Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shameem Sends Important Message with “Under One Sun”

I haven’t written in here about the Sydney siege. At the time it was all unfolding, I was a bit conflicted actually. This is a music blog, not a political or news outlet. Was it my place? And if I should write about it, what should I write?

I spent the day terrified for the people involved, while thanking my lucky stars that my husband no longer worked in the centre of the city. I remember hearing something about how Americans should keep a low profile during the ordeal, and begging him to stay in his office and come straight home when he was finished. I shed tears watching the terror on the faces of the escapees, and again the next day hearing the stories of those who lost their lives. When something happens so close to home, getting emotional is inevitable.

Still I stayed silent here, deciding this blog wasn’t the place to open up about it, until I heard “Under One Sun” from Perth soul songbird Shameem. It’s a beautiful song about seeing the similarities between us all rather than the differences. It’s so appropriate for this time when Australians from all backgrounds are coming together trying to make sense of it all.

“Under One Sun” comes from Shameem’s new album The Second City, which will hit stores on January 16. She’ll promote it with a national tour next year. I probably won’t get to the shows, but I’m so grateful that I stumbled on this song at a point in time when I really needed to hear it.

17 January 2015 – Subiaco Arts Centre, Subiaco (ALL AGES)
19 February 2015 – Paris Cat, Melbourne (18+)
20 February 2015 – The Basement, Canberra (18+)
21 February 2015 – Gingers, Sydney (18+)
22 February 2015 – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle (FREE 2PM SHOW; KIDS WELCOME)
23 February 2015 – Bar on the Hill @ University of Newcastle, Newcastle (FREE 12:30 PM SHOW; ALL AGES)
27 February 2015 – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane (FREE; 18+)
28 February 2015 – Treehouse, Byron Bay (FREE; ALL AGES)
1 March 2015 – Ukiyo @ The Royal Croquet Club, Adelaide (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Colour Code Wow Me With “Alibi”

Melbourne quartet The Colour Code have bound out of the gate with their debut single “Alibi,” a killer combination of fuzzy guitars, tribal beats, and powerhouse vocals.

And then there are those lyrics which speak of being displaced in your world, going through the motions as you struggle with those feelings of isolation and disconnect. It’s so relatable and so so good.

The Colour Code are doing a quick tour to promote the single kicking off tomorrow night. Be There or be square!

19 December 2014 – Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
2 January 2015 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
12 February 2015 – The Espy, St Kilda

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Art of Sleeping Tour Crazy

Art of Sleeping impressed me with their single “Crazy” recently, so I was happy to hear that they’re taking it on the road. The Brisbane band will use upcoming performances at the Falls Festival as a warm-up for an east coast tour which takes in the capitals over summer.

Art of Sleeping will offer a sneak peek at their forthcoming debut album, which hits stores in mid-2015, as well as taking us back to where it all began with gems from the 2012 EP Like a Thief. Sydney’s phenomenal The Lulu Raes will serve as support for the following shows.

23 January 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
24 January 2015 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney
6 February 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Dew Process

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Smith Street Band Tour New Album

I just love the honesty of The Smith Street Band. Every time I hear one of their songs I’m struck by its raw power. “I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” is another one of those tracks that just floors me with its gutsiness. It’s just one of the many songs on the band’s newly released album Throw Me in the River.

There’s no smoke and mirrors here, so you know they’ve got to have a killer live show. And they’re aiming to bring it to as many people as possible in the New Year. Not people on the oft-neglected Central Coast mind you, but most Aussies will have a chance to see The Smith Street Band play classic cuts like this and so much more at the following gigs.

24 January 2015 – Railway Hotel, Darwin
28 January 2015 – Musicman, Bendigo
29 January 2015 – Barwon Club, Geelong
30 January 2015 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
31 January 2015 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
1 February 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Under 18s)
4 February 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
5 February 2015 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
6 February 2015 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
7 February 2015 – Crowbar, Brisbane (UNDER 18s)
8 February 2015 – The Northern, Byron Bay
11 February 2015 – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour
12 February 2015 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
13 February 2015 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
14 February 2015 – Factory Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
15 February 2015 – Magpies, Canberra (ALL AGES)
17 February 2015 – Mariners, Batemans Bay
18 February 2015 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
20 February 2015 – Party in the Paddock, Burns Creek
21 February 2015 – Railway Hotel, Fremantle
26 February 2015 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
27 February 2015 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
28 February 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide
1 March 2015 – The Gov, Adelaide (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Strips Back “Linger”

I always think it’s a bit weird when I get press releases about songs without links to videos or at least the audio. What’s the point in telling me there’s a song unless I can experience it? I don’t really want to tell you about it if it’s terrible. So I tend to do my own research, which is what led me to this cool acoustic version of Guy Sebastian’s new single “Linger.”

Now I haven’t caught the song on radio, although I’m told it’s there, but I have a hunch this sounds dramatically different to the version Guy recorded with Lupe Fiasco. Anything with Lupe Fiasco probably doesn’t sound this mellow and cool. But I like it, so that’s what I’m going to post.

Guy will promote “Linger” and the album it comes from, Madness, when he tours all around the country next year. Tickets are on sale now.

12 February 2015 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
14 February 2015 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
18 February 2015 – Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
21 February 2015 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
25 February 2015 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
28 February 2015 – Perth Arena, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lisa Mitchell Announces Acoustic Shows

After warming up with recent sold out shows in the United Kingdom, Lisa Mitchell is back on home soil and ready to tour the country in acoustic mode to support her dreamy single “Wah Ha.”

Lisa will be joined on stage by guitarist and serial collaborator Tim Harvey. These shows represent a special and rare opportunity to see Lisa doing her thing stripped back in some of the country’s best and most intimate venues.

Make sure you arrive early to see the support act East, a young artist who’s already starting to generate some serious buzz.

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

25 March 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
27 March 2015 – Howler, Melbourne
2 April 2015 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luca Brasi Match My Mood with “Benthos”

You know those days where everything seems to annoy you? I’m having one of them. From the NRL only releasing men’s and kid’s Nines jerseys (because clearly women don’t watch) to Optus sending my new phone to my old address (despite confirming the right one when we spoke on Tuesday), my blood’s boiling. I don’t think having my hair ripped out of my face at the salon in 40 minutes is going to change my demeanour either.

Sometimes you just have to go with it, which is why “Benthos,” the new single from Tasmanian punk rockers Luca Brasi is hitting all the right notes for me today. It’s bold and angry and it makes me want to punch my fist in the air defiantly.

If you’re feeling it too, you might want to catch Luca Brasi when they tour all around the country next March.

11 March 2015 – Small Ballroom, Newcastle (FREE)
12 March 2015 – Crowbar, Brisbane
13 March 2015 – Newtown Social, Sydney
14 March 2015 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
15 March 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
19 March 2015 – The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
20 March 2015 – CATS @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide
21 March 2015 – Amplifier, Perth
22 March 2015 – HQ, Perth (ALL AGES)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Newcastle’s Twin Lakes Cap Off Bumper Year with “Wolf Hall” Release

Twin Lakes might not have grabbed headlines yet, but this independent Newcastle act is definitely going places.

They’ve just released their third single of 2014, “Wolf Hall,” which is a wonderfully accessible slice of pop-rock. Along with “Glacier” and “The Ageing Field,” it’ll feature on a debut EP next year. Twin Lakes also earned a spot at Canadian Music Week and the Aussie BBQ, where they played alongside esteemed acts like You Am I. And somewhere in there they found time to make their own music videos and finalise the deals of their debut EP.

Show them your support when they celebrate the release of “Wolf Hall” with the following shows this month.

12 December 2014 – The Cambridge, Newcastle
13 December 2014 – Smith’s Alternative Bookshop, Canberra
19 December 2014 – Oxford Art Factory, Gallery Bar, Sydney
20 December 2014 – Dicey Rileys, Wollongong

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Needtobreathe Join Third Day on Make a Difference Tour

Fabulous American alt-country act Needtobreathe are bringing their acclaimed show to Australia. The guys from South Carolina will join Third Day and our own Levi McGrath for World Vision Australia’s Make a Difference tour.

Needtobreathe’s album Rivers in the Wasteland has done great things since getting an international release in April. We’ve been a bit slow to catch on, but thankfully it’ll hit local stores on December 5, giving music lovers a few months to learn the songs before the band touches down.

Here’s a bit of a headstart for you though, the wonderful single “The Heart.” It’s got an infectious positivity about it and a great honest foot stomping appeal. That makes sense because the band reports that 90 percent of the album was recorded in live takes.

“It will be our first time in Australia and we’re really looking forward to getting down there,” explained Bear Rinehart. “We have so many fans there that have emailed us saying to come down there and when we got the opportunity to not just visit, but support a great organisation like World Vision it was too good to resist.”

The Make a Difference tour takes in the following venues next February.

11 February 2015 – Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
12 February 2015 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
13 February 2015 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
14 February 2015 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
16 February 2015 – HBF Stadium, Perth
18 February 2015 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
20 February 2015 – Brisbane Riverstage, Brisbane
21 February 2015 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jakubi Come Home for Summer

Fresh from selling out shows across the United States last month, cooler-than-cool Melbourne act Jakubi are ready to delight local audiences with their Life’s a Beach tour. The funky five-piece will play shows up and down the East Coast throughout summer, including plenty of free shows.

The tour caps off a monster year for Jakubi which saw them signed up to 7s Management in the US and Coda Agency in the UK. Everyone from Perez Hilton to HillyDilly was raving about “Couch Potato,” which really deserves another spin.

And done. Jakubi are going to be back to in the US before we know it, so make sure you catch this local success story while you can.

11 December 2014 – Moonshine Cider & Rum Bar, Manly (FREE)
12 December 2014 – Vic On The Park Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
26 December 2014 – Rad, Wollongong
27 December 2014 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi Beach (FREE)
28 December 2014 – Cambridge Hotel (Warehouse), Newcastle
29 December 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
30 December 2014 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
31 December 2014 – NYE On The Hill, Kernot
2 January 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (FREE)
3 January 2015 – Solbar, Maroochydore
4 January 2015 – Sounds Of Sunday @ Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast (FREE)
30 January to 1 February 2015 – Cool Summer Festival, Mt Hotham