Nouvelle Vague Do Covers Like No Others

For a concert experience like no other, make sure you check out quirky French outfit Nouvelle Vague when they visit our shores latest this year.

The band will play acoustic versions of their unique covers of songs from Depeche Mode, The Buzzcocks, Billy Idol, and Blondie. If you like your gritty rock with a European lounge feel, this is the show for you!

Check out this one of a kind band this December at the following East Coast shows!

18 December 2008 – The Prince of Wales, Melbourne
19 December 2008 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
20 December 2008 – The Powerhouse, Brisbane

Image source: Nouvelle Vague media page

Chris Isaak Live in Australia Next March

Honorary Aussie Chris Isaak is currently visiting to promote his new album, Live in Australia. But we won’t have to wait too long to see him belting out those live songs in person.

Chris must have enjoyed the wineries he visited on his last Aussie dates, because he’s doing another round of vineyard concerts, as well as a few entertainment centre gigs.

The sexy San Franciscan native has promised to play some new songs at the shows, so fans won’t want to miss them! You can see Chris play next March at the following venues.

7 and 8 March 2009 – Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River
11 March 2009 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
14 March 2009 – Barossa Under The Stars, Barossa Valley
15 March 2009 – Sunset In The Vines, Sutton Grange Winery
17 March 2009 – AIS Arena, Canberra
19 March 2009 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
20 March 2009 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
21 March 2009 – Lindemans Winery, Hunter Valley
22 March 2009 – Riverstage, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom

Golden Plains Festival Lineup Announced

The line-up for the annual Golden Plains festival has been announced, and it’s a real mixed bag.

Big name international stars Gary Numan, Mogwai, Dan Deacon, and Brant Bjork and the Bros will join local legends The Church, You Am I, and The Drones.

This year’s festival happens at the Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre on March 7, 8, and 9, 2009.

To get your hand on some tickets head to the Golden Plains website and put your name down on the ballot. Good luck!

Image source: Ed Fielding @ Flickr

Jim Ward Visits Australia

Former At the Drive In and Sparta member Jim Ward is visiting our shores. Now with his new band Sleepercar, the singer and guitarist says the trip to Australia will provide just the change of pace he’s looking for.

“I need a change of pace and a stretch after a long year on the road with Sleepercar, so I decided to end my year the way I started; by getting on a plane with my guitar and heading down to Australia to play some songs,” he said in a statement.

Catch Jim Ward at the following dates.

4 December 2008 – Ding Dong, Melbourne
5 December 2008 – Korova Lounge, Ballarat
6 December 2008 – BANG, Melbourne
9 December 2008 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
11 December 2008 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
12 December 2008 – Hunter Valley Brewery, Maitland
13 December 2008 – Thriller, Brisbane

Image source: Kurt Christensen @ Flickr

Leonard Cohen Announces Australian Tour

Leonard Cohen tours are rare, and international shows are even rarer. So it’s a real surprise to hear the Canadian troubadour is winging his way to Oz next year for some winery and theatre shows.

Promoter Michael Gudinski says fans are in for a real treat.

“The Leonard Cohen concert I saw last month was almost a religious experience. Fans were captivated the moment Leonard walked out onto the stage. His band and backing vocalists are first class, and the man himself can only be described as magical. It’s one of the few concerts that I’ve seen that has kept me in one spot from start to finish – not wanting to miss a moment of what ended up being more than three hours of musical genius,” he enthused in a statement.

Leonard will be ably supported by Australia’s own singing balladeer Paul Kelly. What a double act!

Make sure you check out the Frontier Touring website to see how you can get your hands on some presale tickets for these very special shows!

24 January 2009 – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
26 January 2009 – Leconfield Wines, Adelaide
28 January 2009 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
31 January 2009 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley
1 February 2009 – Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
3 February 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
5 February 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
7 February 2009 – Sandalford Wines, Perth

Image source: Trevor Haldenby @ Flickr

The Galvatrons Tour Crazy!

No one can accuse the lads from The Galvatrons of being lazy. They’ve just returned from Europe where they toured the festival circuit, and they’re set to take off again supporting Def Leppard and Cheap Trick around Oz. But that’s not all. They’re also embarking on their own headline tour at the same time!

The Robots are Cool tour will take in capital cities and regional centres along the East Coast throughout October and November. Some nights they’re doing shows in completely different cities – you’ve got to admire that kind of dedication!

Get out and show your support at the following shows!

23 October 2008 – NUSA Rocks @ Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University
24 October 2008 – Roi Bar, Albury
25 October 2008 – The Commercial Hotel, Benalla
1 November 2008 – Mojo’s, Perth
7 November 2008 – The Annandale Hotel, Sydney
8 November 2008 – Djerriwarrh Festival, Melton
13 November 2008 – Wollongong University
20 November 2008 – The Globe Theatre, Brisbane
21 November 2008 – The Hard Rock Café, Gold Coast
22 November 2008 – The Sands Tavern, Sunshine Coast
23 November 2008 – The Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
27 November 2008 – Adelaide Uni Bar on the Hill
28 November 2008 – The Gershwin Room, Melbourne
29 November 2008 – Foreshore Festival, Canberra

Image source: Newscom

Revenge is Sweeter for The Veronicas

After months abroad The Veronicas are coming home for some local shows. The Veronicas will visit capital cities and regional centres around the country in February for their Revenge is Sweeter tour.

“We’re so excited about coming home to tour for our fans in February!” gushed Jess Origliasso. “We’ve played some amazing shows across America over the last six months, but with all the surprises in store for our Revenge Is Sweeter tour, we think these shows are going to be our best yet. We can’t wait to see everyone again and share the show with you!””

The Brisbane twins will be joined by American sensations Metro Station and up-and-coming local outfit Short Stack.
With three courses of pop rock goodness, these shows are sure to be popular. Make sure you get yours early when they go on sale on Tuesday 28 October! Here are all the dates!

13 February 2009 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre
14 February 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
16 February 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
20 February 2009 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
21 February 2009 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
24 February 2009 – The Palais Theatre, Melbourne
26 February 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
28 February 2009 – Challenge Stadium, Perth

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

An Horse Sign American Record Deal

Brisbane’s An Horse have just signed with up and coming American label Mom & Pop Music! The Brisbane indie pop stars caught the attention of the New York label through their touring mates Tegan and Sara.

Kate Cooper and Damon Cox will tour the United States through October and November, including appearances at the CMJ Music Marathon. Then they’ll head back here for some shows in January!

The duo’s highly anticipated debut will be released in Australia and the United States early next year. Until then, fans can catch them at the following venues!

20 October 2008 – IOTA Club & Café, Arlington, VA
21 October 2008 – Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
22 October 2008 – CMJ Music Marathon @ 205 Club, New York, NY
23 October 2008 – The Kyhber, Philadelphia, PA
24 October 2008 – Café 939, Boston, MA
25 October 2008 – CMJ Music Marathon @ The Living Room, New York, NY
28 October 2008 – The Abbey, Chicago, IL
29 October 2008 – The Pike Room, Detroit, MI
30 October 2008 – Mad Hatter, Covington, KY
1 November 2008 – The Basement, Nashville, TN
2 November 2008 – Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
5 November 2008 – Opolis, Norman, OK
6 November 2008 – Bash Rip Rock’s 2, Lubbock, TX
7 November 2008 – Hailey’s, Denton, TX
11 November 2008 – The Echo, Los Angeles, CA
12 November 2008 – The Independent, San Francisco, CA
14 November 2008 – Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT
8 January 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
9 January 2009 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
11 January 2009 – HQ, Adelaide

Image source: Lost Albatross @ Flickr

Buckle Up For the Cassette Kids Tour Bus

Those crazy Cassette Kids are loading up their seven-seater for the Tour Bus tour! The 15-date, five-state journey will celebrate the October 18 release of the band’s new mini-album We Are.

This Sydney outfit is famous for combining crunchy indie guitars with pumping dance rhythms. They’ve supported some of today’s hottest bands including The Ting Tings, Van She, and The Presets, and now they’re stepping into the spotlight for their own headline tour.

Ever wondered what really goes on when rock stars get on the road? Wonder no more! The Cassette Kids will broadcast live from their sticker-covered bus every day of their tour. Make sure you tune into their MySpace page between 4:30 and 5:30 pm to see all their adventures. But that’s not all. The band will post blogs and vlogs at all hours of the day and night, so you can see exactly how this band rocks Oz!

If you want to join in the fun, make sure you check out the Cassette Kids Tour Bus when it rolls into your town! Here are all the dates!
24 October 2008 – Mona Vale Hotel
25 October 2008 – Village Fair, Bathurst
30 October 2008 – Alhambra, Brisbane
31 Oct 2008 – Elsewhere, Gold Coast
7 November 2008 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
14 November 2008 – Libertine Ranch, Wollongong
19 November 2008 – Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
20 November 2008 – Transit Bar, Canberra
21 November 2008 – Newcastle Uni T2R
22 November 2008 – Ding Dong, Melbourne
23 November 2008 – Club4Play, Geelong
27 November 2008 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
28 November 2008 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
29 November 2008 – Stereosonic Festival, Melbourne
5 December 2008 – The Mean Fiddler, Rouse Hill

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Eric Clapton Heads Down Under

Eric Clapton must have had a fantastic time in Australia in 2007. He hadn’t been here in 20 years, but now he’s set to return in 2009.

But the guitar legend is here for a good time, not a long time, only announcing dates in New South Wales and Victoria.

Sydney and Melbourne always get a run, but more surprising is the announcement of a concert at the Hunter Valley’s Hope Estate. Clapton will be the first artist to play at their new amphitheatre, and I can’t think of a better way to christen it!

Tickets Eric Clapton’s Down Under shows go on sale on October 24.

7 March 2009 – Hope Estate, Hunter Valley
8 March 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
10 March 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

Image source: Photo Mojo @ Flickr