Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Madness and The Human League Join V-Festival

The V-Festival just got a whole lot more interesting for old fogies like myself. Ska legends Madness and 80s electro-pop outfit The Human League have just joined the bill!

But it’s not all retro. Youngsters will be satisfied with the recent addition of Razorlight, The Kills, and ex-Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis.

There are more local acts too, with Children Collide, Howling Bells, Jackson Jackson, and Wolf and Cub all late additions to the bill.

They join the already spectacular line-up which includes international headliners The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, Duffy, and Snow Patrol.

Here are the dates!

28 March 2009 – Centennial Park, Sydney
29 March 2009 – Avica Resort, Gold Coast
4 April 2009 – Showgrounds, Melbourne
5 April 2009 – Claremont Showgrounds, Perth

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bacardi Express Ready to Board

All aboard the Bacardi Express! The travelling concert will feature UK dance outfit Groove Armada alongside local acts British India, Bluejuice, Van She, and Lost Valentinos.

“Selecting the acts for the Bacardi Express is no mean feat as we need to ensure a good mix of genres and, more importantly, personality and stamina for this 48 hour journey,” festival organisers said.

“Eating, sleeping, jamming and partying in such close proximity is all part of the tour and we have to ensure everyone is up for that.”

The train will depart Melbourne on March 26. It’ll make stops at Wagga Wagga and Wollongong before arriving in Sydney on March 28.

You can win your seat on the train by visiting the Bacardi Express website.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fantomas To Play Director’s Cut at BDO

Fantomas fans are in for a real treat, with the band set to perform their entire album The Director’s Cut at their Big Day Out shows next year.

The Director’s Cut, a collection of reinvented film soundtrack songs, may have been released way back in 2001, but who cares? It’s a nice change from bands who just want to shove new songs down our throat without the golden oldies!

The Big Day Out festival kicks off on January 16 in Auckland, New Zealand, before travelling all around Australia and finishing up in Perth on February 1.

Image source: Stephan Cremer @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lowdown on Big Day Out Sideshows

If you missed out on Big Day Out shows, or you’re just looking for a double dose of your favourite band, you’ll want to check out the recently announced sideshows.

Plenty of the big name international acts will play up close and personal shows around the country. Tickets to all the following shows go on sale on Monday 1 December.

The Prodigy
29 January 2009 – The Palace, Melbourne

Simian Mobile Disco
21 January 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
25 January – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Arctic Monkeys
22 January 2009 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
24 January 2009 – The Palais Theatre, Melbourne

Pendulum
25 January 2009 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
28 January 2009 – The Forum, Melbourne

Lupe Fiasco with Muph N Plutonic and MC Pez
20 January 2009 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
27 January 2009 – The Palace, Melbourne

Hot Chip
21 Jan 2009 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 Jan 2009 – Billboard, Melbourne

Serj Tankian with Fantomas
21 January 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
24 January 2009 – The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 January 2009 – The Palace, Melbourne

The Ting Tings
20 January 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
28 January 2009 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

TV On The Radio with Wolf & Cub
24 January 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
29 January 2009 – The Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne

The Black Kids
20 January 2009 – The Gaelic Club, Sydney
24 January 2009 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Dropkick Murphys
25 January 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
28 January 2009 – Billboard, Melbourne

Image source: Mhauri @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Massive V Festival Line-up Announced

The Killers, Snow Patrol, Duffy, and the Kaiser Chiefs are amongst the big names confirmed to play the V Festival shows in Australia next year.

They’ll join Elbow, Louise XIV, The Do, Tame Impala, The Temper Trap and Crayons.

Tickets for the shows go on sale on November 28 through Ticketmaster. Plenty of tickets will be sold, but don’t stress about the environmental impact. Ticketmaster promise to carbon offset the ticket process. In addition, Virgin will donate $1 from the sale of every ticket to their charitable organisation Virgin Unite. So you can enjoy some great bands, and feel like you’re doing a good thing too!

Here are the dates!

28 March 2009 – Centennial Park, Sydney
29 March 2009 – Avica Resort, Gold Coast
4 April 2009 – Melbourne Showgrounds
5 April 2009 – Claremont Showgrounds, Perth

Image source: Phil Romans @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amazing Sydney Festival 2009 Lineup Announced

The Sydney Festival always brings a host of exciting musical talent to the New South Wales’ capital. 2009 will be no exception.

The Festival First Night is always a highlight for music lovers and tight arses alike, but how could they match last year’s free line-up of Brian Wilson, Paul Kelly, Spank Rock, and Chromeo? Simple. You get Grace Jones, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Santogold, A-Trak, and The Cat Empire. This eclectic bill on Saturday 10 January is sure to have Sydneysiders dancing up a storm.

The party vibes will continue at the Beck’s Festival Bar, with 14 big nights of shows. From January 14-31 catch international acts like Metronomy, Holy Ghost, Throwing Muses, and Java alongside local kids Pivot, Jimmi James, and Dappled Cities.

When Nick Cave organises a festival, you know it’s going to be cooler than the average. All Tomorrow’s Parties will hit Cockatoo Island on January 17 and 18. Nick will be the headliner, along with acts he’s handpicked. Get ready for The Saints, Bridezilla, Spiritualized, Robert Forster, Silver Apples, and heaps more.

That’s all the big stuff taken care of, but it’s not all by a long shot. The concert I’m most looking forward to is the pairing of Academy Award winner Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. I fell in love with these two talented singer songwriters when I saw Once earlier this year, and I’m thrilled at the prospect of seeing the songs live in the intimate surrounds of the Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall. They’re playing with Glen’s band The Frames on January 27 to 29.

For something completely different, catch UK electronic superstar Matthew Herbert. He’ll lead his jazz big band in a night of “live sampling, electronics, and vocals.”

There’s also plenty on at the City Recital Hall. Make sure you check out quirky Parisian Camille (22-23 January), indie-folk icon Bon Iver (21 January), and The Cinematic Orchestra (21-23 January)!

Finally, we couldn’t have Grace Jones visit Australia just for one show, could we? She’ll also play the Enmore Theatre on January 11, 13, and 14.

You can get your tickets for the Sydney Festival shows from November 10 from Ticketek or direct from the venues. With small theatres being the order of the day, you’ll want to get in quick! Sydney’s definitely the place to be in January!

Image source: I Am K.E.B. @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Golden Plains Festival Lineup Announced

The line-up for the annual Golden Plains festival has been announced, and it’s a real mixed bag.

Big name international stars Gary Numan, Mogwai, Dan Deacon, and Brant Bjork and the Bros will join local legends The Church, You Am I, and The Drones.

This year’s festival happens at the Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre on March 7, 8, and 9, 2009.

To get your hand on some tickets head to the Golden Plains website and put your name down on the ballot. Good luck!

Image source: Ed Fielding @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, and More for Soundwave

Soundwave is returning to Australia next year with one of the best rock line ups I’ve seen. The festival will be headed up by Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, and The Bloodhound Gang.

Music lovers can also look forward to seeing Lamb of God, Alkaline Trio, Billy Talent, Funeral for a Friend, Less than Jake, and heaps more.

Soundwave kicks off in Brisbane before heading all the way around the country. Get a jump on the competition by signing up to the website for their presale. These tickets will go on sale at different dates, which should ensure the sites don’t fall over as they have for festivals in the past!

Here are all the dates!

21 February 2009 – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane (on sale 11 October)
22 February 2009 – TBC, Sydney (on sale 12 October)
27 February 2009 – Melbourne Showgrounds (on sale 13 October)
28 February 2009 – Bonython Park, Adelaide (on sale 14 October)
2 March 2009 – Steel Blue Oval, Perth (on sale 14 October)

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Simply Red Spend Days on the Green

The big names just keep on coming out for the Day on the Green shows. After the recent announcement of Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks, organisers are putting on one for the mums and dads.

Mick Hucknell is back with his old band mates for a Simply Red Best Of tour.  These guy were actually one of the first bands I saw way back in the 90s, so I’m thrilled to see they’re returning to Oz. Kate Ceberano and Dragon will ably support the British soul outfit on these massive shows.

Tickets for the following shows are available through Ticketmaster from October 3.

5 February 2009 – Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Perth
7 February 2009 – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
8 February 2009 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
21 February 2009 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley
22 February 2009 – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton

Image source: Marianne van Meel @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jet Headline Gold Coast New Year’s Show

Jet will headline the massive Aussie line-up at Odyssey NYE ’09 on the Gold Coast. Considering their recent pairing with Iggy Pop, it seems the rock outfit’s self imposed exile is well and truly over.

Jet will share the bill with local legends Eskimo Joe, Evermore, The Butterfly Effect, and Operator Please. More acts will be announced closer to the date, so expect it to be massive.

The organisers anticipate big crowds so they’re moving Odyssey from its Dreamworld home to Carrara Sports Complex.

Sounds like a fun way to ring in the New Year. If you want to go, grab your tickets through the website when they go on sale tomorrow.

Image source: Richard Giles @ Flickr