Starting Sunday and Faker For Free JD Set Shows

Melbourne’s Starting Sunday will join Faker for a blink-and-you’ll miss it tour for the JD Set next week.

The double-bill coincides with the launch of Starting Sunday’s brand new single, “Feeling it Now,” which is already enjoying airplay on Triple J. This tiny tour is just the start of extensive touring for the band, who will announce national headlining shows in the coming weeks.

The JD Set shows are all free, so there’s no excuse not to get on down and check out this brilliant new band and an old favourite!

6 August 2009 – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (18+)
7 August 2009 – The Metro, Sydney (18+)
8 August 2009 – James Cook Uni, Townsville (18+)

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Short Stack Tour Debut Album

Two-thirds of the band aren’t even out of their teens, and already Short Stack have a sold-out tour and a number two ARIA smash single, “Sway Sway Baby,” under their belt. If you missed out on tickets last time, you’ll be thrilled to know the lads are hitting the road in December.

The band’s third national tour is in support of their long awaited album, Stack is the New Black, which hits stores on August 14. The band worked on the album in between HSC exams and major national tours with The Veronicas, Simple Plan, and Good Charlotte.

“We never thought we had any good songs until we got signed and people were like, ‘These are actually quite good’,” lead vocalist and guitarist Shaun Diviney said. “For us, more than anything the album is a timeline because we have songs on there that were written when we first started out then songs we wrote a week before the album was recorded. It’s really cool to see how we’ve progressed as a band, and how we’ve grown up.”

The album is an eclectic mix, with everything from epic ballads to frenetic electro-tinged rock.

“It’s got a song on there for everyone depending on what genre you like,” said the band’s bassist, Andy Clemmensen. “When you listen to some albums, you can only listen halfway through before you get over hearing their voice or hearing the same sounds but I think ours you can listen to the whole way through because it changes up so much.”

You can enjoy the tracks and the band’s energetic live performance at the following shows! Tickets go on sale on July 31.

11 December 2009 – Doyalson RSL
12 December 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
13 December 2009 – Metro, Perth
16 December 2009 – Tivoli, Brisbane
18 December 2009 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
19 December 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Gods of Rock Tour Oz

Are you ready to rock? If so you’ll snap up tickets to Slayer and Megadeth’s massive double-header tour of Oz.

Slayer are visiting on the back of their recently completed World Painted Blood CD, while Megadeth will showcase tunes from their upcoming album Endgame.

It’s not often that you get an international double act as explosive as this, so don’t expect tickets to last long when they go on sale on Monday August 10.

7 October 2009 – Riverstage, Brisbane
8 October 2009 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
9 October 2009 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
11 October 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
13 October 2009 – Challenge Stadium, Perth

Image source: Newscom

Rob Thomas Shows Australia Some Tour Love

The tour announcements that send me giddy just keep on coming. Rob Thomas touched down in Sydney for a promo tour today, and he’s already making plans for a return visit.

Rob will play wineries around the country under the Day on the Green banner with a few entertainment centre shows thrown in for good measure. He’ll be here on the back of his latest solo album, Cradlesong.

Aussie songstress Vanessa Amorosi will join the gorgeous Rob for the shows. Tickets go on sale on Friday August 7 for all shows except for Sandalford Wines, which goes on sale a few days later on August 10.

5 February 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
7 February 2010 – Leconfield Winery, McLaren Vale
11 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
13 February 2010 – Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley
14 February 2010 – Centennial Vineyards, Bowral
17 February 2010 – ACER Arena, Sydney
20 February 2010 – Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley
21 February 2010 – Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley

Image source: ZUMA Press

Jane's Addiction Cancel Australian Appearances

Sorry Jane’s Addiction fans: the band has cancelled their Sydney and Melbourne shows, and their appearance at Splendour in the Grass. But this isn’t just another example of flaky rock stars not valuing their Aussie fans. Percussionist Steven Perkins has been admitted to the Infectious Disease Ward at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Hospital, so they’ve got a pretty damned good excuse!

“I know how excited we were to come play in Australia, and how long the fans there have waited for this,” lead singer Perry Farrell announced in a statement. “I want everyone Down Under to know that we will come back as soon as we can.”

“We are saddened by the news that Jane’s Addiction will not be playing and they will be greatly missed at Splendour,” added co-promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco. “We wish Stephen a speedy recovery.”

The Living End have gallantly stepped up as a last-minute Splendour replacements, but if that doesn’t satisfy you refunds are available. But there are conditions. You’ve got to submit your request before 10 am tomorrow morning, Saturday 25th July. You can do this online through http://support.qjump.com.au or in person at the Splendour in the Grass Festival box office.

Image source: Newscom

Tori Amos Announces Sinful Aussie Tour

There are certain artists that really thrill me. Announcements of new albums or tours send me spinning. They bring me heady joy that’s pure and unadulterated. Tori Amos is one such artist.

I’ve seen her live a few times now, and she always keeps me coming back for more. Her Abnormally Attracted to Sin tour will be no exception.

Tori will wing her way around the country in November, stopping in at some of the country’s most hallowed venues along the way. She’s doing it at a fairly leisurely pace, which suggests there may be more dates to come. But I’m not taking any chances, and grabbing my tickets when they go on sale on July 31.

12 November 2009 – Regent Theatre, Melbourne
16 November 2009 – Opera House, Sydney
19 November 2009 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
21 November 2009 – PCEC Riverside Theatre, Perth
24 November 2009 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane

Image source: Newscom

Tame Impala Announce Sundown Syndrome Aussie Tour

The lads from Tame Impala have a new single, “Sundown Syndrome,” and they want to celebrate its release with all the fans. So they’re packing up their guitars and heading all around the country for, funnily enough, the Sundown Syndrome tour.

They’ll start in Caringbah on September 16 and snake their way around Oz for 22 big shows. The dates go on sale tomorrow, ahead of the iTunes release of “Sundown Syndrome” this Friday.

16 September 2009 – Bizzo’s, Caringbah
17 September 2009 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
18 September 2009 – ANU, Canberra
19 September 2009 – Indie Music Festival, Albury
24 September 2009 – Mona Vale Hotel
26 September 2009 – Manning Bar, Sydney
27 September 2009 – Coffs Harbour Hotel
30 September 2009 – Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
1 October 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
2 October 2009 – HiFi Bar, Brisbane
4 October 2009 – Sands Tavern, Maroochydore
8 October 2009 – Breakers, Geraldton
9 October 2009 – Arts Centre, Fremantle
10 October 2009 – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
15 October 2009 – Republic Bar, Hobart
16 October 2009 – Hotel New York, Launceston
17 October 2009 – Uni Bar, Adelaide
18 October 2009 – Sandbar, Mildura
21 October 2009 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
22 October 2009 – Eureka, Geelong
23 October 2009 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image source: Michael Spencer @ Wikimedia Commons

The Badloves Ready to Record

I was pretty thrilled recently to snap up tickets to see The Badloves. I was too young to frequent pubs and clubs when the band was at the height of its fame, so the chance to see them live will fulfill a childhood dream.

But it seems the show is to be no flash-in-the-pan nostalgic trip. I’m sure I’ll hear “Lost,” “Green Limousine,” “Caroline” and all the other biggies from Get On Board and Holy Roadside. But I’m now excited at the prospect of hearing new material, the tracks which will feature on The Badloves long-awaited third album.

The Badloves third album is scheduled for a February 2010 release, some 15 years after the last one! If you just can’t wait that long you can see the band at the following shows.

26 August 2009 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
29 August 2009 – Lizotte’s, Lambton
30 August 2009 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla,
4 September 2009 – Milanos, Brighton
5 September 2009 – The Norwood Hotel, Adelaide
4 October 2009 – Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival, Narooma

Little Birdy on the Road Again

One of Australia’s hardest-working bands, Little Birdy, are hitting the road again following the success of their new album Confetti.

The band will visit pubs and clubs, theatres and entertainment centres around the country throughout September and October. Lead singer Katy Steele will also step out to perform a solo set at Brisbane’s Spiegeltent at the end of September.

If you missed them last time around, don’t make the same mistake. Grab your tickets for all shows when they go on sale on July 31.

10 September 2009 – HQ Bar, Adelaide
11 September 2009 – Forum Theatre, Melbourne
12 September 2009 – Commercial Hotel, South Morang
13 September 2009 – Hellenic Club, Canberra
16 September 2009 – Waves Nightclub, Wollongong
18 September 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
19 September 2009 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
25 September 2009 – Yamba Bowling Club
26 September 2009 – Sounds Of Spring Festival, Brisbane
27 September 2009 – Spiegeltent, Brisbane (Katy Steele solo show)
29 September 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Gladstone
30 September 2009 – Convention Centre, Mackay
2 October 2009 – Bombay Rock, Townsville
3 October 2009 – Brothers Leagues, Cairns
9 October 2009 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Justin Townes Earle Visits Oz

Justin Townes Earle is following in the footsteps of his father, Steve “Copperhead Road” Earle, and carving out a career as an alt-country singer-songwriter. After receiving rave reviews and rapturous applause for his shows in December, he’s heading back Down Under for an extended visit.

Justin’s tour announcement comes on the back of the release of his sophomore effort, Midnight at the Movies. The album showcases Justin’s lyrical genius, musical sophistication, and organic approach to composition.

Justin will be ably supported by Melbourne’s Wagons for all shows, except for Fremantle and Adelaide where Henry Wagons will appear solo.

Tickets for all shows go on sale on July 14 from Love Police.

27 September 2009 – Waverock Weekender, Wave Rock
28 September 2009 – Mojos, Fremantle
1 October 2009 – The Grace Emily Hotel, Adelaide
2 October 2009 – Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne
4 October 2009 – Meeniyan Town Hall
7 October 2009 – Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba
8 October 2009 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
9 October 2009 – The Zoo, Brisbane

Image source: Bloodshot Records