Tom Neilson reminds us that all that glitters isn’t gold with his fantastic new single “Fool’s Gold.” I was instantly struck by its lush sound. Folk music is dominated by stripped-back, acoustic tunes, so hearing a folk song featuring a trumpet and trombone is a real revelation.
While the music makes an instant impact, it’s the lyrics that have really stuck with me. Tom says “Fool’s Gold” is “A song about chasing what glitters, losing your way, and finding what truly matters.”
Tom will celebrate the release of “Fool’s Gold” by playing the Airlie Beach Festival of Music tonight. He’ll also play Bob’s Bar as part of Woodford Folk Festival on Sunday, 28 December and Thursday, 1 January. Tickets are available now through the Woodford Folk Festival website.
In 2017, Holly “Cookie” Baker released “The Summer,” a gorgeous duet with Tim Rogers. Now eight years later she’s brought us an accidental sister song, “The Winter.” Holly and her new duet partner and longtime friend Ollie English bring this poignant song about self-realisation, heartbreak, and healing to life.
“I’d always come back to The Winter whilst working on other music, for years actually. I’d pick it up and sing only the chorus over and over, turning it around in my mind.” Cookie shared. “It’s a song about navigating the complex layers of dissatisfaction in a relationship—acknowledging the sadness, confronting the resignation, and yet still reaching for hope.”
“My introduction to The Winter was on this beautiful old piano at Cookie’s house; she played the song back to front and I instantly connected with it,” Ollie added. “She’s a wordsmith with really cool vocal phrasing, and a lot of the original ideas remained in the studio. My favourite element is the dynamics – from subtle whispers to roaring crescendos. It’s an honour to sing on this song.”
Cookie plans to squeeze in a few more shows before the year is through, so keep an eye on her website for all the dates as they’re announced.
If your social calendar and wallet are looking a little lean and you live around Eora/Sydney, don’t despair. The Freekin Weekends concert series is back to make your summer a lot brighter. These totally free outdoor music events happen at The Factory courtyard between 1 pm and 7 pm every weekend through to March. You’ll even get a $5 bar credit if you RSVP via The Factory website!
“Freekin Weekends is about celebrating original live music in a way that’s open to everyone,” said The Factory’s booking agent, Braden Keating. “It’s a chance for the community to come together and support local artists, while enjoying great food, drinks and summer vibes in the courtyard.”
Freekin Weekends has an “all welcome” policy, so grab the kids, your pets, your parents, and your grandparents, and enjoy some fantastic tunes at The Factory this summer. This weekend D-TECH MC hosts The Elements of Tech and Bass on Saturday before TRILL SYDNEY brings the filthiest indie-sleaze revival to the courtyard on Sunday. And there’s plenty more where that came from. Head to The Factory website to learn all about the entertainment that Freekin Weekends has in store.
Naarm/Melbourne alt-pop act PAXY recently dropped “The Fool,” a sassy new track that might just be her most daring yet. I’m not sure whether I appreciate its confessional lyrics or unique blues-pop sound more. The blend reminds me a lot of iconic female performers who bucked trends like Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse.
“This song isn’t about one relationship or situationship in particular,” PAXY explained. “It’s a post-mortem on my own role in the fallout, and a nod to the stories we all spin for ourselves and each other. I love dancing on that line, pointing the finger inward, not outward, and finding the comedy in my own chaos.”
I hear PAXY is already planning more single releases and some shows, so expect to hear a lot more from her in the coming months.
Didirri is one of those rare Aussie artists that seems to do no wrong. If you instantly warm to everything he releases like me, I know you’ll fall hard for his new double A-side single, “A Kind of Moving On/Don’t Talk.” These songs work as beautiful companion pieces, both authentically raw with powerful words exploring generational resilience and personal growth.
“I explore the delicate threads that connect generations through the lens of my grandmother’s journey across continents. These songs weave together the anxiety of major life transitions with the echoes of her migration story,” Didirri explained. “As I grappled with my own fears of change, I found myself drawing parallel lines to her courage – leaving everything familiar behind for an uncertain future. They move between intimate personal reflections and broader themes of inherited resilience. I am attempting to honour both the weight of significant change and the strength it takes to embrace it.”
Didirri and his partner Rowena Wise are currently touring Canada, but they’ll be back on home soil very soon for a string of Australian shows. Catch them anywhere you can.
Longtime readers will know that while I’m passionate about all kinds of music and performers, no artist thrills me like Rob Thomas. Whether he’s solo or fronting Matchbox Twenty, he moves me like no one else. His songs have soundtracked my life from my angsty mid-teens to my relatively calmer married years, and I’m so grateful for them. I see at least two shows each tour because anything more than one feels like a bonus and I can keep those post-tour blues at bay. Right now I’m performing that delicate balancing act of extending the buzz as long as I can while rejoining the “Real World.”
While local country act Fanny Lumsden wasn’t the most natural choice of opener for a pop-rock show, she quickly won over the audience with her infectious energy and catchy songs. She led the crowd in line dances and choreographed hand movements. Seeing the sea of people in the general admission section mimicking her movements in time with these songs they likely weren’t familiar with really brought a smile to my face. So did Fanny’s brother Thomas, who may be one of the most entertaining backup vocalists I’ve ever seen. Watching the siblings dancing around together, lapping up their first-ever shows at the Enmore, was really special.
Rob’s visiting Australia to promote his new album All Night Days, but I’ll use the term promote loosely. Just four songs from the album made the set on my first show, but that was pared back to three on Rob’s final night in Sydney. He opened with the explosive “I Believe It,” which really comes alive on the stage but then preferred to play with more familiar material. It’s a wise move, guaranteed to win over an audience, but as a diehard fan who’s seen multiple shows during his career I would have loved to hear more of that fabulous fresh material.
I will say, that’s my only criticism of these shows and it’s a minor niggle outweighed by all that was overwhelmingly positive. Now that Rob has five regular solo albums and just as many Matchbox releases under his belt, he has a rich discography that allows him to mix up the sets. What a joy for the ardent fans like myself who attend multiple shows! He wasn’t afraid to deliver deep cuts either. “Not Just a Woman,” a bonus track on a limited-edition version of …Something to Be, made its unexpected Australian debut. “Rest Stop,” which I’m not even sure I’ve heard Matchbox perform, let alone Rob solo also got a beautiful acoustic treatment. These gems for the faithful were sprinkled into the set, sitting easily alongside singalong favourites like “Lonely No More,” “3 AM,” and “Smooth.” Listening to the voices, looking around at the faces in the crowd, you can see that these songs matter. For me personally, watching Rob play tracks like “Mockingbird” and “Can’t Help Me Now,” which mean so much to me and my husband, while we sit close and take in every lyric, is pure magic.
The songs are at the heart of what Rob does. There were no big screen projections, no pyrotechnics, no flash. Rob doesn’t need the bells and whistles because he is so magnetic. His banter always feels natural, his joy at playing for audiences in one of his favourite countries evident. I’m also not quite sure how he’s becoming more energetic on stage when his peers are slowing down, but I witnessed two electric performances back-to-back. He also surrounds himself with a fantastic band. While the sound crew at the Enmore didn’t always do them justice with the mix, they really are some of the best in the biz. After several tours with Rob, drummer Abe Fogle, bassist Al Carty, and keyboardist/guitarist Matt Beck are familiar faces to fans. While they all play their parts well, I was most impressed by Rob’s son Maison Thomas-Eudy. He has big shoes to fill as lead guitarist, especially when it’s time for “Smooth,” but he has all the attitude and chops of a rock star. This is no nepo hire; “The Kid” has the goods.
I am so glad that I saw two shows. During the first, I was overwhelmed with the gravity of seeing my favourite artist. There were tears. It was incredible, but I’m not sure I took everything in as much as I did on night two. I was steadier, but every bit as grateful to be in the room with Rob. Thankfully I won’t have to wait too long for his return, as he assured us he’s already planning to bring Matchbox Twenty back in 2027. Until then, I’m just going to ride this wave for as long as I can. Meeanjin/Brisbane, you get the last show of this tour. It’s at Sandstone Point Hotel on November 8. If you don’t already have tickets, general admission passes are still available through Ticketek.
On a Hump Day that’s feeling more challenging than most, Fool Nelson’sBad Dreams EP is delivering the sonic shot in the arm I need. If you’re struggling this morning or you just want to enjoy some stellar indie-rock music, take a listen.
The title track is an explosive opener which sets the tone for the rest of this six-track EP. The music is relentless, with a furious energy which almost seems at odds with Tom Broadbent’s easy vocals. I’m not sure why the unlikely blend works, but it does.
Fool Nelson barely takes their foot off the accelerator. The brief atmospheric “Interlude” gives listeners a little time to catch their breath before the energy amps up again with “Forget It” and “Big Shot.” This is big stadium rock music made all the more impressive when you realise it’s created by a trio. I’m not quite sure how three people achieve such a massive sound, but I’m so glad they do. By the time the final note of the closer “Don’t Feel Right” faded away I was invigorated, and so ready to listen again. It’s that kind of EP.
Bad Dreams is out now. Fool Nelson are currently playing shows around the country to support its release. They’ll also head to the United Kingdom and Europe next May, so stay tuned for those dates if you’re living abroad. It’s only a matter of time before they graduate to large venues befitting their massive sound, so take the opportunity to enjoy them in these intimate settings while you still can.
Wonnarua Country/Hunter Valley alt-country artist Trinity Woodhouse has floored me with her beautiful new single “Pills.” It’s an honest exploration of Trinity’s mental health journey that I know many Aussies will relate to.
“’Pills’ is one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever written,” she admitted. “It’s been so helpful to me in my journey towards accepting the place that I’m at with my mental health, and everything I’ve gone through to get to where I am. Mental health isn’t something that’s discussed anywhere near enough, and if one person can listen to my song, relate, and know that someone else is going through that experience with them, then I’ve done my job. That’s the goal for this song.”
Trinity has a busy November in store with plenty of gigs around New South Wales. Catch her at all the following venues:
7 November 2025 – Club Maitland City, Mindaribba/Maitland (from 7:30 pm – FREE) 8 November 2025 – Glendale Markets, Awabakal Country/Glendale (from 10 am – FREE) 9 November 2025 – Sydney Junction Hotel, Ahwartah-bulboongba/Hamilton (from midday – FREE) 14 November 2025 – Newcastle Airport, Murrook/Williamtown (from 2:30 pm – FREE) 16 November 2025 – Warners Bay Hotel, Biddaba/Warners Bay (from 2 pm – FREE) 22 November 2025 – Hotel Jesmond, Awabakal Country/Jesmond (from 8:30 pm – FREE) 23 November 2025 – Bellbird Hotel, Wonnarua Country/Bellbird (from 1 pm – FREE) 25 November 2025 – Kent Hotel, Ahwartah-bulboongba/Hamilton (from 9 pm – FREE) 29 November 2025 – Rydges Newcastle, Mulubinba/Newcastle (from 3 pm – FREE) 30 November 2025 – Huntlee Tavern, Wonnarua Country/Branxton (from 1 pm – FREE)
If Trinity’s song has resonated with you and you think you need some mental health assistance, help is available on the following numbers: Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Pacific Avenue have taken their sound up a gear with their latest single “Working Class Hero.” With more intensity than their usual beachy fare, this is a proper indie rock anthem. Press play, turn up the volume, and enjoy this one.
“‘Working Class Hero’ serves as a tribute to our hometowns of Kiama and Gerringong (Wodi Wodi Country), and the hardworking people who keep them alive,” the band explained. “Growing up in small regional towns, we were shaped by a tight community where loyalty and perseverance ran deep. As we pursued music, moving away from home brought a sense of guilt—leaving behind family and friends. The song’s verses reflect the nostalgia of growing up with a close friend and the joys of small-town life, while the chorus explores the regret and longing of wondering if we’d made the right choice to leave. While we love being on the road and touring, part of us misses the integrity of actively contributing to a community. We aim to convey the heroism that often goes unnoticed, and hope this leaves viewers with a renewed appreciation for their own communities.”
“Working Class Hero” delivers our first taste of Pacific Avenue’s sophomore album, which should drop early next year.
Marshall Hamburger is one of my favourite Australian Idol contestants from recent years. As a child of the ‘80s, I loved his passion for the music of my youth and the joy that emanated from every one of his performances. But when he won the title I wondered, what comes next? I’m sure he could make a career from playing covers, but I hoped he might step out as an artist in his own right. So I’m thrilled to wrap my ears around his debut single, “Thought of You.” It’s got that cool retro-pop vibe but with some modern flair I know you’ll love.
“Have you ever met that person who just by thinking about them changed your whole mood? That’s what this song is about,” said Marshall, who also wrote “Thought of You.” Yes, this isn’t one of those pop songs that come from a corporate machine. Marshall is showcasing some real creative depth and that’s another big tick.
Could Marshall be one of those Australian Idol success stories who has a career long after the show is over? God I hope so, because I love what he’s doing.
