Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Electric Empire Announce Homecoming Shows

Fresh from a sell-out tour of Japan, Aussie soul act Electric Empire are returning home for an east coast tour. The big brassy outfit will play shows in the capitals and key regional centres to support their new EP Changin’.

Changin’ doesn’t actually hit stores until October 26, but this warm-up tour should generate plenty of buzz before its release. The disc features Electric Empire’s first new material since 2011’s acclaimed Yes I Will record. Changin’ showcases the quartet’s more mature sound, which builds on their soulful leanings and takes them to the next level.

“We’re opening our minds to mixing a bit of a fresher, wider sound,” the band explained. “It’s 2012 and we’re making a record with all that history, but created with a modern feel.”

Electric Empire are getting plenty of attention abroad. Radio Nova in France and key British publications like The Sun and Q Magazine have thrown their support behind the band. They also played the Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury, and some headline shows in Kazakhstan.

After all that globetrotting they’re keen to play for Aussie audiences. See them doing just that at the following shows. Tickets go on sale at 9 am tomorrow, September 11.

12 September 2012 – Bigsound, Brisbane
1 November 2012 – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
2 November 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
3 November 2012 – Gearins Hotel, Katoomba
15 November 2012 – AWME @ The Hi Fi, Melbourne
17 November 2012 – Golden Days Festival, Sunshine Coast
23 November 2012 – Mullum Festival, Byron Bay
24 & 25 November 2012 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff

Image used with permission from Niche Productions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Beards Tour Before World’s End

I don’t mean to bring you down, but if you believe the Mayans the Incas, the Egyptians, or Nostradamus, we don’t have a lot of time left. It’s all wrapping up in 2012. One theory you might not have heard is that held by The Beards, that on December 21 the world will end for the beardless!

If indeed their prophecies do hold true, The Beards have nothing to worry about. But the hairy rockers want to send any clean shaven fans out with a bang on The 2012 End of the World (for beardless people) tour. Say that three times fast!

The tour is their most extensive to date, which is only fitting as The Beards want to convince as many music lovers as possible to put their razors down. It’s for their own good after all!

28 September 2012 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
29 & 30 September 2012 – Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra
4 October 2012 – The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
5 October 2012 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
6 October 2012 – The HiFi, Brisbane
10 October 2012 – The Club, Bundaberg
11 October 2012 – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton
12 October 2012 – Magnums, Airlie Beach
13 October 2012 – JCU Unibar, Townsville
14 October 2012 – The Jack, Cairns
24 October 2012 – Bar On The Hill, Newcastle
25 October 2012 – Wollongong UniBar, Wollongong + The Snowdroppers & Kim Churchill.
26 October 2012 – Baroque Bar, Katoomba
27 October 2012 – Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
1 November 2012 – ANU, Canberra
2 November 2012 – The Metro, Sydney
3 November 2012 – The HiFi, Melbourne
15 November 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
16 November 2012 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
17 November 2012 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
18 November 2012 – Indi Bar, Scarborough Beach
22 November 2012 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
23 & 24 November 2012 – Queenscliff Festival
29 November 2012 – Royal Oak, Launceston
30 November 2012 – Republic Bar, Hobart
1 & 2 December 2012 – Jive, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Trouble with Templeton Grows with Single Release

The Trouble with Templeton are ushering in a new chapter with the release of the single “Six Months in a Cast.”

What started as a solo act became a duo, then a trio. Now as a five-piece, The Trouble with Templeton are forging forward with a much bolder sound. It’s still as melodic and focused on lyrics, but there’s something much more compelling about this new lush, multi-instrumental act.

“Six Months in a Cast” is available as a digital download today, and The Trouble with Templeton are taking every opportunity to promote it. The Trouble with Templeton frontman Thomas Calder will play solo gigs and shows with his quintet, including a few festivals, some headlining gigs, and dates with Julia Stone, in the coming months. With the I Wrote a Novel EP hitting stores across North America on September 4, The Trouble with Templeton will also do a bit of spruiking stateside.

Here are all the places you can catch this exciting act at home and abroad!

6 September 2012 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
7 September 2012 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne (with Julia Stone – full band)
8 September 2012 – Meenlyan Town Hall, Meeniyan (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
12 September 2012 – Big Sound Showcase @ Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (full band)
13 September 2012 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle (with Julia Stone – full band)
14 September 2012 – Dream Festival, Dubbo (full band)
15 September 2012 – The Metro, Sydney (with Julia Stone – full band)
21 September 2012 – Community Centre, Byron Bay (with Julia Stone – Thomas Calder solo)
4-7 October 2012 – 3 showcases at Filter’s Culture Collide, LA (Thomas Calder solo)
16-20 October 2012 – 6 showcases at CMJ Music Marathon, NY (Thomas Calder solo)
26 October 2012 – GOMA Up Late @ Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane (Thomas Calder solo)

Image used with permission from Tiny Monster

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Clark Jr Brings Blues to Oz

Budding Texas blues legend Gary Clark Jr is bringing his music to Australia for the first time.

Gary Clark Jr has achieved some amazing things in his 28 years. Austin paid attention way back in 2001, when the mayor named May 3 official Gary Clark Jr. Day. That’s no small honour for a 17 year old! A few years ago he took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Ronnie Wood. This year he performed in an all-star band with BB King, Mick Jagger, and Jeff Beck for Barack Obama at the White House. He’s also collaborated with The Roots, Nas, and Alicia Keys and played at key festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Gary Clark Jr has been named as part of next year’s Big Day Out festival, but if I were you I’d check him out at his much more intimate warm-up shows later this month. To commemorate the dates, Warner Music Australia has released a tour edition of the acclaimed Bright Lights EP. This disc, which hits record stores today, features 20 minutes of extra live music.

See Gary Clark Jr at Melbourne’s The Tote on September 27 or Sydney’s Annandale Hotel on September 28.

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Arrested Development Bring Anniversary Shows Down Under

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Arrested Development released their seminal album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of … To celebrate the milestone, the American eight-piece will bring their anniversary tour to Australia in October.

The dual Grammy award winners will take their positive brand of hip hop music to major cities around the country. Expect to hear the album’s big singles “Mr. Wendal,” “Tennessee,” “People Everyday” and heaps more at the following shows.

Tickets go on sale at midday on September 10.

25 October 2012 – Cockatoo Island, Sydney (18+)
26 October 2012 – Magnetic Island, Townsville (18+)
27 October 2012 – Valley Fiesta, Brisbane (FREE All Ages)
2 November 2012 – Prince Band Room, Melbourne (18+)
3 November 2012 – Metro City, Perth (18+)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greenthief Set Off on First National Headline Tour

Fresh from touring around the country with The Butterfly Effect, Greenthief are preparing to go it alone with their first national headlining dates.

The time is right for Greenthief to stand in the spotlight, as the Brisbane act has just released a brand new single “Mr Number 1.” The big rocking song gives an indication of the kind of tunes we’ll hear when Greenthief release their debut album next year. The band haven’t messed with the winning formula they found on their EP Retribution. ARIA-award winning producer Steve James (Sex Pistols, The Jam) has reunited with the band to give their long-player a bit of spit and polish.

Greenthief kicks off their national tour in Newcastle tonight.

5 September 2012 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
6 September 2012 – Yours & Owls, Wollongong
7 September 2012 – Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
8 September 2012 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
21 September 2012 – Ed Castle, Adelaide
22 September 2012 – Pony Bar, Melbourne
28 September 2012 – Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
29 September 2012 – Irish Club, Toowoomba
26 October 2012 – The Rocketroom, Perth
27 October 2012 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
28th October 2012 – The Newport, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Starving Kids Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Primal Scream Return to Australia

Primal Scream are encouraging us to get our rocks off when they return to Australia this December.

The British lads clearly love Australia, as they were only here in 2011. If two years felt too long you’ll enjoy this chance to catch the band playing all the hits they’ve recorded over three decades in the biz. With a new album almost in the can, Aussie fans might also be lucky enough to hear some new tunes.

Of course fans will note that it’s not quite the same Primal Scream this time around, as long-time bassist Mani’s left the band. However with My Bloody Valentine’s Debbie Googe stepping up, music lovers are in good hands.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 7, for the following shows.

3 December 2012 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
5 December 2012 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
7 December 2012 – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne
9 December 2012 – HQ, Adelaide
11 December 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Eastern Ready to Rock Oz

Kiwi rock veterans The Eastern are bringing their music across the ditch.

They’re no household names here, but their last album Hope and Wire peaked at number one on New Zealand’s iTunes country chart, number two on the country’s artist charts, and number 11 on the nation’s national charts. They’re seasoned performers who rarely take a break from life on the road. They’ve also shared the stage with some of the world’s best including our own Jimmy Barnes, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle, and his son Justin Townes Earle.

The Eastern’s frontman Adam McGrath says, “we have one job, that is to play like our lives depend on it, If you’re there to see us play then we owe you, not the other way around!”

If you appreciate that philosophy make sure you catch The Eastern at one of the following shows.

27 September 2012 – Clancy’s, Fremantle
30 September 2012 – Wave Rock Weekender, Wave Rock
4 October 2012 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide
5 October 2012 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
6 October 2012 – Harvester Moon, Bellarine
7 October 2012 – Workers Club, Melbourne
9 October 2012 – The Front, Canberra
11 October 2012 – Camelot Longue, Sydney
12 October 2012 – The Clarendon, Katoomba
13 October 2012 – The Block, Hunter Valley (private show)
14 October 2012 – The Junkyard, Maitland (FREE)

Image used with permission from ThrillHill Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Husky Come Home for Tidal Wave Shows

Husky are riding high on the international acclaim for their album Forever So. They’re enjoying their status as the first Aussies signed up to Seattle’s prestigious Sub Pop label. That opportunity’s seen them book shows in America, the United Kingdom, and across Europe.

But they’re just about ready to return home.

Of course those international dates are really just a warm-up for the local shows celebrating the release of the single “Tidal Wave.” They’ll play some headlining dates and join Mumford and Sons, Sarah Blasko, Matt Corby, and other big names at the sold-out Gentlemen of the Road show in Dungog.

Welcome Husky home at the following shows.

11 October 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
12 October 2012 – The Republic Bar, Hobart
14 October 2012 – Uni Bar, Adelaide
18 October 2012 – Old Museum, Brisbane
20 October 2012 – Gentlemen of the Road
21 October 2012 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Voltaire Twins’ Controversial New Clip

Local indie pop act Voltaire Twins are known for pushing the envelope with their music videos. Their clip for “Anamalia” well and truly freaked me out last August, and now around a year later they’re making waves again with the video for their new single “Solaris.”

This isn’t the clip to go playing at work, or around your uptight parents. It’s full of artsy nudity, and that saw it yanked from YouTube after just six hours. Thankfully Vimeo’s down with exposing pink bits for the sake of your craft.

No doubt all the buzz around the clip will attract more people to Voltaire Twins third EP Apollo, and the national tour they’ve announced to celebrate its release. You can see the Voltaire Twins, who will likely be fully clothed, at the following shows.

8 September 2012 – Plus One @ Ed Castle, Adelaide
13 September 2012 – Big Sound @ Bakery Lane, Brisbane
14 September 2012 – The Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
15 September 2012 – Kittens @ Spectrum, Sydney