Category: Festivals

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Neil Young to Headline Big Day Out

The official announcements don’t come until the end of the month but one cat is already out of the bag. Neil Young will headline the 2009 Big Day Out.

Festival promoters Lee and West confirmed the exciting news to Undercover News today.

No doubt all the kids still getting turned on to Harvest so many decades after its release will be thrilled at the news. While the BDO bill is sure to be killer, it’s probably not going to excite a lot of Neil Young’s older fans.

They’ll be pleased to know he’s already announced some sideshows in the major capitals. Tickets for these gigs go on sale on September 19.

See this living legend at the following venues:

21 January 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
24 January 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
28 January 2009 – Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

Image source: Yle.fi/pop @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cool Stuff at Coaster

Some exciting promos ensure Coaster will be more than just another festival.

Firstly the event has its very own mascot: Coasterman. It sounds a bit naff at first, but Coasterman is anything but. Apparently punters can look forward to Coasterman performing death-defying feats on his “killer scooter.” Now that just might be something worth seeing.

Artist signings are nothing new, so Coaster has spiced things up a bit with artist meet and greets. Fans will be able to spend half an hour hanging out with The Living End, Kisschasy, Blue King Brown, or one of the other artists on the Coaster bill. Only 50 tickets for each meet and greet will be available, ensuring those who put their cash down get value for money.

Inspired by the Tour de France, Coaster plans to give their favourite fans their own yellow jerseys. The Coaster Crew will choose someone they feel embodies the Coaster spirit to receive the honour. This Coaster with the Moaster will watch the bands from the side of stage, receive drink and food vouchers, and a souvenir T-shirt. When the crew finds someone else deserving of the yellow jersey, it’s passed on to them.

All sounds like a lot of fun! The first Coaster festival will hit Gosford Showgrounds on September 20.

Image source: Ilker @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Madder Lake Back Together for Queenscliff

Fans of vintage Oz rock will be thrilled to hear Madder Lake have reformed to play this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival.

Madder Lake was one of Mushroom Records early success stories thanks to the hits “12 lb Toothbrush” and “Goodbye Lollipop.” They also wowed crowds at Australia’s Woodstock, the Sunbury Festival. And there’s more good news for fans of the band. According to the press kit the band they’re planning to release another album next year!

Madder Lake will join an eclectic line-up featuring American troubadour Howie Day, Aussie singer-songwriter Josh Pyke, comedy trio Tripod, local legend Ross Wilson, and eclectic songstress Kate Miller-Heidke.

It’s all happening in Victoria on November 28-30. Big Weekend tickets are on sale now from the Queenscliff Music Festival website.

Image source: Jsarcadia @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pyramid Festival Rocks New Years

Do you fancy ringing in the New Year with a little music? Well the Pyramid Rock Festival on Phillip Island might be just the ticket.

It’s a truly international affair with British outfit Morcheeba, American duo The Black Keys, and German dance band Digitalism all making an appearance. There’s also a strong local contingent, with Midnight Juggernauts, Gyroscope, The Living End, Karnivool, Cut Copy, and The Galvatrons all on the bill.

Tickets to this massive NYE party go on sale on Thursday 4 September. Get yours from the festival website or selected indie music retailers.

Image source: CharlesFred @ Flickr