Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jordy Maxwell Releases Uplifting Folk Anthem, “Let Me Out”

Boorloo/Perth indie-folk act Jordy Maxwell will make your day better with his new single “Let Me Out.” It’s a textbook example of how you build a song. I love its gentle acoustic opening but really appreciate how it builds to this cathartic climax once the percussion and strings kick in.

“‘Let Me Out’ started as a phone recording and some seriously silly lyrics. After listening back, the chord progression and melody were kept, and the song evolved from a simple, sweet start, into a massive build-up and release,” Jordy explained. “With the help of the violins and drums, I wanted to create momentum in the back end of the song that inspires and motivates. The song is a journey of feeling so trapped in life, whether it be a location, a relationship, or work and eventually being able to release yourself from what’s dragging you away from what you love. It’s a song I hope can inspire people to make a change if they feel they need it in their life.”

Jordy will join fellow Aussie singer-songwriter Jack Botts on his national tour, which kicks off later this month in Tandanya/Adelaide.

31 March 2023 – Lion Arts Factory, Tandanya/Adelaide
1 April 2023 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth
14 April 2023 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 April 2023 – Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney
28 April 2023 – 170 Russell, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

LOSER Drop Rocking New Single “The More I Know” Ahead of East Coast Tour

I’ve been really impressed watching Stadium Dreams On a Bedroom Budget, the new EP from LOSER, unfold. In case you missed it, these local rockers have opted to drop a new track every few weeks, giving us time to sit with each one, rather than just dumping them all at once. You might think that four tracks in the project might be losing steam, but the latest cut, “The More I Know” might just be my favourite. It’s giving me serious Foo Fighters stadium vibes. Crank it up and you’ll hear what I mean.

“After lockdown it was hard to get back to regular programming, I lost faith in playing music and I was questioning whether I wanted to do it anymore. Craig and I sat down and punched this song out in a day,” explained the band’s frontman, Tim Maxwell. “The lyrics are the most meaningful on the EP. It’s about getting out of that rut and wanting to succeed more than ever after spending so much creative energy trying to make ends meet.”

This would be a great time to let you know that LOSER will tour the East Coast in May to celebrate the release of Stadium Dreams On a Bedroom Budget. While you’re at the shows, you may be lucky enough to score one of the limited edition signed clear 12” vinyls. LOSER will randomly draw a ticket holder’s name in the middle of each set to score one of these babies, which are the only physical merch available for this release.

“Call it crazy, call it genius, call it something in between – either way we thought this was the best and coolest way to share something special for this EP with our fans,” the band said. “It’s a gift to the people who come to see us live and hopefully a cool collectible in the future as we won’t ever be pressing this release again in its current form. We’re yet to know if our signatures will actually de-value the vinyl or not.”

If you want one, you’re just going to have to get to one of these gigs!

4 May 2023 – Oxford Arts Factory Gallery Bar, Eora/Sydney
5 May 2023 – Cambridge Sideroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
6 May 2023 – Dicey Riley’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)
11 May 2023 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
12 May 2023 – Black Bear Lodge, Meeajin/Brisbane
13 May 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Ian Laidlaw

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dande and the Lion Release Indie-Pop Treat, “Children of the Hour”

I love a happy-sad song. You know those ones that get you up and dancing, but are a lot darker than they first appear once you start listening to the lyrics. So “Children of the Hour,” the latest single from Eora/Sydney act Dande and the Lion, has everything I’m looking for. Rest assured, it will get you up off your seat and grooving along to the beat. But once you tap into the words, you’ll start to fully appreciate this gem.

‘Children of the Hour’ was inspired by a play I read by Lilian Hellman – ‘The Children’s Hour’ – that was later adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine,” explained vocalist Natassa Zoe. “Hellman’s story played a part in helping to initiate my songwriting process and I started to reflect on how this related to experiences in my own life at that time. ‘Children of the Hour’ centres around the push and pull within an intimate relationship; meeting someone who takes you completely off-guard and shakes up your world in a totally unexpected way. So much so, that you start creating excuses to see them, thinking about a future with them, yet despite all those feelings it never quite matches up, for whatever reason you’re both just out of touch.

“The song itself is about being playful in the moment, following the feeling rather than over-thinking things. Yet, despite this, the ‘hour’ never being quite right and ultimately leading to the endless wondering of how things might have been under different circumstances, in another time.”

Dande and the Lion are current touring around the East Coast to support this single’s release. Here are all their remaining dates:
3 March 2023 – Oriental Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle
25 March 2023 – The Jynx House @ Venue 114, Kabi Kabi and Jinibari Country/Sunshine Coast (supporting The VANNS)
5 April 2023 – Mumbo Jumbo’s, Darkinjung Country/Terrigal
14 April 2023 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Dharawal Country/Towradgi
21 April 2023 – The Gum Ball, Wonnarua Country/Lower Belford
28 April 2023 – Kelly’s on King, Eora/Newtown

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Saz Watson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MANE Wows Me With “Breathing Again”

LGBTQIA+ indie pop artist MANE has floored me with her beautiful new single “Breathing Again.” Giving us our first taste of her sophomore EP, this stunning track makes me pretty excited about what comes next. It’s anthemic and dramatic while being rooted in honest emotions.

“I distinctly remember writing this song with Charlie (McClean, cofounder of She Writes) at Kobalt studios in LA and feeling overwhelmed by a waterfall of happy/sad emotions … Charlie really gently helped coax them out of me in a way where I didn’t need to be specific or elaborate into any detail which was really nice,” she said. “The song to me is about a moment of clarity or relief in the midst of healing from something – the sometimes fleeting feeling that it is in fact going to be OK, for me those moments provide a lot of hope. It’s refreshing, relieving and sometimes exciting to feel, especially if it’s felt heavy and dark for so long. I think finding a space where you can genuinely smile, breathe and just exist after a grief is a testament to your own resilience, because even though you may still be going through it your finding room around it to seek hope and happiness and I think that’s brave as hell!”

A true creative, MANE also produced and edited the music video for her latest single.

“The footage of the dancer was filmed by Omri Ohana and although the choreography was not intended for my song it was really special editing it myself and seeing how well it came together,” MANE added. “The dilapidated settings of the dancing scenes had a real sense of finding beauty in the ugliness and heaviness that some of us face daily which is kinda what Breathing Again is about … so it just felt really right

The release of “Breathing Again” is the start of an exciting new chapter for MANE. Not only is her new EP on the way, she’s heading to the United States for festivals and a string of headlining shows. America, you are in for such a treat.

8-11 March 2023 – New Colossus Festival, New York City
12 March 2023 – Beerburg Brewery Festival, Austin
13-18 March 2023 – SXSW, Austin
19 March 2023 – New New Festival, Dallas
22 March 2023 – The East Room, Nashville
24 March 2023 – The Monarch, Louisville
25 March 2023 – TBA, Cincinnati
1 April 2023 – Plan 9 Records, Richmond (Acoustic Pop-Up Show)
4 April 2023 – The Camel, Richmond
12 April 2023 – TBA, Los Angeles

Image used with permission from Pretty Good Thanks; credit: Friends on Film

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meatstock Expands Events for 2023

If you love meat, country music, and a whole lot of fun, you’re going to want a ticket to Meatstock. Fresh from a sell-out event in Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba last year, Meatstock is expanding with Naarm/Melbourne and Eora/Sydney dates complementing the original.

The musical lineup varies in each city, but includes talents like Casey Barnes, Kingswood, Brad Cox, and Grinspoon. You won’t leave hungry, with plenty of BBQ pitmasters and food trucks on hand. As if that wasn’t enough, there’ll also be professional bull-riding and strong man and woman competitions.

Each event has day and weekend passes available. Queenslanders can also stay on site with camping and RV options. Tickets are on sale now but selling fast, so get onto it!

18-19 March 2023 – Melbourne Showgrounds, Naarm/Melbourne
14-15 April 2023 – Toowoomba Showgrounds, Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba
5-7 May 2023 – Sydney Showgrounds @ Olympic Park, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from UMM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

High Tropics Rock Out With “Girlfriends”

Kabi Kabi/Sunshine Coast indie-rock act High Tropics has put a smile on my face this morning with their cool new single “Girlfriends.” With gritty guitars, easy vocals, and an infectious melody, I know you’re going to dig it too.

“‘Girlfriends’ is a down-and-out love song that doubles as a love letter to the green queen Mary Jane,” explained the band’s creator, Josh Stewart. “Written during the healing process of a six-year relationship ending, it’s a song about picking yourself up and moving on.”

This track sounds effortless, but Josh has recently been candid about the struggles he faces with Crohn’s disease.

“I first got into music for all the wrong reasons, eventually completed a bachelor of audio engineering and got really ill in my final year of the degree,” he shared. “I ended up getting diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2013, which altered the course of my life. Ironically though, it was the thing that made me fall in love with and develop my songwriting, as it became my way of escaping reality. It’s my therapy.”

“As I’ve seen a bit of the stigma around disabilities lessen in society over the last few years, it’s helped me reflect and embrace my own struggles and experiences, and see it as part of my story, not something to be ashamed of. I want to be a force for good, and hiding my condition from the world doesn’t help anyone. Our industry has made some great headway with diversity over the last few years, but disabled artists are still extremely underrepresented, and my silence certainly hasn’t helped. I’d like to see more support for people living with disabilities, specifically within the music industry. It’s time to lose the stigma, let’s show the world everybody can rock.”

You can see Josh and his friends rock out when High Tropics hits cities around Queensland to promote this single in the coming months. Catch them at the following venues near you:

31 March 2023 – Solbar, Gubbi Gubbi/Maroochydore
21 April 2023 – Ole Bar, Kabi Kabi/Noosa
12 May 2023 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano Releasing “My Life is a Symphony” Album

Knowing absolutely everything sounds better when it’s backed by a symphony orchestra, Kate Ceberano is revisiting her hits with the release of her new album My Life is a Symphony. After hearing the way the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra elevate ‘90s pop banger “Pash” to an absolute epic, I’m pretty excited for the rest of this record.

“This album was conceived and the orchestra recorded in the last months before the Covid “blackout”! After several years of waiting to complete it, when I finally got to return to the project and record the vocals it was a very emotional experience for me…back in a studio where i had recorded Brave 35 years before – and with my daughter now singing BVs,” she gushed. “I never wanted to take anything for granted again. I was more committed, bolder, and more willing to back my stories and songwriting. The power of the orchestra, the arrangements by my talented friend Roscoe have given new life to songs that together we cherrypicked from my albums over the years. Songs that are meaningful to me, earmarking personal memories and travelling with me across four decades.”

My Life is a Symphony drops on May 12. Kate will tour all around the country playing festivals and headlining shows with state orchestras from May promoting its release. Here are the dates so far, but if she hasn’t announced your nearest city don’t stress. More shows will be announced in the coming months.

11 March 2023 – Brighter Days Festival, Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang Country/Bright
18 March 2023 – Lighthouse Theatre’s 40th Anniversary, Dhauwurd Wurrung Country/Warrnambool
27 May 2023 – Hamer Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
10 June 2023 – Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre, Tartanya/Adelaide (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)
5 July 2023 – Big Red Bash, Wirrarri/Birdsville
18 August 2023 – Mundi Mundi Bash, Wilyakali Country/Broken Hill
25 August 2023 – Stranded in the Whitsundays @ Daydream Island Resort, Ngaro Country/Whitsundays (with Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Black Sorrows, and Mahalia Barnes)

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute; credit: Justine Walpole

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

One of One Expands, Offers Public Tickets for First Time

For years One of One events have looked to empower women and gender non-conforming members of the music industry, but since they were invite-only many people missed out. Organisers are doing things a little differently this year, opening up public tickets to these exciting events in Melbourne and Sydney.

This year’s tour of breakfast events kicks off on International Women’s Day in Meeanjin/Brisbane. This is the first time One of One has visited the city.

“The music industry in Meeanjin is thriving now, more than ever before. It’s home to so many amazing women and non-binary folk and we cannot wait to get them all together in one room to chat, celebrate and watch some very talented speakers and performers,” the local One of One team said. “We’re honoured to welcome the One of One team to Meeanjin/Brisbane and delighted to be teaming up with them to launch our first One of One – International Women’s Day event. We’ve enviously watched the One of One events take place in other cities and leapt at the chance to work with their incredible team.”

While the Brisbane, Darwin, and Adelaide events remain invite-only, tickets for Melbourne and Sydney go on sale on February 27. You can sign up for updates at the One of One website.

8 March 2023 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
10 March 2023 – The Botanic Gardens, Larrakia/Darwin
15 March 2023 – The Gov, Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide
21 March 2023 – The Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
24 March 2023 – The Factory Theatre, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reckless Coast Rock Out With “Gossip”

Given their name, you might expect Meeanjin/Brisbane band Reckless Coast to create laidback acoustic tunes to soundtrack your beach tunes. Press play on their latest track “Gossip” and in just a few seconds you’ll realise they’re not that band. Not even close. Reckless Coast can rock with the best of them, so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

“Gossip was written to cause pure chaos live,” said songwriter and frontman Jaeden Ogston. “I wanted an anarchic energy to the song, and I think we definitely delivered on that!”

“I can’t get enough of playing this song live,” added bassist India Raine. “Our energy goes full throttle and I love seeing the crowd’s uncontained response.”

Are you getting the idea that this band loves being on stage? Fresh from supporting Aussie rock icons The Poor, Reckless Coast will play shows along the East Coast next month. Here are all the dates you need:

3 March 2023 – The Espy, Euro Yuroke/St. Kilda (FREE)
4 March 2023 – Bad Decisions, Ngár-go/Fitzroy
16 March 2023 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle (FREE)
17 March 2023 – Burdekin Hotel, Eora/Sydney
19 March 2023 – Last Rites, Yaegl/Yamba
31 March 2023 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image used with permission from Reyco Records; credit: Will Johnstone

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Budjerah Drops New Single Ahead of Ed Sheeran Shows

Budjerah is already one of the hottest emerging artists in the country, and he’s set to get a whole lot bigger in the coming months. He’ll play massive stadiums around the country supporting Ed Sheeran and slots at For The Love Festival. He’s also just dropped a fabulous new single, “Therapy,” penned by superstar songwriters Sarah Aarons (John Legend, Demi Lovato) and Stint (Kesha, Panic! At the Disco).

“When I first heard the demo for ‘Therapy’, it hit me at the perfect time. I was going through a few things and the song really nailed how I was feeling at the time,” Budjerah admitted. “Therapy is about frustration in a relationship. It’s the thoughts and feelings that can erupt when you don’t understand each other and that can be tough to deal with. Therapy can come in many forms, but taking a step back and getting an outside perspective is something that has helped me.”

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Budjerah this year, starting with all these dates:

17 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
18 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
19 February 2023 – Suncorp Stadium, Meeanjin/Brisbane (supporting Ed Sheeran)
24 February 2023 – Accor Stadium, Eora/Sydney (supporting Ed Sheeran)
25 February 2023 – Accor Stadium, Eora/Sydney (supporting Ed Sheeran)
26 February – For the Love Festival @ Thomas Dalton Park, Woolyungah/Wollongong
2 March 2023 – MCG, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting Ed Sheeran)
3 March 2023 – MCG, Naarm/ Melbourne (supporting Ed Sheeran)
4 March 2023 – For the Love Festival @ Catani Gardens, Naarm/Melbourne
5 March 2023 – For the Love Festival @ Taylor Reserve, Boorloo/Perth
7 March 2023 – Adelaide Oval, Tarntanya/Adelaide (supporting Ed Sheeran)
12 March 2023 – Optus Stadium, Boorloo/Perth (supporting Ed Sheeran)

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia; credit: Max Doyle