Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Busby Marou Pays Tribute to Aussie Soldiers With “Paint This Land” Video

When you’re a writer blogging on your own, it’s easy for some stories to fall through the cracks. I’d intended to write about the video for “Paint This Land,” Busby Marou’s latest single on its ANZAC Day release, as the clip serves as a timely reminder of the contributions of Australian soldiers, particularly the Indigenous men and women that served who weren’t recognised for their efforts until far too late in my opinion. However, I was too busy playing Two Up and drinking schooners of beer, like all good Australians should, to get there. And now it’s May and the moment has well and truly passed.

But no matter what the time of year, this is a pretty awesome clip, co-directed by Wayne Blair who made Redfern Now, The Sapphires, and Cleverman. The video also features Wayne’s father Bob Blair, a Vietnam War vet and the first Aboriginal Regimental Sergeant Major, and actor Tony Barry. And it’s one of my favourite songs from Postcards From the Shell House. So is there really a wrong time to share it? I think not.

Besides, it serves as a timely reminder that Busby Marou will be loading up their van and touring the country in the next couple of weeks. These guys are sensational live, so if you haven’t seen them yet or you’re ready for another serve, make sure you head along.

25 May 2017 – 48 Watt Street, Newcastle
26 & 27 May 2017 – Leadbelly, Sydney
28 May 2017 – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
1 June 2017 – Southern Cross Club, Woden
2 June 2017 – Launceston Country Club, Launceston
3 June 2017 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
8 June 2017 – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
9 June 2017 – Triffid, Brisbane
10 June 2017 – Sea & Sound Festival, Sunshine Coast
11 June 2017 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
15 June 2017 – Fat Controller, Adelaide
16 June 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
17 June 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
18 June 2017 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave
22 June 2017 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
23 June 2017 – Northshore Tavern, Hillarys
24 June 2017 – Mundaring Weir Hotel, Mundaring
25 June 2017 – The Boston, Perth
30 June 2017 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
1 July 2017 – Triffid, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Gold Mess” – Elli Schoen

I absolutely love finding strong, relatable female voices. One of the latest to strike a chord with me is Elli Schoen, a singer-songwriter from Fremantle who’s just released her new EP Gold Mess.

The EP explores themes of growing up and moving on, whether it’s from romantic relationships in “Hard Heart” or from the family home in “Mumma.” I especially love the EP’s title track and our introduction to the EP, “Gold Mess.” Its lyrics about attraction that’s wrong despite feeling so right should resonate with most listeners.

Elli has such a beautiful, rich tone that sounds even stronger with the heavy drum beats that drive these tracks forward. She also knows how to pen a lyric that’s poetic, yet instantly accessible to the listener. In just four tracks, she’s won me over.

Gold Mess is out now. Elli Schoen is currently touring the recording. You can still catch her at the following shows.

6 May 2017 – The Firestation, Busselton
11 May 2017 – The Astor Theatre, s/ Tash Sultana
20 May 2017 – Babushka, s/ Airling
21 May 2017 – Mojos Bar, s/ Airling
25 May 2017 – The Marly Bar, Sydney
26 May 2017 – Bistroteque, Brisbane
27 May 2017 – The Worker’s Club, Melbourne
5 June 2017 – State of the Art Festival, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Save the Date for Red Deer

Brisbane’s favourite BYO “booze and couch” event, the Red Deer Music & Arts Festival, is gearing up for a big seventh year this October.

There’s bound to be a little Bowie influence in this year’s Space Oddity theme. With a third stage celebrating the talents of regional and emerging artists, there’ll also be more live music than ever. The line-up will be announced in a month or so, but with acts like Art vs Science, The Grates, Regurgitator, and Clare Bowditch playing in previous years you know it’ll be good. You’ll also see unique art installations and an immersive camping experience. I’m not a camper, but that sounds just interesting enough to change my stance.

“Red Deer is basically a house party at your mate’s place, except your mate lives on 40 acres of pristine grazing land beneath the rolling hills of the D’Aguilar Range,” explained festival co-founder Bas Pelly. “Instead of listening to an awful playlist on your mate’s iPod, you’ll boogie to an exciting and eclectic mix of emerging acts from around the country while you sip your BYO bevvie of choice, on your BYO couch, while you ponder which food truck’s menu you’ll explore first.

The Red Deer Music & Arts Festival hits Mount Samson on Saturday October 14. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Pompadour PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard Ready for Aussie Tour Ahead of UK Dates

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than two years since hit makers Sheppard headlined an Aussie tour. However, they’re just about ready to do it all again on the back of their latest smash “Keep Me Crazy.”

This is another feelgood pop gem from the Brisbane band. Just try getting it out of your head!

Sheppard looks forward to playing for local fans in more intimate venues before heading to the United Kingdom to support Little Mix.

“Playing live is so important to us and before things get too crazy overseas, we are looking forward to playing for our fans here,” said George Sheppard. “Playing with Justin Bieber around Australia was a dream come true for us, so to get the opportunity to play to our UK fans with a band like Little Mix is yet another opportunity this year where we’ve had to pinch ourselves!”

Make sure you arrive early to catch sets from the stellar support acts No Frills Twins and Reece Mastin.

27 May 2017 – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
10 June 2017 – The Croxton, Melbourne
11 June 2017 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pierce Brothers Touring Everywhere to Promote New EP

I meant to write this post a couple of times but instead I found myself falling down a rabbit hole of Pierce Brothers music. The first time I found myself going back through the Melbourne folk-pop duo’s back catalogue, and time got away. Then I received an advance stream of the very EP I meant to write about and listening to it put this article on the back burner again.

That EP, The Records Were Ours, is wonderful by the way. The lead single and opening track “Take Me Out” is a swampy foot stomper, but it shows just one side of this talented duo. There are more sombre moments in “Only One” and “Rhodes.” “Keep in Mind” is the real standout for me. What a song. Alongside the studio tracks there are two live numbers: “Take a Shot” recorded on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt” and “Brother” captured at Paradiso in Amsterdam. Listening to the crowds heaping so much love on the Melbourne siblings is a reminder of the global reach of this phenomenally talented pair.

The Records Were Ours is the first in a trilogy of Pierce Brothers EPs. It drops on May 19, the day after the brothers launch their Australian tour. After that they’re off to Europe and the United Kingdom before winging their way to North America to support Tash Sultana. No matter where in the world you are, there should be a show near you.

18 May 2017 – Metro Lair, Sydney
20 May 2017 – Lorne Hotel, Lorne
25 May 2017 – The Academy, Canberra
26 May 2017 – The Croxton, Melbourne
27 May 2017 – Big Pineapple Fest, Sunshine Coast
3 June 2017 – Pinkpop Festival 2017, Landgraaf
4 June 2017 – Melkwege Oude Zaal, Amsterdam
5 June 2017 – Prinzenbar, Hamburg
6 June 2017 – Feierwerk/Kranhalle, Munich
7 June 2017 – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
9 June 2017 – The Garage, London
8 July 2017 – Cornbury Music Festival, Oxfordshire
9 July 2017 – Linton Music Festival, Ross-on-Wye
10 July 2017 – Thekla, Bristol
11 July 2017 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
13 July 2017 – Studio 2, Liverpool
14 July 2017 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester
15 July 2017 – Zwarte Cross 2017, Lichtenvoorde
16 July 2017 – 4 Daagse, Nijmegen
22 July 2017 – Colours of Ostrava 2017, Ostrava
27 July 2017 – Dr Koncerthuset, Copenhagen
29 July 2019 – Stonerock Festival 2017, Bad Bentheim
6 August 2017 – Festival Esperanzah! 2017, Floreffe
11 August 2017 – Fairports Cropready Convention 2017, Banbury
28 September 2017 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
29 September 2017 – Metropolis, Montreal
30 September 2017 – Paradise Rock Club, Boston
2 October 2017 – The Bowery Ballroom, New York
3 October 2017 – Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn
5 October 2017 – Union Transfer, Philadelphia
6 October 2017 – 9:30 Club, Washington
7 October 2017 – Newport Music Hall, Columbus
9 October 2017 – Thalia Hall, Chicago
10 October 2017 – Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
11 October 2017 – The recordBar, Kansas City
16 October 2017 – Ogden Theater, Denver
18 October 2017 – The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix
20 October 2017 – Fonda Theater, Hollywood
21 October 2017 – The Fillmore, San Francisco
23 October 2017 – Wonder Ballroom, Portland
24 October 2017 – Neptune Theater, Seattle
25 October 2017 – Commodore Theater, Vancouver

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Ten Tenors Pay Tribute to Late Musicians In Milestone Album

It’s hard to believe The Ten Tenors have been making music for the last 20 years. To celebrate the milestone, the acclaimed Aussie group has just released its first album for Sony Masterworks, Wish You Were Here. The album pays tribute to some of our most loved, dearly departed performers of our time, including David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Jon English, and Prince.

I must admit, listening to it, I thought I knew what to expect. I expected music to please the oldies, the big torch songs with operatic leanings. And this album certainly delivered that with epic performances of tracks like “Hallelujah” and “Six Ribbons.” But there’s also some really funky contemporary stuff, like stellar versions of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and the title track “Wish You Were Here.”

After recently completing yet another sold-out tour of the United States, the lads are in fine form and ready to wow Australian crowds at the following shows.

1 August 2017 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
2 August 2017 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
3 August 2017 – Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury
4 & 5 August 2017 – State Theatre, Sydney
6 August 2017 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
10 August 2017 – The Events Centre, Caloundra
11 August 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane (Matinee & Evening Shows)
12 August 2017 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
17, 18, & 19 August 2017 – Regal Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Grinspoon Adds More Shows to 20th Anniversary Tour

It took just a matter of hours for the guys from Grinspoon to sell out multiple venues on their upcoming Guide to Better Living 20th Anniversary tour. I didn’t even have time to get a news announcement out before tickets were snapped up. So I’m getting in quickly this time and letting you know more shows have been announced to meet demand.

The Grinners promise to play Guide to Better Living in its entirety, start to finish, for their ardent fans. They’ll be ably supported by Hockey Dad at all shows except Darwin and the Gold Coast.

To coincide with the shows, Grinspoon will release a 20th Anniversary edition of Guide to Better Living, expanding the original 16-track album to a 49-track extravaganza with live tracks, unreleased recordings, and other rarities. You can also get a limited edition vinyl pressing for the first time. This comes packaged with a second disc recorded at New York City’s legendary venue, CBGB’s.

So there’s plenty for Grinspoon fans to get excited about, especially these shows!

23 June 2017 – Kay St Entertainment Complex, Traralgon (18+)
30 June 2017 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (Licensed All Ages)
1 July 2017 – Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave (18+ SOLD OUT)
6 July 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages NEW SHOW)
7 July 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Licensed All Ages SOLD OUT)
8 July 2017 – The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (18+ SOLD OUT)
9 July 2017 – The Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane (18+ NEW SHOW)
29 July 2017 – One Tropical Day @ Darwin Ski Club, Darwin (Licensed All Ages)
3 August 2017 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong (18+)
4 August 2017 – Pier Bandroom, Frankston (18+)
5 August 2017 – Granada Tavern, Hobart (18+ SOLD OUT)
6 August 2017 – Granada Tavern, Hobart (18+ NEW SHOW)
10 August 2017 – The Jack, Cairns (18+)
11 August 2017 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville (18+)
12 August 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (18+)
17 August 2017 – Villa Noosa, Noosaville (18+)
18 August 2017 – Redland Bay Hotel, Redland Bay (18+ SOLD OUT)
19 August 2017 – Shaka Fest @ Miami Tavern, Gold Coast (18+)
24 August 2017 – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough (18+ SOLD OUT)
25 August 2017 – Metro City, Perth (18+)
26 August 2017 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide (All Ages)
31 August 2017 – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (18+ SOLD OUT)
1 September 2017 – Lismore City Hall, Lismore (18+)
2 September 2017 – Racecourse Hotel, Ipswich (18+ SOLD OUT)
14 September 2017 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay (18+ SOLD OUT)
15 September 2017 – Waves, Wollongong (18+ SOLD OUT)
16 September 2017 – UC Refectory, Canberra (18+)
20 September 2017 – CSU, Wagga Wagga (18+)
21 September 2017 – Barooga Sports Club, Barooga (18+ NEW SHOW)
22 September 2017 – Beer Deluxe, Albury (18+)
23 September 2017 – NEX Newcastle, Newcastle (18+ NEW SHOW)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dustin Tebbutt and Lisa Mitchell Team Up For Distant Call Tour

Separately Dustin Tebbutt and Lisa Mitchell are creating some of the most beautiful music coming out of this country. So you just know that when they join forces, it’s going to be special. After both packing in crowds at venues across Europe, this talented twosome is coming home for the Distant Call National Tour.

Dustin and Lisa will share the same band and combine their collective energy for a truly unique 100-minute show each night. Dustin said he was inspired to perform with Lisa while touring Europe.

“Lisa and I have known each other for a few years, and we’d started looking at doing a tour together. I was in Amsterdam doing some shows and happened to be talking through it all with my keys player who also plays for Lisa. I think at one point we were joking that they could just stay on stage for both of our sets, and then the Idea to share a band started making more sense. It kind of grew from there,” he explained. “What we’re looking at now is a really collaborative show, where we share the stage, songs, and musicians; weaving our songs together. I’ll be playing some of Lisa’s music with her and she’ll be adding her magic to some of my songs. I think it’s going to be a really special run of shows.”

Tickets are available from the venues and through Dustin and Lisa’s websites.

10 June 2017 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney
11 June 2017 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
15 June 2017 – The Triffid, Brisbane (Early 5pm show)
16 June 2017 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
17 June 2017 – Solbar, Maroochydore
23 June 2017 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle
24 June 2017 – Badlands, Perth
30 June 2017 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
1 July 2017 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee, Carlotta, and More Heading to Port Douglas Carnivale

I swear no sooner I’m back from a holiday I’m itching to go on another one. If I could convince my husband to get away again, a trip to the Port Douglas Carnivale in Tropical North Queensland next month would be high on my list.

Now in its 23rd year, the family-friendly event continues to attract impressive musical talent like this year’s headliners Ben Lee, Carlotta, Leanne Tennant, and Hillbilly Goats. Other highlights include the Macrossan Street Parade, the Family Beach Day, performances from theatrical troupe La Soiree, and the Tropic Destinations Photographic Exhibition.

Port Douglas Carnivale runs from May 26 to 28. Learn more about this vibrant event at the Port Douglas Carnivale website.

Image used with permission from Encore PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MDRN LOVE Releases Fantastic Debut Single

With a classic rock sound that hearkens back to INXS and Powderfinger comes MDRN LOVE. The Geelong quintet has just released the debut single “Bring Me Down” and it’s a cracker. Instantly accessible with a melody you’ll be humming for days, it’s the first taste of the band’s forthcoming EP.

If you like what you hear, make sure you get out and support these guys as they travel around Victoria in the coming months.

8th April 2017 – The Courthouse, Geelong
19th April 2017 – The Workers Club, Fitzroy
22nd April 2017 – The Barwon Club, Geelong
5th May 2017 – The Loft, Warrnambool
9th May 2017 – UMSU, Melbourne
20th May 2017 – The Torquay Hotel, Torquay
7th June 2017 – The Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave