The Beautiful Girls Kick Off East Coast Tour

Mat McHugh has just returned to Oz after touring the United States solo with the John Butler Trio, and he’s wasted no time getting back together with his Beautiful Girls band mates.

The band is kicking off a new tour in Sydney tonight to promote their new song “My Mind is an Echo Chamber.” The track is the third single lifted from The Beautiful Girls’ fourth album Spooks.

You can see The Beautiful Girls doing their thing over summer at the following shows.

10 December 2010 – Mona Vale Hotel, Sydney
6 January 2011 – Waves, Wollongong
7 January 2011 – The Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay
8 January 2011 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
12 & 13 January 2011 – Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay
14 January 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
15 January 2011 – The Hi Fi, Brisbane
16 January 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
20 January 2011 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
21 January 2011 – POW Bandroom, Melbourne
22 January 2011 – Pier Live, Frankston
23 January 2011 – Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads

Image source: Hayden Jose @ Flickr

The Dynamites Back in Australia for Summer Festivals

The Dynamites are another exciting act who are wasting no time in returning to our shores. They were only here in April, but already this soulful outfit featuring Charles Walker are planning a return visit.

The Dynamites are heading Down under to promote their new album, aptly titled Kaboom, which hits stores on January 7. The new tour will see them play prestigious local festivals and a sideshow in Melbourne.

If you like old school soul, you don’t want to miss these shows.

27-29 December 2010 – The Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia
30 December 2010 – Peats Ridge Festival, Peats Ridge
6-7 January 2011 – The Order of Melbourne, Melbourne
8 January 2011 – Sydney Festival First Night, Sydney
9 January 2011 – Becks Bar @ Sydney Festival, Sydney

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

De La Soul Back in Oz for Anniversary Album Tour

When De La Soul announced their Australian tour last year, I was pretty surprised. I was even more surprised when the shows sold out. Decades had passed since the hip hop band charted with songs like “Ring Ring” and “(A Rollerskatin Jam Called) Saturdays” after all.

Clearly the band was encouraged by those sold out shows, because a year later they’re heading back to our shores. If you missed out on tickets last time around, or you’re just ready for a second serve, make sure you check out the shows next February. The gigs will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the seminal album De La Soul is Dead, and see the band playing the record from start to finish.

General release tickets go on sale on December 13 in Melbourne, the 14th in Sydney, and 17th in Perth. But if you want to get a jump on the competition, head to Peace Music. They’re selling discounted $55 tickets, but there are just 150 for each city so you’ll need to be quick!

10 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
11 February 2011 – Billboards, Melbourne
12 February 2011 – Metro City, Perth

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Kate Nash Announces Side Shows

Kate Nash fans who’ve missed out on Playground Weekender tickets need not fret; the British songstress has just announced a string of side shows.

Kate will play capital cities along the east coast in support of her new album My Best Friend is You. The disc sees Kate delving into new territory inspired by the swinging sixties. Big soulful brass sounds and a little surf guitar color her unique brand of pop.

My Best Friend is You also defies the notion that it takes heartache to create great music. The album unashamedly documents her relationship with Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, and she doesn’t care who knows it!

“I don’t want to be gushy and weird about it, but I am in love!,” she said in a statement. “I don’t worry about making myself too vulnerable: I always write with my heart on my sleeve. If you don’t then you’re not living.”

You can catch the romantic Kate Nash next year at the following venues. Tickets for the sideshows go on sale on December 13, and you can get your Playground Weekender tickets now.

16 February 2011 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney
18 February 2011 – Billboard, Melbourne
19 February 2011 –  Hi-Fi, Brisbane
20 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry

Image used with permission from Playground Weekender

Eddie Vedder Goes Solo for Aussie Tour

Those killer concert announcements are coming through so quickly we’re all going to be broke before Christmas. The latest one is Eddie Vedder, who’s leaving his Pearl Jam band mates behind for a solo tour of Oz.

There are three big draw cards for me, beyond the obvious brilliance of Mr Vedder. Firstly there are those venues. The reason I’ve stayed away from Pearl Jam shows so long has been the ever-increasing size of the concert spots. After spending one night staring at dots on a stage I swore I’d never do it again. This time around though, Eddie’s keeping things small and intimate with shows at some of the country’s best concert halls and theatres.

Then there is Eddie’s incredibly body of solo work that we’ve never been treated to live. Think of the soundtracks for Dead Man Walking and Into The Wild amongst others, and all those delicious rarities. I’m sure we’ll get our fair share of Pearl Jam material, but it’s those other solo songs that are going to set these gigs apart from your average Pearl Jam gig.

And finally we’ve got Evil J & Saint Cecilia on support, an American based folk-pop outfit featuring our own Eliza Jane Barnes and Ceci Herbert. I’ve heard great things about these girls, and what better time to see what they’re all about?

Needless to say, I’m psyched. If you are too make sure you grab your tickets when they go on sale on December 10. They’re not going to last long!

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs during day 1 of the Hard Rock Calling festival held in Hyde Park on June 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)


10 & 12 March 2011 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
15 March 2011 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
16 March 2011 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
18 & 19 March 2011 – State Theatre, Sydney
24 & 25 March 2011 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
27 March 2011 – The Barton Theatre, Adelaide

Discovering the Indigo Girls

Ordinarily, when it comes to concert going in my household I’m the decision maker. I decide what I’m going to see, and my husband either tags along or chooses to stay home and play video games. He can generally take or leave live music, so he’s never been instrumental in the process. Until now.

While the Indigo Girls have never really broken into Australia’s music mainstream, they’re big news in his native America. And so, when he got wind of their upcoming Aussie tour he insisted we had to be there.

Right now I’m aware of the Indigo Girls but I don’t know any of their tunes, but he’s got a couple of months to bring me up to speed. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to have a pretty good time discovering their music, especially in the gorgeous intimate venues they’re playing. If you want to as well you can grab some tickets for their shows on December 1.

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 08:  Musicians Amy Ray (L) and Emily Saliers from the band the Indigo Girls perform during the kickoff of the first annual True Colors Tour at the MGM Grand Garden Arena June 8, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Proceeds from the show will benefit equal rights organizations.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)


21 April 2011 – Concert Hall, Perth
23 April 2011 – East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay
26 April 2011 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
27 April 2011 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
28 April 2011 – State Theatre, Sydney
29 April 2011 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne

Kings of Leon Announce Aussie Tour

After topping the charts yet again with the release of their latest album Come Around Sundown, Kings of Leon are coming to Australia to say thanks for the support.

Last time the lads were here the shows sold out in minutes. While the larger venues this time around should prevent that, if you want to get good seats I’d get your tickets when they go on sale on December 6.

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 24: Musician Caleb Followill of the Kings of Leon performs on NBC's Today at Rockefeller Center on November 24, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)


6 March 2011 – QSAC Stadium, Brisbane
8 & 10 March 2011 – Acer Arena, Sydney
13 March 2011 – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
17 & 18 March 2011 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
21 March 2011 – NIB Stadium, Perth

Bluejuice, Philadelphia Grand Jury, and Purple Sneaker DJs are Sizzling

Bluejuice, Philadelphia Grand Jury, and Purple Sneaker DJs are joining forces for one almighty Aussie tour. The local lads will cruise up and down the east coast over the holiday period, and play just about everywhere imaginable on the Sizzling 2011 tour.

If your wallet is feeling a bit light in the lead up to Christmas don’t sweat it. Tickets for the shows cost just $28.60, which is real value considering all that talent.

Tickets for the following shows are on sale now from the venues.

28 December 2010 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla
29 December 2010 – Tathra Hotel, Tathra NSW
30 December 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven
2 January 2011 – The Recky, Pacific Palms
3 January 2011 – Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba
4 January 2011 – Ballina RSL, Ballina
5 January 2011 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
6 January 2011 – Coolongatta Hotel, Gold Coast
7 January 2011 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
8 January 2011 – Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour
9 January 2011 – South West Rocks Country Club, South West Rocks
11 January 2011 – Panthers, Port Macquarie
12 January 2011 – Tillgerry RSL Sports Club, Tanilba Bay
13 January 2011 – Woodport Inn, Erina
14 January 2011 – Panthers, Newcastle
18 January 2011 – Inferno Nightclub, Traralgon
19 January 2011 – Torquay Hotel,Torquay
20 January 2011 – The Flying Horseman, Warrnambool
21 January 2011 – Eureka Hotel, Geelong
22 January 2011 – The Westernport Hotel, San Remo
23 January 2011 – The Capital, Wagga Wagga

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

James Blunt Heading Back to Australia

After visiting our shores on promotional duty recently, it was only a matter of time before James Blunt announced a proper tour. He’ll be here in May to spruik his brand new album Some Kind of Trouble.

I’m not sure what kind of trouble the sweet British singer would ever find himself in, but I guess we might find out when he wings his way around the country. He’ll make stops at some lovely intimate venues in most capital cities.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale on December 3.

NAPA, CA - NOVEMBER 14: James Blunt performs as part of Aloft Hotels Presents Live in the Vineyard on November 14, 2010 in Napa, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images for Aloft Hotels)


14 May 2011 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
16 May 2011 – State Theatre, Sydney
18 May 2011 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
20 May 2011 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
21 May 2011 – Plenary Hall, Melbourne
23 May 2011 – Riverside Theatre, Perth

The Delta Riggs Back Home for Aussie Single Shows

The Delta Riggs have been far from idle since releasing their self titled EP in March.

The lads packed their bags and traveled to the United Kingdom to begin work on their debut album, which should hit stores in the middle of next year. While they were visiting the Old Dart the band worked with Martin “Youth” Glover of Killing Joke and BBC Radio’s Daniel Carter.

With some new songs under their belt, The Delta Riggs are back home to play some other big shows around the country. These include The Big Day Out on the Gold Coast, Peats Ridge Festival on the Central Coast, Brisbane’s New Years Eve celebrations at Southbank, the Rock ‘n’ Race show with The Gunners at Sydney’s V8 Supercars, and the Oxford Arts Factory’s Christmas party.

Before all that gigging they’ll also head back into the studio, this time with ARIA award winning producer Scott Horscroft. Considering his work with Birds of Tokyo, Little Red, The Presets, and Silverchair, he’s sure to bring something special to The Delta Riggs’ new single “Pretty Wasting.” The track will be available as a free download ahead of the run of summer shows, so keep an eye on the band’s website for that!

And if you want to see The Delta Riggs in the flesh, make sure you get to one of the following shows.

4 December 2010 – V8 Supercars @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
10 December 2010 – Hard Rock Café, Surfers Paradise
12 December 2010 – Birdee Num Num, Brisbane
17 December 2010 – Oxford Arts Factory Christmas Party, Sydney
29 December 2010 – Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
31 December 2010 – Southbank, Brisbane
23 January 2011 – Big Day Out, Gold Coast Parklands

Image used with permission from Andy Kent & Associates