Facebook users can browse more than forty Classic Kylies wearing some of the divas most iconic outfits, or create their own from scratch. I think my favourite is this cute little Intimate Kylie, but there’s also the”Can’t Get You Out of My Head” Kylie wearing that famous white pantsuit, and the “Spinning Around” Kylie complete with sexy gold hotpants.
Next year’s Big Day Out lineup was already bursting at the seams, but with the most recent announcement, it’s bigger than ever.
Silverchair had a massive year in 2007, taking home five ARIAs and receiving worldwide acclaim for their fifth album Young Modern. They’re set to start 2008 with a bang appearing at Big Day Out gigs around Australia and New Zealand.
They’ll join other local sensations including Augie March, Regurgitator, Josh Pyke, Gyroscope, and Operator Please.
There’s also more international acts, with American rockers Spoon, DJ Carl Cox, Brit darling Kate Nash, and electronic outfit Unkle joining the bill.
They’ll play alongside Rage Against the Machine, Bjork, Hilltop Hoods, Billy Bragg, and more at these massive events.
The Gold Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne shows have already sold out, and with these recent additions the Adelaide, Auckland, and Perth shows won’t be too far behind.
If you missed Silverchair and Powderfinger’s massive Across the Great Divide Tour, or if you just want to relieve the magic all over again, then you’re in luck.
A special three-disc tour DVD is on sale soon. The first two discs will feature each band’s performances, and the third will include bonus interview footage and a 90-minute tour documentary.
The DVD was filed from the Melbourne shows on September 18 and 19, so if you were there make sure you look out for yourself in the crowd.
This year’s Australian Idol season is drawing to an end, but the fun doesn’t have to end there. For the first time ever, the winner will embark on a massive “Winner’s Journey Tour.”
This year’s winner, either Matt Corby or Natalie Gauci, will perform their favourite Idol tracks and some of the songs from their new album. The winner will also be joined on stage by other Idols from this year’s competition.
But that’s not all. Fans will have the chance to meet the Idols during signing sessions after the shows.
The Winner’s Journey will take in capital cities and major regional centres around the country. The tour kicks off at Wollongong’s Regent Theatre on January 2 and wraps up in Cairns on February 24. Tickets will go on sale at 9 am next Monday, the day after the winner is crowned.
Speculation about Missy Higgins’ sexuality has been rife since the Aussie songstress sang about a woman who “smelled like sugar and spoke like the sea” in “Scar.” Well Missy’s put an end to the whispering by appearing on the cover of popular lesbian and queer women’s mag Cherrie.
“I think sexuality is a fluid thing and it’s becoming increasingly more acceptable to admit that you’re that way,” Missy said in an interview with Cherrie’s editor, Katrina Fox.
“I’d like to say if you’re comfortable with who you are inside it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks,” she added.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to have to define yourself by any label. If you’re comfortable with who you are and you know who you are on the inside, people will love you for it.”
“We were very pleased at Cherrie magazine that Missy felt comfortable in being our cover girl and for admitting that she comes under our broad moniker of not-so-straight girls,” Katrina Fox told The Sunday Telegraph.
Good on Missy for being so comfortable in her own skin!
It’s another week, and there’s another Aussie act on the top of the ARIA charts!
Kylie Minogue’s new single “2 Hearts” has debuted at number one, knocking The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up” down to fourth spot. This is Kylie’s tenth Aussie number one!
Ricki-Lee’s back in the charts with her new summery single “Love is All Around.” Ricki-Lee’s number five debut pushed Delta Goodrem down a few notches, but “In This Life” is still hanging on at number ten.
The Spice Girls and The Eagles kept him away from the top spot, but Guy Sebastian’s Memphis Album made an impressive debut at number three this week. The original Aussie Idol is just ahead of Delta Goodrem’s Delta, which has slipped one spot to number four.
The new Veronicas’ album Hook Me Up fell from number to two to number seven, and David Campbell’s Swing Sessions 2 is sitting at number 10.
Mike at Big Apple Music Scene shared his love for Barry Manilow, Pat Benatar, and The Bay City Rollers (ask your Mum). I was with him on everything until he mentioned the kilted ones!
Scott at Metal Martyr also isn’t afraid to admit that Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” is one of his guilty pleasures. Of course, he’ll only listen to it when he’s alone … with headphones.
It might surprise you to know that our other resident dark music freak, Derek at Industrial Addiction, also loves a little Hinder, Sarah McLachlan, and Beck.
Roberta at Ear Sucker shares my Culture Club love, and throws in a little Survivor (yes, the band who sang “Eye of the Tiger”).
Bruce at Our Digital Music says even though he knows he probably shouldn’t, he loves to boogie to a little Gloria Gaynor and Pink.
Dave at Brit Music Scene ‘fessed up that he’s a bit partial to a little Spice Girls, James Blunt, and Blue (remember them girls?).
Jyle at Hip Hop Roll’s swallowed his pride to admit he loves a little Dire Straits, Pussycat Dolls, and Tim McGraw.
It’s pretty hard for a girl as cool as Jennifer from Hippie Sounds to find some daggy songs in her collection, but she did it. Check out her post, filled with old school Kenny Loggins (that’s pre-Footloose kids), Rod Stewart, and Todd Rundgren goodness.
Ordinarily Deb at She Playes Music writes about cool chicks like Aretha Franklin and Melissa Etheridge. Not today. Today it’s all about The Spice Girls and Katrina and the Waves.
He may write The Good Musician, but Arjun is just as guilty as the rest of it when it comes to loving bad music. Three words. Right Said Fred.
And finally, Sammi at 52 Bands confesses her love for Akon, The Spice Girls, and emo-pop bands.
This month we’ve been talking about guilty pleasures in the music channel. We all have them, those songs we love but we rarely admit to. From the silliest pop song to the most overblown power ballad, we’re lifting the lid on our secret indulgences. I’ve decided to make this a video post as many of these film clips are so tragic they’re guilty pleasures too.
Olivia Newton-John has produced some of the greatest guilty pleasures around, so choosing just one for my top ten was a tall order. But I’ve gone with “Xanadu,” from the movie which is also a bit of a guilty pleasure. The terrible ’80s fashion, more roller skates than I think I’ve ever seen in a film clip, it’s brilliant.
I admit it, I’ve been a Human Nature fan for years. I loved them way before they were schmoozing with Motown legends. I loved them when were singing disposable pop songs, and when they were dancing their way around Sydney in terrible film clips. This music video for “Got It Goin’ On” brings together these loves.
Speaking of early musical crushes, I bring you Invertigo. Now there’s a name you haven’t heard in a while, right? They only made one album, and when I listen to it now it’s more than a little bit cheesy. But “Chances Are” is still a great song, and I still love this film clip because Christian Argenti gets all wet in it. Oooer.
And before they were Invertigo, they were Pseudo Echo (well three quarters of them were anyway). Some people may have chosen “Funky Town” for the list, but I maintain their version is far superior to the original. No, the real guilty pleasure is “Listening,” with its big ’80s electro beats and that ridiculously catchy chorus.
I’ve always thought 1927’s “If I Could” was one of the most romantic songs ever written. But we all know how cringe-worthy a good dose of cheesy romance is, particularly when it’s wrapped up in a power ballad. I’m not sure what happened to 1927, but I’m glad they left us this.
While we’re on the topic of romance, they don’t get much soppier than “Especially for You.” Everything about this Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan song is terrible. The lyrics are awful. The film clip is so frustrating (how do they keep missing one another?!). And the less said about Kylie’s perm, the better. But against the odds, I love it.
Neighbours has given us a few guilty pleasures hasn’t it? Another soapie star who decided to give singing a try was Craig McLachlan. Here he is with his band Check 1-2 and his mullet singing out “Mona.” Just try to get this out of your head.
Yes indeed, before he was a soap star in America Rick Springfield was just a kid from Sydney. Sure he didn’t do a lot more than “Jessie’s Girl,” but this song is such a guilty pleasure that I can forgive him. He may not have been a very good dancer, but he was so handsome!
I believe every country deserves a hair band, a group of lads with big fluffy dos capable of belting out an epic ballad. America had Poison, Sweden had Europe, England had Whitesnake, and Australia had Roxus. Sure there was just that one big album, but it spawned the monster hit “Where Are You Now?” I’m actually wondering that myself! Surely there’s another album left in them.
The ’80s really were all about guilty pleasures, weren’t they? So I figured it was only fitting to end on another gem from the decade that taste forgot, “Change in Mood” by Kids in the Kitchen. This is Aussie New Wave at its best (or worst depending on your point of view).
So there you have it. I’ve spilled my guts, now it’s your turn. I want to hear your guiltiest musical pleasures. Don’t be shy!
Last night our Australian Idol hopefuls Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby had one last chance to impress the public. But did they pull it off? Who deserves the winner’s crown? Here’s my verdict on the final showdown.
Matt Corby kicked off the night with his rendition of the winner’s single, “Here I Am.” Newspaper reports earlier in the week suggested Matt hated the song, and while he denied these claims his performance told a different story. I thought he looked really uncomfortable, particularly during the verses.
He looked a lot more at home performing Radiohead’s “High and Dry.” I’m sure Radiohead fans probably hated his loungy treatment of the song, but I’m not a Radiohead fan. I really liked it, but I think his falsetto needs some work.
I was less enthusiastic about his closing song, “Mind’s Eye” by Wolfmother. This should have rocked. The band did, but Matt’s performance felt laboured and tired.
Natalie Gauci seems to be the master of turning hideous pop songs into gold. Just as she did weeks ago with “Umbrella,” Nat did a great version of Timbaland’s “Apologise.”
She followed it up with a breathtaking version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Considering how she struggled with the high notes in “Ray of Light,” I was a little nervous about this, but she pulled it off for a commanding performance. For me, this was the performance of the night.
She closed the show with the winner’s single “Here I Am.” This is the way this song needs to be sung, no question. Her performance had vulnerability and strength all at the same time. Wow.
Reading my comments, I guess you know which way I’m hoping the verdict goes. I’m backing Natalie for the exciting performances she’s delivered in recent weeks. Matt started the competition really strong, but lately he’s been a bit lacklustre. Natalie, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength. I also really don’t want to hear Matt’s version of “Here I Am” saturating radio waves. It’s going to be a really close call, but Natalie has my vote.
I’ve got to admit, I’m pretty excited about Australian Idol this year. Sure Ben McKenzie got dumped a lot sooner than he should have and I wish we’d had an originals night like last year, but on the whole I’m pretty happy with our final two. But it seems outspoken judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson doesn’t share my enthusiasm.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Dicko slammed Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci while on the publicity trail for his new gig The Great American Band.
“It’s [Australian Idol’s] all going well but to be honest the contestants are all a bit boring.
“They’re all these pretty people with not a lot of personality. It’s a shame to be talented and beautiful but bloody boring.”
But Dicko’s found an unexpected ally in Kyle Sandilands.
“I find it hard to believe that Dicko would have said this, knowing his feelings towards the final two Idol contestants,” his fellow judge said.
“However, if he has blurted this out in some sort of drunken stupor, I’m sure it’s only him trying to be a hero in front of his new American friends.”
Tonight the pair have one last chance to change Dicko’s mind, and looking at the rumoured song choices they might just do it. I hear Matt’s hoping to rock the house with a little Wolfmother, while Natalie will be tackling some Kate Bush with a dash of Placebo.
Kylie Minogue is entering the digital age in a big way. Last week I told you about her cool social network site, Kylie Konnect. Now she’s launched a brilliant new Facebook application that allows fans to create their own little Kylie characters.
