.” While the album’s dropped slightly to number three, it’s still an amazing effort over this competitive Christmas period.
Guy Sebastian is also continuing to hold his own. His summery single “Don’t Worry Be Happy” remains steady at number six.
Cold Chisel’s best of is the only other Aussie release sitting in the top 10 albums chart. It’s slipped slightly to the number 10 position, which is probably to be expected since their tour is done and dusted.
Click below for this week’s top ARIA 10 charts.
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After last week’s stumble Reece Mastin is back on top of the ARIA singles charts with “Good Night.” Only Michael Buble could keep Reece out of the top spot on the album charts, but I’m sure he’s more than happy with a number two debut. It’s tough to compete with a Christmas album at this time of year!
Guy Sebastian’s also holding steady on the singles charts with “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” It’s at number six this week.
Cold Chisel’s tour has seen their latest best of album reenter the charts at number eight. Triple J’s Like a Version 7 has also reentered the top 10 this week. How exciting to see more local releases occupying those top spots!
Click below for this week’s ARIA top ten.
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The last time I saw Jimmy Barnes he was stripping things back with an acoustic show at the most intimate of venues, Lizotte’s on the Central Coast. Just a few short months later I witnessed a show that couldn’t have been more different. He was back with his Cold Chisel band mates and playing it loud in Newcastle great big shed, the Entertainment Center. While I appreciated the quietness of the first gig, there’s something about seeing a Chisel show that can’t be beat.
Before the rock veterans graced the stage we were treated by a set by The Break. Psychedelic surf music is an unusual entrée for some pub rock, but the skill of these musicians made it a tasty treat. The Break features members of Midnight Oil who spoke fondly of their love of our city. That sort of flattery helped win over the crowd, who listened attentively to the drum-heavy instrumental tracks.
While the crowd appreciated The Break, the excitement went up a notch when Cold Chisel took to the stage. It was sad at first to look out and see someone else sitting in Steve Prestwich’s chair, but new drummer Charley Drayton settled into his very big shoes. He slotted in seamlessly, helping original members Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Phil Small, and Don Walker belt out hit after hit. We knew the lyrics to all the songs and sang along enthusiastically.
While I appreciated the loud rock numbers, the moments when the band stripped things back were real highlights. A pared back version of “When the War Is Over” was a fitting tribute to the late Steve Prestwich. I also appreciated the reggae-tinged take on “Breakfast at Sweethearts,” one of my personal favourites that wasn’t played the last time I saw them live. I’m also not sure anything can beat singing along to numbers like “Khe Sahn” and “Flame Trees.”
It wasn’t a perfect show. Jimmy’s voice seemed to be showing the strain from all that touring, especially during the ballads. The mix also wasn’t quite right, with Don Walker’s keys dominating at times they should have been more subtle, particularly in the stripped back moments.
But even these minor niggles couldn’t detract from seeing the band that I believe are the greatest Australia’s ever produced. It’s amazing to have them back in business.
Image source: own photos
Reece Mastin has shaken off The X Factor Australia curse and zoomed into the Australian singles charts with a number 1 debut. “Good Night” outsold all the other songs this week, and is hopefully the first of many milestones for the talented teen.
Rewind one year and the best Altiyan Childs could muster was a number 8 position for “Somewhere in the World.” I’d argue that Altiyan’s song was much stronger, but clearly Sony knows what the single buying population wants.
Reece’s X Factor mentor Guy Sebastian isn’t doing too badly either. His single “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is sitting pretty at number 7. It’s not a cover of the Bobby McFerrin smash, but it’s every bit as catchy.
Aussies aren’t exactly taking the singles charts by storm, but it’s been some time since I’ve seen two local acts in the top 10. Hopefully with the ARIAs reminding us of all the great Australian talent around, we’ll see more songs cracking the top 10 in the coming weeks.
The same goes for the albums chart, which is also dominated by international acts. The best we could muster is Triple J’s Like a Version 7 sitting at number eight. Cold Chisel’s tour has also inspired fans to invest in the new best of disc. It’s sitting at number 10 on the charts.
Click below for this week’s ARIA top 10.
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A good eight months have gone by since Stonefield turned my head with their rocking debut single “Through the Clover.” I waited for these young Aussie sisters to blow up, and waited, and waited. Patience is a virtue, as they say though, and it seems all that waiting is finally about to pay off.
After spending rocking Glastonbury, the girls are back with a brand new single “Black Water Rising” and a national tour in the works. It’s also been announced that after these shows wrap up they’ll warm up the stage for the legendary Cold Chisel.
It’s taken some time, but Stonefield are bound to hit those dizzy heights I predicted. If you want to see them before everyone else catches on make sure you head to one of the following shows.
25 August 2011 – Fowlers, Adelaide
26 August 2011 – The Villa ‘Speakeasy’ Perth
28 August 2011 – Hyperfest, Perth (All ages)
1 September 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
2 September 2011 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
3 September 2011 – The Karova Lounge, Ballarat
9 September 2011 – New York Hotel, Launceston
10 September 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
10 September 2011 – The Grand Poobah, Hobart (Underage event)
15 September 2011 – The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
16 September 2011 – Food & Wine Festival, Toowoomba
17 September 2011 – Powerhouse, Brisbane (All ages)
17 September 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
22 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
23 September 2011 – The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
Cold Chisel are determined to soldier on despite the untimely death of their bandmate Steve Prestwich in January. The remaining members say they’ll record some new material over the coming months.
Charley Drayton will step in for Steve as needed on the new tracks. Steve can’t be replaced of course, but Charley brings with him a wealth of experience after recording with Keith Richards, Iggy Pop, Neil Young, the Divinyls, and Simon & Garfunkel.
“We’d already recorded a number of new songs with Steve prior to his passing. Plus all five of us have written songs over summer with the intention of more recording this year”, explained Don Walker. “Hopefully Charley can help us complete the work we began together. Steve was totally into everything we’d been planning for 2011 so while the last few months have been very difficult to deal with, we all feel that he would want us to complete the plans we made together.”
Cold Chisel aren’t sure when they’ll release this material, but when they do all profits will continue to be split five ways. Steve’s children will fittingly inherit his share.
While we’re waiting on the new stuff Warner plans to release the Cold Chisel back catalogue in digital form. These revamped albums will include unreleased tunes recorded way back when, so there’s something there for the fans who already have the originals.
I’m thrilled to see Cold Chisel are keeping on with this new stuff. It’ll never be the same without Steve Prestwich, but I’m sure he’d want them to go on in his absence. I’m excited to see what the band comes up with!
Image source: Cold Chisel Facebook page
While we were still reeling from the untimely death of Sherbet’s Harvey James, we learned that we’d also lost Steve Prestwich. The Cold Chisel drummer died from a brain tumour on Sunday at the age of 56.
Steve began to play with Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, and Don Walker in the early 70s outfit Orange. They changed their name to Cold Chisel in 1974, and the rest is history. He helped Don Walker write one of the band’s greatest songs, “Flame Trees,” and also put pen to paper for “When the War is Over” and “Forever Now.”
Following Chisel’s demise in 1983, Steve joined Little River Band and helped “When the War is Over” become a hit all over again. But he was back for Chisel’s reunion shows.
I remember attending the Last Wave of Summer gig at Newcastle Entertainment Centre back in 1998. This was a band I never expected to see live, and I lapped it up. I am so thrilled that I got to see Steve Prestwich doing his thing, and so sad to see him taken from us all too soon. Here’s the music video of Cold Chisel doing “When the War is Over” to remember him by.
Today I’m getting on a plane bound for Adelaide and taking a very well earned holiday. I could leave you all to your own devices, but I’d much rather give you something to look at while I’m gone. Keeping up with news was always going to be impossible, so I figured I’d treat you to some of my favourite music videos from Adelaide artists. The city is a wealth of musical talent after all, so sit back and enjoy the tunes!
I had to kick off with my favourite Adelaide act, Cold Chisel. There are so many tunes I could have picked here, but I settled on “Cheap Wine.” This was actually the track I fell in love with first. My sister and I got a real kick out of singing about booze as youngsters. Fun fact; it was actually released the year that I was born, yet it still sounds fresh as a daisy.
