Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Lockhearts Champion Local Music with Old Mate’s Block Party Festival

When Soundwave was axed recently, there was some chatter that Australia’s live music scene was dead. The Lockhearts are having none of that, so they’re throwing a party, and they’d love people who still believe in the strength of the local music landscape to join in the fun.

The Lockhearts will headline Old Mate’s Block Party, a music festival celebrating the great music coming out of Sydney’s inner west, or an inner-westival if you will. They’ll be joined by Papa Pilko and the Binrats, The Dead Love, The Cherry Dolls, The Daphne Rawling Band, The Mountains, and heaps more.

“These artists have been handpicked by us,” The Lockhearts confirmed. “They’re not just our favourite local bands but some of our favourite bands full stop. Think of this festival as our mix tape we made you to show you our feelings and put it in your locker in our free period.”

Old Mate’s Block Party will take over the Factory Theatre in Marrickville on January 30. Tickets are available from the venue for just $20.

Image used with permission from The Lockhearts

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barunga Festival Announces 2016 Line-Up

July might seem like an awfully long time away, but if 2015 has taught me anything it’s that the months are racing by at a rapid pace. Before your calendar gets too full, if you’re anywhere in the Territory, or just fancy a visit to this beautiful part of the country, you should lock in the 2016 Barunga Festival.

This year’s theme is “Celebrate Women, Celebrate Community Life,” so as you can imagine there’s a kick-ass lineup of women scheduled to play including Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Justine Clarke, and indigenous act Wildflower. Gurrumul will also be there in solidarity with the ladies. And this is just the initial music line-up; you can expect plenty more superb acts to grace the Barunga Festival stage next year.

The 2016 Barunga Festival runs from July 10 to 12 at the Barunga community, approximately 70 kays south-east of Katherine. Tickets are on sale now from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

See Tom West Record Live Albums This January

Adelaide’s singer-songwriter extraordinaire Tom West is planning to record two live albums in January, and he wants you to be a part of it. He’ll play two shows – one in Adelaide and the other in Melbourne – and release the performances later in the year as an album called Golden Fleeces.

“I’ve felt for a while that shows are really the truest form of my music, and where I connect best with people,” he explained. “When the idea came up to do some live recording it seemed to make perfect sense. To be able to involve the girls and guys who have been coming out to my shows in the formation of this album is a dream.”

It makes a lot of sense to me. When I heard the single version of his song “Easy Love” I liked it, but when I watched this live video recorded in Toronto I got it completely. There’s just something about the spontaneous energy that comes from a live performance that makes a good musician truly great.

The shows will feature new material as well as some old favourites. If there’s anything you’d like to hear, make sure you email in your requests to hello@pokeintheeye.com.au.

Tom West will play his live album shows at the following venues. He understands people are strapped for cash post-Christmas, so tickets cost just $15 plus booking fee through Oztix.

28 January 2016 – The Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
31 January 2016 – The Workers Club, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josue Announces East Coast Summer Tour

In my mind, Josue has been one of the finds of the year with his old school sensibility and swag. His EP Bad News was a throwback to the 90s R’n’B in the most delicious of ways. So I’m excited to see he’s hitting the road this summer off the back of his latest single release “Closure.”

If you need more soul in your life, you won’t be disappointed with these shows, featuring Josue backed up by his band The Soulbenders.

20 January 2016 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle
21 January 2016 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
22 January 2016 – Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane
23 January 2016 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
24 January 2016 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tonight Alive Show Softer Side

I just love hearing a rock band strip things back. So while I appreciate Tonight Alive’s rebellious, rocking studio version of their single “Drive,” I actually prefer this acoustic version recorded for Triple M.

I think this take brings those lyrics about breaking away from society’s expectations and expressing your own truth. It also really lets you appreciate Jenna McDougall’s stellar voice. You can hear that in person when Tonight Alive embark on their single tour next year. After that Tonight Alive are heading to Europe, the UK, and the US, so these might be our last local shows for a while. Don’t say you haven’t been warned fans!

16 January 2016 – Unify Festival, Gippsland
17 January 2016 – Max Watts, Melbourne
21 January 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
29 January 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Saskwatch Return to Form with “Everyone’s Giving Up”

I fell in love with Saskwatch when they first hit the music scene, but I fell out of love with them somewhere along the way. While the last couple of singles haven’t revved me, I think they’re back to their best with their latest single “Everyone’s Giving Up.”

It’s a much mellower sound from this funky Melbourne act than I’ve come to expect, but I appreciate it. With all those brassy notes it reminds me a little of something Prince might slip in to his set. “Everyone’s Giving Up” comes from Saskwatch’s third studio album Sorry I Let It Come Between Us, which is slated for release next year.

Saskwatch will support its release with the following shows just about everywhere in 2016.

9 January 2016 – Summer Of Soul Festival @ Mossvale Park, Berrys Creek
21 January 2016 – Australian Open Sessions @ Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Melbourne
23 January 2016 – Ozfest @ Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
24 January 2016 – Ozfest @ Waterfront Hotel, Sunshine Coast
4 February 2016 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
5 February 2016 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough
6 February 2016 – Summerset Arts Festival, Carine Open Space, Carine
7 February 2016 – Mojos, Fremantle
25 February 2016 – UC Refectory, Canberra
2 March 2016 – Studio Six, Sutherland
3 March 2016 – The Basement, Sydney
4 March 2016 – Baroque, Katoomba
5 March 2016 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
6 March 2016 – 5 Church Street, Bellingen
12 March 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
18 March 2016 – The Jack, Cairns
19 March 2016 – Street Party, Townsville
20 March 2016 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
26 March 2016 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
1 April 2016 – Club 54, Launceston
2 April 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart
6 April 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
7 April 2016 – Workers Club, Geelong
8 April 2016 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
9 April 2016 – Theatre Royale, Castlemaine
14 April 2016 – The Loft, Warrnambool
15 April 2016 – The Grand Hotel, Mornington
16 April 2016 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
29 April 2016 – The Gap View, Alice Springs
30 April 2016 – The Railway Club, Darwin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy’s Ready for Swear Jar Tour

Illy may have to make use of his own virtual swear jar following the release of his new single of the same name. I wouldn’t advise listening to “Swear Jar” while you’re at work or around the oldies, but if you’ve got some time to yourself this tongue-in-cheek track which hits back at some people we’ve all come across in our time.

“Swear Jar is a light hearted take on two very serious issues: that rare breed of dickhead artist who thinks they’re God’s gift to the world, and the far more common breed of dickhead that you find dwelling online, hurling abuse at others. They both suck. I wanted to write a song for them, and here it is. I hope they don’t like it. ” Illy said in the press release.

To coincide with the release, Illy’s encouraging all of his fellow potty mouths to dig deep and donate to his virtual swear jar. The online initiative is raising money for the vital work of beyondblue.

Illy’s also preparing to hit the road to promote the single. Good pals Dylan Joel and Citizen Kay will appear at all but the Darwin gig.

12 February 2016 – Discovery, Darwin
13 February 2016 – Capitol, Perth
19 February 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
20 February 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 February 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
27 February 2016 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
4 March 2016 – Academy, Canberra
12 March 2016 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Takes New Music Direction

Gurrumul is expanding his musical horizons, creating new music that combines Yolngu songs with electro-dance beats. Gurrumul calls the fusion Electro Trad Music, and he’s bringing it to music lovers with his TRIBE2tribe electro tour next year.

I must admit based on the snippet of the new single “Warrk” I’m not sure I like this stuff as much as Gurrumul’s more acoustic, Gospel material, but it’s probably unfair to judge on just a minute of music. I also appreciate an artist who wants to keep in exploring music and seeing what else is out there.

Gurrumul will bring his new sounds to music lovers on the East Coast with the following shows.

15 February 2016 – Max Watts, Melbourne
19 February 2016 – Max Watts, Sydney
21 February 2016 – Max Watts, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eager Hearts” – Hollywood Heartache

It might come as a surprise considering that I run a music blog, but I believe music doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. Of course I love music that gets you in the gut and really moves you to the core. But I can also appreciate music that just feels good to listen to. It might be dismissed as lightweight and overly commercial by other music blogs, but I think there’s certainly a place for music that’s nothing but fun. So while an overly critical music blogger might scoff at the pop-rock stuff Hollywood Heartache has put together for their debut EP Eager Hearts, I can get on board.

With song titles like “High School Sweetheart” and the single “Summer Romance,” you kind of know what you’re getting here. The songs are aimed squarely at a tween to teen audience, predominantly female, who’ll happily sing along to all those “woah ho hos” and “yeah yeahs.” They plumb familiar ground of falling in love and getting your heart broken. These aren’t the kind of songs that are going to change the world. But they’re bound to worm themselves into the hearts of the listening public who can hear their own stories in the tracks.

I think what I love most about Hollywood Heartache is the truth that comes through what they do. On the surface the music they’re making might not seem too dissimilar from what One Direction have been doing, and what the Jonas Brothers did before them, and what countless other groups of cute young things did before that. But this Gold Coast four-piece have written these songs, played their own instruments, and laid it all down in a home studio. Engineering, mixing, and mastering; again it was all them. This is a band not put together and moulded by a corporate music giant, but just a group of guys creating music for the love of it.

Hollywood Heartache might just look back at Eager Hearts and cringe at its sentimentality, but I think it perfectly captures a moment in time that even older cynics can remember. It’s not earth-shattering music, but it shows the bare bones of a band that have the talent to evolve into true musical forces.

Eager Hearts is out now. Hollywood Heartache is supporting its release with the following all ages shows.

12 December 2015 – The Lab, Brisbane
19 December 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
20 December 2015 – The Bluebee Room, Adelaide
22 December 2015 – The Bald Faced Stagg, Sydney

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get On Your Feet for Harts


You know you’re doing something right when the likes of Prince sing your praises. But that’s just the position that Melbourne funk-rock act Harts finds himself in thanks to killer cuts like his latest single “All Rise (Play it Cool).” If this song doesn’t get your toes tapping then nothing will.

“I really wanted to write an up-tempo classic rock and roll tune,” explained Harts. “With whatever we may be going on in life, just a little reminder for us to turn off our minds for a moment and have a good time while we’re here.”

And doesn’t it deliver. “All Rise (Play it Cool)” is our first taste of Harts’ sophomore album, which is scheduled for a March 2016 release.

Harts will launch the single with intimate shows in the East Coast capitals. Mark them in your calendars music lovers because you won’t want to miss them.

14 January 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
15 January 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
16 January 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from A&R Records