Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

U2 Bring 360 Degree Tour to Australia

The rumor mill’s been buzzing for a while, and now it’s all official: U2 will visit Australia this November with their 360 Degree Tour.

The show is supposed to be a spectacle unlike anything Aussie audiences have ever seen, with a 57 meter bug-like four-legged spaceship nicknamed The Claw and 120 trucks needed to transport the production.

Refreshingly tickets will be available to suit all budgets, with the cheap seats starting from just $39.90. Don’t expect to see too much for a mere $40, but it’s a great option for anyone who’s counting their pennies before Christmas. I’m thrilled that a band is happy to offer their show to all fans, not just the elite that can afford the hefty price of admission.

“U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, and this extraordinary production makes that happens in stadiums,” U2 manager Paul McGuiness said in a statement. “It was important to the band that we were able to bring the whole production to Australia and New Zealand so fans could experience the latest of U2’s legendary productions.”

Tickets go on sale on September 3 from the usual outlets.

Lead singer Bono (C) of Irish rock band U2 performs a concert at the Olympic stadium in Turin, northern Italy August 6, 2010. U2 singer Bono is ready to rock after back surgery sidelined him for two months, and forced the band to postpone its North American tour by a year to May 2011. The Irish rockers began the second European leg of their 360 Degree world tour on Friday in Italy. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (ITALY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)


1 December 2010 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
8 December 2010 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
13 December 2010 – Olympic Park, Sydney
18 December 2010 – Subiaco, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New On the Pulse Festival Brings Bands to Brisbane Kids

And those festival announcements just keep on coming. On the Pulse is a new kid on the block, but something tells me this youth-oriented event is going to take off in a big way.

It’ll bring 15 unsigned and independent punk, rock, and pop acts to Brisbane on October 23; they’ll play across two stages at the Fortitude Valley PCYC and The Hive. Acts on the bill include up and comers Finabah, Flicks, Burning Brooklyn, Words Versing Verses, and Starting Sunday.

“On The Pulse has been created not only to create a quality festival platform for our younger and growing artists, but also to present an exciting opportunity for young music fans to be introduced to new music and exciting new bands,” said festival promoter Marc Mancini.

Parents can rest easy as this is a completely drug and alcohol free event. Tickets cost $25 and are on sale now through Oztix, Rockinghorse Records, Kill the Music, and Sunflower Music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meredith Announces Eclectic Lineup for 20th Year

You know festival season is afoot once those line-up announcements begin to roll in. Today Meredith unveiled an impressive collection of bands for its 20th anniversary.

This is really an eclectic bill with literally something for everybody. I don’t think you’re ever going to find Crowded House on the same bill as American gangsta rappers Clipse, British post punksters The Fall, and US soul outfit Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. And that’s before we mention Dirty Three, Little Red, Custard, Sally Seltmann, and C.W. Stoneking. And that’s just for starters.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Neil Finn of Crowded House performs on stage during their concert at Enmore Theatre on March 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)


It’s all happening at the Meredith Amphitheatre from December 10 to 12. Sign up for the ticket ballot on the Meredith website to have the best chance at scoring tickets.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Recoil on the Road

Sydney metal heads Recoil have been pretty busy of late. They’ve just released their debut album The Will to Sin, the single “And a Hard Place” and its accompanying video, and they’re also getting out and doing it live.

“We wanted to focus on the playing and the music itself hence the white background,” said the band’s lead singer Wade of the video’s concept. “We wanted the main focus on us as a band, no distractions and just let people see who we are when we play live.”

The song captures the band’s signature raw heavy metal style. I’m not really into metal, so my reaction might be more extreme than fans of the genre, but it blew my head off. If you’re digging it though, you won’t be disappointed by the band’s live set.

“[Fans] can expect a loud in your face but very tight performance with plenty of energy,” Wade said.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, make sure you get along to one of the following gigs.

21 August 2010 – The Basement, Canberra, ACT
3 September 2010 – Club LED, Newcastle, NSW
2 October 2010 – SFX, Sydney, NSW
8 October 2010 – BAM Festrival, Ivory Rocks, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
22 October 2010 – The Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jimmy Barnes Headlines A Day On the Green Birthday Shows

A Day on the Green will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an Aussie music spectacular. Jimmy Barnes will headline the string of winery concerts this November, and he’ll take some very special friends along for the ride.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel performs during a Cold Chisel concert at ANZ Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


“I think that a day on the green has been like a breath of fresh air to the Australian music industry,” Jimmy said in a statement. “No longer do people have to settle for being crushed up the front of a suburban pub to be able to get a drink and see their favourite bands at the same time. They can now do it in style and sit back in some of the best locations. Eat, drink and listen to the best music in the world. What more could you want?”

Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses, and Dan Sultan will play at all shows, along with a rotating list of the very best local acts. If you love Aussie music, you’ll want to be at these shows. Tickets go on sale on Monday August 23.

7 November 2010 – Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
13 November 2010 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
14 November 2010 – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
21 November 2010 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Vika & Linda)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Announces Intimate EP Shows

Matt Corby is refusing to sit still in the months leading up to the release of his EP Transition to Colour. He will head to London to record his debut album in September before returning home for two shows.

Following the EP’s release on October 8, Matt will play the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on October 13, followed by Melt Bar in Kings Cross on October 14. Matt plans to invite several  guests to share the stage with him, so the nights are promising to be something special. These gigs are somewhat of a teaser before Matt embarks on a full length EP tour.

Tickets are available from the venues and by clicking the links above for these intimate shows.

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ed Kowalczyk Makes Aussie Return

When Ed Kowalczyk toured Australia last August he promised he’d be back soon. He’s now making good on that vow with the announcement of a tour this October and November.

While he was in acoustic mode last time, the former Live frontman will be in full band mode this time around. He’ll play all the old Live favourites as well as songs from his first solo release Alive. We got a taste of some of these tracks during the last tour, and I can’t wait to hear them amped up with a full backing band.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale on August 19. Get them; you won’t be disappointed.


31 Sunday October 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 Tuesday November 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
5 Friday November 2010 – The Forum, Melbourne
6 Saturday November 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
8 Monday November 2010 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

From Las Vegas to Oz: Human Nature Come Home

The lads from Human Nature are coming home for Christmas. The Sydney boys will take a three-week break from their Las Vegas residency to play shows all around the country inspired by their overseas stint.

The Direct from Las Vegas tour is Human Nature’s first Aussie tour in three years. They’re promising to play the Motown tunes they’ve made famous in Vegas, favourites from their original back catalogue, and a few tracks from their new album.

This disc will feature covers of songs inspired by Sin City. Think Elvis, Barry Manilow, and Tom Jones. If I don’t hear their spin on “Danke Schoen” I’ll be disappointed. Having said that, isn’t it about time Human Nature reminded us of their own pop talents and recorded an album of originals? They’re so much better than simply becoming a covers act.

The boys will jet back to Vegas after these shows, so if you want to see them make sure you snap up your tickets for the following shows on August 16 from the usual outlets.

3 December 2010 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
7 & 8 December 2010 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Melbourne
12 December 2010 – Kings Park, Perth
15 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
17 & 18 December 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Script Make a Return Visit to Oz

When I saw The Script last September they put on one of the most enjoyable shows I saw all year. At the time they were all over radio with their singles “Breakeven” and “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” but the buzz has died down just a little. Rest assured, it’s about to kick off again.

The band are returning to our shores to spruik their sophomore album Science and Faith. They’ll also be ably supported by the lovely Michael Paynter. What a shame it’s all on while I’m enjoying a well-earned holiday in Adelaide! There are only two dates announced, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we see them back for a full scale tour. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

I can’t make one of these gigs, but you really should. Snag your tickets on August 13 for the following shows.

43176, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Saturday July 31 2010. The Script perform at the In:Demand Live concert at the SECC in Glasgow. Photograph: Fred Lee, PacificCoastNews.com


5 October 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
6 October 2010 – Luna Park Big Top, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

City Riots Return Home for Tour with The Chemist

Adelaide is fertile musical ground, with the city giving birth to Cold Chisel, The Angels, Hilltop Hoods, and Guy Sebastian. Now we can add City Riots to the list.

They don’t have a record label, or an album on music shelves yet, but this band has achieved plenty. For the last couple of years they travelled around the world on the mother of all road trips which led to appearances at South by Southwest and Liverpool’s International Pop Festival, and the recording of their as-yet unreleased album with Bjorn Thorsrud. That this unsigned band could enlist the talents of the producer who’s worked with the Smashing Pumpkins and Dandy Warhols is a testimony to their musical chops and determination.

Now they’re home City Riots are preparing for their first co-headline tour with Perth indie crooners The Chemist. The tour will take the band to capital cities around the country before concluding with a bang at Gosford’s Coaster Festival.

If you love the tunes you hear on the stage rest assured, you won’t have to wait too long to buy them. City Riots plans to release their debut album next year. Until then, make sure you get along to see the Adelaide boys in the flesh at the following venues.

9 September 2010 – Big Sound, Brisbane
17 September 2010 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
18 September 2010 – Jive, Adelaide
24 September 2010 – Spectrum, Sydney
25 September 2010 – Coaster, Gosford

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment