Tag: The Wiggles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hello Sunshine Announces Eclectic 2024 Lineup

I’ve seen some eclectic lineups in my time, but the bill for 2024’s Hello Sunshine festival, hitting Naarm/Melbourne in March, might just take the cake. Where else can you rock out to Grinspoon, dance to the pop hits of The Veronicas, and embrace your inner child with a set from The Wiggles? Add indie-rock luminaries The Temper Trap, chill vibes from Pete Murray, the hip hop stylings of Bliss N Eso, country tunes from Brad Cox, and heaps more and you’ve got yourselves a party!

If that’s not enough to tempt you, there’ll be carnival rides, market stalls, food trucks, kids entertainment, and fireworks when the sun goes down.

“Hello Sunshine was such a runaway success in early 2023 – we knew we were on to something special, and couldn’t wait to bring it back bigger and better in 2024,” shared Lucky Group partner Keiran Dole. “We are proud to be putting on a supersized showcase of the best Aussie talent with everyone from Grinspoon to The Wiggles Sound System performing – so there’s certainly something for everyone in the family at Hello Sunshine 2024. We’ll see you at Caribbean Gardens on March 2nd!”

Hello Sunshine tickets are on sale now. Family days out are usually expensive, but you can bring kids under five for free and enjoy discount tickets for anyone under 18. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“ReWiggled” – The Wiggles

If you’d have asked me in 2020 what 2021 would bring, I wouldn’t have predicted more lockdowns and pandemic struggles. And I definitely wouldn’t predict The Wiggles topping the Hottest 100. I’m a firm believer that the darkness of the former made the latter happen. Triple J’s main demographic is the generation that grew up on the Wiggles, and they wanted a little bit of the joy they experienced as kids. And that’s exactly why the release of ReWiggled today is not just genius, but essential listening.

The first disc, A Tribute to the Wiggles, is crammed with Wiggles favourites reimagined by some of the country’s hottest acts. I didn’t know I needed to hear Polish Club rocking out on “Apples and Bananas” or The Chats going hard on “Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist)?” but they’re real highlights. Emma Donovan and The Putbacks put the soul in “Say The Dance, Do The Dance.” There’s such a gentle charm about Stella Donnelly’s take on “Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride” and Emily Wurramara’s “Dressing Up.” Every song is performed with such loving reverence. The acts are clearly having fun, but they’re not taking the piss. The Wiggles’ material is hallowed ground after all.

The surprises continue with the second disc, Wiggly Covers. Here the Wiggles take on more cool covers in the way only the Wiggles can. Their banging version of “Elephant” comes first, followed by such an exciting mixed bag of modern and classic material. If you thought taking on Tame Impala came from left field, just wait until you hear them belting out hits from The Chats, Fatboy Slim, and Rihanna. They bring an innocence to Melanie Safka’s “Brand New Key.” And while I wasn’t sure how the Wiggles would sound on the Dropkick Murphys’, “Shipping Up to Boston” is a perfect fit for Captain Feathersword.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many moments when I thought to myself “This is absolutely bonkers.” And it really is. But it also makes perfect sense. ReWiggled is just the kind of beautiful bonkers we need in our lives right now. I can imagine plenty of young families having this album on regular rotation but just as many kid-free folks like me cranking out too. Why should parents have all the fun? Could the Wiggles have another number one on their hands? I don’t doubt it.

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Musings on Wigglegate

I’ve watched with bemusement the media beat-up of The Wiggles since I posted about Greg Page’s return. When I heard the news I was excited, and while I wondered about Sam’s fate it was secondary to being thrilled Greg was back.

It’s unusual for anyone childless in their 30s to care about the fate of a children’s group, but my earliest experiences with the Wiggles came when my little sister Madelyn was young. She’s 20 this year, so she grew up as the Wiggles came of age. That’s a lot of history, and while I’m sure he performed admirably Sam always felt like the new kid for our family.

I’m the first to admit that The Wiggles haven’t sparkled under the glare of the media spotlight over the last few days. They’ve appeared awkward and bewildered by the backlash. I guess they should have expected it, but I think everyone’s been a bit quick to point fingers at the band.

While they’re a beloved part of our culture, we seem to be forgetting that The Wiggles is a business. I’d love if any business paid me a salary reported to be $200, 000 a year. Yes it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the company’s net worth, but it’s still a generous pay packet. I’d also love if any company paid me $60, 000 as it showed me the door.

Circumstances in business change all the time. Any of us could find ourselves out of work tomorrow, and we’d probably feel lucky to have Sam Moran’s financial cushion. Mums and Dads might argue that Sam put his heart and soul into his job, but so does that friendly girl at the local grocery store.

Australia might have loved Sam, but I think they need to remember The Wiggles began with Anthony, Murray, Jeff, and Greg. They built that business up from nothing, and they deserve to reap the benefits. Admittedly Greg sold out his share when he first departed, but the other blokes deserve to take a large chunk from the genius they created. The Wiggles might not have been as kind to Sam as mums and dads would like, but as far as I can tell they’ve been nothing but professional.

Image source: Led2life @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Greg Page Rejoins The Wiggles

I was thrilled to hear the news that Greg Page will be wiggling in his yellow skivvy once more. Greg left the children’s supergroup, The Wiggles, when he was diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance five years ago.

But it seems now he’s doing much better and he’ll be rejoining the group he founded some 20 years ago. He’ll tour Australia with his old bandmates in March, followed by strings of dates in the United Kingdom and United States later this year.

While I was happy to hear Greg’s back, I also wondered what would happen to Sam Moran, the young whippersnapper who stepped in when Greg departed the group. According to press releases he “graciously stepped aside” when he heard Greg was fit enough to return.

Media reports state Sam will pursue other musical projects, and he’s also been granted access to the Hot Potato Studios. I hope he’s managed to secure some lucrative Wiggles royalties in the deal too!

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wiggly Charity Show

The Wiggles are joining some of their nearest and dearest friends for one of the biggest charity shows Australia has seen. The skivvy-loving Unicef goodwill ambassadors will lead a monster line-up at the Entertainment Centre on 25 May.

The popular kids entertainers will play alongside Aussie rock royalty Jimmy Barnes, Australian Idol winner Damien Leith, global pop icon Leo Sayer, country darlings The McClymonts, and heaps more.

All funds raised will help provide clean water and toilets for schools and communities in East Timor.

“We thought that the best way to raise money for this project is to do what we do – entertain children and put on a special Wiggly concert,” Blue Wiggle Anthony Field told The Sunday Telegraph.

So get out and enjoy some good music, and feel good about doing it! Tickets are on sale now from just $30.

Image source: Led2Life @ Wikimedia Commons