Against all odds, Morgan Joanel is back making music and sounding better than ever. The recent release of “Undone” marks an exciting new chapter for the Western Australian powerhouse.
Longtime readers might remember me raving about Morgan’s music back in 2020. While she seemed to disappear from view, she was actually rehabilitating after a devastating car accident in 2021. She was lucky to survive the impact when the Uber she was travelling in was hit by another car at 144 km/h. It left her confined to a wheelchair, with a bleed on the brain and 13 broken bones. She was told that she may never walk again, and certainly wouldn’t perform on stage. But Morgan wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Undone” is the perfect comeback song, rebellious and raw.
“’Undone’ is about the masks we wear, the dance between seduction and threat,” Morgan explained. “The first time I ever played it was on stage was opening for Anne-Marie, so it had a big bang of a first performance! Of all my songs, ‘Undone’ has had the longest road from writing it to a recorded release. But I think that’s the point. I wasn’t ready to release it until I could stand inside it properly and from a place of power. Now I can.”
The release of “Undone” coincides with Morgan’s shows around the country supporting British superstar Newton Faulkner. Now halfway through the tour, I hear that she’s killing it. But don’t just take my word for it. If you’re attending one of the remaining shows, make sure you arrive early enough for Morgan’s set:
After winning a pair of Golden Guitars, Australian country sensation Wade Forster has set his sights on winning over America. He’s currently playing shows in regional Texas to celebrate the release of his new single “Strange.”
“Strange” epitomises the sound of modern country. The vocals are honest and emotional and the blend of country and rock is totally infectious. The music video features Wade entertaining an audience at Mulubinba/Newcastle hotspot, the Stag and Hunter Hotel.
Wade sold out shows across Texas’ major cities last year, so now he’s turned his attention to regional areas. Given his reception in 2025, Texan music lovers should jump on the remaining tickets if they want to see Wade while he’s Stateside. He’ll return home in May to play Yaegle Country/Yamba as part of Great Southern Nights.
After a super-long gestation, Tarntanya/Adelaide-based rock act Brave Mistakes have just dropped their latest single “Accident Prone.” You know what they say about good things coming to those who wait though, right?
While this brooding rock track is Brave Mistakes’ most recent release, it’s actually the first song they recorded as a band, way back in October 2024. The following October, Don Bartley mastered “Accident Prone” at Benchmark Mastering. Now in 2026, fans can finally access this live favourite on all streaming platforms. It comes complete with a music video filmed at popular hometown venue, The Mill.
It’s interesting to hear “Accident Prone” now, after appreciating Brave Mistakes’ EPs Heavy Idle and Some Good Songs … Done Badly. It laid the foundation for those releases, with its dark sound and intensity. Whether you’re new to Brave Mistakes’ music or you simply want to get to know this band better, give “Accident Prone” a listen.
I could feel the excitement in the air as Guy Sebastian kicked off his 100 Times Around the Sun tour in Mulubinba/Newcastle last night. Fans posed for photos next to posters outside the venue and quickly changed into their new merch, showing the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for big global artists. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around that kind of buzz, and it really set the scene for one of the most memorable concerts of 2025.
Sam Fischer’s backdrop reminded us that he is “the guy who sings This City,” and he drilled that point home by starting and finishing his support slot with that global smash. However, he’s so much more than that. He’s a charismatic performer with one of the best voices I’ve ever heard live. When you can impress someone like Guy Sebastian with your vocal chops, you know you’re doing something right. He’s also an incredible songwriter who used his time to introduce us to several new tracks. It takes a special artist to capture an audience there to see someone else with songs they don’t know, but I barely heard a murmur as Sam delivered his fantastic music. He told us he’d never visited our city before, but after such a warm reception, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s planning a return visit.
It’s been around three and a half years since Guy toured the country, and from the moment he graced the stage, I could tell how much he’s missed it. He opened with new songs “Get It Done” and “100 Times Around the Sun,” noting how thrilled he was to share this material with fans. While the new tracks clearly meant a lot to him, he struck that delicate balance. Although the night celebrated 100 Times Around the Sun, older tracks like “Who’s That Girl” and “Battle Scars” provided early sing-along moments for anyone not yet familiar with the 2025 album.
I relished hearing the new material, because I’m convinced Guy’s songwriting is only getting better. It benefits from the wisdom that comes from finding love, experiencing loss, and living life with all its highs and lows. Smart arrangements with Guy sitting at the piano or strumming a guitar ensured we could hear and appreciate every lyric. His backup singers, including the exceptionally talented Gary Pinto, Carmen Smith, and Vince Harder, complemented his incredible voice perfectly. I got goosebumps listening to them harmonise.
Guy told us he was throwing everything at this first show, and he really wasn’t kidding. He welcomed Sam Fischer back to the stage for “Antidote,” which they wrote together for Guy’s 100 Times Around the Sun album. These two talented vocalists put on a masterclass. Guy probably panicked a few security guards when he made the impromptu decision to come down to the audience and take some personal requests, but it proved to be one of the show’s many highlights. While the band wasn’t familiar with Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses,” Guy performed a little a capella version for a couple who danced to this country hit at their wedding. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house after Guy performed “Unchained Melody” for a woman still grieving the loss of her partner.
Guy tugged at the heartstrings again when he invited his young son Archie up to sing. Guy told him he might want to perform something easy for his first time in front of a large audience, but he fearlessly threw himself into “I Have Nothing.” What a beautiful, pure voice Archie has. The look of pride on Guy’s face as he joined his son in Whitney Houston’s classic was something I’ll never forget.
Through his 23 years in the business, Guy has released 10 studio albums and 61 singles, including 23 top 20 hits. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and likely why this show ran so long that Guy repeatedly thanked us for sticking with him. However, even though it was a weeknight, none of us were in a rush to go home. Instead, we were excited to party with Guy for as long as he was willing. A medley of “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” “Like It Like That,” “Like a Drum,” and “Come Home With Me” was a smart choice for pre-encore, giving fans another opportunity to sing along and see Guy bust some moves.
But of course, we weren’t done. “Before I Go” was powerful and haunting, an impactful choice before Guy took things right back to where it all began. “Angels Brought Me Here” sounded a little different with its ’90s boy-band-inspired makeover, but I ate it up. With one more song in the tank, Guy invited us to stand and have a dance. We all soaked up the moment, clapping and singing along to “Choir,” our voices joining in appreciation for this special show.
Guy Sebastian’s 100 Times Around the Sun tour continues through April and May. Tickets for the remaining dates are available from the links below.
When so much music in the world sounds a little samey, it’s exciting to hear something totally fresh. Thank god for bands like Mulubinba/Newcastle collective SF Wrens who are really shaking things up with their latest single “The Finish Line.” From the bold horn intro, you know this is something outside the box. Then the rapping kicks in! SF Wrens manage to pack so many twists into a little over four minutes, it’s blown my mind. The fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and funk is fearless, dynamic, and utterly unforgettable.
“Our process changes from song to song, generally driven from lyrical ideas brought to the band by Duncan Woods [SF Wrens’ vocalist and guitarist], then sculpted in the rehearsal studio and taken to the stage when it’s very undercooked. It’s there that the musical ideas take their final shape which is always terrifying but pretty exciting,” SF Wrens explained. “In the case of ‘The Finish Line’, Duncan freestyled the verses for nearly a year before they were set in stone, musical interludes came and went until we settled on the final arrangement we recorded.”
When bands release music so bold and genre-bending, I always wonder what they’ll deliver live. Music lovers in their hometown can find out when SF Wrens play a free show to launch “The Finish Line” at The Oak on May 8.
After visiting Australia for the first time last year, Larry Fleet is wasting no time returning to our shores. The soulful American country artist will be back on Aussie soil for shows this August to celebrate the February release of his fourth album, Another Year OIder.
“On my first trip to Australia last year, I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how everyone would react to my music, but before I was even off the stage I was already planning on coming back as soon as I could,” Larry enthused. “The Australian people made me feel at home with how engaged and a part of the show they were. Singing every lyric, it’s almost like they did their homework to not only make sure that they had a good time, but that we did as well. And if there’s one thing I learned, it’s that Australians know how to have a damn good time.”
Tickets for Larry’s tour went on sale this morning, so don’t waste too much time snapping up yours. Click the links below to get your hands on some!
I’m a little biased, but I think Australia has produced some of the world’s greatest songs. Our artists are diverse, with strong, unique voices that tell our stories. So when Michael Paynter announced his shows paying tribute to that music, and a matinee show at Avoca Beach Theatre was amongst them, I jumped at the chance to see him solo for the first time.
I’m incredibly biased towards Avoca Beach Theatre, but it was really the perfect venue for Michael’s Great Australian Songbook show. The audience is always so attentive, just what you want for a show with a musician who wants to share stories about the songs he’s performing. We hung on his every word, whether he was sharing those tales or delivering fantastic Aussie songs that had a special place in his heart.
The set list was brilliant, celebrating classics and newer additions to the “great Australian songbook.” Michael says he regularly changes the set, but I imagine the biggies like “Working Class Man” and “Flame Trees” are fixtures. However, Michael’s not afraid to move away from the predictable pub standards. I expected I might hear a few John Farnham tracks given his recent casting in Whispering Jack, but I didn’t anticipate the criminally underrated “Angels” among them. I also didn’t expect him to deliver Sia’s “Chandelier,” Wolfmother’s “Joker and the Thief,” or Silverchair’s “Straight Lines.” These modern classics are so demanding and an acoustic set leaves nowhere to hide. I always knew his vocals were next level, but I was in awe!
I knew Michael could have standout moments playing alongside Icehouse and Jimmy Barnes, but it was exciting to see the way he could command a room for nearly two hours. The time flew by as he delivered flawless songs on the piano and acoustic guitar. He didn’t need any support, but it was a thrill to see him performing alongside young Ruby Rodgers, the 16-year-old daughter of Mahalia Barnes and Jimmy Barnes’ guitarist Ben Rodgers. She’s certainly inherited her family’s music chops. Her voice was haunting on Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” delicate and earnest on Leonardo Bride’s “Even When I’m Sleeping.” Michael said that in five or ten years, we’d look back and remember what a special moment we shared, seeing her so early in her career. He’s probably right.
Michael Paynter’s Great Australian Songbook concerts are a beautiful celebration of the diverse music that makes this country great. They’re selling out all over the place, and I expect demand will only increase as more people see them and tell all their friends. Here are all the remaining dates.
22 April 2026 – The Foundry, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT) 23 April 2026 – The Foundry, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT) 24 April 2026 – The Regent Theatre, Eora/Sydney 2 May 2026 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT) 3 May 2026 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT) 8 May 2026 – Playhouse Theatre, Ngambri/Canberra 15 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 16 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 17 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 29 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 1, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT) 3 June 2026 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth 13 June 2026 – Story House Theatre, Djilang/Geelong (SOLD OUT) 10 July 2026 – Festival of Voices @ Theatre Royal, Nipaluna/Hobart 11 July 2026 – Festival of Voices @ Burnie Arts Centre, Pataway/Burnie
Seventeen-year-old Gomeroi country singer-songwriter Kyla-Belle has teamed up with acclaimed Indigenous hip-hop artist Nooky for a surprising new single, “Took a Turn.” Their genres aren’t natural bedfellows, but this song really works! I love to hear artists taking risks, especially so early in their careers.
“This song tells the story of my life and how things always take a turn for the better,” Kyla shared. “It talks about hardships, then overcoming them through music. I wrote this song just like I write all my music, on my bedroom floor, aiming for a song that sticks to your brain.”
We’ll be hearing a lot more from Kyla-Belle this year. Look out for her debut EP when it drops this June. She’ll also play Savannah in the Round in Muluridji Country/Mareeba this October.
Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity
No matter how much I try to keep my finger on the pulse of modern music, some releases inevitably slip through the cracks. That’s especially common with international albums. Unless they’re the blockbusters everyone’s heard of, I often miss them while I’m focusing on the local scene. So UK band Amber Run weren’t on my radar until I heard about the local tour celebrating 10 (and a bit!) years of their 2015 debut album 5AM. However, considering this is their first Aussie tour and they’re playing intimate venues, it looks like I’m not the only one.
My advice readers? Make up for lost time. 5AM is such a great alt-rock album, and Amber Run will play it in full at their upcoming Aussie shows. If I hadn’t already committed myself, I’d buy some spontaneous tickets after hearing it just a handful of times. It’s that good.
Amber Run kick off their 5AM shows in Eora/Sydney next Friday, so take a listen and snap up some of the remaining tickets!
Bachelor Girl are breathing new life into their breakthrough debut album Waiting for the Day with the upcoming release of Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions. Set for a June release, it’ll feature fresh takes on all the songs you know and love from that album featuring a who’s who of Aussie talent.
“We (somewhat audaciously!) began to ask some of our favourite Aussie artists and friends if they would lend their voices and/or instrument to our bucket list project,” explained Bachelor Girl’s frontwoman, Tania Doko. “What started with one, became 13 artists on this 15 track Redux album, and we could not be more chuffed they enthusiastically said yes.”
We get a little taste of what’s in store with this reimagined version of “Treat Me Good” featuring Jessica Mauboy. It’s a little poppier than the original, but Jess’s voice sounds fabulous on the track. And if it introduces this song to a new generation, so much the better!
After Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions drops, Bachelor Girl will hit the road and play a few intimate shows. Expect stacks of singalong moments at the following gigs:
