Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“This Home is Mine” – Stumps

I must admit, I didn’t get Stumps’ new EP This Home is Mine right away. It felt like this Sydney band was trying too hard to be The Smiths. But I have a rule that I won’t turn off any recording before it gets to the end. I know bands have spent time slaving away in the studio laying down their tracks, so they deserve to be heard out.

It all clicked for me somewhere around the third track, “Matthew McConaughey.” I found myself having fun, tapping my feet along in time with the chorus, which clicks this song into gear. From that moment I was firmly on board.

After listening to this EP once, I felt compelled to go back to the start and try again. Second time around, those early tracks made so much more sense to me. Each song from This Home is Mine is like a sucker punch. Not one clocks in at over four minutes – most tracks are around the three-minute mark – so there’s no time for the band to muck around. They go hard, dropping F-bombs and embracing big chords and thumping drums.

Stumps won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but This Home is Mine is bloody good fun. It’s bold and raucous, unashamedly unapologetic. Crank it up and give it a chance. If you’re like me, you’ll be glad you did.

I have an inkling this music is going to sound even better in a packed pub with a beer in hand. If you do too, make sure you don’t miss Stumps’ upcoming shows.

14 April 2018 – Waywards, Sydney (supporting Maddy Jane)
20 April 2018 – Gasometer, Melbourne (supporting Maddy Jane)
2 May 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (FREE)
4 May 2018 – Waywards, Sydney
5 May 2018 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne (FREE)

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ryan Downey Drops New Single Ahead Of Album Release and Tour

Just a week out from the release of his debut album Running, Ryan Downey has dropped another stellar single. “1+1” is a dreamy ballad featuring guest vocals from Zoe Randall.

Zoe’s voice is lovely, but I think Ryan is the real star here. He reminds me a little of Chris Isaak, which his rich, resonant voice, but I find his music much more compelling and captivating than the American crooner’s.

I also love the clip, which again sees Ryan collaborating with filmmaker Alex Badham. It has such a simple premise, but like the song itself it draws you in and hits you right in the heart.

Ryan is set for a busy couple of months with shows supporting Sarah Blasko and his own headlining dates for the album. See him at the following venues.

11 May 2018 – The Great Northern, Byron Bay (with Sarah Blasko)
12 May 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane (with Sarah Blasko)
17 May 2018 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
23 May 2018 – Canberra Theatre Centre (with Sarah Blasko)
24 May 2018 – The Junk Bar, Brisbane
26 May 2018 – Oxford Art Factory Gallery, Sydney
1 June 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney (with Sarah Blasko)
8 June 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide (with Sarah Blasko)
14 &15 June 2018 – The Rosemount, Perth (with Sarah Blasko)
21 June 2018 – The Capital, Bendigo (with Sarah Blasko)
22 June 2018 – 170 Russell, Melbourne (with Sarah Blasko)

Image used with permission from Remote Control Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Damien Dempsey Headlining Sydney Irish Festival

I’ve got a fairly lengthy travel bucket list, but Ireland is right at the top. I have fantasies of drinking amazing ales in rowdy pubs and seeing the next big musicians before they break. Not to mention that hearing an Irish accent makes me weak at the knees. If you’re as besotted with Ireland as I am, you’ll want to get to the 2018 Magners Sydney Irish Festival this November.

You can expect a healthy dose of Irish culture, with amazing food and drink, competitive hurling, and music. The incomparable Damien Dempsey will headline. I saw him perform with Glen Hansard a few years back and he knocked my socks off. Speaking of, after binge-listening to his new album, I am crossing my fingers Glen might be part of the forthcoming artist announcements. Organisers, please make it happen! We’ll also enjoy traditional Irish music from Lúnasa and the celebrated “atmosfolk” of Saint Sister. The festival is set to be great fun for all ages, with face painting, amusement rides, and kids activities as well.

The Magners Sydney Irish Festival hits Sydney Olympic Park on November 10 and 11. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Canada’s Terra Lightfoot Ready for Aussie Album Tour

I intended to listen to “Pinball King,” the current single from Terra Lightfoot’s new album New Mistakes to decide whether it was putting on your radar ahead of her Aussie tour this month. But Terra Lightfoot music is a little like Easter chocolate. It’s impossible to stop at just one song. Needless to say, this article got put on the back burner because I needed to listen to the entire album. Twice. It’s just that good. And no doubt her upcoming tour will be as well.

Terra is playing shows along the East Coast, both as a headliner and in supporting duties for Letters to Lions.

“We came to Australia for the first time in the spring, and were welcomed with open arms. Each city we visited was more beautiful than the last—and I was properly initiated when I got stung by a bluebottle on the beach in Cronulla,” Terra explained. “I felt very at home in Australia; I loved all the musicians we met, and we made so many friends and can’t wait to see them all again! We are going to have so much fun.”

Get on this one music lovers. If her new album is any indication, Terra’s shows are sure to be excellent.

18 April 2018 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
19 April 2018 – The Gasometer (Upstairs), Melbourne (with Letters to Lions)
20 April 2018 – The Loft, Warrnambool (with Letters to Lions)
22 April 2018 – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne
24 April 2018 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
27April 2018 – Gumball Festival, Dashville
28 April 2018 – Beaches, Thirroul
29 April 2018 – The Quarterdeck, Narooma
2 May 2018 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
3 May 2018 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
4 May 2018 – Nightquarter, Gold Coast
5 May 2018 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
6 May 2018 – Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Out of Sadness Comes Pop Smash for Iluka

It’s a case of turning lemons into lemonade, or heartbreak into indie pop gold for Iluka, who’s just released her new track “Ritual.”

“When I wrote ‘Ritual’ it was quite melancholic and full of longing and sadness,” she explained. “The original demo is slow and kind of heart breaking. I was in this place of loneliness, this bitter sweet kind of feeling that comes after a relationship has ended and you’re reflecting back and in this self-searching phase trying desperately to figure out who you are again. Then as I began playing it with the band and eventually took it into the studio, it became more of this celebration and defiant kind of song. The ritual of falling in and out of love, learning to stand on your own two feet again. To be defined as yourself, by yourself, and follow your own star. Everyone has their own ritual, and this is mine.”

Ritual is the title track of Iluka’s new EP, which is available through her website from Friday. Not so coincidentally, that’s when Iluka kicks off her East Coast tour. Check her out at the following venues.

6 April 2018 – Mo’s Clubhouse, Gold Coast
7 April 2018 – Bloodhound Bar, Brisbane
12 April 2018 – Transit Bar, Canberra (FREE)
14 April 2018 – Grace Darling, Melbourne
20 April 2018 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
21 April 2018 – Waywards, Sydney

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Perch Creek Offer Soulful Taste of New Album

Melbourne band Perch Creek have taken me back to the ‘70s with their soulful new single “Gold Shop.” I love its funky bass groove and those honey vocals from Eileen Hodgkins. The retro inspired film clip is also stellar.

“We came up with the general concept of a ‘70s style action chase (inspired by the classic Beastie Boys film clip for Sabotage) featuring our Kingswood, maybe a fake moustache and the backdrop of the North Coburg industrial zone [in Melbourne’s north],” explained the band’s bassist, James Chandler. “It wasn’t until we met Sasha, who directed and shot the film with Honey Editorial, that the screenplay really took shape. They capitalised on our comic acting and made full use of our vintage car and bike collection to create an epic, hilarious and at times confounding four-and-a-half minute action flick. It’s definitely the coolest video we’ve done yet.”

“Gold Shop” comes from Perch Creek’s new self-titled album, which will hit stores on April 13. The band will celebrate its release with shows in the capitals and major regional centres around the country.

31 May 2018 – Fly by Night, Fremantle (18+)
2 & 3 June 2018 – Denmark Festival of Voice, Denmark (ALL AGES)
7 June 2018 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (ALL AGES)
8 June 2018 – The Metropole Guesthouse, Katoomba (ALL AGES)
10 June 2018 – Smiths Alternative, Canberra (18+)
14 June 2018 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (18+)
15 June 2018 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast (ALL AGES – FREE)
16 June 2018 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore (ALL AGES)
17 June 2018 – Pelican Playhouse, Grafton (ALL AGES)
21 June 2018 – The Workers Club, Geelong (18+)
22 June 2018 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (18+)
23 June 2018 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy (18+)
29 June 2018 – Jive Bar, Adelaide (18+)
1 July 2018 – Thornbury Bowls Club, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
6 July 2018 – Major Tom’s, Kyneton (ALL AGES)
7 July 2018 – Sandy Point Music Club, Sandy Point (ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mary Webb Goes Her Own Way With “Gecko Fingers”

Adelaide singer-songwriter Mary Webb is doing music differently. You can get a taste of how she’s breaking the mould with her new single “Gecko Fingers.”

It’s such a unique track, folky and a little jazzy, poetically written and so endearing.

“Gecko Fingers” comes from Mary’s recently released album Love Like Planets, which was recorded in Montana. Mary is currently bringing music from this unique album to music lovers all around the country. Here are all the places you can see her play.

6 April 2018 – Willie’s Apple Shed, Tasmania (FREE ALL AGES WITH PARENT)
22 April 2018 – Milk Factory, Brisbane (4pm ALL AGES)
28 April 2018 – Smiths Alternative Bookshop, Canberra
4 May 2018 – The Edwards Newcastle (ALL AGES)
27 May 2018 – Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows (1pm ALL AGES)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Screaming Jets and Boom Crash Opera Team Up For Rock Radio Riot Tour

Am I the only one seeing bands announcing shows for the second-half of the year feeling it’s way too early to start thinking so far ahead? If you love classic Aussie rock, you’re going to want to reserve space in your calendar though, as The Screaming Jets and Boom Crash Opera are teaming up for one big tour, dubbed the Rock Radio Riot tour.

“The Screaming Jets have always, always, always promoted Australian rock ‘n’ roll,” confirmed The Jets frontman, Dave Gleeson. “Australian rock ‘n’ roll is a mission, it‘s a vocation, it is something that must be a part of your life. This tour is a way of reminding us all of the days when Australian music flooded the national radio airwaves. Let’s get back to that again.”

Expect to hear all the hits from these massive Aussie acts in the venues they were meant to be heard at. These guys could easily sell out theatres, but they’d rather take you to places with standing room and sticky floors. Rock on!

3 & 4 August 2018 – Bridge Hotel, Sydney (The Screaming Jets only)
10 August 2018 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster
11 August 2018 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave
17 August 2018 – Kingsford Juniors, Sydney
18 August 2018 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill
24 August 2018 – Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast
25 August 2018 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane
31 August & 1 September 2018 – The Gov, Adelaide
7 September 2018 – Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood
8 September 2018 – Charles Hotel, Perth
14 September 2018 – Miranda Hotel, Sydney
15 September 2018 – Revesby Workers, Sydney

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

’90s Bands Rule at Stones Corner Festival

The organisers of the Stones Corner Festival has assembled a killer line-up featuring plenty of your ‘90s faves for its fifth year, with Custard, The Mavis’s, Screamfeeder, and Diana Anaid all set to rock the Brisbane suburb this May. They’ll be joined by Shag Rock, Eliza & The Delusionas, The Brains Trust, and heaps more.

Local craft breweries, wineries, and food trucks will also be on hand to keep the punters happy.

Best of all, entry will only cost you a gold coin donation to MND Australia. Your contribution will help fund Motor Neurone Disease research and prevention strategies. It all happens from 10 am on Sunday May 6 at outside Stones Corner Hotel.

Image used with permission from Call & Response

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Troy Kemp Headlining New Country Festival in Wauchope

From my recollection, there’s not a lot at Wauchope. When my family passed through we enjoyed checking out Timbertown and probably had a great pub meal, but I can’t remember it having a lot of entertainment options. So the locals will no doubt be thrilled to hear a brand new country music will hit Wauchope this August.

Troy Kemp will headline the first annual Coastal Country Music Festival Wauchope, which will also feature Josh Setterfield, The Trade Ins, Rusted, Blake O’Connor, and Emma Dykes. There’ll also be plenty of American-style food and even a mechanical bull to keep the crowds entertained.

Festival founder AJ Davis says she “wanted to create a country music experience in our region that celebrates music, our incredible community and everything they mean to each other. The country feel and character of Wauchope is the perfect setting for the Coastal Country Music Festival and the fact that I grew up in Wauchope, makes it that little bit more special.”

The Coastal Country Music Festival hits Wauchope County Club on August 4. Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from RAWR Music