Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kanye West and Coldplay Headline Splendour

I’m not quite sure how they manage to do it, but somehow the organisers of Splendour in the Grass always manage to assemble a line-up which is more impressive than the year before. The 2011 bill is headed up by Kanye West, Coldplay, and Regina Spektor in what we’re promised will be their only Aussie shows.

That does leave the way open for sideshows from other Splendour artists including Jane’s Addiction, Pulp, The Hives, and Kaiser Chiefs. Heading up the Aussie contingent we’ve got The Living End, Bliss N Eso, Pnau, The Grates, The Vines, and Eskimo Joe, to name but a few.

Splendour in the Grass will take over Woodfordia in Southern Queensland from July 29 to 31. Tickets will go on sale on May 5 from Moshtix.

Image source: Matthew Field @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stan Walker Headlines New Ground Festival

Musicians from around the world will take over Griffith University’s Meadowbrook Campus on April 30 for the New Ground Festival. The event is designed to celebrate diversity, so it’s only fitting that it’ll take place in Logan, one of Queensland’s most culturally rich cities.

There are more artists to be announced, but already the bill is shaping up to be something special. Acts already announced include reigning Australian Idol Stan Walker, Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai, Sydney reggae act V Tribe, the Silk Girls Ensemble from China, and the Carribean’s Pantastic Steel Band. The musicians will be joined by dance crews, and an array of multicultural foods, arts, and crafts.

Tickets are on sale now through the New Ground Festival website, the Logan PCYC, and other venues around the city.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano and James Morrison Back for More Jazz in the Vines

Tickets are now on sale for the Hunter Valley’s premiere music festival, Jazz in the Vines.

After exceptional performances in 2010, Kate Ceberano and James Morrison are heading back for another serve. They’ll be joined by Lisa Hunt, Weird Assembly, and George Washingmachine, and that’s just for starters. Expect to hear more artist announcements before the festival rolls around on October 29.

Reserve your spot through Ticketmaster, Moshtix, or the Jazz in the Vines website and get ready to soak up the good vibes, good tunes, and a few vinos!

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Urban Stars Unite for Supafest

Arguably the biggest urban line-up Australia has ever seen will travel around the country this April for Supafest.

It was already shaping up to be something special when Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Bow Wow, and Taio Cruz were announced first, but now that Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, T Pain, Ciara, and DJ Nino Brown have joined the bill it’s getting ridiculous. The best part is, the organizers aren’t done. Expect even more high-quality acts when they make their final announcement next month.

The show’s scheduled to last for nine hours, which is probably how long it’ll take for these acts to play everything people want to hear! Tickets are selling fast, so if you want to head along I wouldn’t wait to get yours!

9 April 2011 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
10 April 2011 – Arena Joondalup, Perth
16 April 2011 – RNA Showground, Brisbane
17 April 2011 – Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus & Julia Stone, Clare Bowditch, and More Play Shepparton’s 3630 Festival

A who’s who of the Aussie music scene will descend on Shepparton next month for the 3630 Festival. The line-up is impressive, with Angus & Julia Stone, Clare Bowditch, Ryan Meeking, and The Verses all on the bill.

As if the music wasn’t enough to entice you to part with your cash, it’s worth noting that half of the profits will reach Reconciliation Australia. This charity does vital work to bridge the gap in life expectancy between white and indigenous Australians. By donating their funds to the cause, 3630 Festival organisers hope to raise both money and awareness for this organization’s important work.

Considering Shepparton rarely sees any live music of note, let alone a bill like this, it’s impressive that the price of admission has been kept down. For just $65, I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy Labour Day Sunday! Get your tickets at Shepparton’s Lemon Tree Café or online now!

Image used with permission from the 3630 Festival

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I Headline Ric’s Big Backyard Festival

Are you suffering summer festival fatigue yet? I don’t blame you, but Ric’s Big Backyard Festival is one event that may pique your interest.

This is a much more low-key affair than the Big Day Out, Summadayze, Future Music Festival, and other shows of its ilk. It takes the festival back to grass roots level, to a time when a generous soul would volunteer their space for a big rock show.

That space is the courtyard behind RG’s and the upstairs and downstairs stages at Ric’s in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The bill features an eclectic bunch of musos including You Am I, Pangaea, Die Die Die, Guineafowl, King Cannons, and heaps more. There’ll be 21 bands in all, which makes the $75 price of admission seem quite reasonable indeed.

Ric’s Big Backyard Festival hits Brisbane on Saturday March 26. Tickets go on sale on February 7 from OzTix.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Laneous & The Family Yah Do Festivals Ahead of EP Releases

Laneous & The Family Yah have had a massive 2010, releasing their second album Found Things and a swag of singles, and clocking up plenty of touring kays. You’d think they’d have earned a rest, but the Brisbane band is already preparing to release an ambitious three EPs.

The indie outfit will release the Found Things Collection as a kind of companion to the original Found Things album. The first of the three discs, named Scissors, will hit stores in February, with Paper and Rock to follow.

But before those CDs drop the Laneous crew are packing up their tour bus and enjoying the summer festival season. Here are the places you can catch them around the country.

27 December 2010 – Joyluck Club @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
28 December 2010 – Dancehall @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
29 December 2010 – The Underworld @ Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
30 & 31 December 2010 – The Grande @ Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
6 January 2011 – Hibiscus Stage @ Sunset Sounds Festival, Brisbane
7 January 2011 – Main Stage, ‘Post-Festival Party’ @ Shush, Sydney
23 January 2011 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Push Over Tickets Early, and Save!

Push Over is one of Australia’s longest running all-ages music festival, and with a killer line-up for 2011 it shows no signs of losing steam.

Next year’s festival will see an eclectic bunch of bands from around the country performing over four sound stages in Melbourne. Get on down to see sets from Children Collide, Owl Eyes, Oh Mercy, Illy, The Tongue, Anchors, Break Even, and heaps more.

Push Over takes over the unlikely site of Abbotsford Convent on March 13. Tickets don’t officially go on sale until Monday, but if you click this link you can buy them early and save $2 on the regular price. Score!

Image source: Pushover website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lamb Kick Off World Tour in Australia

Lamb will launch their world tour in Australia next year, with sideshows announced in addition to their appearance at Playground Weekender.

The tour comes ahead of the release of Lamb’s new album 5, their first in eight long years. That won’t drop until May 5, naturally, so it’s pretty exciting that we’ll get a sneak peek at the new material. I’m sure fans will also appreciate that energy that comes from seeing a band at the start of the tour, when they’re at their freshest.

“There’s something fresh and new about the music we’re writing,” explained Lou Rhodes. “It hasn’t been this way since the first album when we felt utterly unconcerned with what anyone felt about what we were doing. It was about the music and the journey that it took us on. We said we wouldn’t make another Lamb album until we had something new to say. That time has definitely come.”

If you want to hear them say it, make sure you pick up some tickets when they go on sale on December 17.

17 February 2011 – Prince of Wales, Melbourne
18 February 2011 – Hi Fi, Brisbane
20 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry

Image used with permission from Playground Weekender

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Doves and Kool & The Gang Announced for Playground Weekender

Doves and Kool & The Gang will head up the 2011 line up for Playground Weekender.

Next year’s festival has a really interesting bill, with international acts De La Soul, Kate Nash, Caribou, and Roy Ayers joining local acts Hungry Kids of Hungary, Danimals, and Strange Talk. More bands will be added to the line-up in the coming months.

It’s all happening in a picturesque spot near the Hawkesbury River from February 17 to 20. Tickets go on sale on October 18, and are strictly limited to keep things feeling chill. I’d get in early if I were you, as there are big savings on the three and four-day first release tickets.

Image used with permission from Light Parade