Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Western Australia Celebrates its Music with State of the Art Festival

Western Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to musical talents. If most states put together an event celebrating local music, it’d be a pretty lacklustre affair. However in Western Australia, such a festival is worth travelling for.

Thirty of Western Australia’s established musical exports and up and comers will descend on Perth’s Concert Hall on June 2 for the State of the Art music festival, an event which coincides with WA Day. Artists including Bob Evans, Gyroscope, Kav Temperley, Sons of Rico, Emperors, and Grace Woodroofe will play on three outdoor stages. Blues legends Dave Hole and Chain, gutsy pop act Abbe May, and hard rock royalty Karnivool will also play special showcase sets inside the venue.

Tickets are on sale for a mere $13.95 for access to the outdoor stages, and $24.60 per concert hall showcase. These premium tickets also allow punters to enjoy the music outside. Get your tickets now through Ticketek.

Image used with permission from The West Australian Music Industry Association Inc. Image credit Kane Hibberd

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Splendour Acts Come to Adelaide for Spin Off Festival

If you missed out on tickets for Splendour in the Grass, don’t stress. The good folks at Spin Off Festival are bringing many of the event’s big names to Adelaide on August 2.

The Spin Off Festival serves up a killer line-up of eclectic acts including Of Monsters and Men, Chet Faker, Passion Pit, and Dune Rats. Fans will enjoy their talents in the intimate surrounds of the Thebarton Theatre. Age is no barrier either. While it’s a licensed gig, music lovers of all ages are welcome.

Tickets are a whole lot cheaper than Splendour too at just $99. Get yours from Venuetix now.

Image source: Kennysun @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Drapht, Illy, and The Herd Headline Come Together

Sydney’s Luna Park will host Australia’s leading local hip-hop event Come Together Festival on June 8. Organisers have assembled an amazing line-up, featuring Drapht, Illy, The Herd, and Spit Syndicate, to celebrate the festival’s tenth anniversary.

While there’s a solid line-up of established hip-hop talent, it’s also a great opportunity to discover some fresh new talent including 21-year-old Adelaide rapper Allday, Sydney duo Jackie Onassis, and the exciting Crochet Crooks.

The all-ages event offers plenty of entertainment. The doors to the Big Top don’t open until 3:30 pm, but you’re best getting their early as your ticket includes free rides from 11:30 am. Tickets cost $60 and are on sale now from the Come Together website.

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Tour First World Nations

After winning Australia over with their love of facial hair, The Beards are taking on the world.

The hirsute ones are currently spending time in North America, warming up for a return to home soil for a handful of holiday festivals. Then it’s back on a plane to dazzle European audiences before they arrive home triumphant for the world tour finale. It’s an ambitious schedule, but one that’s been carefully thought out by the band who decided to concentrate on the world’s most developed nations.

“People living in developed countries are more susceptible to shaving.” explained the band’s frontman, Johann Beardraven. “They are a high risk group, so it’s important for our message to reach them before it’s too late.”

Indeed. You can hear The Beards’ message at the following shows.

23 March 2013 – Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto (daytime show)
23 March 2013 – Bovine Sex Club, Toronto
24 March 2013 – Sons Of Essex, New York (daytime show)
28 March-1 April 2013 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
25 April 2013 – The Gum Ball Festival, Hunter Valley
11 May 2013 – 4AD, Diksmuide
12 May 2013 – Paradiso, Amsterdam
13 May 2013 – Molotow, Hamburg
14 May 2013 – Fraanz Club, Berlin
16 May 2013 – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
17 May 2013 – Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
19 May 2013 – Bearded Theory Festival, Derby
20 May 2013 – Hoxton Square Bar, London
21 May 2013 – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
22 May 2013 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
23 May 2013 – The Louisianna, Bristol
24 May 2013 – Leadmill, Sheffield
26 May 2013 – Scrumpstock Festival, Somerset
31 May 2013 – Jive, Adelaide
7 June 2013 – Amplifier Capitol, Perth
8 June 2013 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
13 June 2013 – Pelly Bar @ Pier Live, Frankston
14 June 2013 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
15 June 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
21 June 2013 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
22 June 2013 – The Northern, Byron Bay
27 June 2013 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
28 June 2013 – Waves, Wollongong
29 June 2013 – The Metro, Sydney

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amity Affliction, Pez Headline Brisbane Youth Music Festival

Brisbane’s youth will be living it up this Easter at the inaugural Live it Up musical festival. A stellar local line-up featuring The Amity Affliction, Chance Waters, Pez, and The Getaway Plan will entertain under-aged music lovers on April 13.

But why just watch from the ground when you could be a part of the action? Live It Up organisers are inviting young bands and DJs to open the festival. Just head to the Live It Up festival website to see how you can get involved.

“Brisbane is full of talent, particularly young people and it’s a rare opportunity for them to get a gig and show fans what they can do,” explained festival organiser Zanda Strofield. “We’re committed not only to giving the best music event of the year for Brisbane’s 18 and unders, but also to support them and shine a light on what we have here in our backyard.”

Mums and dads can rest easy, as the event will be completely drug and alcohol free. Tickets are on sale now through the Live It Up website.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nas Brings Movement Down Under

Nas is bringing his acclaimed Movement festival to Australia this April. He created the festival to look to the future of his beloved hip hop genre while celebrating its roots.

Nas will co-headline the event with one of his favourite Aussie bands, Bliss N Eso. The acts actually plan to record together, so music lovers might be treated to some special collaborations at these shows. Exciting new talent 2 Chainz, radio favourite Chiddy Bang, mixtape king and queen Joey Bada$$ and Angel Haze, and our own Spit Syndicate and Thundamentals are also on the bill. It’s a shame though that Thundamentals will only appear in Sydney, while Spit Syndicate will miss out on that show. The lineup’s dominated by international names, so it’s unfortunate that everyone won’t see all the Australian acts.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

26 April 2013 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
27 April 2013 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
28 April 2013 – Riverstage, Brisbane
30 April 2013- Red Hill Auditorium, Perth

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Groovin’ the Moo Announces 2013 Lineup

Groovin’ the Moo is back and ready to rock regional Australia once again.

The organisers have assembled an impressive lineup for 2013, including international acts They Might Be Giants, Tegan and Sara, The Kooks, and Example. The local talent is hardly lacking either, with The Temper Trap, Tame Impala, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Flume, and Urthboy all on the bill.

Punters will also enjoy local food stalls, markets, slingshot rides, and chill-out areas for those moments when it all gets too much.

Maitland and Canberra festival goers can get their tickets from 9 am on February 5, and music lovers in Bendigo, Townsville, and Bunbury can get theirs on February 6. How clever yet simple to see a festival staggering sales to prevent system meltdown! All tickets will be available from the Groovin’ the Moo website and Moshtix for $99.90 plus booking fee.

27 April 2013 – Maitland Showground, Maitland
28 April 2013 – University of Canberra, Canberra
4 May 2013 – Prince of Wales Showground, Bendigo
5 May 2013 – Murray Sports Complex @ Townsville Cricket Grounds, Townsville
11 May 2013 – Hay Park, Bunbury

Image source: Shervin Lainez @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, and More Join Bluesfest

Thought the Byron Bay Bluesfest lineup couldn’t get any bigger? Think again. The organisers have just announced a fresh crop of incredible international and local artists.

The most exciting for me is the coming together of Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite. These blues icons have just recorded a new album together called Get Up which they’ll showcase with their set. It seems meant to be as they actually met Bluesfest way back in 1996.

After Zac Brown Band were announced as Jason Mraz’s support act, I suspected they’d soon announce a Bluesfest show. It seems my hunch was correct; they’ll play on Easter Monday.

It’ll also be great to see the oldies from The Music Maker Blues Revue, including Ironing Board Sam and Major Handy, showing the young things how it’s done.

Music lovers will also enjoy sets from Leonardo’s Bride, Skipping Girl Vinegar, and Kim Churchill. And that’s along with everyone else we already knew about, including Robert Plant, Santana, Paul Simon, and Bonnie Raitt!

Bluesfest hits Byron Bay on the Easter long weekend, from March 28 to April 1. There are still some tickets left but I wouldn’t wait too long to get yours. This announcement should encourage a few more folks to indulge!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Graveyard Train Deliver “The Sermon”

Australian chain gang balladeers Graveyard Train are ringing in the New Year with the release of their brand new single “The Sermon” and a string of summer festival dates.

“The Sermon”’s music video might have been better released around Halloween rather than the New Year, but it sets the scene for this song beautifully. Have you ever seen such creepy puppets?

Graveyard Train have passed over the big name festivals for some of Australia’s more interesting events. These shows are the last chance you’ll have to see the band for some time, as they’re preparing to head back in to the studio to record album number four.

19 January 2013 – Mona Foma, Hobart
2 February 2013 – The Garden Party @ Recital Centre, Melbourne
24 March 2013 – West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Finn, Hood Gurus, and More for Between the Bays

With a stellar line-up of Aussie acts, this year’s Between the Bays Music Festival is shaping up to be one of the best. This Mornington Peninsula festival might not be massive, but it’s managed to attract The Hoodoo Gurus, James Reyne, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Tim Finn for the 2013 event.

No doubt these acts are attracted to Between the Bays’ relaxed vibe and family-friendly community feel. Those city kids can keep their festivals with lengthy queues and greasy junk food. Between the Bays encourages punters to bring their own picnics or enjoy the food and wine from local providers.

For the eighth annual Between the Bays, organisers are trying something new. It’s starting a bit later, at 4 pm to be precise, and will run through to the evening. It seems like a pretty smart move as crowds won’t need to cope with stifling summer heats!

Between the Bays will hit a rural property on Rickards Road in Moorooduc in the Mornington Peninsula on February 23. Tickets cost just $59.90 and even less for the kids. Get yours through Ticketmaster now.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity