Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassette Kids Announce Nothing on TV Album Release

They’ve spent the last 18 months earning a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in the country, and now Cassette Kids are ready to announce the release of their long-awaited debut album, Nothing on TV.

The first single, “Lying Around,” hits radio this week ahead of the album’s March 2010 release.

“The first single, “Lying Around,” has a great energy and quite a strong message: If you don’t get off your arse and go after what you want, then you can’t expect it to fall in your lap,” explained the band’s lead singer, Katrina.

The track is just one of a dozen tracks, the result of spending six months in the studio with Richard Wilkinson (Hot Chip, Adele, Magic Numbers, Carl Cox) and Michael Di Francesco aka Mikey from Van She (Ladyhawke). Under the guidance of these uber-talented producers, the Kids have experimented with their sound to create something really special. It’s a little more pop, but fans will be relieved to find the band’s trademark grit intact.

March may seem an age to wait, but you can get a taste of the new tracks on the Cassette Kids’ Lying Around tour. Tickets to all shows are on sale now.

8 November 2009 – Northbridge Festival, Perth WA (with Downsyde)
13 November 2009 – Northcote Social Club, Northcote VIC (with Canvas Kites and Red Ink)
14 November 2009 – Revolver, Prahran VIC (with Canvas Kites and Wilfred Jackal)
20 November 2009 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW (with Canvas Kites and We Say Bamboulee)
21 November 2009 – Trackside Festival, Canberra ACT (with Hilltop Hoods, Karnivool, Midnight Juggernauts)
27 November 2009 – The Clubhouse, Brisbane QLD (with Canvas Kites and Yacht Club DJ’s)
28 November 2009 – Open Arms Festival, Coffs Harbour (with Hilltop Hoods, Karnivool, Children Collide)

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Daniel Merriweather Announces Aussie Homebake Sideshows

Here’s some good news for Daniel Merriweather fans who missed out on a ticket to Homebake. At least, that is, if they’re over 18.

The Aussie expat, who’s done massive things on the UK charts this year, has announced three sideshows on the East Coast. Predictably it’s all capital cities and, sadly for younger fans, strictly adults only.

I must admit to feeling a little sorry for the small fries on this one. They were locked out of Homebake because of the age thing, and now they’re missing out again. For their sakes, I hope we see Daniel back on our shores, and in entertainment centres, really soon.

Everyone else can snare their tickets for the following shows on Wednesday 28 October.

29 November 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
1 December 2009 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
2 December 2009 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RuinGloria Gets Trashy at the Agincourt Tonight!

We haven’t heard anything from RuinGloria since they headed Stateside to tour the west Coast in March. But fear not; the Sydney rockers aren’t dead. They’ve just been cooped up in a studio writing and recording their debut album.

While the disc won’t hit stores until early next year, RuinGloria are keen to unleash the songs upon their faithful local fans. The band has announced a run of dates leading up to Christmas, including a headlining spot at Trash at the Agincourt Hotel tonight. Get your skates on and pick up a free copy of the band’s new single, “I’m Pretty Sure My Ex-Girlfriend is a Vampire.”

All shows are over 18s, so kiddies will have to sit these ones out.

17 October 2009 – Trash @ Agincourt Hotel, Broadway
31 October 2009 – Manly Fisho’s, Manly
5 November 2009 – Hot Damn! Sydney
17 December 2009 – Bull n Bush, Baulkham Hills

Image used with permission from SuperHappyRecords

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The John Steel Singers Launch "Masochist" with Aussie Tour

Brisbane’s The John Steel Singers aren’t content with just one launch for their new single “Masochist.” They’re playing a series of launch shows all around the country!

The song, which combines art-rock, classic pop, and indie elements, was recorded with the band’s producer and mentor, Robert Forster of The Go-Betweens. He’s brought out a spontaneous and energetic sound from the band, while allowing them the freedom to experiment. The band loves to tell stories about dysfunctional relationships. In the case of “Masochist,” we hear the story of a man who can’t apply himself to love.

“Masochist” is the first single from The John Steel Singers’ debut album Tangalooma, which will be released early next year. From October 30, the band will be joined by folksters Little Scout. Here are all the dates!

16 October 2009 – Jive, Adelaide
17 October 2009 – One Movement Festival, Perth
23 October 2009 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
24 October 2009 – Transit Bar, Canberra
30 October 2009 – Pelly Bar, Frankston
31 October 2009 – Karova, Ballarat
1 November 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
2 November 2009 – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne
6 November 2009 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba
7 November 2009 – Old Museum, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

StoneMason Announce Shows to Support "Noise and Haste" EP

Gold Coast quartet StoneMason are hitting the road this month to support their brand new EP Noise and Haste.

The five-track disc combines energetic indie rock, synth-laden pop punk, and piano driven ballads. It features the infectious single “Stockholm Fashion,” a song which the band says is about inspiration.

“To some extent everything we do is motivated by some form of inspiration. To be surrounded featureless, insipid people would only encourage you to become similar,” explained guitarist John Beynon.

“It is about wanting people everywhere to become a muse, to want to be inspired themselves. Moments, lives, the entire world can be changed by a single inspired person. All it takes is a wanting to become change. Hopefully people will see the message in this song and connect with it”.

The band of teenagers has quickly earned a reputation as a dynamic live act.

“Our live show is a fun, energetic performance which people can and should participate in as we really feed off our audience,” says bassist Thomas Stevens. “Because of the diverse range of songs on our setlist, fans should come to our show expecting to mosh, slow dance and sing along”.

You can see if this Gold Coast outfit lives up to the hype at the following shows.

18 October 2009 – Club 299, Brisbane (18+)
24 October 2009 – Bang, Melbourne (18+)
29 October 2009 – Helensvale High School, Helensvale (All Ages)
31 October 2009 – The Hive, Brisbane (All Ages)
8 November 2009 – Stuff The Stocking, Caboolture (All Ages)
27 November 2009 – Hard Rock Cafe, Gold Coast (18+)

Image source: StoneMason MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cassette Kids Headline Lying Around Oz Tour

Cassette Kids have been slogging it out as a support act for the last year or so, so it’s about time the band stepped out as a headliner.

The Sydney outfit will showcase tracks from their sophomore album on their Lying Around tour. Dates on the East Coast are in addition to the band’s full festival calendar. You can see the band play the following dates as well as appearances at Fat as Butter (Newcastle), the Northbridge Festival (Canberra) and Pyramid Rock (Phillip Island).

Tickets for all shows are available now.

13 Nov 2009 – Northcote Social Club, North Melbourne
14 Nov 2009 – Revolver Bar, South Melbourne
20 Nov 2009 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
21 Nov 2009 – The Clubhouse, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chrissie Amphlett, Diesel, and Baby Animals Ready to Rock with Symphony

Chrissie Amphlett, Diesel, and the Baby Animals will join forces for the inaugural Australian Rock Symphony.

The Aussie rockers will play their hits in front of a rock band and a full thirty-piece orchestra. For the uninitiated, it might sound like an odd mix. But the big sound you get at one of these shows has to be experienced.

You can do just that at the following venues next year. Tickets for all shows go on sale on Monday, October 12.

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22 January 2010 – The Palais Theatre, Melbourne
23 January 2010 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
25 January 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney
28 January 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
30 January 2010 – Burswood Theatre, Perth

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Powderfinger Play Surprise Gigs Around Oz

Powderfinger surprised fans today with three shows all around the country. The gigs were announced just half an hour before they kicked off on Twitter.

It all started in Powderfinger’s hometown this morning, with 1400 fans turning up to see the band rock Post Office Square. Then it was off to Sydney to play Martin Place. Finally the band headed to Melbourne this afternoon.

The sets included several tracks from the band’s upcoming album Golden Rule, including the current single “All The Dreamers.”

Speaking in Sydney, Bernard Fanning told The Daily Telegraph things were going as planned.

“Two thirds of the way through it’s been fun – there’s been no major disasters, however the group struggled to hear each other play above the background noise,” Fanning said.

Bassist John Collins said the schedule was hectic, but “that’s the whole idea, to make it fun and full on.”

Full on indeed. It’s exciting to see a band using Twitter in such an innovative way!

Image source: Powderfinger Twitter

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ace Frehley Ready to Rock Oz Solo

The KISS Army will be out in force when the band’s original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, visits Australia for his first ever solo tour next month.

Ace will take his smoking guitar and vocals down the East Coast to support his new album Anomaly. The disc is set to become his most successful solo venture to date thanks to the big single “Outer Space.” The disc has been 10 years in the making, after Ace joined Kiss for a reunion tour, but he assures is it’s worth the wait.

“I don’t know why it’s taken so long,” Ace confessed. “I had to put the record on the back burner when I reunited with KISS. But I knew it would be important, so I kept listening to my old records to try to capture what the fans like.”

Tickets for the shows are on sale now through Red Ant Touring and Ticketek.

19 October 2009 – Palace, Melbourne
20 October 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
21 October 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Photo credit: Tilly antoine @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Howling Bells Come Home

Aussie ex-pats the Howling Bells are returning home for a series of shows around the country in December.

The former Sydneysiders, who now call Britain home, will play to support the release of their latest album Radio Wars.

Tickets to all shows are on sale now from the venues.

3 December 2009 – Barwon Club, Geelong
4 December 2009 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
11 December 2009 – The Zoo, Brisbane
12 December 2009 – Neverland, Gold Coast
13 December 2009 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
17 December 2009 – ANU Union Bar, Canberra
18 December 2009 – Gaelic Club, Sydney

Image source: The Harbour Agency