Quirky New York trio Too Many Zooz haven’t long wrapped up their first Aussie tour, but they’re keen to do it all again. Leo P, Matt Doe, and David “King of Sludge” Parks will bring their unique BrassHouse music back to Australia next month.
For a sign of what’s in store, check out this cover of TNT the band fittingly recorded in Melbourne’s AC/DC Lane. There’s more where that came from; join the party at the following Too Many Zooz shows.
16 February 2018 – Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide
18 February 2018 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
19 February 2018 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
21 February 2018 – Perth Festival, Perth
While Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis enjoyed great chart success in Australia during the ‘90s, there was another band gaining a more underground following. Perhaps avoiding the glare of an international spotlight helped Shed Seven, because they’re still together and making fantastic music while the other bands have folded. As one of the last bastions of Britpop, they’re also set to make their long-awaited visit to Australia.
If you have already cottoned on to how great Shed Seven are, you probably snapped up tickets to the shows when they went on sale this morning. If not, you might want to take a listen to their new album Instant Pleasures. It’s the first album they’ve recorded together in 16 years, but it sounds like nothing has changed. Everything clicks here. The album has that classic Britpop feel, yet there’s nothing tired about these songs. Expect that same energy when the York lads touch down next year.
“Playing live in Australia has been right at the top of our bucket list for years” the band said in a statement. “It eluded us in the ‘90s so we are ridiculously excited to finally be coming over to play these shows. We get so many great messages from fans in Australia and can’t wait to finally bring our show over for you … bring your best singing voices! ”
Expect new tracks and plenty of the old hits when Shed Seven visit Australia in April.
17 April 2018 – Capitol, Perth
19 April 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
20 April 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
22 April 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
California Dreaming is one of my favourite albums of the year. Bringing together two of the country’s most superb voices, Rick Price and Jack Jones, for some of the best songs ever written was pure genius. So I was thrilled to hear they’ll bring the album to venues around the country next year. Sure I’ve already bought tickets to eight 2018 gigs already, but why not?
“We have been blown away by the reaction to the album and how these songs and our take on them, have resonated with the public,” Rick said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase them on a big stage, with a phenomenal band, in such a vast spread of locations.”
“Rick and I have been talking about doing something for close to two decades,” Jack added. “It was a great opportunity to work together and celebrate great artists, some great songs and a certain time and genre. That period in music will never be repeated again. And now we get to play them live!”
Tickets go on sale at midday on Friday, November 10.
3 May 2018 – The Concert Hall, Brisbane
10 May 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
11 May 2018 – Tamworth Entertainment Centre, Tamworth
12 May 2018 – Narrabri Crossing Theatre, Narrabri
17 May 2018 – AEC Theatre, Adelaide
18 May 2018 – Geelong Arena, Geelong
19 May 2018 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
24 May 2018 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
25 May 2018 – Star Theatre, Gold Coast
26 May 2018 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
27 May 2018 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute PR
Brisbane’s Jordan Rakei isn’t yet a household name, but his exciting neo-soul sound is gaining some serious attention here and abroad. If you’ve never seen him live, his recently released Spotify Live session, recorded at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, lets you experience the magic of his music.
The four-track streaming EP features Jordan’s pal, the equally talented Alfa Mist, for a sublime cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lost.” If you’re impressed by what you hear, make sure you see Jordan when he returns to our shores to support his recently released album Wallflower next year. Since he’s living in London at the moment, we don’t get so many opportunities to see him live. Tickets are on sale now for all these shows.
29 December 2017 – Here’s To Now @ Coriole Vineyards, McLaren Vale
1 January 2018 – Freedom Time Melbourne @ Coburg Velodrome, Melbourne
5 January 2018 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
11 January 2018 – The Triffid, Brisbane
12 January 2018 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
13 January 2018 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
The Canadian music scene is a little like our own. Musicians can be the hottest thing within the country, but outside it no one knows their name. Even with the rise of digital music and streaming services, many of us don’t realise there’s a whole lot more to the Canadian music scene than Bryan Adams and Alanis Morissette. One of the most exciting Canadian musicians wowing critics and music lovers alike is Terra Lightfoot, who’s just about to kick off her Australian tour.
If you want to know what Terra is all about, listen to her single “Paradise.” Then go to Spotify and stream her latest album New Mistakes. It’s an awesome blend of rock, soul, and blues that I’m really digging.
Terra’s Australian tour with our own William Crighton starts tomorrow. Who knew? I’ve heard absolutely nothing about it, but that’s a good thing for you because it means you can still find tickets to these shows.
2 November 2017 – Australian Music Week, Cronulla (7:45-8:15 pm @ Brass Monkey, 10-11:45 @ St Andrews Church Hall)
3 November 2017 – Central Bar, Newcastle
4 November 2017 – Inland Sound of Sea, Bathurst
5 November 2017 – Smith’s Alternative Cabaret, Canberra
6 November 2017 – Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy
9 November 2017 – Leadbelly, Sydney
10-12 November 2017 – Majors Creek Festival, Majors Creek
16 November 2017 – Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
My poor credit card isn’t thanking me, but I seem to be buying concert tickets like they’re going out of style this week. Monday already saw me participating in presales for Red Hot Summer at Cockatoo Island and New Power Generation at the Enmore, and I’ve just bought tickets for Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man: An Evening of Stories & Songs national tour at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. Thank god I don’t have kids because I’m far too busy to manage anything but seeing shows!
Anyway, with the regular sale still a few days away I thought it was best I clue the rest of you in to what’s sure to be an awesome tour. I caught Jimmy on his Working Class Boy tour last year, and this is even half as good it’s going to be phenomenal. Like the previous tour, Jimmy will share stories of his life and songs the songs that shaped him and his career.
To commemorate his upcoming book release and tour, Jimmy will also rerelease a commemorative edition of For the Working Class Man tomorrow. The album comes bundled with a DVD recorded in 1984 at the Playroom in Queensland. Get it on October 20 and your copy of the Working Class Man book and your concert tickets on October 23.
15 & 16 March 2018 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
17 March 2018 – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
21 March 2018 – Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport
22 & 23 March 2018 – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
24 March 2018 – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
5 April 2018 – Parklands Resort & Conference Centre, Mudgee
6 April 2018 – Civic Centre, Newcastle
7 April 2018 – Bathurst Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
12 April 2018 – Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane
13 April 2018 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
14 April 2018 – The Star Theatre, Gold Coast
18 April 2018 – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
19 April 2018 – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
21 April 2018 – Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
22 April 2018 Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
26 April 2018 Frankston Arts Centre Theatre, Frankston
27 April 2018 – Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
28 April 2018 – The Palais Theatre, St Kilda
29 April 2018 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
3 May 2018 – Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney
8 May 2018 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
10 May 2018 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
11 May 2018 – Spark Arena, Auckland
12 May 2018 – Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
20 May 2018 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
22 & 23 May 2018 – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
25 May 2018 – Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville
26 May 2018 – Plenary Halls, Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay
27 May 2018 – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
29 May 2018 – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra
30 May 2018 – Saraton Theatre, Grafton
Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM
I’m really excited to hear Roger Waters is on his way back to Australia for the first time since his The Wall tour smashed sales records in 2012.
Roger is responsible for some of my most vivid concert memories. I’m not quite sure when I saw him the first time, but knowing I was still living at home and working in retail dates the story. A checkout chick’s salary doesn’t really extend to many concerts, but I won a couple of tickets from the radio. I remember being in awe of the production, planes and flying pigs and all that, and the heart-thumping sound. When a concert gets loud it can simply become noisy, but this was so crisp and clear. You felt every beat of the drum reverberating in your chest. And I was in awe of Roger up there, so damn cool despite being roughly as old as my dad, which when you’re still living at home seems pretty old.
Then there was that tour for The Wall, one of the most formative albums of my teenage years. He brought it to life in such spectacular fashion. Again, I was awestruck.
So I have high hopes for the Us + Them tour, which American critics have already praised for its “eye-popping” production and “spectacular” set list which draws from Roger’s solo work and Pink Floyd classics.
Telstra customers get the jump with a presale on September 4 ahead of the general sale on September 8.
2 February 2018 – QUDOS Bank Arena, Sydney
6 February 2018 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
10 & 11 February 2018 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
16 February 2018 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
20 February 2018 – Perth Arena, Perth
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute
Ben Salter is one of those incredible Aussie talents that flies under the radar. He releases his albums with little fanfare, then takes the time to assemble another collection of quality songs so he can start the process all over again. What he does isn’t flashy, but it’s bloody good. His latest album Back Yourself, the follow-up to his sophomore release The Stars My Destination, will be released on September 1.
Ben made Back Yourself over 12 months at locations around Tasmania and Victoria, including time spent at producer Chris Townend’s picturesque White Light studio. The studio overlooks Tassie’s Huon Valley and I think it influenced this release. You just get a different sound when you leave the pace of the big city behind and retreat to rural Australia. There’s a calm that comes through the music, putting you at peace as you listen to it.
Back Yourself features the current single “Isolationism.” To call it a love song doesn’t really do it justice, because love songs are a dime a dozen, but at its core that’s what it is. It’s more than though. Take a listen and see for yourself.
If you like what you hear, make sure you check out Back Yourself. Ben is playing full band and solo shows in New Zealand and Australia in the coming months to support the album’s release. Tickets are available from his website.
3 September 2017 – Willie Smith’s Appleshed, Grove (FREE)
8 September 2017 – Golden Dawn, Auckland
9 September 2017 – Leigh Saw Mill, Leigh
10 September 2017 – Refreshment Room, Auckland
14 September 2017 – Nivara Lounge, Hamilton
15 September 2017 – Dome Bar & Cinema, Gisbourne
17 September 2017 – Rogue Stage, Rotorua
21 September 2017 – Sherwood, Queenstown
22 September 2017 – Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru
23 September 2017 – Dog With Two Tails, Dunedin
24 September 2017 – Blue Smoke, Christchurch
27 September 2017 – Mussel Inn, Takaka
28 September 2017 – Meow, Wellington
12 October 2017 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
13 October 2017 – The Barn, Aldgate (SOLO)
14 October 2017 – The Odd Fellow, Fremantle (SOLO)
19 October 2017 – High Tea, Sydney (SOLO)
21 October 2017 – The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
25 October 2017 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
27 October 2017 – Marrickville Bowls Club, Sydney NSW
28 October 2017 – Gooloogong Log Cabin Hall, Gooloogong (SOLO)
29 October 2017 – The Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland (SOLO)
2 November 2017 – The Eastern, Ballarat
3 November 2017 – The Tote, Melbourne
5 November 2017 – Castlemaine Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
9 November 2017 – St John Craft Beer, Launceston (SOLO)
10 November 2017 – The Wharf, Ulverstone (5 pm SOLO)
10 November 2017 – Mountain Mumma, Sheffield (8 pm SOLO)
19 November 2017 – MONA, Hobart
Louis Baker might not be a household name here, but he’s soul royalty across the ditch. Australia will get the chance to discover why when this Kiwi sensation plays some Aussie shows next month to support the release of his smooth new single “Addict.”
This track goes down so easily. Louis’ voice is incredible, and he builds the song beautifully. Doesn’t it give you chills?
Louis Baker will play intimate shows with a full band when he touches down in Oz. Catch him at Melbourne’s Grace Darling Hotel on September 20 or Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar) on September 21.
Citizen Kay is giving fans plenty of opportunities to hear the tracks from his upcoming album Belly of the Beast live. As if touring with Illy wasn’t enough, he’s also announced a string of headlining shows to celebrate the album’s August 25 release.
The Canberra-based rapper should excite fans of old-school party hip-hop with the way he blends genres, mixing slick rhymes with soul, funk, and jazz influences. While I loved his earlier EP Demokracy, Citizen Kay hasn’t rested on his laurels.
“A lot of time was spent choosing my words, and how I wanted things to be said,” he says of the writing process of writing Belly of the Beast. “I challenged myself more, as a wordsmith and poet on this album”
Hear the single “These Kicks” and other cuts from Belly of the Beast at the following shows.
25 August 2017 – Kay St, Traralgon (with Illy)
26 August 2017 – The Pier, Frankston (with Illy)
1 September 2017 – Odeon, Hobart (with Illy)
2 September 2017 – Club 54, Launceston (with Illy)
21 September 2017 – Wool Exchange, Geelong (with Illy)
22 September 2017 –Whalers, Warnambool (with Illy)
23 September 2017 – Shadows, Mt Gambier (with Illy)
28 & 29 September 2017 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle (with Illy)
30 September 2017 – Sweaty Palms @ Proud Mary’s, Erina
6 October 2017 – Rolling Stone Live Lodge @ Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
7 October 2017 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
13 October 2017 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide
14 October 2017 – The Transit Bar, Canberra
19 October 2017 – The Foundry, Brisbane
20 October 2017 – Amplifier Bar, Perth
3 November 2017 – Panthers, Port Macquarie (with Illy)
4 November 2017 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (with Illy)
10 November 2017 – Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga (with Illy)
11 November 2017 – Area Hotel, Griffith (with Illy)
24 November 2017 – SSA Club, Albury (with Illy)
My poor credit card isn’t thanking me, but I seem to be buying concert tickets like they’re going out of style this week. Monday already saw me participating in presales for Red Hot Summer at Cockatoo Island and New Power Generation at the Enmore, and I’ve just bought tickets for 
