Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Female Voices On Show at WOW Festival in Queensland

Strong female voices will be celebrated in Queensland this April as part of the WOW (Women of the World) Festival. The Queensland-based event features an outstanding arts program culminating with a special edition of Queensland Music Festival’s Songs That Made Me show at QPAC’s Concert Hall on April 8.

The show features performers from all corners of the Commonwealth including ShoShona Kish from Canadian duo Digging Roots, Fijian Queen of Pop Laisa Lualala Vulakoro, and our own Clare Bowditch, Deborah Conway, and Emily Wurramara.

“The energetic WOW program will be full of fun and laughter with serious reflection for women and girls, men and boys from all walks of life, ages and nationalities, with Songs That Made Me as a glittering and inspiring finale in the Concert Hall at QPAC,” confirmed Cathy Hunt, WOW’s Australian executive producer.

“Music is a deeply personal experience, but the themes and feeling it elicits are universal. Hearing from musicians about what music has moved them will not just be interesting, but uplifting and inspiring,” added John Kotzas, QPAC’s chief executive.

Tickets for Songs That Made Me and all other WOW Festival events are on sale now.

Image used with permission from Agency North

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Join Dallas Frasca on Tour With A Hitch to the Sticks Festival

If you’ve ever wanted to live the rock and roll lifestyle on a tour bus, now you get your chance thanks to Dallas Frasca’s revolutionary new music festival, A Hitch to the Sticks.

This unique band-tour-meets-VIP-experience will see 50 music fans spending three days on a regional tour bus with Dallas and some special guests including Nicky Bomba and Liv Cartledge. The bus leaves from Melbourne on March 16 and heads north to six secret locations and four public events across Violet Town, Lima, Myrrhee, Tatong, Thoona, Wangaratta, and Moyhu. I’ve got to admit, I haven’t even heard of half those places, so I assume they don’t get a lot of live music! Along the way, ticket holders will take part in a hedge maze “artist hunt” to find live local artists, a rock and roll slumber party, meet celebrity hitchhikers, and see a performance by a special international mystery guest.

There are still some bus tickets remaining as I write this, but since there are just 50 I don’t expect them to last long. If you miss out, you can catch up with Dallas and the passengers at the public events, like the Down by the River Festival in Wangaratta. Keep an eye on the A Hitch to the Sticks website for details of public event. Festival tickets are also available through the site.

Image credit: Mark Jesser. Used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musos Mark Waltzing Matilda Centre Reopening in Winton

The Waltzing Matilda Centre was the world’s first museum dedicated to a song. However, sadly fire ravaged the unique Winton attraction in 2015. Now two years later and after $23 million worth of work, the Waltzing Matilda Centre is ready to welcome tourists again. Winton is celebrating the opening in style with a massive music festival, Way Out West Fest.

Organisers have assembled an impressive line-up of local and international talent. America’s Kip Moore and Lee Brice will play alongside Aussie stars Jessica Mauboy, John Williamson, The Living End, Sheppard, Busby Marou, Russell Morris, Pierce Brothers, and the Black Sorrows. And that’s just for starters, with more acts to be announced in the coming months. There’ll also be market stalls, a country race meeting, and much more.

“It’s a real honour to play with such a great line-up of stars for Winton’s Way Out West Fest,” said Jessica Mauboy. “’Waltzing Matilda’ is one of the icons of Australian folklore and the reopening of the Waltzing Matilda Centre will itself be a new chapter in the history of our nation. I can’t wait to share the occasion with the thousands who will come from all corners of Australia to celebrate with us.”

Way Out West Fest hits Winton from April 19 to 22. Tickets are on sale now.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Monday Night” – Jazz Party

Jazz is a genre that’s been watered down a lot over the years. Jazz festivals have become playgrounds for artists who could more accurately be described as blues or soul acts. You rarely hear musicians scatting any more. True jazz might not be popular anymore, but Melbourne’s Jazz Party don’t seem to care about that. On their debut album Monday Night, it sounds like they’re having far too much fun to consider the opinion of the masses.

This album will transport you to a retro New Orleans speakeasy. It’s got a fantastic, infectious energy about it. The band manages to play with an unbridled frenetic sound which seems spontaneous, yet they’re the tightest bunch of musicians you’re likely to hear. From the heavy-handed honky-tonky piano to the brassy horns section, everything is just where it should be. Songwriter and leader of the band of eight Darcy McNulty says recording Monday Night was the most fun he’s ever had in a studio, and that shows. From opening track “Want a Baby,” this album leads you to the dancefloor and twirls you around until your feet are sore. I love Darcy’s Harry Connick Jnr-esque vocals, but the tracks featuring the sassy, soulful Loretta Miller on lead are probably my favourites. She’s a revelation on numbers like “Sleep” and “Magic Man.”

Monday Night is released on November 3. Jazz Party will launch it with shows around the country. If the album’s any indication, anyone attending these shows are in for one hell of a time.

11 November 2017 – The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
16 November 2017 – The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
16-19 November 2017 – Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby
24-26 November 2017 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
16-18 February 2018 – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca-Moama

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Troy Cassar-Daley, James Morrison, and More Play Yarrabah Band Festival

It started as a fundraising event to keep the Yarrabah Brass Band alive, but the Yarrabah Band Festival has become one of the most anticipated events of the Queensland town’s social calendar. Part of the Queensland Music Festival, this year’s event features some of our most revered entertainers, Troy Cassar-Daley, James Morrison, Sara Storer, and KLP, as well as musicians from the local area.

This year the event, which attracted 4,000 music lovers last year, has moved to the Jilara Football Oval to accommodate the growing crowd.

“Yarrabah Band Festival is an incredibly special event on the QMF calendar, celebrating local and national talent, connecting communities and inspiring the next generation of Yarrabah musicians,” said one of the event’s most high profile supporters, Katie Noonan. “We cherish our relationship with this highly creative community and the opportunity to engage with and learn from them.”

Local art and food stalls, as well as all the great musical acts, will help make the day one to remember.

The Yarrabah Band Festival hits Jilara Football Oval on October 28 from midday. Entry is free, but gold coin donations to benefit the Yarrabah Seahawks Rugby League Club are welcome. Bring a blanket, cushion, or chair and join in the fun!

Image used with permission from Agency North/Photo credit: Andrew Watson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Gets Another Weekend in the Gardens

After the massive success of A Weekend in The Gardens in March, organisers have decided to do it all again this November! And what a line-up they’ve assembled for the three-night event!

The Friday night show brings us Paul Kelly, still flying high on the recent release of his number one album Life is Fine, who’s ably supported by Steve Earle and Middle Kids. The Saturday show is all about hip hop, with Illy, Thundamentals, Spit Syndicate, and Birdz all on the bill. The final night will be a folky affair with Missy Higgins, Dustin Tebbutt, All Our Exes Live in Texas, and Harry Jakamarra doing their thing.

In addition to superb music, you’ll be treated to some of Melbourne’s finest foods in The Eatery, including Royale Brothers, Willy’s Fried Chicken, and Proper Fish & Chips.

“The artists and audiences have responded enthusiastically to having a beautiful, intimate outdoor concert space in the Royal Botanic Gardens in the middle of this amazing city,” said promoter Michael Newton of Roundhouse Entertainment. “The lineup of acts is first-class, and the food and beverage options are fantastic. Along with the Royal Botanic Gardens, we are very proud to be presenting another weekend of great entertainment in the gardens.”

Developed by the good folks behind a day on the green, the first A Weekend in the Gardens attracted nearly 12,000 people. Will the next event be even bigger?

A Weekend in the Gardens hits Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on November 17, 18, and 19. Tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster at midday on August 28.

Image used with permission from Roundhouse Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Russell Morris Headlines Third Marysville Jazz and Blues Festival

If there was ever an excuse for a road trip it’s the Marysville Jazz and Blues Festival, which brings the small town of Marysville, in the foothills of the Yarra Valley, to life every year. Russell Morris will headline the 2017 festival, which will also see performances from Geoff Achison & the Soul Diggers, Lloyd Spiegel, Spectrum, Mama Alto, and heaps more.

Many of them are no strangers to Marysville, because this is the kind of festival that keeps bringing performances and crowds alike back to town.

“We adore coming to Marysville Jazz & Blues – it is always one of the highlights of our year,” gushed Mama Alto. “The festival is such a beautiful union of art and community, and the appreciation for the way music connects us all! It is particularly special to us as my grandparents regularly holidayed in Marysville, whilst Miss Chief, my pianist, is from Buxton herself! Viva Marysville Jazz & Blues!”

See what the buzz is all about at this year’s Marysville Jazz and Blues weekend, from October 20 to 22. Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $50 for the Friday evening pass to $125 for all three days. Accommodation packages are also available, bundling shows and accommodation at Vibe Hotel Marysville, Saladin Lodge, Marysville Garden Cottages, Marysville Caravan and Holiday Park or Camp Marysville. You’ll find all tickets and packages at the Marysville Jazz and Blues website.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sprung Makes Queensland Return

Sprung was massive when it launched in 2011, bringing Aussies the very best of local hip hop talent. During its dream run it brought fans big names like Hilltop Hoods, Drapht, Illy, Seth Sentry, and 360. Then four years ago, it disappeared from the festival calendar, leaving a space that no other event really managed to feel. But there’s good news for hip hop fans. Sprung is back for 2017, bigger and better than ever.

Organisers have pulled out all the stops for Sprung’s comeback year, with Illy, Allday, Tkay Maidza, A.B. Original, Pez, Spit Syndicate and stacks more set to take the stage this October.

“We have been waiting for the right time to bring Sprung back to the people, we hit the ceiling pretty quickly when it came to headlining artists so we needed to allow the community to evolve,” organisers explained. “We are now seeing artists that were once on at midday on our stages taking to the headline spots and a whole new wave of incredible artists that we can’t wait to showcase. We think 2017 is going to be an incredible year for Sprung and hip hop as a whole…rest assured we are back for the long run and have some tricks up our sleeve for the years to come.”

Sprung hits the Parkwood Outdoor Precinct in Queensland on October 28. Tickets go on sale from the Sprung festival website and Oztix on August 24.

The Sprung Festival is a strictly 18+ event. Sorry kids!

Image used with permission from Call & Response

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Best of Americana Play Out on the Weekend

Justin Townes Earle, All Our Exes Live in Texas, Son Volt, Traveller, Fanny Lumsden, and a host of other leading local and international Americana acts will descend on Williamstown in October for the Out of the Weekend festival.

“It’s a continued pleasure to bring music lovers the finest sounds in the international and local Americana scene to the glorious Seaworks venue. Four years strong and building, we aim to put on an excellent day of cultural and important entertainment hand picked for your pleasure,” said BT from Love Police. “We used to talk up the fine food and booze selections on offer, but that goes without saying now. Its always the best! Avoid imitations and late comers, Out On The Weekend is the real deal. Authentic presentations by passionate people with colourful experience. Buy a ticket, get your look on, study up on acts you don’t know, and see you in October for the good times.”

Out on the Weekend hits Williamstown on October 14. Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Jezabels, British India Headline Port Macquarie’s Wildwood Festival

Now in its fourth year, Port Macquarie’s boutique independent music festival Wildwood is getting even more fabulous. The first major line-up announcement recently confirmed The Jezabels, British India, Hugo Race, and Alex the Astronaut will all grave the Wildwood stage.

It might have an incredible line-up, but Wildwood doesn’t believe bigger is better.

“Wildwood has never strayed from its roots while at the same time continues to grow year after year,” explained festival organiser Simon Leigh. “We just aim to bring together a warm feel good festival and have really gone beyond and above this year with our amazing line up and our food stalls and children’s area will once again bring colour, glitter and our own brand of fun to the festival.”

“We are excited to see the forest filled with fireflies and adults and children alike sparkling from head to toe in their illuminated aurora. It’s always the most magical way to end a day of great music”.

Wildwood hits Cassegrain Winery in Port Macquarie on October 1. Tickets are on sale through Livetix.

Image used with permission from Wildwood Music Festival