The release of Budjerah’s long-awaited debut album Gentleman feels like a reintroduction to this talented artist. The shy indie-pop teen we met in 2020 appears utterly transformed with this polished pop release.
Category: Reviews
“Waiting for the Day: Artist Sessions” – Bachelor Girl
Twenty-eight years ago, Bachelor Girl released their debut album Waiting for the Day. It was a monster hit, spawning beloved singles like “Permission to Shine,” “Treat Me Good,” and “Buses and Trains.” And now, Bachelor Girl and some of their famous friends are revisiting that release with Waiting for the Day: Artist Sessions.
“be.” – NEAV
Darkinjung Country/Central Coast-based singer-songwriter NEAV lets listeners into her world with the release of her debut EP be. With these four songs, she walks the delicate line between sharing songs that are personal, yet incredibly relatable.
“Butcher, Lover, Runner” – Jean Elliot
In an era where concept recordings are a dying breed, especially among female artists, Jean Elliot’s Butcher, Lover, Runner reminds listeners of their value. This is a boldly ambitious EP which blurs genre boundaries to tell a compelling story of survival in the Australian bush.
Things of Stone and Wood @ Avoca Beach Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 22 May 2026
In the modern age, it seems like so many music lovers think bigger is better. Websites melt down as people clamour for tickets to the latest stadium gig. Personally though, they never quite hit like intimate shows do. I never take it for granted that I live so close to Avoca Beach Theatre, which is run by passionate people who champion live music. This venue was the perfect place to see Things of Stone and Wood launch their new album Rae Street.
Richard Marx @ Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 22 April 2026
Richard Marx is one of those artists who keeps me coming back tour after tour. He always delivers with solid vocals and oodles of charisma. No matter what album he’s promoting, every show features the hits that encourage you to sing along. While I appreciate his dependability, shaking things up a little with his After Hours tour made my fifth Richard Marx show last night in Mulubinba/Newcastle my favourite.
Guy Sebastian @ Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 16 April 2026
You could feel the excitement in the air as Guy Sebastian kicked off his 100 Times Around the Sun tour in Mulubinba/Newcastle last night. Fans posed for photos next to posters outside the venue and quickly changed into their new merch, showing the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for big global artists. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around that kind of buzz, and it really set the scene for one of the most memorable concerts of 2025.
Michael Paynter @ Avoca Beach Theatre – Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 12 April 2026
I’m a little biased, but I think Australia has produced some of the world’s greatest songs. Our artists are diverse, with strong, unique voices that tell our stories. So when Michael Paynter announced his shows paying tribute to that music, and a matinee show at Avoca Beach Theatre was amongst them, I jumped at the chance to see him solo for the first time.
“Talking With Strangers” – MAXON
With every single release, Victorian singer-songwriter MAXON has been building a reputation as one of the most solid female voices on the scene. Now that her debut album Talking With Strangers is out in the world, there’s no doubt that she’s the real deal.
“Steel Town” – Morgan Evans
For a long time, I’ve said if you’ve never lived in Mulubinba/Newcastle, you don’t really understand how special the place is. It’s one of those cities that never leaves your heart, no matter how far you move away. Once a Novocastrian, always a Novocastrian. But now with the release of Steel Town, I think Morgan Evans might have given the country the scoop. His third album is a beautiful love letter to the place he still calls home and the feelings associated with it.