Casey Barnes celebrates the love of his life, his wife Michelle, with his latest single “SHE DOES.” It’s an upbeat country-pop anthem sure to resonate with anyone who’s found their special someone.
“‘SHE DOES’ isn’t just another cliché country song… it’s really about something much deeper,” Casey said. “It’s about the person who still believes in you when you’re doubting yourself, who holds your world together when life gets chaotic, and who loves you even when you give them every reason not to. I think that’s something a lot of people will connect with.”
Casey co-wrote “this song”SHE DOES” in Nashville with acclaimed songwriters Jordan Dozzi, known for his work with Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, and Kyle Sturrock, who’s worked with Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley. But don’t think Casey’s forgetting his roots. He’ll release his new album MADE FOR THIS on August 7, the same day he embarks on his largest national headline tour. There are more dates to come, but for now you can put these in your calendar!
Buoyed by its appearance on the final episode of Packed to the Rafters, “Rock and Roll” by Eric Hutchinson hit number one on the ARIA charts in April 2009. And since then, most of us haven’t thought about him. He hasn’t just faded away though. He’s released seven full-length studio albums and an EP and toured the States with Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Lawrence, Rachel Platten, and heaps more. And he’s coming back to Australia for the first time in 16 years this November.
“I honestly have no idea why I never came back to Australia, other than the fact that it’s super far away from New York City, where I live,” Eric admitted. “I’ve had so many folks reach out over the years and ask me to come play, but the timing never worked out until now. I can’t wait to reconnect with all the listeners after so many years. It’s gonna be special.”
The tour announcement prompted me to dig deep into Eric’s back catalogue, and I’m wondering why I never got into him sooner. He’s got a similar positive soul sensibility to some of my favourites like Allen Stone and St. Paul & The Broken Bones. It takes a lot to get me to a standing-room gig and I’m already seeing two shows that same week, but this tour’s intimate venues and acoustic sets is seriously tempting me. Then there’s the addition of Australian Idol winner Marshall Hamburger as support. Seriously tempted. If you are too, click the links below for some tickets.
Jessica Mauboy has just released a timely reminder of just what a firecracker she is on stage. Her latest digital EP Live at Mighty Hoopla Sydney features performances of four fan favourites captured at the massive LGBTQIA+ festival earlier this year.
“Mighty Hoopla was honestly one of the most fun and uplifting crowds I’ve ever played to,” Jessica said. “There was just so much love, freedom and happiness in the air, everyone completely letting go and living in the moment through music. We recorded the performance, and listening back afterwards, I kept feeling that same energy and connection. I really wanted to release this EP to capture that feeling and bottle up that moment so fans could experience it with me too.”
Jessica will be back on stages soon on her Story of Me tour. These intimate shows see Jess reflecting on her career through music and candid stories. These shows offer a much more personal experience than your typical gigs, so make sure you don’t miss them.
Noughties R&B icon Ashanti is heading back to Australia this November. If you caught her on her 2022 tour, you know these shows shouldn’t be missed.
Ashanti is one of those artists with a body of work that’s much larger than you think. I’ve got down a bit of a Spotify rabbit hole and been surprised to realise just how many of her songs I know. “Always on Time,” “What’s Luv?” and “Foolish” are just three reasons these shows will go off.
“Australia and New Zealand has always shown me so much love, and I’m so excited to be coming back this coming fall for my ‘Rock Wit U’ tour!” Ashanti enthused. “The energy, the fans, the memories — it’s always so amazing. I can’t wait to Rock with you all! Australia and New Zealand get ready… we’re going to have a blast together!”
Tickets for Ashanti’s upcoming Aussie shows are on sale now from the links below:
MKTO clearly had a good time on our shores last year, because they’re heading back in September and extending their trip. During their first tour of Australia in 12 years, the American pop duo stuck to the major capitals, but this time around they’re playing more capitals, some regional centres, and even heading across the ditch to see our Kiwi cousins.
“We’re super excited to still be able to do shows with music we put out years ago,” MKTO enthused. “Even more excited to add New Zealand to this run as well as more cities in Australia. Places that showed us love from the very beginning. Can’t wait to see everybody and have a good time!”
You can guarantee you’ll hear “Classic,” plus a host of other pop gems, at the following shows:
I could feel the excitement in the air as Guy Sebastian kicked off his 100 Times Around the Sun tour in Mulubinba/Newcastle last night. Fans posed for photos next to posters outside the venue and quickly changed into their new merch, showing the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for big global artists. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around that kind of buzz, and it really set the scene for one of the most memorable concerts of 2025.
Sam Fischer’s backdrop reminded us that he is “the guy who sings This City,” and he drilled that point home by starting and finishing his support slot with that global smash. However, he’s so much more than that. He’s a charismatic performer with one of the best voices I’ve ever heard live. When you can impress someone like Guy Sebastian with your vocal chops, you know you’re doing something right. He’s also an incredible songwriter who used his time to introduce us to several new tracks. It takes a special artist to capture an audience there to see someone else with songs they don’t know, but I barely heard a murmur as Sam delivered his fantastic music. He told us he’d never visited our city before, but after such a warm reception, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s planning a return visit.
It’s been around three and a half years since Guy toured the country, and from the moment he graced the stage, I could tell how much he’s missed it. He opened with new songs “Get It Done” and “100 Times Around the Sun,” noting how thrilled he was to share this material with fans. While the new tracks clearly meant a lot to him, he struck that delicate balance. Although the night celebrated 100 Times Around the Sun, older tracks like “Who’s That Girl” and “Battle Scars” provided early sing-along moments for anyone not yet familiar with the 2025 album.
I relished hearing the new material, because I’m convinced Guy’s songwriting is only getting better. It benefits from the wisdom that comes from finding love, experiencing loss, and living life with all its highs and lows. Smart arrangements with Guy sitting at the piano or strumming a guitar ensured we could hear and appreciate every lyric. His backup singers, including the exceptionally talented Gary Pinto, Carmen Smith, and Vince Harder, complemented his incredible voice perfectly. I got goosebumps listening to them harmonise.
Guy told us he was throwing everything at this first show, and he really wasn’t kidding. He welcomed Sam Fischer back to the stage for “Antidote,” which they wrote together for Guy’s 100 Times Around the Sun album. These two talented vocalists put on a masterclass. Guy probably panicked a few security guards when he made the impromptu decision to come down to the audience and take some personal requests, but it proved to be one of the show’s many highlights. While the band wasn’t familiar with Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses,” Guy performed a little a capella version for a couple who danced to this country hit at their wedding. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house after Guy performed “Unchained Melody” for a woman still grieving the loss of her partner.
Guy tugged at the heartstrings again when he invited his young son Archie up to sing. Guy told him he might want to perform something easy for his first time in front of a large audience, but he fearlessly threw himself into “I Have Nothing.” What a beautiful, pure voice Archie has. The look of pride on Guy’s face as he joined his son in Whitney Houston’s classic was something I’ll never forget.
Through his 23 years in the business, Guy has released 10 studio albums and 61 singles, including 23 top 20 hits. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and likely why this show ran so long that Guy repeatedly thanked us for sticking with him. However, even though it was a weeknight, none of us were in a rush to go home. Instead, we were excited to party with Guy for as long as he was willing. A medley of “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” “Like It Like That,” “Like a Drum,” and “Come Home With Me” was a smart choice for pre-encore, giving fans another opportunity to sing along and see Guy bust some moves.
But of course, we weren’t done. “Before I Go” was powerful and haunting, an impactful choice before Guy took things right back to where it all began. “Angels Brought Me Here” sounded a little different with its ’90s boy-band-inspired makeover, but I ate it up. With one more song in the tank, Guy invited us to stand and have a dance. We all soaked up the moment, clapping and singing along to “Choir,” our voices joining in appreciation for this special show.
Guy Sebastian’s 100 Times Around the Sun tour continues through April and May. Tickets for the remaining dates are available from the links below.
After visiting Australia for the first time last year, Larry Fleet is wasting no time returning to our shores. The soulful American country artist will be back on Aussie soil for shows this August to celebrate the February release of his fourth album, Another Year OIder.
“On my first trip to Australia last year, I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how everyone would react to my music, but before I was even off the stage I was already planning on coming back as soon as I could,” Larry enthused. “The Australian people made me feel at home with how engaged and a part of the show they were. Singing every lyric, it’s almost like they did their homework to not only make sure that they had a good time, but that we did as well. And if there’s one thing I learned, it’s that Australians know how to have a damn good time.”
Tickets for Larry’s tour went on sale this morning, so don’t waste too much time snapping up yours. Click the links below to get your hands on some!
No matter how much I try to keep my finger on the pulse of modern music, some releases inevitably slip through the cracks. That’s especially common with international albums. Unless they’re the blockbusters everyone’s heard of, I often miss them while I’m focusing on the local scene. So UK band Amber Run weren’t on my radar until I heard about the local tour celebrating 10 (and a bit!) years of their 2015 debut album 5AM. However, considering this is their first Aussie tour and they’re playing intimate venues, it looks like I’m not the only one.
My advice readers? Make up for lost time. 5AM is such a great alt-rock album, and Amber Run will play it in full at their upcoming Aussie shows. If I hadn’t already committed myself, I’d buy some spontaneous tickets after hearing it just a handful of times. It’s that good.
Amber Run kick off their 5AM shows in Eora/Sydney next Friday, so take a listen and snap up some of the remaining tickets!
Bachelor Girl are breathing new life into their breakthrough debut album Waiting for the Day with the upcoming release of Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions. Set for a June release, it’ll feature fresh takes on all the songs you know and love from that album featuring a who’s who of Aussie talent.
“We (somewhat audaciously!) began to ask some of our favourite Aussie artists and friends if they would lend their voices and/or instrument to our bucket list project,” explained Bachelor Girl’s frontwoman, Tania Doko. “What started with one, became 13 artists on this 15 track Redux album, and we could not be more chuffed they enthusiastically said yes.”
We get a little taste of what’s in store with this reimagined version of “Treat Me Good” featuring Jessica Mauboy. It’s a little poppier than the original, but Jess’s voice sounds fabulous on the track. And if it introduces this song to a new generation, so much the better!
After Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions drops, Bachelor Girl will hit the road and play a few intimate shows. Expect stacks of singalong moments at the following gigs:
New York acts Prince Daddy & the Hyena and Macseal are teaming up for a double-headline tour this July. Both acts are visiting Australia for the first time and playing some of the country’s coolest intimate venues.
I have to shout out the promoter Destroy All Lines who have put together some fantastic double- and triple-bills for up-and-coming and niche acts of late. They’ve made sure fans can see these bands who probably couldn’t tour Australia under their own strength. They just don’t have the following to make it feasible. But pair them up and it’s all systems go! I must admit, I wasn’t across either band before the press release hit my desk, but I’ve been listening to them both all day. Prince Daddy & the Hyena’s punk-rock sound has my heart, but Macseal also make fantastic indie-rock music. Take a listen, because of this tour goes well they’re going to graduate to larger venues next time around.
Prince Daddy & the Hyena will be here promoting their highly anticipated fourth album Hotwire Trip Switch, which drops on April 17. Macseal only just released their EP Macseal on Audiotree Live last December, which gives you a taste of how good they are on stage. Find out for yourself when Prince Daddy & the Hyena and Macseal hit local venues later this year.
