Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH concert series has unearthed some massive talent including Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Halsey, and local Sounds of Oz favourites like Ishan, Carla Webhe, and Sophisticated Dingo. And it’s back for 2025! The first show kicks off tonight at the Gasometer in Naarm/Melbourne.
Sadly it’s an invite-only showcase for industry types so I can’t help you get tickets, but I can put the new artists on your radar. Fletcher Kent, Salty, and Lotte Gallagher will all share the spotlight tonight. So look them up and get across their music, because they’re definitely going places.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be joining Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH Backed by Vodafone!” Fletcher said. “Making the trip down to Melbourne to join Salty and Lotte Gallagher at The Gaso is going to be so fun. It’s an honour to be included in this discovery series and join a fantastic list of artists who have played it in the past.”
Fletcher, Salty, and Lotte have got plenty of fantastic music on the streaming services, so get amongst it. The exposure they receive from Live Nation might just be the boost that takes their careers to the next level.
Australia’s still basking in that Luke Combs’ tour glow, but many locals don’t realise our country talent is every bit as good as the American artists. Aussie singer-songwriter Brad Cox reminds me a lot of Luke with his authenticity and vulnerability. And he’s touring the Eastern states really soon.
If you’re sitting on the fence, take a listen to the Hot Lettuce Sessions recorded in Nipaluna/Hobart last year. When someone sounds this good on a live recording, you know they’re the real deal.
Brad Cox will play a few festivals before he kicks off his Coxy’s Regional Road Show. With the fabulous Piper Butcher warming up the crowds, country fans won’t want to miss these gigs.
After spending much of 2024 on the road here and abroad, Press Club are serving up more new music this year. They’ll independently release their fourth album, To All The Ones That I Love, on Friday May 2 featuring the songs from their new double A-side single, “Tightrope” and “Vacate.” These songs are everything I love about Press Club: killer rock music that perfectly backs up the force of nature that is frontwoman Natalie Foster.
She said “’Tightrope’ is about hitting that point where you’re done trying to fix things, becoming frustrated and numb taking on everybody else’s thoughts, worries and expectations. It’s that feeling of barely holding it together, like you’re walking a tightrope on the edge of a breakdown. Musically, it’s a bit of an ode to The Hives, written after meeting them at Hurricane festival in Germany.”
Meanwhile the band were inspired by classic acts like David Bowie, New Order, and Joy Division when writing “Vacate.” You can definitely hear their influence in those retro guitars.
I am absolutely vibing with Butter’s new single “Baby I’m in Love.” Featuring the talents of 1800 Sleep, this is a cool neo-soul number that’s probably better suited to Saturday nights than Monday afternoons. However, maybe playing it now will put you right back into that relaxed weekend state. It’s worth a shot, right?
“The recording process really captured our energy as a live band,” lead vocalist Lachlan Payet explained. “A relaxed studio environment helped us to feel comfortable and brave with the creative choices made. I feel it’s the most Butter thing we’ve ever made as our personality and humour really shines through in the absolute sweetest way possible!”
Butter will celebrate the release of “Baby I’m In Love” with a single launch on February 14 at Mills Records in Walyalup/Fremantle. With free entry, it’s the perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day.
The Melbourne Guitar Show is back for 2025 with a brand new venue and massive line-up featuring Dallas Frasca, Paul Dempsey, Gretta Ziller, and heaps more. You can see all two days of action at the Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Expect performances from guitarists of all genres and plenty of opportunities to buy from global brands and local luthiers. For the first time the show features a special Fender room and showcase of Aussie guitar brands. You can also improve your skills at the playing and songwriting workshops. With a licensed bar and plenty of food vendors, you can really make a day or two of this event.
“This will be an unmissable event for guitar fans,” assured the event’s product, Alex Masso. “You will just have to be there to see our new home and what we have planned for this year. We have picked up new ideas from our audience, brands, musicians and other events. Fans of the Melbourne Guitar Show will recognise it but we’re making the show even better for more people to enjoy.”
Check our the Melbourne Guitar Show at Melbourne Showgrounds on March 1 and 2. Tickets are on sale now from the event’s website. Get in quick, as discounted early bird tickets are available until February 12.
Eora/Sydney emo powerhouse A Swift Farewell are back with their first single of 2025, “Silence.” Don’t let the title or gentle start fool you. This track really kicks in when the chorus drops.
It’s also the first song the band recorded with their new bassist, Gabrielle Michael. “I’m beyond excited to be teaming up with my very best friends in A Swift Farewell,” they enthused. “It feels like a long time coming after filling in on bass for them on tour. Nothing feels better than sharing the stage with people who you not only love, but know that they share the same deep passion for the art you create together.”
A Swift Farewell have a couple of gigs at The Lansdowne coming up to celebrate the release of “Silence”. Catch them at the following hometown shows:
There’s not a lot that’s fun about Mondays. While I can’t do anything about your back-to-work hassles or the gloomy weather that’s lingering around my part of the country, I can introduce you to Miramar’s new single “Work It Out.” This dance-pop single is the aural equivalent of a dopamine hit, so pump up that volume! It sounds upbeat, but it’s got a strong message if you pay attention to the lyrics.
“The lyrics are a really vulnerable, personal story of taking a minute during a fight with someone you love to remember that you still love them and you’ll get through it,” the Eora/Sydney-based band revealed. “It’s a conversation we had to have with ourselves about music as well. There’s been many times we were burnt out and needed to remind ourselves that we love it and need to keep going – we’re actually doing okay and we’re going to make it work. We originally wrote the song while we were still in a bit of a burnout spiral. When we finally went to finish we were coming out the other side of that, so it ended up a much more hopeful and optimistic song which we love.”
“Work It Out” is the latest single from Miramar’s sophomore EP, which drops later this year. Before that they’ll play the following shows around New South Wales in the coming weeks.
28 February 2025 – Beach Road Hotel, Boondi/Bondi 16 March 2025 – Hamilton Station Hotel, Mulubinba/Newcastle 22 March 2025 – Pleasure Club, Gadigal Country/Newtown 28 March 2025 – The Landsdowne, Gadigal Country/Chippendale (supporting Mickey Kojak)
Think you know Owl City’s “Fireflies”? I promise you’ve never heard it quite like this. Local talents Bailey Pickles and Hugo Hui have teamed up with the Sydney Conservatorium Choir for a magical version of the synth-pop smash. With its lush orchestral arrangements and harmonies from the choir, it sounds like it belongs on an epic movie soundtrack.
“Our goal was to take the magic of ‘Fireflies’ and expand it into something that feels like the soundtrack to a dream,” Bailey said. “Collaborating with the Sydney Conservatorium Choir was an incredible opportunity to push our vision to the next level.”
“’Fireflies’ is a celebration of everything we love about music, nostalgia, creativity, and the power to transport listeners to another world,” Hugo added. “We’re so grateful to the Sydney Conservatorium Choir for helping us bring this vision to life.”
This is the latest single lifted from Bailey and Hugo’s highly anticipated EP, which features four cinematic covers and two original pieces.
Benny J Blake is appropriately ushering in a new chapter of music with his uplifting new single “Begin.” He has around 20 years’ experience in the music industry, but this is his first release under his current musical moniker. It all came about after Benny left his previous band and split with his long-term partner. Such big life events are bound to shake things up!
“’Begin’ is an exploration of healing,” Benny explained. “A cathartic starter pistol to “begin” the long road to recovery and acknowledging the small wins along the way. While slowly eliminating distractions and vices that have kept me stoned and frozen in existential dread and maladaptive coping mechanisms while accepting my human flaws and practicing foreign self-love and compassion.”
Benny took control of this project, playing most of the instruments and recording them in his home studio in Gadigal Country/Newtown. But you will hear guest vocals from Georgia Jones and Wade Keighran of Wolf and Cub on bass. He also produced this amazing track.
“Begin” comes from Benny J Blake’s forthcoming debut album, The Sharpest Tooth in the Jaw.
As we inch closer to the release of his New Love album, Ziggy Alberts has dropped another romantic folk ditty for your listening pleasure. His new single “I’m With You” is another beautiful song that celebrates being with the right person.
“Love in its purest form, has a way of bringing us back to ourselves. This song is about embracing that with open arms,” Ziggy said. “Sometimes we are blinded by desire when some things are right in front of us. It’s a really, truly happy song; it’s not even sentimental; it’s simply happy-go-lucky, which I love.”
You can hear more from Ziggy when he releases New Love on February 21. He’ll hit the ground running playing some local shows from release day through to early April before heading to North America, Europe, and the UK. They’re all selling out left and right, so if you want to get along make sure you grab some tickets soon.
