Category: Tour Announcements

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Palace of the King Rock Out With “Tear it Down”

Australia has a proud tradition of Aussie pub rock acts. You know the type: big crunchy guitar riffs, bold drums, singers with powerful vocals and an “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. It’s a classic recipe, but one that always worked. And we don’t have enough of it these days. That’s why I’m so excited to hear “Tear it Down,” the latest track from Palace of the King.

I saw these guys supporting the Screaming Jets a few years back, and if this song is any indication, they’re making even better music today. I appreciated their artistry back then, but this track is much more accessible than the psychedelic numbers they performed in 2018. Keen music fans might recognise those vocals, as singer Tim Henwood fronted The Androids back in the day. You might also know him as The Superjesus’ guitarist back in the 2000s or Jon Stevens’ current axe man.

If you love this song, there’s more where that came from Palace of the King will release their new album in December. They’re also wasting no time heading out on the road to promote it. Here are all the dates you need:

14 December 2023 – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
15 December 2023 – King Lear’s Throne, Meeanjin/Brisbane
16 December 2023 – The Duke of Enmore, Eora/Sydney (FREE ENTRY)
17 December 2023 – The Basement Canberra, Ngambri/Canberra
18 December 2023 – Shotkickers, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from Australian Radio Promotion

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boo Seeka Drops “Come With Me” Ahead of Album Release and Tour

Boo Seeka has just released his hypnotic new single “Come With Me,” and I just know you’re going to love it. It’s such a cool slow burner, the kind of song that sneaks up on you as it builds so beautifully. It’s got a great chill vibe that makes me think of kicking back with drinks and friends by a pool or on some happening rooftop bar.

“Come With Me” will feature on Boo Seeka’s new album Midnight Highlight, which drops on January 19.

“Midnight Highlight means a new chapter has been written for me personally, and I can’t wait to go share it with people who want to be part of it,” Boo Seeka said. “I’m not saying we are reinventing the wheel here, but I don’t think anyone can say we sound exactly like any other artist, which is what I think any creative person should strive for. Each album (and each track to be honest) will change, and we are not going to put ourselves in a box for the years to come. What sounds good to us in that moment is what we write and record!”

After playing a bunch of summer festivals and supporting Boy and Bear around Europe and the United Kingdom, Boo Seeka will head out on a massive Aussie tour. I know that sounds like ages away, but the shows are in such small venues I’d probably grab my tickets now while you still can.

16 February 2024 – Solbar, Jinbara Country/Maroochydore
17 February 2024 – The Triffid, Meeanjin/Brisbane
23 February 2024 – Metro Theatre, Eora/Sydney
24 February 2024 – King Street Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
25 February 2024 – Miami Marketta Laneway, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
1 March 2024 – Corner Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
2 March 2024 – HABA, Bunurong Country/Rye
3 March 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
8 March 2024 – Lion Arts Factory, Tarntanya/Adelaide
9 March 2024 – Uni Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
15 March 2024 – The River, Wooditup/Margaret River
16 March 2024 – Froth Craft Bunbrewery, Goomburrup/Bunbury
17 March 2024 – Freo.Social, Walyalup/Fremantle
21 March 2024 – Seabreeze Hotel, Yuwibara Country/Mackay
22 March 2024 – Otherwise Bar, Thul Garrie Waja/Townsville
23 March 2024 – Gilligans, Gimuy/Cairns

Photo credit: Ned Kelly

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Matt Corby Releases Smooth Summer Anthem, “Desert Land”

Matt Corby is bringing some serious summer vibes with his latest track “Desert Land.” It’s a cool, breezy number that makes me think of sipping cocktails and relaxing in the sun. It takes its cues from classic yacht rock, but there’s a modern freshness that I know you’re going to love.

Matt says the song was “inspired by the close relationships we have that operate in tandem with our vices and addictions, and how both of those things influence each other”.

Matt wrote this one with his good friends and regular collaborators Chris Collins (Gang of Youths, Middle Kids, Skegss) and Nat Dunn (Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Tkay Maidza). Matt and Chris also produced “Desert Land.”

Following recent shows in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America, Matt should be in fine form when he plays some solo shows and festivals here and in New Zealand in the coming months.

1 December 2023 – Powerstation, Auckland
2 December 2023 – Anderson Park, Wellington (with Allen Stone)
8 December 2023 – Fremantle Prison, Walyup/Fremantle
10 December 2023 – Fremantle Prison, Walyup/Fremantle
14 January 2024 – SummerSalt @ Mornington Racecourse, Bunurong Country/Mornington
28 March – 1 April 24 – Bluesfest 2024, Cavanbah/Byron Bay

Photo credit: Matt & Madeline Johnson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Never Thought of Growing Up” – Loretta

Loretta have put a big smile on my face today with the release of their long-awaited debut EP, Never Thought of Growing Up. Featuring the brilliant singles “All My Friends (Are Your Friends)” and “Wish I Could Show You,” it’s some of the best and most uplifting indie-pop you’ll hear.

When you introduce an EP with such good songs, sometimes the rest of the recording can fall flat. But Loretta have a real knack for creating anthemic, optimistic music that gets stuck in your head and under your skin. The Eora/Sydney-based band could easily have released “Hope You’re Happy” and “How to Swim” as singles, because they’re every bit as good. Clocking in at around a minute and a half each, Loretta also show versatility with the introductory track “What Do We Become” and the beautiful instrumental interlude, “Halfway Home”. Everything works so beautifully together here, like the pieces of a technicolour jigsaw.

I have been a Loretta fan for a while, and I love to see the way they’re evolving. Notice that I very carefully avoided the word maturing there, because this is a band that retains its youthful energy. This EP is called Never Thought of Growing Up for a reason! They may have a few years on the clock these days, but they still make music that feels so fresh and fun. Right now they’re just doing it better than ever.

After waiting so long for an EP, I just wish there was a little more here. At around 15 minutes, it’s definitely one of the shorter EPs I’ve listened to. However, as more artists start extending the format into mini-albums, it’s probably not a bad thing that Loretta leaves us wanting more. Never Thought of Growing Up certainly delivers quality over quantity. I just hope a full-length album isn’t too far away.

Never Thought of Growing Up is out today. Loretta are wasting no time and kicking off a national tour to celebrate its release tomorrow. There are still some tickets available, so what are you waiting for?

4 November 2023 – Yah Yah’s, Naarm/Melbourne
9 November 2023 – Stranded Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 November 2023 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Woolyungah/Wollongong
23 November 2023 – Oxford Art Factory, Eora/Sydney
25 November 2023 – King Street, Mulubinba/Newcastle

Images used with permission from Good Intent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights, and The World Alive Join Forces for Massive Aussie Shows

Anberlin vocalist Stephen Christian recently announced he’s taking an indefinite break from touring, but not before he brings his band to Australia one last time. Hitting Australia in January, Anberlin will play shows with their very special guests Hawthorne Heights and The Word Alive. If you believe that alt-rock’s not dead, you’ll want to get your hands on some tickets.

“There is not a country outside the United States that Anberlin is more connected to or embraced as much as Australia, and this will be our 12th trip to this incredible country,” Stephen confirmed. “From our first show in Adelaide, to then writing a song about it, and years later having a 9-year-old girl named Adelaide come on stage and sing that very song with us to a massive sold-out show in Sydney we have SO many core memories created on that soil. It is absolutely fitting that I am taking a final bow in Australia before taking a long hiatus from touring. I appreciate you Australia and can’t wait to sing along one final time.”

This will be the first time that Anberlin have visited Australia since 2019 and their first opportunity to play music from their EPs Silverline and Convinced, which dropped in 2022 and 2023 after the band’s reformation. And that’s to say nothing of Hawthorne Heights, who proved with the release of The Rain Just Follows Me in 2021 that they’ve still got plenty left in the tank. The World Alive also just dropped a new album, Hard Reset, in August, their first in three years.

Expect to hear plenty of the new material and classics when Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights, and The World Alive hit Australia this January. Tickets are on sale now.

21 January 2024 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
23 January 2024 – The Gov, Tarntanya/Adelaide
25 January 2024 – Enmore Theatre, Eora/Sydney
26 January 2024 – The Tivoli, Meeanjin/Brisbane
28 January 2024 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Concrete Gold Rock Out With “Over the Edge”

Concrete Gold are ushering in a new era with the release of their latest single “Over the Edge.” It sounds good on them.

““Over The Edge” is the first song that we wrote with our current band lineup, and is the mark of a new era of exploration for us,” they explained. “This song was an idea that Cameron brought into our rehearsal (conjured by watching videos of Nirvana as inspiration) and was then fleshed out by the band together in our first rehearsal with Will [Bainbridge] as our drummer – the result was a more alive and nuanced sound than our previous creative efforts.”

The track was also self-produced by the band at SSL Studio at Cavanbah/Byron Bay. Frontman Cameron Lockwood engineered all but the vocals, which Sam Harris of Elaborate Productions handled. Cameron also took care of the mix before Sam mastered it.

Concrete Gold will take their new lineup on the road next week when they play a string of East Coast shows supporting the release of “Over the Edge.”

2 November 2023 – Australian Hotel, Bundjalung Country/Ballina
3 November 2023 – Greaser Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
4 November 2023 – Vinnie’s Dive Bar, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast (FREE SHOW; Doors open 1 pm)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

South Summit Release Doco Ahead of EP Tour

Boorloo/Perth band South Summit have just released a new documentary video that takes fans behind the scenes of their success. Called Climbing the Summit, the 10-minute vid was filmed between Eora/Sydney and Naarm/Melbourne while the band was on tour with Beddy Rays. It serves as a time capsule of this young band on the verge of big things.

“The band were a pleasure to work with,” said producer Vincent Trease. “It’s been such a great experience creatively and we got to witness South Summit at a pivotal time in their career as musicians. In such a time of division the message of unity that runs through this doco is in my eyes a great example of reconciliation.”

“I wanted to capture the way that music brings people together, and show that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you believe in, it’s all about just playing some tunes and having a good time,” added director Elliott Brown. “I firmly believe that South Summit will one day stand among the greatest Australian artists. I aimed to capture their beginnings, a moment I hope people will look back on in the future.”

“This documentary gives us an opportunity to tell our stories, share our messages, and showcase what we do behind the scenes on this crazy journey. We feel like this documentary lets people understand our journey with music, and what we want to be known for. We represent proud cultures throughout the band, but this is not the reason why we are here today. We are here for the love of music. The process was made super cruisy for us by the two guys who made it all happen. Big shoutout to Vince and Elliott for having the vision for the doco and all their hard work to make it happen!”

South Summit will be back doing what they do best next week playing shows in support of their fabulous third EP Tales of the Yeti. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait too long to get yours.

2 November 2023 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong
3 November 2023 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney
4 November 2023 – Howler, Naarm/Melbourne
10 November 2023 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
11 November 2023 – The Northern, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
17 November 2023 – Whammy Bar, Auckland
18 November 2023 – The Loons, Christchurch
19 November 2023 – Meow, Wellington
24 November 2023 – The Rosemount, Boorloo/Perth

Photo credit: Andrew Briggs

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sweet Talk Drop Vintage Banger, “Warm Love”

The Teskey Brothers pipped them for the title at the recent 2023 National Live Music Awards, but Sweet Talk might just be the best blues and roots act that you haven’t heard of. Their latest single “Warm Love” shows why they weren’t just making up the numbers in that coveted category. It’s got so much swag. This is the kind of music people just aren’t making enough of any more.

“It’s got a little more rock n roll steez about it,” admitted Sweet Talk’s frontman Tane Walker, of the band’s adventurous new sound. “We took what we normally do, then dirtied up the tones and tuned our instruments down half a step,” added bass player James Harding.

“Warm Love is a belter to play live!” added guitarist Soren Walker. “That’s the litmus test we need to vet songs for the studio, if the punters come alive, then it deserves a shot on record and this immediately ticked that box.”

You can see how good this song is live at one of Sweet Talk’s upcoming shows:

27 October 2023 – Bridge Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
28 October 2023 – The Eastern Hotel, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Ballarat
29 October 2023 – The Barwon Club, Djilang/South Geelong
3 November 2023 – Music on the Hill, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
4 November 2023 – Archies Creek Hotel, Gunai Country/Archies Creek
10–12 November 2023 – Blues at Bridgetown, Nyungar Country/Bridgetown

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Two Times Shy Release Another Pop-Punk Bop, “Wits End”

I know I’m posting a lot of pop-punk these days, but god the scene is strong. When local bands just keep dropping stone cold bangers, what’s a girl supposed to do? The latest to capture my heart is “Wits End” from Two Times Shy. I know I’ve written a lot about these guys too, but when they keep producing such quality music I don’t want you to miss a thing.

“It’s an emotional journey, a reflection of those moments when you watch your life unravel, and everyone else seems to be moving forward while you’re stuck searching for answers,” explained Douglas Hudswell, Two Times Shy’s frontman.

The band will load up the van and hit venues across the East Coast next month. Catch Two Times Shy at the following hotspots:

4 November 2023 – Bodega, Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair Country/Toowoomba
9 November 2023 – The Workers Club, Naarm/Melbourne
11 November 2023 – The Hamilton Station, Mulubinba/Newcastle
17 November 2023 – Tomcat, Meeanjin/Brisbane
18 November 2023 – The Chippo Hotel, Eora/Sydney

Image used with permission from Ruckus PR; credit: Gabi Rankine

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hollow Coves Release Long-Awaited New Single, “Harder to Fake It”

Listening to “Harder to Fake It,” the first new music from Hollow Coves since 2021, has made me realise just how much I missed them. This is music that simply makes you feel good with its beautiful harmonies, acoustic feel, and uplifting lyrics. Rest assured, this one ticks all the boxes. As it should, as Hollow Coves wrote and recorded the track with Matt Corby and Alex Henrikkson at Alex’s Rainbow Valley Studio.

“Last year, we played at an event that Matt Corby had put on to raise money for victims of the floods in the Northern Suburbs of New South Wales in Australia. After the show, we got chatting with Matt Corby and we connected really well. We were both keen to see what we could make together, so we ended up going to his studio, which happened to be not too far from where we lived, and did a few writing sessions. We ended up writing five songs together,” the band explained. “We were all in a room together trying to come up with an initial idea. I had a guitar part and rough melody that I had been wanting to work on for a while so I thought I would test it by starting to play it and see if anyone would comment on it. Straight away, Matt Corby expressed that he liked what he heard so we took the idea and ran with it. From there, a lot of the song came quite quickly. We recorded the main guitar part quickly and then Matt Corby jumped on the drum kit and started recording some really cool drum parts to make a quick demo. A lot of the parts from the demo ended up being used in the final recording.”

The song comes with a beautiful music video filmed in the scenic coastal town of Tofino on Canada’s Vancouver Island. It features school children bored with the mundanity of the classroom who taste real joy when that bell rings and they can go out and experience the world.

Hollow Coves are back on the road playing shows around the country. Here are their upcoming dates:

13 October 2023 – Altar Bar, Nipaluna/Hobart
14 October 2023 – Northcote Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
20 October 2023 – Princess Theatre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
21 October 2023 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
3 December 2023 – SummerSalt @ Torquay Common, Wadawarrung Country/Torquay

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Bradley Murnane