Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Come Home

After a whirlwind world tour, Australia’s biggest ska success story, The Cat Empire, are glad to be home. Their performance at last weekend’s Splendour in the Grass festival kicked off what’s shaping up as a busy couple of months for the Melbourne sextet.

The Cat Empire will release album number four, So Many Nights, on September 22. To promote the release, they’ll perform shows in Cairns, Noosa, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide.

Can they break their own record in Sydney? In 1996 the band sold out seven consecutive shows at The Metro. This time around they’re booked in for eight appearances. Considering how long these funksters have been away, I’m pretty sure they bouncers will be turning away fans at the door.

So make sure you don’t miss out! Check The Cat Empire’s website to see when they’re playing near you.

Image source: MuntyPix @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

No Splendour for Damien Rice

Hardworking Irish troubadour Damien Rice has pulled out of the upcoming Splendour in the Grass festival due to exhaustion.

“This is not a decision that I made lightly, but the busy touring/travel schedule this year has taken its toll on my health and my voice,” Damien said in a press release. “I’m sorry to say that I am exhausted and need to take some time off right now to recuperate and get my voice back in shape.”

The announcement follows Damien’s withdrawal from the Pentaport and Fuji festivals last weekend.

But dry your tears festival-goers! Aussie acoustic heroes The Waifs will appear at the festival in Damien’s place. As The Waifs are now based in the United States, there aren’t too many chances to catch this brilliant indie act. This will be The Waifs first, but hopefully not their last, Splendour appearance.

Image source: Menage a Moi @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Franti Brings Up! Festival Down Under

Regular visitor to Aussie shores, Michael Franti, is heading to Oz with the Up! Festival next month. His band Spearhead will join local artists Ben Lee, Blue King Brown and Old Man River on the impressive bill.The Up! Festival won’t have a preachy political focus, but it does look to inspire people and get out to do good things.

“My goal is to put on a kick-ass f*cking show!” he said in an official press release. “When people leave the festival, I want them to feel inspired and motivated. We are living in an era of cynicism. One thing that kills cynicism for me is a healthy dose if fun.”

Bootleggers are in for a treat, as Franti is actually encouraging people to record the shows.

“I want to encourage people to have their voices heard and get used to that. One way of giving back to the community is allowing everyone to record, videotape, upload, download, blog any way they can and share it. All cameras, phones, audio recorders are legal! Everything’s legal at the Up! Festival.”

Continue reading “Michael Franti Brings Up! Festival Down Under” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sick Christina Cancels Aussie Shows

Christina Aguilera has cut her Australian tour short after contracting a severe flu.

The American songstress had originally hoped to merely postpone the performances. However, when she was diagnosed with a viral upper respiratory tract infection, a high fever, and abnormal coughing, it became clear the shows would not go ahead.

“I want to personally apologise to all of my fans for having to cancel my last two shows here in Melbourne,” Christina said in a statement last night.

“This is one of the best cities in the world to perform in, and I am truly disappointed that I won’t be able to share my show with you all.”

Illness has plagued Christina and her crew throughout the Australian tour. The singer cut her first Melbourne concert short due to poor health, and one crewmember was reportedly hospitalised.

Christina is due to perform in Auckland later this week, but these shows are also in doubt.

Fans with tickets for the July 28 and 30 shows can get an immediate refund from their point of purchase.

Image source: lwpkommunikacio @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Homebake Gets Girly Makeover

It’s all about the girls at this year’s Homebake festival. December’s event will pay homage to the achievements of Australian women in all creative arenas.

So it seems fitting that the headline act will be none other than 80’s supergroup, The Divinyls. The band’s iconic lead singer, Chrissy Amphlett, admitted she is both excited and petrified to return to Oz.

“It is great to be asked to do this and it will be great to perform again,” she told The Daily Telegraph from her New York home.

“But I’m terrified; bloody hell I’m terrified … playing in front of all those people. If I don’t think about all the people it will be all right.”

Missy Higgins, Sarah Blasko, Operator Please, and Angus and Julia Stone will also fly the flag for the girls. Plenty of girl-friendly male artists round up the lineup, including Josh Pyke, Paul Kelly, and Cut Copy.

Homebake promoter Joe Segreto was inspired to inject a feminist touch to the festival after witnessing the global rise of Australian actresses.

“The catalyst for this idea came from working with Toni Collette and her band, expanding my experience of the entertainment industry and witnessing the admiration in our country for the international successes of these women,” he explained.

Homebake will hit Sydney’s Domain on December 8. Tickets go on sale on August 20. As last year’s festival sold out in record time, you’d best get your tickets as soon as you can. You have been warned!

Image source: Homebake website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mia Dyson Tours America This Week

With a sound reminiscent of Pat Benatar and Suzi Quatro, Mia Dyson is sure to make a splash when she arrives in America this week.

The 25-year-old Victorian displays maturity beyond her years, with a world-weary voice and amazing guitar skills.

Mia also counts Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt, amongst her famous fans, and was thrilled to support both on their recent Australian tours.

In her latest album, Struck Down, Mia sings about finding her place in the world, and losing it just as quickly.

Mia Dyson will kick off her American tour at New York’s FalconRidge Festival on July 28. Struck Down will be released in Australia on August 27.

Image source: kingArthur_aus @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nick Cave Announces October Tour

Nick Cave fans are in for a real treat this October. Australia’s Prince of Darkness will return home for a double-header tour, which fittingly kicks off in Melbourne on Friday the 13th.

Nick will perform solo and Bad Seeds hits behind a grand piano during the first half of the concerts.

In the second, he’ll introduce his homeland to his new blues rock outfit, Grinderman. The band is a star-studded affair, featuring The Dirty Three’s Warren Ellis, ex-Triffid Martyn Casey, and The Vanity Set’s Jim Sclavunos.

Grinderman has already wowed crowds in London, and are set to do the same when they hit America later in the month. Tickets to the Australian shows are on sale tomorrow.

Image source: kingArthur_aus @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Police Bring Shows To Oz

We’ve been waiting to hear for a while, but now it’s official – The Police will head Down Under this summer.

Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers will kick off the Australian leg of their world tour at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on January 22. From there they’ll visit Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.

If the reports coming out of the United States are anything to go by, fans are in for a real treat. The band apparently sound as tight as ever, and love delivering a greatest hits set.

As well as hearing some great music, the audience can also feel good about helping WaterAid. A portion of the tour’s proceeds will benefit the international organisation which looks to reduce poverty by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

However, it’s a bit disappointing that The Police have chosen to play massive outdoor stadiums this time around. We all know punters will need to spend $250 a piece on A-class tickets to actually see the band, which makes it a pretty expensive night out.

Still, if you can swing it tickets are on sale from July 30. A six-ticket limit applies to keep scalpers at bay. Complete dates are available at The Police’s website.

Image source: Arniep/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano Hits the Road

Pop stalwart Kate Ceberano is hitting the road to celebrate the success of her latest release, Nine Lime Avenue.

The top 10 smash album has been Kate’s biggest seller in years. The homage to 80s pop includes cover versions of “Brass In Pocket,” “Raspberry Beret,” and her latest hit single, “Go Your Own Way.”

The concerts will include songs from the latest album and her greatest hits, including “Brave”, “Pash,” and “Bedroom Eyes.”

Kate will be taking a very special guest on the tour: her Dancing With the Stars partner John-Paul Collins. The pair waltzed their way to victory in the sixth series of the popular reality television program.

“This is a dream come true,” Kate announced on her website. “The opportunity to present music and dance together is a fantasy I’ve had since I was a little girl.”

Kate Ceberano’s all-singing, all-dancing tour kicks off in Sydney on September 14.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Bands for Splendour

Punters who’ve already secured their Splendour in the Grass tickets are in for a real treat. A swag of new bands have been added to the line up of the sold-out festival.

Irish folkie Damien Rice, alt rockers Ash, and local stars Sneaky Sound System, The Herd, and Paul Kelly are new additions to Saturday’s bill. They join the already stellar lineup which includes Lily Allen, Powderfinger, Kaiser Chiefs, and Grinspoon.

On the Sunday, fans will now be treated to performances by indie treadmill kings OK Go!, and local heroes Spiderbait, Kisschasy, and Holly Throsby. They will join the Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Barty, Hilltop Hoods and heaps more.

Splendour in the Grass hits the Belongil Fields in Bryon Bay on August 4 and 5. If you’ve got your tickets, it looks like you’ll get more bang for your buck. If not, there’s always next year.

Image source: Sry85 @ Wikimedia Commons