Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

A Brief Break For Sounds of Oz

I’m in a bit of a mad panic this morning as I try to tie up the last of my loose ends before heading overseas for a couple of wonderful and well-deserved weeks away. Ordinarily when I travel I queue up posts so that you don’t miss me, but I haven’t written nearly as many of those as I would have liked. Time’s simply gotten away. It is what it is. I do hope you check in periodically to see them, and don’t get too frustrated by those quiet days. Rest assured, I’ll be back to your regular scheduled programming in a couple of weeks!

Photo credit: Ross Parmly @ Unsplash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hands Like Houses Call For Aussie Supports

Fancy sharing a stage with Hands Like Houses? The Ngambri/Canberra rockers are giving back to the scene by launching a national search for local acts to support them on their April shows.

“There are a lot of stacked international tours rolling through right now (which is awesome), but real opportunities for local Aussie bands to play bigger rooms are still super limited,” Hands Like Houses said. “So we want to do this properly. We started our career opening for touring shows through Canberra, and we understand the confidence and momentum it can help build for any artist. We’ll check every submission, stats don’t matter, music does. Every selected support band will be PAID. Always. Much love, support local, support Aussie music.”

If you think you have what it takes, apply for one of those coveted support slots via this form. And if you just want to see Hands Like Houses, their already announced support act Dream On Dreamer, and one of the winning bands, get your tickets for the Lótus Tour at the links below:

16 April 2026 – The Baso, Ngambri/Canberra
17 April 2026 – Manning Bar, Eora/Sydney
18 April 2026 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 April 2026 – Kings Beach Tav, Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara Country/Sunshine Coast
23 April 2026 – Beer Deluxe, Wiradjuri Country/Albury
24 April 2026 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
25 April 2026 – UniBar, Tarntanya/Adelaide
26 April 2026 – Magnet House, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Matt Higgs

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Thunderstorm Artis Announces Intimate Aussie Dates

While it hasn’t aired on free-to-air TV for a while, I stay up to date with American Idol through YouTube. It’s good to have the local version back on TV, but I wish it championed original compositions the way that the US version does. There are regularly artists I follow years later because their originals have impressed me so much. Thunderstorm Artis is one of those special acts I’ve continued to support after the show wrapped, so I’m pretty stoked to see he’s announced an Aussie tour. And one that includes regional shows no less!

Thunderstorm probably didn’t win Idol because he’s not a “big” performer. He respects a melody, he doesn’t sing a lot of runs. There’s a purity to his performance that it much better suited to the small venues he’s playing on this run than stadiums. I am thrilled I’ll get to see him in places like this. Yes, I’m talking plural because I have a feeling that once I see him at my closest venue, I may be tempted to road trip to another show. We’ll see.

For now, if you’re not already across Thunderstorm’s music you’ve got a couple of months to come up to speed. Start with his American Idol audition song “Don’t Let Me Let You Go” and then let yourself fall down a YouTube rabbit hole. Then follow my lead and jump on some tickets. You don’t want to miss these shows.

5 March 2026 – Pelly Bar, Bunurong Country/Frankston
6 March 2026 – Bells Beach Brewery, Wadawarrung Country/Torquay
7 March 2026 – The Leadbeater Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
11 March 2026 – UC Hub, Ngambri/Canberra
12 March 2026 – Six String, Darkinjung Country/Erina
13 March 2026 – Brass Monkey, Eora/Sydney
14 March 2026 – Heritage Hotel, Dharawal Country/Bulli
15 March 2026 – The Stag, Mulubinba/Newcastle
18 March 2026 – Press Basement Bar, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
19 March 2026 – Byron Theatre, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
20 March 2026 – Miami Marketta, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
22 March 2026 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

2025: Year in Review

2025 has gone by in a whirlwind. It was a tough one for me as I dealt with the fallout of a car accident last December, but it was also one of my favourite years for appreciating music. I saw what is among the best concerts of my life, and surprisingly it wasn’t from my all-time favourite artist Rob Thomas! It still has me buzzing more than a month later. The albums were fire! So here’s what got me tingling this year. What about you readers? I’d love to know about some of your favourites. Happy New Year Sounds of Oz readers. I’ll see you on the other side!

Top 10 Albums/EPs of 2025

  1. Unfurling – Malaika Mfalme
  2. Forgiving Spree – Slowly Slowly
  3. Politics and Footy Tips – Cardboard Cutouts
  4. Julie’s House – Ama
  5. WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN’T – ixaras
  6. TOY – Dear Seattle
  7. The Significance of Time – Tanya Ransom
  8. 4PM in the Morning – Felicity
  9. New Love – Ziggy Alberts
  10. Redemption Arc – Siobhan Cotchin

Top 10 Concerts of 2025

  1. Lenny Kravitz
  2. Rob Thomas (don’t make me choose between the two shows I saw!)
  3. Jimmy Barnes and friends
  4. Toto and Christopher Cross
  5. Cyndi Lauper
  6. Mayday Parade, Jack’s Mannequin, and The Home Team
  7. Billy Ocean
  8. Damien Rice
  9. George Clinton with Parliament Funkadelic
  10. Fanning Dempsey National Park

Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live Nation Helping New Acts Play Live Shows With Next On

Getting in front of audiences can be tough for emerging acts. Venue overheads are pricy and as the cost of living bites us all and many music lovers prioritise seeing major acts simply breaking even if a challenge. Live Nation is giving up-and-coming Aussie and Kiwi acts a bit of a leg-up with its new Next On initiative.

Every month, Live Nation will give an artist the keys to one of their iconic venues, totally rent-free. It’ll cover all the show costs – from venue rental and production to marketing – and make sure every dollar from ticket and merch sales goes straight back to the artists. Live Nation will also promote the shows and provide professional support that could be absolutely massive for all acts selected. No wonder local talents like Kate Ceberano, Tim Rogers, Missy Higgins, and Teenage Joans are right behind this one. And they’re encouraging Aussie music lovers to do the same.

“Taking a punt on a new act, a new group, a book reading, a theatre show that is not necessarily on the popular culture radar WILL make you a more fulfilled human,” Tim Rogers enthused. “While the rush of being part of a spectacle is palpable, to engage with an artist as they begin makes you, more than ever these days, part of the experiment. To be a fan, a participant, a patron is a noble thing. You are not just an audience. You were involved, and joined the community. Welcome, Onward we go.”

“Giving young artists the chance to stand on iconic stages early, to find their voice and confidence in the right environment, is invaluable. I’m 100% behind it, and I’m thrilled to see these sorts of initiatives help make this possible,” Kate Ceberano added. “This is how we build a healthy industry – one strong foundation at a time.”

Do you want to play at the Palais Theatre, The Triffid, Fortitude Music Hall, Anita’s Theatre, Hindley Street Music Hall, or Tuning Fork as part of Next On? Click through for the Next On registration form. And if you just love music, keep an eye on the Live Nation website next year for all the details of its Next On shows.

Photo credit: Sam D’Agostino

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ricky Rosen Makes Long Awaited Return With “I Got You”

It’s been more than three years since Ricky Rosen dropped a single, but his comeback is definitely worth the wait. “I Got You” is an ultra-catchy pop-soul number that lays on the charm.

“‘I Got You’ was always meant as a fun track that doesn’t take itself too seriously,” Ricky admitted. “It has an authentic live band sound with an equally authentic feeling; gratitude for the people in your life who make the unbearable bearable and the ordinary extraordinary.

“It came about after three hours of listening to music with (co-writer) Glenn Hopper and complaining about how I’m too much of a cynic to write a love song, right after which we proceeded to write a love song. It was borne out of an honest appreciation that as long as I have my person, and my people, I’m never alone.”

Only time will tell whether Ricky delivers more music in 2026. He juggles his music career with the serious business of being a doctor, and those lives won’t save themselves! But if this is it for a while, at least it’s a banger!

Image used with permission from Blue Music Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

SoSo Top Aussie Albums Charts and Land Fourth Overall

A massive hats off to SoSo, who managed to top the ARIA Australian albums charts and secure fourth position on the overall charts this week with their debut album So Much For Second Chances. While it was a few positions short of the ambitious number one overall goal they set for themselves, it’s also an impressive effort for an Aussie independent act with no mainstream media support. We all remember the way outlets fawned over themselves in the weeks leading up to the release of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. No doubt the unrelenting media attention on Wicked: For Good helped its soundtrack land the number one spot. In contrast, there were crickets about these Aussie talents pushing so hard to become chart toppers. Even Triple J refused to give them a go.

So how did these up-and-comers beat out heavyweights like Sabrina Carpenter and KPop Demon Hunters? Not to mention last week’s number one act 5 Seconds of Summer and The Smith Street Band on debut? Talent plays a part, but it’s just one element of the equation. The rest comes down to SoSo’s own promotional efforts and the true believers who supported them. I was thrilled to pre-order my first CD in ages and cover the singles “Something More,” “Candy Mouth,” and “Messed Up” ahead of the album’s release. In fact, I’ve been covering SoSo’s music since 2020. Because I love what they’re doing and I want more Aussies to hear it.

Fans have pretty much cleared out SoSo’s online store ahead of this release, although there are still some orange vinyl copies of So Much For Second Chances available. And you can stream the album on all your favourite platforms. Do it. These guys are the real deal.

Photo credit: Mega Media TV

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Save Big With Ticketek’s Black Friday Sale

If you’re anything like me, concerts take up a big chunk of your income. I relate hard to all those memes that go around insisting “I’m not rich because I go to a lot of concerts; just irresponsible.” Even when I vow to save money, it doesn’t take long before a new tour announcement makes me cave. And there is always, always at least one show on my Afterpay account.

I’ve figured out that resistance is futile. The best I can hope for is a great deal. So in that spirit, I wanted to let you know about some of Ticketek’s amazing Black Friday deals because sharing (or enabling) is caring, right?

Full disclosure, I earn a small commission on any of these offers you take up, but I promise it all goes back into funding more concerts which gives you more to read about here. So everybody wins! Some of the highlights of Ticketek’s Black Friday sale include:

You can check out all the Black Friday offers at Ticketek here.

Photo credit: Pexels @ Pixabay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yamaha Main Stage Grant Applications Closing Saturday

There’s still time to get your entry in for Yamaha Music Australia’s Main Stage Grant. This brand-new initiative looks to support the next generation of local artists by providing key tools for creating, recording, and performing music. The winning band, singer-songwriter, and music producer will each take home $5,000 in cash and $5,000 worth of instruments from Yamaha Music Australia.

“Main Stage is about giving the next generation of Australian musicians the platform and support they deserve,” explained Yamaha Music Australia spokesperson, Mitch Kelly. “Whether you’re a band, a songwriter, or a producer, we want to help you take that next big step with real backing. We believe Australia makes the best music, and we want to continue to support you.”

Applications close at 10 am AEDT this Saturday, November 15, so make sure you hop to it. Head to www.au.yamaha.com to learn more.

Photo credit: Alice Naish

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Freekin Weekends Events Back at The Factory

If your social calendar and wallet are looking a little lean and you live around Eora/Sydney, don’t despair. The Freekin Weekends concert series is back to make your summer a lot brighter. These totally free outdoor music events happen at The Factory courtyard between 1 pm and 7 pm every weekend through to March. You’ll even get a $5 bar credit if you RSVP via The Factory website!

“Freekin Weekends is about celebrating original live music in a way that’s open to everyone,” said The Factory’s booking agent, Braden Keating. “It’s a chance for the community to come together and support local artists, while enjoying great food, drinks and summer vibes in the courtyard.”

Freekin Weekends has an “all welcome” policy, so grab the kids, your pets, your parents, and your grandparents, and enjoy some fantastic tunes at The Factory this summer. This weekend D-TECH MC hosts The Elements of Tech and Bass on Saturday before TRILL SYDNEY brings the filthiest indie-sleaze revival to the courtyard on Sunday. And there’s plenty more where that came from. Head to The Factory website to learn all about the entertainment that Freekin Weekends has in store.

Image used with permission from Century