Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BIGSOUND Announces Bumper Live Lineup for 2025

BIGSOUND is always one of the hottest events around, and after the 2025 lineup was revealed it seems this year will be no exception. Over 120 acts will perform across 18 stages in Meeanjin/Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley this year including WAFIA, Polish Club, Hatchie, Dylan Wright, Azure Ryder, Inkabee, and heaps more.

“We’re thrilled to finally share the BIGSOUND 2025 lineup with you,” co-programmers Casey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne said in a joint statement. “Curating this year’s program has been such a joy — the artists we’ve selected reflect the incredible depth of talent in Australia, and each one is doing truly exciting things with their music. We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see them bring the Fortitude Valley to life in September.”

BIGSOUND happens from September 2 to 5. There are plenty of ticket options available via the BIGSOUND website, from one-night tickets to the all-access delegate passes. Mobility access tickets are also available by calling the BIGSOUND office on (07) 3257 0013.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ixaras Ready For “DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?” Tour

Up-and-coming pop act ixaras will hit the road this morning for her first headlining tour. She’ll stop by the East Coast capitals to promote the release of her fabulous new bop, “DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?”

“’DO YOU LIKE GIRLS?’ is a song that helped me better understand my own sexuality,” ixaras said. “Every time I’ve shared it, whether in a small room or online, the response has been overwhelming. So many people have told me how it helped them feel seen, or helped guide them through their own experiences. That connection means everything. I knew this song needed its own moment.”

Fans can expect an intimate, high-energy show featuring all ixaras’ beloved tracks and some you’ve never heard before. You can almost guarantee she’ll play bigger venues next time around, so make sure you see her playing these small shows while you can.

12 July 2025 — Espy Basement, Naarm/Melbourne
13 July 2025 — Inner West Pride Center, Eora/Sydney (FREE ALL AGES – SOLD OUT)
20 July 2025 — The Triffid Garden, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird On the Comeback Trail With “My Ghost & Its Crawling”

It’s been three years since Naarm/Melbourne indie act Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird graced us with new music, but they’ve coming back with some really special tunes. The first is “My Ghost & Its Crawling,” a tender, poetic number that hints at all of the sonic goodness to come.

“‘My Ghost & Its Crawling’ explores the haunting nature of memory, and the forms that significant people assume within our own psyches,” Lachlan Rose, the band’s frontman and songwriter, said. “In some ways I think people from our past live inside us as very real, living, breathing entities. They can be talked with, argued with, listened to and loved, for better or for worse. In my experience, no matter how hard you exorcise those spirits, they can still be heard crawling around in the attics and the garrets and the nooks and in the hallways of your heart. This song is sung from the perspective of such a spirit”.

“My Ghost & Its Crawling” comes from Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird’s forthcoming album Rosewater Crocodile, which drops on July 10. They’ll celebrate its release with a string of local shows. Tickets are on sale now, so get onto it!

25 July 2025 – The Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
2 August 2025 – The Ed Castle, Tarntanya/Adelaide
9 August 2025 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
12 August 2025 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fanny Lumsden Covers Gotye

I’m always impressed by a quality cover, a rendition that breathes new life into a song and makes a statement all its own. So I’m really digging what country artist Fanny Lumsden has done with Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” We’re used to hearing this song as a haunting indie-pop duet with Kimbra, but Fanny’s country-folk version features her live band, The Prawn Stars. It was also produced by Matt Fell, Dan Freeman and Fanny, mixed by Matt Fell, and mastered by William Bowden (who mastered Gotye’s original).

“After doing our own version of ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ on ABC’s Spicks and Specks last year, we started adding it to our live show, and have loved playing around with it so much that we thought it about time we recorded it! It’s the first song that has my whole live touring band on it, and it makes me so happy that each of these people I spend so much time with on the road, brought a little of themselves to the song. We also wanted to feature the harmonies, which are a big thing for us live.”

Fanny and The Prawn Stars are heading to the United Kingdom next month, but they’ll be back before you know it for shows with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams.

25 July 2025 – Together Again Festival @ Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire
26 July 2025 – Brudenell Club, Leeds
27 July 2025 – Nice n’ Sleazy, Glasgow
31 July 2025 – Belladrum Festival @ Belladrum Estate, Inverness
1 August 2025 – Arisaig Hall, Arisaig
2 August 2025 – Balquhidder Hall, Balquhidder
3 August 2025 – Three Villages Hall, Arrochar
7 August 2025 – Coughlans, Cork
8 August 2025 – Dolans, Limerick
9 August 2025 – Roisin Dubh, Galway
10 August 2025 – Whelans Upstairs, Dublin
12 August 2025 – YES (PINK ROOM), Manchester
13 August 2025 – Oslo Hackney, London
14 August 2025 – The Exchange, Bristol
15 August 2025 – Beautiful Days Festival @ Escot Park, Devon (SOLD OUT)
16 August 2025 – Country Calling Festival @ Hylands Estate, Essex
17 August 2025 – Komedia Studio, Brighton
20 August 2025 – Forty Five Vinyl Café, York (acoustic show)
21 August 2025 – Solfest @ Solway Coast, Cumbria
22 August 2025 – Greenbelt Festival @ Boughton House, Kettering
23 August 2025 – The Long Road Festival @ Stanford Hall, Lutterworth
26 August 2025 – RAC Arena, Boorloo/Perth (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
29 August 2025 – Entertainment Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
30 August 2025 – Qudos Bank Arena, Eora/Sydney (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
31 August 2025 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
2 September 2025 – Mystate Bank Arena, Nipaluna/Hobart (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
4 September 2025 – Entertainment Centre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
6 September 2025 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT – with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
7 September 2025 – Rod Laver Arena, Naarm/Melbourne (with Paul Kelly and Lucinda Williams)
5 September 2025 – Dashville Skyline, Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley
10 September 2025 – Savannah in the Round Festival, Muluridji/Mareeba

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ocean Alley Drop “Love Balloon” Ahead of Album Release and International Shows

It feels like only yesterday that Ocean Alley burst onto the scene, so my head is spinning with the news that they’re about to release album number five, called Love Balloon. While the title track is a pretty funky affair, we should expect plenty of diversity from the album.

“The album explores the many layered dimensions of love – not just the cinematic kind where you’re falling head over heels, but the full spectrum: joy, hurt, discomfort and disappointment,” explained Ocean Alley’s keyboardist and vocalist Lach Galbraith. “Let’s call it the river of love – whether it’s with a partner, a friend, or family, you never know when it’ll get deep, go shallow, or suddenly change course. It’s such a force that you have to just surrender to its current.”

The Love Balloon album drops on September 19. Ocean Alley has plenty of shows in North America, South America, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Aotearoa/New Zealand planned. Here are all the dates you need.

16 July 2025 – Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
18 July 2025 – The Eastern, Atlanta
19 July 2025 – Fillmore, Charlotte
20 July 2025 – The NorVa, Norfolk
23 July 2025 – Fillmore, Silver Spring
25 July 2025 – Citizens House of Blues, Boston
26 July 2025 – Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn
27 July 2025 – Fillmore, Philadelphia
29 July 2025 – History, Toronto
31 July 2025 – The Outset, Chicago
31 July – 3 August 2025 – Lollapalooza @ Grant Park, Chicago
7 August 2025 – Sziget Festival, Budapest
27 September 2025 – Alexandra Palace, London
4 October 2025 – Austin City Limits @ Zilker Park, Austin
11 October 2025 – Austin City Limits @ Zilker Park, Austin
15 October 2025 – The Mission Ballroom, Denver
17 October 2025 – Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
20 October 2025 – Lunario, Mexico City
23 October 2025 – Audio, São Paulo
25 October 2025 – Teatro La Cúpula, Santiago
24 January 2026 – Catani Gardens, Naarm/Melbourne
30 January 2026 – Brisbane Showgrounds, Meeanjin/Brisbane
31 January 2026 – The Domain, Eora/Sydney
21 February 2026 – Fremantle Esplanade Park, Walyalup/Fremantle
22 February 2026 – 3 Oceans Winery, Wooditchup/Margaret River
27 February 2026 – Spark Arena, Auckland

Photo credit: Kane Lehanneur

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Tullamarines Release “Lying” Ahead of More Preatures Shows

Tarntanya/Adelaide outfit The Tullamarines perfectly balance upbeat vibes with bittersweet lyrics in their latest single “Lying.” It’s got a laidback summery feel, but once you start digging into those lyrics you realise it’s really raw and introspective.

“‘Lying’ is about insecurity, imposter syndrome, self-loathing, and the effort to do better,” The Tullamarines explained. “That feeling of people leaving before we perform is a running joke, but it comes from real doubt. We struggle with confidence in our music, image-everything. So we said exactly how we felt, but wrapped it in sunny, 90s pop-inspired sounds. It’s sad-happy. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend you’re okay than to be vulnerable. We hope this song helps people feel seen and encourages real conversations.”

The Tullamarines are currently on tour with the Preatures and have plenty more new music on the way. You’ll also see them at some of the hottest upcoming festivals, so the back half of the year is shaping up to be huge for them. Here are all the places you can catch them live in the coming months.

18 July 2025 – Hotel Brunswick, Durrumbil/Brunswick Heads (supporting The Preatures)
19 July 2025 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
25 July 2025 – Freo.Social, Fremantle (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
26 July 2025 – The River, Wooditjup/Margaret River (supporting The Preatures)
27 July 2025 – Froth Bunbury, Goomburrup/Bunbury (supporting The Preatures)
1 August 2025 – Odeon Theatre, Nipaluna/Hobart (supporting The Preatures)
2 August 2025 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
7 August 2025 – Theatre Royal, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine (supporting The Preatures)
8 August 2025 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay (supporting The Preatures)
9 August 2025 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT supporting The Preatures)
15 August 2025 – Liberty Hall, Eora/Sydney (supporting The Preatures)
16 August 2025 – King Street Band Room, Mulubinba/Newcastle (supporting The Preatures)
2-5 September 2025 – BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 October 2025 – Wanderer Festival, Panboola/Pambula Beach

Photo credit: Jack Fenby

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Seb Szabo Releases Heartfelt Charmer, “Crumbs From Your Table”

Seb Szabo has got me swooning with “Crumbs From Your Table,” a bittersweet alt-rock track about having a crush on someone who’s already attached.

“The song started out as a larger-than-life inner monologue. A bunch of messy feelings I wished I could
say out loud,” Seb remembered. “It’s one for people with gigantic hearts, even if it might get you into trouble. It’s a privilege to feel this much. Hopefully, the song reminds you not to suppress everything – because you never know what might happen next. It could go either way … and that’s beautifully terrifying.”

Seb will hit the road in August to support Jordy Maxwell on his national tour. If you want to see him live, here’s where you’ll find him.

14 August 2025 – Lefty’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 August 2025 – OAF Gallery, Eora/Sydney
22 August 2025 – Bergy Bandroom, Naarm/Melbourne
23 August 2025 – Grace Emily, Tarntanya/Adelaide
2-5 September 2025 – BIGSOUND, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo credit: Peter Foster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MKTO Make Surprise Aussie Return

When MKTO last visited our shores in 2014, they were riding high on the success of “Classic.” Their debut single “Thank You” achieved chart success just two years before. They were hot property. Like most Aussies I’ll wager, I hadn’t thought of them in a decade, but they were put back on my radar with the announcement that they’re finally heading back Down Under.

“It’s been a minute since we’ve been back. We’ve always had a lot of love for Australia,” Malcolm Kelley said.

“We are so excited to get back down under and perform again!” added his bandmate Tony Oller.

This tour announcement has encouraged me to check out MKTO’s back catalogue and it’s pretty catchy. I didn’t realise that they’d collaborated with Simple Plan on 2013’s “Summer Paradise,” and there were a whole bunch of gems that had never hit my ears before.

MKTO will play just two intimate Aussie shows this October. Get on it fans, because they might leave you waiting for another decade to make their return!

30 October 2025 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne
31 October 2025 – The Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James Reyne Reminisces About US Adventures in “Going Back to Nashville”

James Reyne doesn’t pump out the hits as rapidly as he did in the past, but that just makes new material so much sweeter. His latest track “Going Back to Nashville” is an upbeat country-rock gem that’s at least the equal to anything in his celebrated back catalogue.

The song was inspired by James’ visits to Nashville where he went sightseeing with the legendary and dearly departed singer-songwriter Tony Joe White.

“Back then, a bit of a status symbol was how many head of buffalo you had on your ranch,” he recalled. “Pointing at Wynonna Judd’s place, Tony Joe said in that distinctively deep voice, ‘She’s got like 20 head of buffalo.’”

Think of it as James Reyne’s Lonely Planet guide to Nashville, “where Wynonna’s buffalo roam” and “if it ain’t the heat, it’s the humidity”.

“This song is how I see Nashville,” he added.

James is currently touring around Oz before he heads across the ditch. Tickets are still available for all these shows:

21 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Alex Lloyd)
5 July 2025 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney (with Alex Lloyd)
12 July 2025 – The Palais, Naarm/Melbourne (with Alex Lloyd)
26 July 2025 – Party on the Point @ Sandstone Point Hotel, Ningy Ningy Country/Sandstone Point
30 August 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Bulleke Bek/Brunswick
31 August 2025 – Brunswick Ballroom, Bulleke Bek/Brunswick
20 September 2025 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane (acoustic duo)
4 October 2025 – Great Hall @ Auckland Town Hall, Auckland

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

End of Fashion Celebrates 20 Years With Vinyl And Shows

The first thing I did on hearing that End of Fashion are celebrating 20 years since the release of their self-titled debut album was feel old. The second was to fire it up on Spotify. And I’ve got to say, it sounds even better than I remember it.

There’s the monster single “O Yeah” of course, but all the songs around it really stand up. It makes me wonder why they weren’t all over the charts.

The album sounds good on Spotify, but no doubt the special anniversary double vinyl will sound even better. The first record features the original album remastered while the second has rare demos, B-sides, and unheard gems. It also features artwork from the archives, a never-before-released lyric sheet, and a collage of photos submitted by fans. You can preorder yours now from Universal.

“When we made this album, we never dreamed it would still mean so much to people 20 years later. That’s a real gift for us and we wanted to give something back. We put this re-issue together with a lot of love — and a lot of memories…our own and most importantly, the fans. Which is why we got them involved. This is as much theirs as it is ours. To have this out in the world again, on vinyl, with all this amazing material from the archives that we never thought would see the light of day, feels really special,” said End of Fashion frontman Justin Burford.

To celebrate the milestone, End of Fashion will head out on their first national tour in almost a decade. They’re promising to play their debut album in full plus plenty of fan favourites. You know this is going to be big, so make sure you get your tickets before they sell out.

15 August 2025 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 August 2025 – Crowbar, Eora/Sydney
22 August 2025 – The Night Cat, Naarm/Melbourne
23 August 2025 – Jive, Tarntanya/Adelaide
30 August 2025 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Peter Sherlock