Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meatloaf Brings Guilty Pleasures to Australia

The music of Meat Loaf has always been one of my guilty pleasures, so it’s only fitting that the iconic singer is bringing his classic songs to Australia again on the Guilty Pleasures tour.

Meat’s tour will take in entertainment centers in the capitals and a few wineries to coincide with the release of his brand new album Hell in a Handbasket. The latter has to be the preferable choice. Can’t you just imagine belting out the Bat Out of Hell hits along with the big man himself, glass of red in hand? With the indoor venues being pretty large and impersonal, the wineries will definitely offer the better atmosphere.

While I love Meat Loaf’s music, I’m a bit hesitant to see him this time around though. Over the last few years whenever I’ve caught a live performance on TV the vocals have been patchy at best. Here’s hoping that he can bring it out for the fans this October. Tickets for all shows go on sale on July 4.

4 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
6 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
8 October 2011 – Bimbagden Winery, Hunter Valley
12 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
14 October 2011 – Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
15 October 2011 – Yarra Valley, Rochford Winery
19 October 2011 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
22 October 2011 – NIB Stadium, Perth

Image source: Christopher Simon @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Eagle and the Worm Tour “Goodtimes”

Melbourne’s Eagle and the Worm are celebrating the vinyl release of their critically acclaimed debut album Goodtimes with their only headlining tour of 2011.

You can get the 12-incher at the shows, along with a very limited edition 7-inch copy of the big single “Too Young.” It’s enough to get vinylphiles like myself pretty excited!

There’s something special about seeing a big eight-piece band like Eagle and the Worm doing their thing live. Tickets for the following shows are available at the venues.

13 August 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
18 August 2011 – The Nash, Geelong
19 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
20 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 August 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
25 August 2011 – The Bakery, Perth
26 August 2011 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle
27 August 2011 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
8 September 2011 – BigSound, Brisbane
9 September 2011 – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney
10 September 2011 – The Junkyard, Maitland

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Chali 2na Back for Island Vibe Festival

The Island Vibe Festival is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October long weekend for another big year.

After he wowed crowds in 2009 former Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli star MC Chali 2na has been announced as this year’s headliner. He’ll join first class local talents Blue King Brown, Dubmarine, Bobby Alu, Opiuo, Grace Barbe from the Seychelles, and heaps more.

Island Vibe is a music festival with a difference thanks to its magnificent beachside location and focus on culture and the environment. Check it out from October 28 to 30. Fans can enjoy discounted early bird tickets through the Rudekat Records website now.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Bring Surf Rock Back

Who said that surf rock was dead? The ingeniously named King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are bringing the style back, albeit with some rough edges, with their new single “Black Tooth.”

The tune comes from the band’s sophomore EP Willoughby’s Beach. It’s the sort of thing I can imagine Iggy Pop or Lou Reed tapping their hat too. It’s got that classic rock influence, but the end result is much dirtier and more rebellious with fuzzy vocals and wailing guitars.

While the recording sounds brilliant, something tells me this is a band that does their best work on the stage. You can see King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard do just that as they tour the east coast next month.

1 July 2011 – Deniliquin Club, Deniliquin
2 July 2011 – Castlemusic Festival, Castlemaine
8 July 2011 – Mum, World Bar, Sydney
9 July 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 July 2011 – The Nash, Geelong
16 July 2011 – Plus One, Adelaide
23 July 2011 – Old Bar, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Tiger & Me Impress with Double A-Side Single

As I race towards the weekend I’m always dragging my feet. It takes something special to get me exciting, but The Tiger & Me have done it with their double A-side single “So Let It Go/The Little and Lost.”

The songs have got a melodic pop center but they’re wrapped up in something much darker and more interesting. “So Let it Go” is epic and anthemic, while “The Little and Lost” shows a much quieter and more reflective side of the band. The songs come from The Howling Fire, the first of an ambitious series of three EPs for the band. The recordings will chart one person’s journey into madness and back out to sanity again. It sounds fascinating, and when a concept so interesting is backed up with great music I’m all ears.

If you are too you can catch the band at the following shows in the near future, including their EP launch at The Toff and a string of dates for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

9 July 2011 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne (with Sal Kimber and the Rolling Wheel)
22-24 July 2011 – Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Melbourne (with The Nymphs)
30 July 2011 – The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (with Cheer Advisory Council)
5 August 2011 – The Wrong Crowd, Geelong
20 August 2011 – The Basement, Sydney (with Peregrine and Evan & The Brave)

Image used with permission from Show Off Services

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Living End Announce Album Tour

The Living End are backing up the release of The Ending is Just the Beginning Repeating with a national tour.

With the album hitting stores on July 22, we’ll have a couple of months to learn the new tunes before The Living End lads take to the road in September. This tour is really back to basics, with the band shunning the big arenas they could no doubt fill for some of their favourite clubs and small theaters. The tour will kick off with an appearance at a lucky Aussie high school as part of JJJ’s Unearthed High.

General public tickets to the following shows go on sale on July 7, but fans can get a jump on the competition by signing up to the Living End mailing list before midnight June 29. You’ll receive a special code via e-mail for access to the June 30 presale.

2 September 2011 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
3 September 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 September 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra
8 September 2011 – The Palace, Melbourne
10 September 2011 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
16 September 2011 – Metro City, Perth

Image used with permission from Crucial Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beautiful Girls’ Mat McHugh Comes Home for EP Tour

Beautiful Girls front man Mat McHugh is currently wowing audiences in the United States, but he’ll be back soon enough to promote his new solo EP, Go Don’t Stop.

I’ve had a listen to the title track and it’s just the thing I need to shake off this winter chill. The laid back grooves and easy stripped back vocals have me thinking of all those summer festivals ahead. If this is a sign of what’s to come on this EP, Beautiful Girls fans and a few musical newbies are going to be very impressed.

Just as the EP goes back to basics so will this tour. Mat will play intimate venues in acoustic mode, with a set list spanning the last ten years. Tickets are available from the venues for the following shows.

28 July 2011 – Swindlers Bar, Mount Hotham
29 July 2011 – The Palais, Hepburn Springs
30 July 2011 – Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury
5 August 2011 – The Bakery, Northbridge
6 August 2011 – Jive, Adelaide
11 August 2011 – Byron Bay Theatre, Byron Bay
12 August 2011 – The Sound Lounge, Currumbin
13 August 2011 – The Old Museum, Bowen Hills
14 August 2011 – Coolum Theatre, Coolum Beach
19 August 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
20 August 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst

Image source: Mat McHugh website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Tour “Biding My Time”

Chilled out Rockhampton natives Busby Marou are preparing to release their debut album Biding My Time on June 24, and they’re wasting no time getting out to tour it.

The run of shows will kick off in their home state on July 1 and take in capital cities and major regional centers before coming to a close in Sydney later that month.

Just as we see on the album, Busby Marou’s live music is really back to basics, with its focus on story telling, organic instrumentation, and harmonies. If that sounds like your kind of thing you won’t want to miss these shows.

1 July 2011 – The Old Museum, Brisbane
8 July 2011 – The SoundLounge, Currumbin
10 July 2011 – The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
14 July 2011 – Jive, Adelaide
15 July 2011 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote
16 July 2011 – The National Hotel, Geelong
21 July 2011 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
22 July 2011 – CBD Hotel, Newcastle
23 July 2011 – Spectrum, Darlinghurst

Image used with permission from Frogstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Calling All Cars Touring Again

It’s only been a matter of days since Calling All Cars wrapped up their Reptile tour, and they’re already preparing to get back out on the road again.

Proving they’re one of the hardest working bands in the country, Calling All Cars will rock Australia in August to promote their sophomore album. We don’t have a title yet, but we know it’ll hit stores on August 5. We also know the band teamed up again with producer and sometimes Shihad member Tom Larkin to create some really tight rock sounds.

Fans of the monster debut Hold, Hold, Fire, prepare to get excited and pencil the following dates into your social calendar.

11 August 2011 – Kay Street, Traralgon
12 August 2011 – Republic Bar, Hobart
13 August 2011 – Fowler’s Live, Adelaide
18 August 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
19 August 2011 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
20 August 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
24 August 2011 – The Loft, Warrnambool
25 August 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
26 August 2011 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
27 August 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
1 September 2011 – Transit Bar, Canberra
2 September 2011 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
3 September 2011 – Waves, Wollongong
8 September 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
9 September 2011 – Studio 146, Albany
10 September 2011 – Amplifier, Perth
11 September 2011 – Indi Bar, Scarborough

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Headline Coaster

Now in its fourth year, Central Coast’s fledgling music festival appears to be going from strength to strength. John Butler Trio are heading up an all-Australian line-up for this year’s event at Gosford Showgrounds.

They’ll join hometown heroes Something with Numbers and One Dollar Short, Jebediah, Little Red, The Potbelleez, Andy Bull, and heaps more. The festival’s Tomorrow Land dance quarter will also return with Ajax, Nina Las Vegas, Purple Sneakers DJs, and Wolfpack.

Coaster will hit Gosford Showgrounds on September 17. Tickets will be available from June 23 from the Coaster website, Oztix, and a variety of retailers including ESS Boardstore in Erina, Network Communications in Lake Haven, and the Newcastle Rock Shop.