Chris Isaak Strikes Again!

I’m starting to think that Chris Isaak should just bite the bullet and move Down Under. That’s right, the charismatic crooner is again gracing our fair land with another tour. Of course, for those ladies he leaves swooning, it still couldn’t have come fast enough.

But blink and you just might miss him. Chris will play just three dates: one in Perth, another in Melbourne, before finishing the tour in Sydney.

Some might argue that announcing a tour just months after the last one is simply a grab for cash. Perhaps, but Chris also has altruism on his mind. A limited number of VIP tickets will go on sale for each date, with proceeds from these seats benefiting the cancer charity Challenge. VIPs will enjoy the show from the first three rows, receive a signed tour pass, and have the opportunity to meet with the man himself before the show.

Tickets for the following dates go on sale on Tuesday July 14.

16 September 2009 – Challenge Stadium, Perth
19 September 2009 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
22 September 2009 – State Theatre, Sydney

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Ed Kowalczyk Goes Solo For Aussie Tour

Ed Kowalczyk, the lead singer of Live, is heading out on his own for an acoustic tour of Australia.

Ed will play stripped back shows in some of the country’s most intimate venues this August. They promise to include highlights of his band’s career, from Live’s debut album Mental Jewelry to the monster hit Throwing Copper to their last album Songs from the Black Mountain.

I’ve seen Live play a couple of times, and they always put on such a great show. To hear these incredible songs standing on their own, stripped back and raw, should be something really special.

Tickets for the following dates go on sale on July 10.

9 August 2009 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
12 August 2009 – Octagon Theatre, Perth
15 August 2009 – The Forum, Melbourne
18 August 2009 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
19 August 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Image source: Erwin Winkelman/Wikimedia Commons

Mark Vincent Realises His Dream

15-year-old Mark Vincent wowed the country as this year’s winner of Australia’s Got Talent. And today the talented young opera star is set to do it all again with the release of his debut album, My Dream – Mio Visione.

There are no real surprises here, which is likely to be a good thing for his adoring fans. After all, they’re going to be much happier hearing Mark belt out opera classics “Ava Maria” and “Nessun Dorma” and modern classics “Unchained Melody” and “Hallelujah” than more traditional teen hits.

If you’re a fan of Paul Potts and Il Divo, make sure you check out this kid. If he can sing this well at 15, he’s bound to have a big future ahead of him. If you missed him before, here’s Mark’s first performance on Australia’s Got Talent.

 

The Black Eyed Peas Announce Aussie Tour

Their latest album The E.N.D. debuted at number one, and their singles “I Gotta Feeling” and “Boom Boom Pow” are sitting at number one and two on the Aussie charts, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect for The Black Eyed Peas to announce an Oz tour. I can almost see the folks at Frontier rubbing their hands with glee Mr Burns style!

The E.N.D World Tour will make a pit-stop in Australia this October, visiting venues in all the major capital cities (sorry Hobart and Darwin). It’s been almost four years since Fergie and co. visited our shores, so we can safely expect this one to be huge.

If you want to score tickets, I wouldn’t delay when they go on sale on Monday July 20 if I were you! Here are all the dates.

1 October 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
2 October 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney
5 October 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
6 October 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
10 October 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

More Green Day After Aussie Concerts Sell Out

Aussie music fans have snapped up tickets to Green Day’s upcoming shows, with the Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane concerts all selling out within half an hour this morning.

Frontier Touring Company has reacted to the demand and added a new show in each city for those fans that missed out, and the die-hards who just can’t get enough!

All new shows are on sale now so if you’re still missing a ticket, don’t delay. These new concerts are bound to go the way of the first before too long!

Green Day will play the following shows in Australia this December.

4 December 2009 – Burswood Dome, Perth
6 December 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
8 December 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane (Sold Out)
9 December 2009 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane (New Show)
11 December 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney (Sold Out)
12 December 2009 – Acer Arena, Sydney (New Show)
14 December 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (Sold Out)
15 December 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (New Show)

Image source: Newscom

Kids Rock Out with Kiddyrock

Some of Melbourne’s hottest musicians are exposing kids to the magic of rock and roll through Kiddyrock. The program, which visits kindergartens, early learning centers, and community halls in Victoria, is the brainchild of Ally Spazzy of girl punk outfit The Spazzys.

“Kiddyrock is a brand new project where a load of artists and musicians have come together to create accessibility to alternative music for kids as well as create opportunities for local musicians to continue working in music, in what they love,” Kiddyrock’s Georgie Carpenter explained to Undercover.

“We’re not going to teach anyone how to play the guitar or how to play a drum, but we are going to expose them to some of the artists that we loved, and help them develop an ear to enjoy music in the way that we do.”

The workshops help kids aged between three and six develop a love and understanding of music. They’re also a lot of fun, with the tots getting the opportunity to jam with Ally Spazzy, Shaun Gionis from Trial Kennedy, and Richard Walsh from The Electric Guitars.

The sessions cost $17 per child, or $15 for groups of four or more. If you want to take your youngsters along, check out the KiddyRock website for a list of upcoming workshop sessions.

Image source: James Jordan @ Flickr

Guitar God Khan Manuel Plays Sydney

Following his recent endorsement by global guitar giants Ibanez, Khan Manuel will play a very special show on July 8 at The Basement in Sydney.

Music fans can look forward to hearing tunes from Khan’s critically acclaimed debut album The Knight. The songs effortlessly combine a variety of genres including rock, blues, jazz, Spanish flamenco, and even some metal!

Khan will be joined onstage by Sydney’s fastest drummer Guy Hughes [Anthony Snape, House of Kings], one of the country’s finest bass players, Chris Soulos, and European guitar virtuoso Oles Yurakov. With musicians of this calibre, this is sure to be one unforgettable night of music.

Tickets are available now at Moshtix from $20. To see what this guy can do, just check out the album’s title track, “The Knight.”

Lior Brings Back Shadows and Light for Charity

If you missed Lior’s amazing Shadows and Light tour, you’ve got one more chance. The Australian troubadour has teamed up with the Sydney Theatre Company for two very special charity shows.

The concerts, scheduled for September 9 and 10, will raise money for Youngcare. The organization finds age-appropriate care for young people involved in serious, debilitating accidents. Currently young people requiring around-the-clock care are housed in aged care facilities, a situation which the charity says simply isn’t good enough.

“The Shadows And Light tour was one of the most fulfilling and inspiring experiences in my career thus far, both artistically and also in the way it seemed to resonate with the audience. At the time of wrapping up the shows, I was invited to the Sydney Theatre Company and I remember looking at the performance space thinking … Wow, it’s like this room was built for the Shadows and Light concept,” Lior explained.

“Around about the same time, I was contacted by a charity group called Youngcare and became very interested in the work they are doing for young people who are suffering and require round the clock care in suitable and dignified conditions. I am always inspired by young people who are committed to helping other young people in need. They approached me about doing a show to raise funds and awareness. It seemed that all the stars had somehow aligned and that the natural thing to do was to pull out the Shadows and Light show one more time later this year in a beautiful setting and for a worthy cause.”

Tickets for the shows are available throw the Sydney Theatre Company.

Image used with permission from Lior Management

Hilltop Hoods Still Tops

Way to go Hilltop Hoods! The Aussie hip hop outfit has enjoyed their second week at the top of the ARIA Charts with State of the Art.

The big single “Chase That Feeling” is also doing well, jumping a massive eight places to sit at number eight in the singles charts.

The Hilltop Hoods aren’t the only locals tasting chart success. Eskimo Joe’s fourth album Inshalla is still going strong, sitting at number six in the charts. They’re ahead of The Temper Trap, who’ve jumped into number nine with their debut album Conditions.

Click below to see who else makes up the Aussie top 10!

Continue reading “Hilltop Hoods Still Tops”

Design Cover for Delta Goodrem's New DVD

Fans can soon relive Delta Goodrem’s Believe Again concert tour with the release of a live DVD. To celebrate the release, she’s giving the fans a chance to get in on the action and design the cover.

“I would love for you to help me design the cover for my new live tour DVD,” she said in a statement. “So get involved if you are up for the challenge! Remember what the journey of the show was and be imaginative, have fun!”

Delta will pick her favourite entry, and give the designer a selection of Delta’s back catalogue of albums and singles, and an autographed copy of the new live DVD!

Entries must be submitted by 5 pm on July 17, so head to the Sony Music website to find everything you need to get started!

Image source: zeigh_x @ Wikimedia Commons