James Reyne Plays Greatest Hits in Sydney

James Reyne will celebrate his career over two big nights at Sydney’s The Basement this November. The Aussie music icon will play his A Crawl to Now shows on November 1 and 2.

James will play some of his greatest hits from more than 20 albums with an acoustic trio. In the first half he’ll offer up solo hits, some new material, and perhaps even a few numbers from his supergroup Company of Strangers. In the second half, James will trot out smash singles from the Australian Crawl days.

“This will be the first comprehensive look at the past unto the present that we’ve ever undertaken,” James said. “Up until now I’ve not contemplated sifting through all of the Australian Crawl material with the intention of performing it ‘songbook’ style. I’m very excited about these shows.”

These gigs are fast approaching, but general admission tickets are still available for both shows through The Basement.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Keith Urban Tops Aussie Charts

Keith Urban has scored his second consecutive number one Aussie album with the release of his eighth studio recording Fuse. It’s a great result for Keith on debut, as the singles from the album only made it to number 40 and number 50 respectively. I guess everyone was just waiting for the long-player!

Thank god for Keith, because he’s the only Aussie in the ARIA albums top 10. There’s also not a local song to be seen in the top 10 singles charts. Let’s hope for better fortune next week!

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Musical Bingo Craze Makes Waves in Australia

Jokes, Tributes, and Spontaneous Air Guitar Competitions Pushing Bingo’s Popularity

In the past few years or so, the game bingo has undergone a pop culture makeover. No longer it is reserved for your grandma and her wrinkly friends. Nowadays, you can find twentysomethings playing the game right alongside the older set. Most of the younger bingo players aren’t doing it ironically either. The controversy surrounding National Bingo Night notwithstanding, bingo has become a very popular pastime in Australia. Musical bingo, in particular, has steadily built a cult following. It’s even gotten to the point where it’s being advertised not just as a game but an experience.

That’s what Bogan Bingo is doing. Wholeheartedly embracing the bogan image, Bogan Bingo is “half game, half party” with judicious helpings of jokes, tributes and spontaneous air guitar competitions. This particular brand of bingo has a bingo caller shouting out the numbers while a DJ plays songs from the 80s and 90s that rhyme with those numbers. It’s far from your typical FoxyBingo night but judging by the fact that Bogan Bingo has been going strong for eight years, the formula seems to be working well.

A number of Australian outfits are also getting into the bingo craze. For example, in preparation for this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival, online mag The Music released a printable bingo card that features typical festival sights such as Instagrammers and fence jumpers on the run from security. While the card was released for Splendour, most of the things on it can be reused for any other festival with a little creative tweaking.

As you can see in the examples mentioned above, perhaps the best thing about bingo is that it can be tailored to suit pretty much anything. Whether you’re into movies, TV shows, or music, all you need is a card and a bit of creativity and you can make your own bingo game.

Image source: Bogan Bingo

Big Name Aussie Acts Plays Show for Casey Tutungi

You Am I Allstars (an all-star band featuring You Am I members and some special guests) will headline a fundraising event for Casey Tutungi, the quadriplegic former Geelong football player.

Paul Dempsey, Regurgitator, Lisa Mitchell, Adalita, The Bamboos, Dan Sultan, and Yacht Club DJs will also grace the stage at the event designed to raise funds for the care of the 28-year-old VFL player. Casey suffered a paralysing spinal injury during a game in the middle of the year. It left him in a wheelchair just months before the birth of his first child.

A Show for Casey will hit Simonds Stadium on Sunday 29 September from 1 pm. It’s an all-ages event, with kids 12 and under enjoying free entry. Just make sure you bring you ID if you plan on drinking. Tickets cost just $50 from the Show for Casey website and all Ghanda stores.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Mama Kin Walks for Oxfam in October

Mama Kin has taken on many musical challenges in her life, but in October she’s planning to push herself physically as an ambassador for the Perth Oxfam Trailwalker event.

“I think there might be something pathologically wrong with me!” Mama Kin says. “Just as a small break opened up in my touring and recording schedule I signed up for my biggest physical challenge to date: to walk 100km through gorgeous bushland in WA. Continuously. Without any sleep. In an effort to raise money for Oxfam through their annual international event The Oxfam Trailwalker.”

No doubt her blisters and exhaustion will all be worth it though when she sees how much she’s raised to help people living in poverty.

Mama Kin and her walking buddies, dubbed the Sole Mamas, will take on the walk from 100 kay walk Kalamunda to Chidlow between the 18th and 20th of October. You can support them with your donations by clicking this link.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream

Boy and Bear’s Harlequin Dream has become the tenth local title to hit the top of the ARIA Charts this year. The Sydney folksters have gone one better with their sophomore album; Moonfire hit second spot two years ago.

Last week’s number one, Atlas, dropped down to number four this week, with Rufus unable to compete with international giants P!nk and Fleetwood Mac. Dead Letter Circus, last week’s number two act, have also fallen this week. Their newie The Catalyst Fire sits at number nine.

Adam Harvey and Troy Cassar-Daley have no doubt enjoyed a boost from Father’s Day sales. Their Great Country Songbook has risen to number six this week, and impressive 10 weeks after its release.

Sadly there are no local singles in the ARIA top 10 after Vance Joy’s Riptide fell to number 12.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

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Barnesy Leads All-Star Lineup for Cambodian Children’s Trust

Some of Australia’s finest entertainers will come together at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Monday September 30 to raise funds for the Cambodian Children’s Trust.

Arj Barker will host the event which features performances from Jimmy Barnes, Lior, Diesel, David Campbell, Mahalia Barnes, Prinnie Stevens, Mitchell Anderson, Darren Percival, iOTA, and The Party People Collective.

Money raised will help the local charity Cambodian Children’s Trust improve the quality of life for Cambodia’s orphans and needy children. You can learn more about the charity and their vital work in this video.

Tickets are available now from the Enmore Theatre.

Rufus Tops ARIA Charts

Sydney indie-dance trio Rufus have topped the ARIA albums chart this week on debut with Atlas. It’s the ninth Australian album to top the ARIA albums chart this year. The feat’s even more impressive when you consider their highest charting single was “Sundream” which only reached number 65.

Rufus edged out Dead Letter Circus, who debuted at number two with The Catalyst Fire. Their sophomore release is their second to debut at number two.

Cloud Control also cracked the top ten with their second album Dream Cave. It sits at number nine on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey have also reentered the top 10 with their country tribute album, The Great Country Songbook.

Vance Joy is the lone Aussie act represented in the singles top 10. “Riptide” sits at number 10 this week.

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Alex Lloyd Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

After living in the United Kingdom for the last five years, Alex Lloyd is coming home. He’s hoping you’ll welcome his return, and perhaps fork over a little of your cold hard cash. You see, Alex is the latest muso to launch a crowdfunding campaign to finance a new album. Donating to Alex’s Pledge Music campaign will help him complete his sixth studio album Urban Wilderness.

It seems like a pretty worthwhile endeavour, as Alex is making some great music at the moment. His new single “Better The Less You Know” combines the pop sensibility he’s known for with a great bluesy vibe. You just wait and see if you’re not singing along by the end.

The clip’s also pretty cool, as it sees Alex shooting the reactions of people hearing the song for the first time. They loved it and you probably will too!

Alex also plans to take the album on the road, so watch this space for the dates when they’re announced!

Sheppard Delight Music Lovers with “Let Me Down Easy”

I just love Brisbane pop six-piece Sheppard’s debut single “Let Me Down Easy”, and it seems I’m not alone. The track’s cracked the ARIA top 20 and been certified platinum. It’s also become the only independent Aussie track to appear in the Music Network’s top 100 airplay chart this year.

They’re not just enjoying success on the home front though. After the track became the most requested song on Portland’s KNRK 94.7, the band sold out the city’s Crystal Ballroom. They’ve played shows throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, The Philippines, South Africa, and India.

“Let Me Down Easy” has such a positive party vibe, and sublime harmonies from siblings Amy, George, and Emma Sheppard. Jay Bovino, Michael Butler, and Dean Gordon round out the group.

“Having a platinum record with our very first release is like a dream come true,” said George, “We’ve not only had great support from radio, but it’s been amazing over the last few months taking our show to the fans and getting such a great reaction live. It’s been such a great ride, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that it’s real!”

Are you in love with “Let Me Down Easy” too?