We’ve all dealt with people who’ve been less than honest with us. When these folks cross our paths we’ve got two choices: we can dwell on it or we can dance it out with a fabulous track like Lucinda Poy’s latest single “Liar.” Its lyrics cut deep, but its shimmery indie-pop sound is bound to make you feel better about the situation.
“Sometimes the people you trust aren’t who you think they are. What made them lie to you, and why did they keep you in the dark? Does it make them a bad person?” Lucinda questioned. “Seeing another side to someone is terrifying, and it can happen in a heartbeat.”
After selling out in its debut year, HOWLIN’ COUNTRY is heading back to Mulubinba/Newcastle in February 2026. The line-up is stacked, with the city’s own country megastar Morgan Evans playing alongside American country acts Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Kaitlin Butts. He won’t be the only Aussie on the bill, with Adam Newling and Tyla Rodrigues also representing the best of local country.
“It’s great to have HOWLIN’ back for another year,” confirmed promoter Moe Matthew. “From day one, the festival was built to support our local music scene, artists, and businesses. Each year, we put a strong focus on showcasing homegrown talent, and having Adam Newling and Morgan Evans on the lineup this year really captures what HOWLIN’ is all about. We still have a few more artists to add to the lineup, but so far it feels like it’s shaping up to be a fun day out in an awesome city, and one you can enjoy with the whole family. ”
HOWLIN’ COUNTRY hits Newcastle Foreshore on February 14, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day event for all the country-music-loving couples out there. Tickets are on sale now from OzTix.
Shifting gears from a couple of weeks holidaying around Japan to the nine-to-five grind isn’t easy. There are inboxes to clear, responsibilities to catch up on, and a whole lot of noise in my brain. It takes something special to cut through, but I found it in “Bigger Man,” the latest track from Abbey Lane. This fabulous indie-rock single has heightened my anticipation for her forthcoming EP, which drops on September 25.
This single is actually an amalgamation of a bunch of scrapped songs Abbey penned over the years. She’s taken the best bits and created a cohesive anthem for anyone who’s ever decided to move on from a relationship rather than change to fit it. Her voice is so compelling and I know the drum rhythms will have you tapping your toes along to the beat.
When people heard that I was heading to the Mayday Parade, Jack’s Mannequin, and Home Team show the day after returning from Japan they said I was crazy. But I’ve always believed you can sleep when you’re dead. And considering I love Jack’s Mannequin so much that I’m heading to the United States to see them on the Holiday from Real cruise in February, there was no way on earth I’d miss seeing them so close to home!
Running on pure adrenaline, I was psyched for this incredible triple bill. I wasn’t really familiar with The Home Team, but they quickly won me over with their energy and genre-bending sound. They’ve definitely got pop-punk at their core, but they know how to rock hard and bring some dance-funk into the mix. It’s such an unusual blend, but I was definitely here for it. Brian Butcher is one of the most charismatic frontmen I’ve ever seen. I could barely take my eyes off him, which is saying something considering the moves that guitarist John Baran and bassist Ryne Olson delivered. All without missing a note! Formed in 2013, The Home Team are one of the newer acts on the pop-punk scene. Brian seemed in awe of the moment, marvelling that their music has taken them to Australia and noting that their gigs back home are much smaller. They’ve definitely got the goods to play those big stages though. Their 10-song set was more generous than most afforded to opening acts, but I was entranced from start to finish. I’d see them again in a heartbeat.
Seeing how much time The Home Team had only made me more psyched for Jack’s Mannequin. It’s always a gamble to attend a show when you love the support act more than the headliner. You can easily be shortchanged. But I was treated to an hour of fantastic music from this band that means so much to me. I wasn’t there when Jack’s Mannequin had their time in the sun. Andrew McMahon’s music was a pandemic discovery for me, one that brought a rainbow of colour during a really dark time. So this was my first opportunity to see him in full-band mode and I relished it.
It was a totally different show than the stripped-back Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness one I saw in February 2023. While Andrew excels behind a piano, I loved watching him prowl around the stage and move into the audience to feed off their energy (no photographic evidence because he moves fast!). Seeing his connection with his bandmates filled my heart. The set list was also fire, featuring personal favourites including “Bruised,” “Dark Blue,” and one of the songs that hit me hardest during the pandemic, “Swim.” I know I’m biased when it comes to this band, but my friend Lisa, who is far less familiar with their music, leaned over to me during the set and said, “They’re fantastic!” Yes, they are. If it were possible, I’m even more excited about my US trip after Saturday’s set.
Understanding my love for Jack’s Mannequin and the travel fatigue I was fighting, Lisa asked me whether I wanted to stay for Mayday Parade. But I never considered leaving. Not for a second. While most of the crowd here no doubt discovered these bands in their adolescence, I’ve been on a bit of a pop-punk/emo kick in recent years that’s seen me diving into a lot of the fabulous music that wasn’t quite mainstream in this country including this band’s back catalogue. It’s a bold move for any act celebrating their 20-year anniversary to open up with a 2025 single, but the rapturous response to “By The Way” showed this crowd was up for anything. And that’s what they gave us, a set that took twists and turns as it celebrated all that makes Mayday Parade such a fantastic act. I was thrilled to hear my personal favourite “Jersey” come out early. As it wasn’t released as a single, I didn’t expect them to play it, but I lost my mind when they did. Along with the deep cuts, Mayday Parade also made sure to celebrate favourites like “Oh Well, Oh Well” and “Anywhere But Here.”
High-energy moments were contrasted with stunning emo ballads like “Miserable at Best” and “Terrible Things.” While they sounded beautiful, I wish they didn’t see lead singer Derek Sanders move to the back corner of the stage to play piano. He was totally obscured by the speakers from my seats on the left. And while I know it’s not very punk to sit at a rock show, I can’t recall another show where the lead singer spent any considerable time hidden away near the back of the stage.
When we did see Derek, he was incredible. I loved watching him jump around with such feeling, vocals never faltering despite his high-octane performance. He also seemed overcome with the emotion of the occasion, noting that Australian cities are among the band’s top markets for new material. I felt privileged to be amongst this crowd who continue to support this band. “Jamie All Over” was the predictable closer, but even though I knew it was coming I had such fun rocking out to it.
I came out of Saturday’s concert without the small shred of voice that I had been hanging on to. It still has not returned. I crashed out in record time once my head hit the hotel pillow. When people said I was insane to even contemplate going to the gig so soon after my overseas adventures, they were probably right. But I would do it all again, because it was incredible. Mayday Parade, Jack’s Mannequin, and The Home Team have just two shows left in Australia. If you’re on the fence, trust me: buy the tickets.
I’m not always a fan of country music. Yet I’m all about “Rusty Nail,” which Yuin/South Coast singer-songwriter Felicity Dowd says is her “countriest” release yet. I think the reason it speaks so strongly to me is because it comes from such an authentic place. Felicity didn’t overthink this one. The organic way it kind of spilled out of her while she sat in a campground before a festival helps it feel so natural, no matter what genre it leans into.
“I cut my foot on a rusty nail was the first line I wrote,” Felicity said. “It was completely random – I was just sitting around before a festival and having a bit of fun writing. Then I realised it actually hinted at something I’d been going through in my life. It started as this random idea, and then the rest of the song just came from there. It was almost reminiscent of Pony or Dolly Parton – that old country vibe. And when I started playing it, I had so much fun. I thought, let’s lean into it. Let’s get some fiddle. Let’s get some mandolin.”
This is also one of the first recordings Felicity’s done without backing vocals. It gives it an extra layer of grit and immediacy that I’m really into. It might be a bit of a left turn for Felicity, but I hope to hear her playing more in this space.
Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity
Mika James wowed me with her joyful single “Nonna’s Trolley” back in March. Now she’s released the follow-up “Strangers in Line,” and I’m every bit as impressed. This track’s a bit bigger, with powerhouse vocals from Mika, but it’s still imbued with the heart that saw her pique my interest the first time around.
“’Strangers In Line’ is about those brief interactions with strangers that make the world feel a little lighter. It’s also importantly about my love of the community within music,” Mika said. “It was written back when I was finishing high school, and my world was made bigger by the friendships I started to make within the music scene. From 16, I was spending most of my weekends playing drums in a band immersed in the punk scene. I had just started to fall in love with the folk world, I was a fan before I knew that was the kind of music I wanted to make. I loved that I could walk 10 minutes down the road on a school night to see a band that I adored. ‘Strangers In Line’ is an ode to the 30-minute beer garden interval between bands where you see all the same people you saw at the gig the night before.”
While “Nonna’s Trolley” sat squarely in a folk-pop space, “Strangers in Line” is a bit harder to categorise. There’s some rock or blues edge to it, a little country twang, and something else I can’t quite put my finger on. I’ve added it to my rock playlist, although I’m not sure that’s the right place for it. Whatever Mika’s created here though, it’s exceptional.
Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity
Born and raised in California, Eddie Witz boarded a plane with his family last month and flew to their new home in Cavanbah/Byron Bay. He’s wasting absolutely no time treating us to his fantastic music. “My Island,” released with his band the Most High, is a cool reggae-folk ditty co-written by Jeff Barry as a spiritual sequel to his massive hit “Montego Bay.” If you know, you know, and if you don’t, fire up Spotify stat and acquaint yourself with this ‘70s gem!
“To me, ‘My Island’ isn’t about a destination — it’s a feeling,” Eddie said. “It’s the moment you disconnect from the chaos and return to harmony. Whether that’s on a beach or inside yourself, it’s where healing begins.”
The idea of healing runs deep for Eddie, who was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. This rare neurological condition caused total paralysis on the right side of his face, neck, and head. However, through meditation, natural wellness, and deep energetic work, he’s restored his facial nerves and rebuilt full mobility, including his power to sing. Talk about inspiring. I wish Eddie well in his new Aussie home and can’t wait to hear more fabulous music from him!
I’ve been following Bumpy’s beautiful music for nearly three years, so it’s amazing to me that she hasn’t yet released a debut album. Rest assured though, it’s on its way. Before she does, she’s offering us a taste of her latest music with the gorgeous new single “Cosy Comfy.” As its name suggests, this one wraps around you like a warm blanket and encourages you to take a little “me” time.
“The pressure on creatives is ever growing – stretching platforms and content. Sometimes the wheel is running so fast you don’t know how to get off it,” Bumpy acknowledged. “This song is a reminder that things can be slow. You can choose to change your pace at any point. And sometimes all ya gotta do is rug up in your favourite sweater and sit outside with a cuppa.”
“Cosy Comfy” comes from Bumpy’s debut album Kanana, a Noongar phrase meaning “land where the sun sets,” which drops on October 3. It’s available to pre-order now. Bumpy will bring her music to the following events over the next couple of months.
Jake Whittaker won the hearts of the nation on the last series of Australian Idol. However, I can’t help but think he might have gone even further than the top six if he were playing his originals. His latest single “In My Blood” is better than any cover he delivered on that program. Take a listen!
Jake cowrote this song with James Johnston, who also featured on Australian Idol many, many moons ago (the true fans never forget!)
“The phrase popped into my head earlier that day, and I knew I wanted to use it,” Jake said. “This one’s about me—but it’s for everyone. We’ve all got something that runs in our blood. For me, it’s country music and country life. For someone else, it might be horses, cars, go-karting … whatever it is, that’s where we connect.”
Jake says this song, the first he’s released since appearing on Idol, is the start of a new chapter for him. He’ll celebrate it with a bunch of shows in the coming months leading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in the New Year. Here are all the places you can see him playing his choice originals and perhaps a few of those covers you know and love.
Meeanjin/Brisbane-based ixaras continues to impress me with maturity beyond her years. Her latest single “WHAT’S GOOD” is a coming-of-age anthem which manages to be both vulnerable, yet delivered with a strong sense of self. She’s incredible for 18, but also just incredible.
“‘WHAT’S GOOD’ is the song that should have ended the first EP full lover fake friend, but because of the growth in songwriting on this track, it makes a clear stand-alone single for this next era,” ixaras said. “The ending of relationships is rarely as savage as it seems in the moment, but with time we gain more clarity and perspective. I hope the vulnerability provides comfort with those trying to move through the periods of pain that is normally experienced during heartbreak,”
As if the music wasn’t enough, ixaras recently released a seven-part docuseries, IT GOES LIKE THIS, which followed her debut tour supporting Grinspoon and rise as a young artist. She’s also continuing to build her community through her youth-focused recording label and creative platform Anti-Dismal.
“WHAT’S GOOD” comes from ixaras’s debut album, which we’ll hear in October. That month she’ll also hit the road for another tour, this time supporting The Rions at the following shows:
