Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup

The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.

These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.

This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kenny Rogers Headlines Bigger & Better Darwin Festival

Darwin’s often neglected by touring acts, so it’s exciting to see some of entertainment’s big names heading to the territory’s capital for this year’s Darwin Festival.

This year’s eclectic line-up includes an unforgettable show featuring Washington and Kate Miller-Heidke, hip hop act Hermitude, rockabilly songbird Lanie Lane, hot young things San Cisco, drag sensation Pam Ann, and the one and only Kenny Rogers.

“Darwin shines most brilliantly in August and we can’t wait to share a program that will keep you sizzling for the Hot August Nights,” the festival’s artistic director Edwina Lunn said in a press release. “We encourage everyone to load up their August and maximise the dry season good times because after all, we can sleep through September!”

This year there’s so much entertainment that Darwin needed to add another festival hub. George’s Green will see bars, eateries, and entertainment taking over the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and The Amphitheatre. Also new this year is the Idolize Spiegeltent, an old fashioned hall of mirrors with musical and cabaret shows.

A free shuttle bus will operate every night of the festival to take party goers between the regular Festival Park and the new George’s Green. The Darwin Festival runs from August 9 to 26. Head to the website for the complete program.

Image used with permission from AUM Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Wailers Headline Island Vibe

Island Vibe is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October for its seventh big year.

The 2012 line-up includes some stellar international reggae, soul, and dub acts including The Original Wailers, fellow countryman Prince Alla, Canada’s JPod, and Gaudi from Italy. Aussie performers including Kooii, The Upsteppers, and Chant Down Sound also have a place on the bill. And there’s more to come, with a second artist announcement planned just before the festival.

I think it all sounds like the perfect opportunity for a beach holiday, don’t you? Tickets are now on sale through the Island Vibe website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Charlie Musselwhite, Ian Moss, and & Lanie Lane Headline Sydney Blues & Roots Festival

We haven’t even seen the full line-up yet, but the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival is already looking like a tempting proposition. Acclaimed American harmonica guru Charlie Musselwhite is making the trip to share top billing with local acts Ian Moss and Lanie Lane.

Other notable musicians on the bill include Canadian rockers The Trews, internationally acclaimed local songstress Mia Dyson, blues legends The Backsliders, and legendary guitarist Ray Beadle. And we’re expecting another announcement with more bands later this month.

Festival creative directors Geoff Trio and Steve Griffiths knew it would take some effort to top 2011’s line-up, but they’ve given it a red hot go.

“The blend of established and new ‘discovery’ acts is sensational and we expect crowds to flock to Windsor like never before,” they said in a statement.

The Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will hit various venues in the Hawkesbury region from October 25 to 28. First-release tickets are available now from Oztix from $79 for a one-day adult pass.

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods Headline Sprung

Hilltop Hoods will headline this year’s Sprung Festival.

The annual all-ages event, which celebrates the best of hip hop music, will see the Adelaide act leading the charge at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds. Other artists on the bill include Illy, Pez, Evil Eddie, Tzu, Kerser, and Spit Syndicate.

The Sprung Music festival hits Brisbane on November 10. Tickets are affordably priced at $77; not bad for a day’s entertainment. You can get yours now from Oztix.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fat as Butter Brings Back the Nineties

Fat as Butter is back with one of its most eclectic line-ups yet. Good Charlotte headline the bill along with local success stories Grinspoon and 360.

When we start scrolling down the lists things get really interesting though. We’ve got Wheatus. And if that wasn’t bizarre enough, there’ll be N-Trance. And Eiffel 65. Who knows what they’ll do once they bust out “Blue”!

It’s not all lacking about taking a trip down memory lane though. I’m particularly excited by the inclusion of Hungry Kids of Hungary, Urthboy, Hunting Grounds, and Yellowcard.

It all happens on Newcastle Foreshore on September 22. Tickets are on sale from June 28.

Image source: Fat as Butter website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

International Acts for Jazz in the Vines Festival

I expected Jazz in the Vines would be bigger than ever on its 20th anniversary, but I’m blown away at the talent assembled for 2012.

For the first time international acts will grace the stage at the Hunter Valley’s Tyrell Vineyards including New Orleans jazz legend Henry Butler and the United Kingdom’s Dixie Ticklers. They’ll join local heroes including Grace Knight, Tom Burlinson, and festival favourite Lisa Hunt.

More acts will be announced in the coming months, but that’s probably enough to get fans excited about the October 29 festival. Promoters will reward that loyalty by offering discounted early bird tickets Gets yours from the Jazz in the Vines website from March 19.

Image source: Grace Knight website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Family Friendly Fun at Between the Bays

It’s only January, but I already feel like I need a holiday. And that makes a trip to the Mornington Peninsula for the annual Between the Bays festival extra appealing.

Now in its seventh year, the event has attracted some big names to its bill including Mark Seymour, Jordie Lane, the Ooga Boogers, and Custard in what is likely to be their only live performance this year.

Live music from The Lah Lah’s, rides, roaming performers, and kid-friendly skateboarding and Zumba workshops will also keep the little ones entertained, making this a true family day out. There’ll also be market stalls and the kind of chilled out, family friendly atmosphere that’s becoming increasingly rare as music festivals.

The Between the Bays festival hits Penbank in Moorooduc, an hour out of Melbourne, on February 25. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Image source: Between the Bays Facebook

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

For This Cause Rock Oceania

Brisbane rock band For This Cause is embarking on a truly Oceanic tour this month. The lads will play shows in New Zealand next week before returning home to Australia and then winging their way to Indonesia and Malaysia. Looks like they’ll clock up a few frequent flyer miles!

Things are definitely on the up for this band. The video for their new single “Sirens” has been viewed by more than 12000 fans in the last month. They’ve also just signed with Japanese record label Zestone. Surely world domination is next on the cards!

But for now the rockers will have to be content with wowing fans closer to home. Catch For This Cause at the following shows this month and beyond.

25 January 2012 – Zeal, Henderson, NZ
26 January 2012 – HBC Primal, Orewa, NZ
27 & 28 January 2012 – Parachute Music Festival, Auckland, NZ
4 February 2012 – Shout It Out Festival, Perth
19 February 2012 – Tuggeranong Alliance, Canberra
23 February 2012 – LiveO Music, Singapore
24 February 2012 – Scape Lab, Singapore (with A Skylit Drive)
25 February 2012 – Green Kemang, Jakarta, Indonesia (with A Skylit Drive)
2 March 2012 – Rumah Api, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 March 2012 – Auditorium Taman Budaya, Kuala Terrengganu,
Malaysia
4 March 2012 – Shalien Studio, Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia
10 March 10 – Forest Edge Music Festival, Victoria

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

All Ages Fun at Push Over

Melbourne’s longest running all ages festival Push Over will take over the city’s The Abbotsford Convent on the Labour Day holiday, March 12.

The event will see a killer lineup playing across four stages, including Eagle and the Worm, Parkway Drive, Tonight Alive, Yacht Club DJs, Mantra, Boris the Blade, and more. Nine of the hottest young acts will also battle it out in the FReeZA Push Start grand final.

The day is completely supervised and drug, alcohol, and smoke free to ensure everyone has a good time. Tickets are on sale now for $40 plus the booking fee from Ticketek, Oztix, and Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Remedy Music