Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Ten Tenors Do Broadway

One of Australia’s most respected vocal acts, The Ten Tenors, will celebrate classic musicals with their new tour, The Ten Tenors on Broadway. They’ll warm up in the United States before bringing the shows back to their home turf from May.

This is the Ten Tenors like you’ve never seen them before, putting their own spin on iconic tunes from Oklahoma, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Phantom the Opera, West Side Story, Miss Saigon, and heaps more. An all-female string section and orchestration from the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra will bring these showstoppers to a brand new level.

“The On Broadway show is the best example yet of what this group can deliver, and they are thrilled to be performing such powerful repertoire,” said their producer D-J Wendt. “I guarantee this live show will have audiences coming back for more.”

And with plenty of shows on the schedule, fans can do just that!

4 February 2014 – Chester Fritfz Auditorium, Grand Forks
5 February 2014 – The Sanford Center, Bermidji
7 February 2014 – Peoria Civic Center, Peoria
8 February 2014 – Sangamon Auditorium @ The University of Illinois, Springfield
13 February 2014 – Keller Auditorium, Portland
15 February 2014 – INB Performing Arts Center, Spokane
17 February 2014 – The Smith Center @ Reynolds Hall, Las Vegas
24 February 2014 – Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Wickenburg
1 March 2014 – Arnold Hall Theater, Colorado Springs
5 March 2014 – Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence
8 & 15 March 2014 – Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts, Worcester
13 & 14 March 2014 – Stephens Auditorium @ Iowa State Center, Ames
20 March 2014 – Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham
22 March 2014 – Akoo Theater at Rosemont, Rosemont
30 March 2014 – Von Braun Center Concert Hall, Huntsville
22 April 2014 – Emens Auditorium @ Ball State University, Muncie
24 April 2014 – Luhrs Performing Arts Center @ Shippensburg University, Shippensburg
25 April 2014 – Community Theater @ Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown
29 April 2014 – Centre in the Square, Kitchener
18 & 19 May 2014 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
23-25 May 2014 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
28-31 May 2014 – Sydney Theatre @ Walsh Bay, Sydney
5-7 June 2014 – Lyric Theatre @ QPAC, Brisbane
11-14 June 2014 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
16-19 July 2014 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
23-25 July 2014 – Theatre Royal, Hobart

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Peninsula Picnic Sounds Incredible

I’m not really a festivals kind of person. I can’t think of anything worse than fighting through crowds, enduring a bunch of acts that only the cool kids like, and paying too much money for lukewarm beer. But the Peninsula Picnic has caught my attention. It sounds like my kind of festival, and I wish I was closer to the Mornington Peninsula so I could get along.

The Peninsula Picnic is all about three of my favorite things: good music, good food, and good wine. The musical line-up is stellar, with The Waifs, Paul Dempsey, The Pierce Brothers, Tinpan Orange, and Hayden Calnin all on the bill. Ian Curley, and the teams from Terre, Montalto, Pope Joan, The Long Table Restaurant, Dee’s Kitchen, DOC Mornington, and Terminus at Flinders Hotel will take care of the food.

The Peninsula Picnic hits the Mornington Racecourse on March 29. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Superjesus Celebrate Australia Day with Three Big Shows

After celebrating the festive season, you’re probably feeling all partied out. However, you’ll recover soon enough and you’ll be looking for some way to ring in Australia Day. The Superjesus are helping you get organised with three big shows of the Australia Day long weekend.

The Superjesus have been working hard on new material since reforming early in last year, and they can’t wait to roadtest it for their loyal fans. They’ll get all patriotic at the following New South Wales shows.

24 January 2014 – Waves, Wollongong
25 January 2014 – Bateau Bay Hotel, Bateau Bay
26 January 2014 – Australia Day concert @ Garrison Point, Bankstown (FREE)

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Going Coastal for Summer Tour

Like so many other Aussies, Busby Marou are heading to the coast for their summer holidays. Happily for them, their sun-seeking is a tax write-off as they’ll be playing shows supporting their stellar sophomore album Farewell Fitzroy along the way.

British singer-songwriter and keen surfer Ryan Keen will join the Queenslanders for the run of shows in Australia’s best beachside locales.

Busby Marou’s Going Coastal tour will kick off in Bomaderry on January 2.

2 January 2014 – Bomaderry Hotel, Bomaderry
3 January 2014 – Captain’s @ Mariners, Bateman’s Bay
4 January 2014 – Milton Theatre, Milton
10 January 2014 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
11 January 2014 – The Loft, Warrnambool
12 January 2014 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
16 January 2014 – The Northern, Byron Bay
17 January 2014 – The Pacific Hotel, Yamba
18 January 2014 – The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
19 January 2014 – Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anna Smyrk and the Appetites Anticipate the Apocalypse

Can you believe it’s one week until Christmas? I hope most of you aren’t working as hard as I am. It’s a time of year when we should all be winding down, yet it seems so many people I know are operating on hyper speed.

If you’re feeling a bit ragged, give yourself just a few minutes to listen to “Apocalypse,” the sublime debut single from Melbourne’s Anna Smyrk and the Appetites. She’s got the voice of an angel and it works so beautifully in this moving song. And isn’t it wonderful to hear a modern song with a saxophone in a starring role?

Anna will launch the single with a string of intimate shows dubbed The Garden Party at the End of the World. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but at least there’ll be good music at the end, right?

22 December 2013 – Open Sesame Festival @ Bar Open, Melbourne (4 pm til midnight)
3 January 2014 – Treehouse, Byron Bar (FREE @ 7:30 pm)
4 January 2014 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (FREE @ 6 pm)
5 January 2014 – Queen Street Mall (FREE @ noon)
6 January 2014 – The Cave, Gold Coast (8 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

South Africa’s Mango Groove Head to Australia

Like everyone across the world it seems, I was saddened to hear news this morning of Nelson Mandela’s passing. I thought about writing about it, but then decided that others probably had more to offer on the subject than a music blogger from Australia.

But then I came across an e-mail telling me Mango Groove are heading to our country next year. I must admit, I hadn’t heard of them, but then I read through their list of achievements and it seemed fortuitous that I stumbled across them today. They played at Freddie Mercury’s tribute. They played at the Hong Kong reunification concert, and at the Paris SOS Racism concert. And perhaps most importantly, this South African act played at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration.

And so I watched their performance from the Montreux jazz festival in 1992 and marvelled at their joy and positivity. It was a similar energy to the one which radiated from Mr Mandela. I remember being a young girl and not really understanding who he was, but loving his big wide smile. I’ll bet he liked this band.

So have a listen and remember the joy, and if you like what they do consider checking out Mango Groove when they visit Australia next year.

21 February 2014 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
23 February 2014 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
28 February 2014 – Big Top Sydney @ Luna Park, Sydney
1 March 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
4 March 2014 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Darren Hanlon Plays Christmas Shows

Darren Hanlon will ring in the festive season once again with a string of Christmas shows. For the eighth year running, Darren will play solo, intimate shows in the major capitals, culminating with a set of shows at the Woodford Folk Festival.

The gigs are a kind of homecoming for Darren, who’s been spending time writing and recording his next album in the American South. He’s promising to play some of those new tunes as well as favourites from his back catalogue at the dates ahead.

Tickets for the following shows are on sale now.

21 December 2013 – St Stephens Anglican Church, Newtown
22 December 2013 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
23 December 2013 – Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
27, 29 & 30 December 2013 – Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kingswood and Calling All Cars Unite for Beachy Shows

Kingswood and Calling All Cars are joining forces for what’s sure to be one of summer’s hottest tours. The Life’s A Beach shows will see the lads following the East Coast, playing in some of the best beachy beer barns our country has to offer.

Kingswood are particularly excited to get back in front of local audiences after an extended stay in the United States. They’ve got a new single, “Sucker Punch,” to plug and their long awaited debut LP on the way. Expect to hear a sneak peek of some of its songs ahead of its release early next year.

Meanwhile Calling All Cars are riding high on the success of their latest single “Werewolves.” It’s also a taste of more music to come; Calling All Cars will release album number three next year.

As if two great local talents wasn’t enough, She Rex will join the tour from January 4. Here are all the places you can get a massive dose of Aussie rock this summer.

27 December 2013 – Westernport Hotel, San Remo
28 December 2013 – Tarwin Social Club, Tarwin Lower
29 December 2013 – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads
30 December 2013 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay
2 January 2014 – Carmens, Miranda
3 January 2014 – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale
4 January 2014 – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
5 January 2014 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
7 January 2014 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
8 January 2014 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour
9 January 2014 – Club Forster, Forster
10 January 2014 – The Northern, Byron Bay
11 January 2014 – The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
12 January 2014 – Sol Bar, Sunshine Coast

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Rolling Stones Heading to Australia

Two weeks after announcing they’ll play the newly revamped Adelaide Oval next March, the Rolling Stones have released dates for a full-scale Australian tour.

The British rock veterans will kick off the Aussie leg of their 14 on Fire shows in Perth before making their way around the capitals. A show at Hanging Rock is sure to be the pick of them, although I’m sure there’ll be plenty of demand for all these gigs.

“We’re all looking forward to coming back Down Under,” Keith Richards said. “I can’t wait to get back on the stage with the boys.” Bandmade Mick Jagger adds that he “can’t wait to reconnect” with local fans.

There are whispers this will be The Stones’ last shows in this country, so if you’re a fan I wouldn’t second-guessing picking up tickets when they go on sale on December 16. Note that the Adelaide show has already sold out through an earlier sale.

19 March 2014 – Perth Arena
22 March 2014 – Adelaide Oval (SOLD OUT)
25 March 2014 – Allphones Arena, Sydney
28 March 2014 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
30 March 2014 – Hanging Rock, Macedon Ranges
2 April 2014 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Sunnyboys Release Best Of, and Announce Album Tour

The Sunnyboys are celebrating the songs that made them famous with a greatest hits album, dubbed Our Best Of, and the announcement of their first shows since 1991.

The greatest hits album features 16 of the Sunnyboys most iconic tracks, all remastered and handpicked by the band. There are the hit singles like “Alone With You” of course, but also some fan favourites and previously unreleased material. Our Best Of will be released on CD and digitally on December 6. I might be biased, but I’d opt for the CD which includes a 14-page booklet charting the band’s history and the meanings behind their songs.

The Sunnyboys will recruit fellow 80s icons including The Stems, The Frowning Clouds, and ex-Died Pretty frontman Ron S. Peno for the following reunion shows. Tickets are on sale now.

14 & 15 March 2014 – The Northern, Byron Bay
21 March 2014 – The Forum, Melbourne
23 March 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide
28 March 2014 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
29 March 2014 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image credit: Lucinda Bilson