Ahead of an official announcement, Carole King told members of her mailing list that she’ll team up with long-time friend James Taylor for a world tour next year. The good news for Australian fans is that the music icons plan to start the tour Down Under.
The pair has been considering the double act since playing together at the Troubadour reunion shows in 2007. Their historic Troubadour Reunion tour will kick off in Australia next March before reaching the United States in May.
Dates are yet to be finalised, but we can expect the official announcement sometime soon. I can’t wait. I saw Carole King on her Living Room tour a few years ago and was floored. Add James Taylor to the bill and you’ve got the recipe for one amazing night of music.
Last year’s uncharTED winners Here Come the Birds are back with their brand new single, “Cigarettes.”
The track, which was recorded under the guidance of hot new producer Adrian Karvinen, features an infectious bass line, catchy guitar licks, and a groove which makes you want to move! The track is the first taste of the band’s sophomore release, which is due for an early 2010 release.
To celebrate the release, the lads will play The Cambridge Hotel in their hometown of Newcastle on November 20, and Sydney’s Club 77 on November 27. Fans in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide should keep an eye on the band’s MySpace page as dates there are soon to be announced.
Queensland will host a brand new music festival featuring some killer local and international acts next March. The impressive bill for The Lost Weekend already includes Dinosaur Jr, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Little Birdy, Tumbleweed, Whitley, and The Drones, and we can expect more announcements to come!
You’ll find the festival less than an hour out of Brisbane in stunning natural forests and parklands. The natural beauty of the area promises to be the perfect backdrop for this brilliant festival.
To help you enjoy the festivities a little better, all tickets include complimentary camping passes. The grounds are named at some of Brisbane’s most beloved music acts. Stay in Regurgitatorville or Custard Central! Both sites have six amenities blocks with flushing toilets and showers, a welcome relief for those girly music fans like myself! Powered sites are also available for those who want to camp in luxury.
The Lost Weekend takes place from Friday March 5 to Sunday March 7. Two-day and three-day passes are available now through the Lost Weekend website, Moshtix, Rocking Horse Records, Butter Beats, Kill The Music, and The Music Shop.
Retro indie rockers Pavement and Dinosaur Jr will headline next year’s fourth annual Golden Plains festival.
Australia will be one of the first places in the world treated to a performance from the newly reformed Pavement, who called it quits in 1999. Expect a similarly enthusiastic response to the return of Dinosaur Jr, who haven’t visited our shores since 2007, two years after their own reformation.
The iconic bands will join a host of top local and international acts including Midnight Juggernauts, Tam Impala, The Cruel Sea, Dirty Projectors, and The Big Pink on the bill.
Golden Plains will hit Victoria’s Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre on March 6, 7, and 8 next year. Head to the Golden Plains website to sign up for the ticket ballot.
It’s been a little quiet on the Old Man River front, but that’s all about to change with the bluesy singer-songwriter announcing a brand new tour and album.
His sophomore effort Trust showcases the artist’s natural evolution, with a bigger earthy sound incorporating sitars, electric guitars and tablas. The east meets west themes that Good Morning explored have been fully realised here. Adding to the global flavor, the album was recorded earlier this year in Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Mumbai.
The album will hit stores next year, but fans along the east coast will get a sneak peek at some intimate shows this month. Old Man River will showcase tracks from the new discs and some old favourites.
19 November 2009 – The Troubadour, Brisbane with Little Scout (Tix $18 from Oztix or $22 at the door)
24 November 2009 – Newtown Workers Club, Melbourne with Boy & Bear (Tix $18 from Moshtix or $22 at the door)
25 November 2009 – Sydney, special secret performance with Boy & Bear. E-mail info@qirkz.com for details
Melbourne rockers Mammal have called it quits after four years together. The band split due to “long standing personal, political, musical and business differences” according to an official statement.
I’ve got to wonder how long standing those issues could have been, given that the band hardly have the longevity of The Rolling Stones, but I guess any period fighting feels like a whole lot longer than it actually is!
“We wish to thank the fans for their unbelievably loyal and heartfelt support which gave us the opportunity to play some amazing shows, to release our records and travel the world. We will never forget these times,” the statement continued.
Those fans will be happy to know that we haven’t heard the last of the band’s members. Lead singer Ezekiel Ox plans to release a solo album, The Ox and The Fury, in 2010. Meanwhile Peter Williamson, Nick Adams, and Zane Rosanoski plan to stick together to work on an as-yet unnamed project.
The buzz is definitely building for local lads Amy Meredith. The band will support Good Charlotte at their special acoustic gig tonight, before touring Oz with Cobra Starship in 2010.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the Sydney quintet who just about to release their debut single “Pornstar.” The track, which has been recorded with Grammy Award-winning British engineer Brian Paturalski [Outkast, Backstreet Boys, Wes Carr], will hit radio on November 9.
The Good Charlotte gig is all sold out, but you’ll be able to catch behind-the-scenes footage at Amy Meredith’s MySpace page. If you want to see the band do their stuff in the flesh, you can catch them with Cobra Starship at the following shows.
16 March 2010 – UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney (All Ages)
17 March 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (All Ages)
19 March 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (18+)
20 March 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne (Under 18s)
21 March 2010 – Metro City, Perth WA (All Ages)
Kelly Clarkson’s winging her way to Oz for another tour next year.
The original American Idol is visiting on the back of her fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted. It’s already spawned the hits “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “I Do Not Hook Up,” and “Already Gone.” Expect to hear those and all the old favourites at the Aussie shows next April.
Eric Hutchinson and Cassie Davis will also be along for the ride.
Tickets for the following shows go on sale on Thursday November 12 through Ticketek, except for Perth which will be sold through Ticketmaster.
13 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
15 April 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
17 April 2010 – Acer Arena, Sydney
19 April 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
22 April 2010 – Challenge Stadium, Perth
There are many worse ways to spend a lazy Saturday than at the annual Jazz in the Vines concert in the Hunter Valley. With exceptional musical talent, wonderful wines, delicious food, and one of the loveliest crowds around, it’s a show that keeps me coming back time and time again.
The Dixie Jazz Band kicked off proceedings with their crowd-pleasing set of old-fashioned standards. These guys look about 70 in the shade, but those all those years have helped make this act one of the tightest around. I’ve seen them regularly at Newcastle’s Race for Research, and was thrilled to see them on the bill.
The Australian Army Band kicked things up a notch with their set of originals and classic covers. You know when a band’s made of serviceman that they’re going to be tight. There’s that regimented precision which easily transfers to their music. But don’t think that made the set stuffy. The young talent on show injected a youthful energy into the time-honoured tunes. Continue reading “Jazz in the Vines @ Hunter Valley, 31 October 2009”→
Anyone who says this season of Australian Idol is boring may just have to eat their words. Tonight’s episode started with a curveball, as Toby Moulton announced he was withdrawing from the competition. It seems his love for his students and the teaching profession far outweighs the passion he has for music. It was a beautiful thing, and a fitting end to the Idol journey of such a humble contestant. I was surprised that the verdict was still read, but in the end I’m glad it was. For it seems Toby’s selfless act kept James Johnston in the competition. He’s a good kid, and I’m glad he’s got a reprieve.
Nathan Brake kicked off proceedings with Ne-Yo’s “Closer.” I was a bit worried by the song choice, fearing that he wouldn’t have the edge to pull it off. Silly me. Nathan seems to be able to turn his hand to anything, and that includes this cool, sexy, R’n’B ditty. I really enjoyed this.
I can’t say the same thing for James Johnston’s take on “Daughters.” I’m a massive John Mayer fan, so maybe that means I’m a little harder on James than most. But I didn’t feel this at all. It came across as more about singing well that connecting. He did the former, but the latter is just as important, if not more so.
Stan Walker was back to his R’n’B shtick with Mario’s “Let Me Love You.” I agree with the judges’ comments that the original version would have been much better suited – it’s more melodic and generally more impressive. But with what he had to work with, he sang the hell out of it and performed the hell out of it. This was enjoyable – Stan always is – but it didn’t wow me.
Hayley Warner turned her hand to Gossip’s “Heavy Cross.” It was a very cool song choice, but it didn’t quite come off for me. The vocals were unusually lacking here. Even though she performed the pants off it, the pitchy parts really detracted from this performance for me. Continue reading “Toby Moulton Quits Australia Idol”→
