Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Splendour for Damien Rice

Hardworking Irish troubadour Damien Rice has pulled out of the upcoming Splendour in the Grass festival due to exhaustion.

“This is not a decision that I made lightly, but the busy touring/travel schedule this year has taken its toll on my health and my voice,” Damien said in a press release. “I’m sorry to say that I am exhausted and need to take some time off right now to recuperate and get my voice back in shape.”

The announcement follows Damien’s withdrawal from the Pentaport and Fuji festivals last weekend.

But dry your tears festival-goers! Aussie acoustic heroes The Waifs will appear at the festival in Damien’s place. As The Waifs are now based in the United States, there aren’t too many chances to catch this brilliant indie act. This will be The Waifs first, but hopefully not their last, Splendour appearance.

Image source: Menage a Moi @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Franti Brings Up! Festival Down Under

Regular visitor to Aussie shores, Michael Franti, is heading to Oz with the Up! Festival next month. His band Spearhead will join local artists Ben Lee, Blue King Brown and Old Man River on the impressive bill.The Up! Festival won’t have a preachy political focus, but it does look to inspire people and get out to do good things.

“My goal is to put on a kick-ass f*cking show!” he said in an official press release. “When people leave the festival, I want them to feel inspired and motivated. We are living in an era of cynicism. One thing that kills cynicism for me is a healthy dose if fun.”

Bootleggers are in for a treat, as Franti is actually encouraging people to record the shows.

“I want to encourage people to have their voices heard and get used to that. One way of giving back to the community is allowing everyone to record, videotape, upload, download, blog any way they can and share it. All cameras, phones, audio recorders are legal! Everything’s legal at the Up! Festival.”

Continue reading “Michael Franti Brings Up! Festival Down Under” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Homebake Gets Girly Makeover

It’s all about the girls at this year’s Homebake festival. December’s event will pay homage to the achievements of Australian women in all creative arenas.

So it seems fitting that the headline act will be none other than 80’s supergroup, The Divinyls. The band’s iconic lead singer, Chrissy Amphlett, admitted she is both excited and petrified to return to Oz.

“It is great to be asked to do this and it will be great to perform again,” she told The Daily Telegraph from her New York home.

“But I’m terrified; bloody hell I’m terrified … playing in front of all those people. If I don’t think about all the people it will be all right.”

Missy Higgins, Sarah Blasko, Operator Please, and Angus and Julia Stone will also fly the flag for the girls. Plenty of girl-friendly male artists round up the lineup, including Josh Pyke, Paul Kelly, and Cut Copy.

Homebake promoter Joe Segreto was inspired to inject a feminist touch to the festival after witnessing the global rise of Australian actresses.

“The catalyst for this idea came from working with Toni Collette and her band, expanding my experience of the entertainment industry and witnessing the admiration in our country for the international successes of these women,” he explained.

Homebake will hit Sydney’s Domain on December 8. Tickets go on sale on August 20. As last year’s festival sold out in record time, you’d best get your tickets as soon as you can. You have been warned!

Image source: Homebake website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Bands for Splendour

Punters who’ve already secured their Splendour in the Grass tickets are in for a real treat. A swag of new bands have been added to the line up of the sold-out festival.

Irish folkie Damien Rice, alt rockers Ash, and local stars Sneaky Sound System, The Herd, and Paul Kelly are new additions to Saturday’s bill. They join the already stellar lineup which includes Lily Allen, Powderfinger, Kaiser Chiefs, and Grinspoon.

On the Sunday, fans will now be treated to performances by indie treadmill kings OK Go!, and local heroes Spiderbait, Kisschasy, and Holly Throsby. They will join the Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Barty, Hilltop Hoods and heaps more.

Splendour in the Grass hits the Belongil Fields in Bryon Bay on August 4 and 5. If you’ve got your tickets, it looks like you’ll get more bang for your buck. If not, there’s always next year.

Image source: Sry85 @ Wikimedia Commons