Gareth Liddiard, Jen Cloher lead Winter Sounds Festival, returning to Daylesford this August
Following its sell-out success last year, Winter Sounds is returning to Daylesford and the surrounding hills this August with a stunning lineup of Australian artists performing in the soaring churches, grand towns halls and quaint villages of Victoria’s spa country.
Taking place from 17-20 August, some of the country’s finest contemporary artists are set to perform within beautiful historic spaces across central Victoria, with the lineup including Mo’ju, Gareth Liddiard, Jen Cloher, Tex Perkins & Matt Walker, Adalita, Watty Thompson, Jess Ribeiro, Martin Frawley, Leah Senior, Coda Chroma, Skyscraper Stan and Jarrah Olive.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Courtesy of the team behind Echuca’s award-winning Riverboats Music Festival, Winter Sounds has once again been handed the keys to some of the region’s most extraordinary buildings, with performances to be staged within out-of-the-way bush halls, historic churches and gold-rush era buildings across the townships of Daylesford, Glenlyon, Bullarto and Clunes.
With all shows individually ticketed, audiences can curate their own Winter Sounds experience which includes everything from travelling aboard a vintage train to the historic Bullarto Hall for exclusive sets by Gareth Liddiard, Adalita, Martin Frawley and Jess Ribeiro, and seeing Watty Thompson and Leah Senior perform in the historic and fabulously ornate Clunes Town Hall, to witnessing Jen Cloher and Tex Perkins & Matt Walker take over St Peter’s Catholic Church for two exquisite evening concerts.
Known as a haven of relaxation – thanks to 80 per cent of the country’s mineral springs located there – the music series is once again giving music lovers and travellers just one more reason to hit up Daylesford that promises to be a music-filled weekend like no other.
“Winter Sounds is about providing audiences with the opportunity to experience extraordinary performances in extraordinary spaces, and we are so excited to be rugging up and returning to the Daylesford region this winter,” says Winter Sounds Director Dave Frazer.
Winter Sounds takes place across Daylesford and surrounds from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 August 2023. View the full program and purchase tickets here.
River Drive Motel is the charming new retro accommodation in South Gippsland
Tucked alongside the Tarwin River and sitting within one acre of garden, River Drive Motel is a charming new five-room self-contained motel worth visiting thanks to its stylish restoration, modern design sensibility and a nod to Australian nostalgia.
Business and life partners Kate Hannaford and Dic Coates (along with Dic’s brother and wife) bought the then-run-down motel in 2021 to create a place where guests can come and go at their own pace while creating memories that last a lifetime. Drawing on years of expertise and fond memories of holidays that spilled from one day to the next at a relaxed pace, it was the perfect project for the creative couple who also own and run Moth Design – a Melbourne-based event and design agency.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
“We wanted to reinvent the concept of what holiday accommodation can be by providing a home away from home that is both modern and nostalgic. With kids of our own, we love the idea of being able to simply drive up, unpack and enjoy your own adventure,” says Kate Hannaford, co-owner of River Drive Motel.
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Taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape, a palette of eucalyptus greens, earth tones and wattle golds feature throughout the interiors while a curated collection of more than 25 artworks by Australian artists, including First Nations and young and upcoming, will be rotated regularly. The result is every room at River Drive Motel is unique in its design, with thoughtful touches throughout.
River Drive Motel offers five fully self-contained rooms, each with individual access keypads and equipped with all the essentials for a settled and enjoyable stay. Stepping inside, you’ll find a carefully considered use of materials, with polished chrome, corduroy, cork, and laminate being used alongside custom designed and built (in-house) Victorian plantation hardwood furniture and joinery. Vintage pieces also feature throughout and have been sourced by Moth to create a premium yet timeless design that completes the interiors of each room.
Each room features a carefully curated mini bar stocked with a selection of local products available to purchase. Guests can try products including A.R.C Wines, Loch Distillery & Brewery G&T and rotating beers, Gurneys Cider, WaWa Chocolate, Love Tea and more. The mini bar has been curated so that guests can venture out and visit the home premises of the brands stocked, most of which can be found within the Gippsland region.
For something more substantial, River Drive Motel has partnered with local caterer Acacia Edibles to offer all-day seasonal grazing boxes, filled with locally sourced artisan cheeses, free-range small goods and seasonal produce. Available to pre-order directly through Acacia, have the boxes delivered straight to your room at a time of your choosing.
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Perfect for all travel group sizes, the motel offers everything from a romantic getaway for two through to The Family Apartment which comfortably fits five. Each room is equipped with all the essentials for a settled and enjoyable stay, including the locally stocked minibar, Ashley & Co body products, bed linen, and bath towels. All rooms also come with kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, toaster, and kettle, allowing for a self-sufficient holiday. Complimentary high-speed WIFI, a wireless Bluetooth speaker, and onsite parking for one vehicle are also included.
If all that wasn’t enough, guests can enjoy a large communal garden area featuring picnic tables and a BBQ for outdoor dining, and a ‘garden shed’ filled with classic family-friendly games including Jenga, Finska, tethered tennis, and coits which can be enjoyed under the lush oak tree.
Located at 19 River Drive, Tarwin Lower, Victoria; River Drive Motel is right across the road from the Tarwin River and is close to a quaint strip of local shops and gallery, cafe, pub, and just a short drive from the Venus Bay beaches. R
Bookings can be made online here and rooms start at $340 per night with a minimum two-night stay.
‘We’ve got time on our side’: The Go Set’s Justin Keenan on their new record The Warriors Beneath Us and writing music in lockdown
The Go Set have been a staple of the Australian music scene for many years, playing thousands of shows across the globe to many adoring fans.
Now the Geelong-based band have just dropped their long-awaited eighth studio album The Warriors Beneath Us, 20 years on from their beginnings and still sounding as fierce, as vital, as the first day they set foot on a stage.
“It’s always good to release an album because there’s a sense of relief,” frontman Justin Keenan says. “A lot of work goes into inception until the final product, and especially during COVID, we’ve had to find new ways to make music together, because we haven’t been able to stay in the same spot.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“So, we’ve had to think about different ways to run our band, so this was a really big relief to get this album out.”
COVID saw many bands and artists move into interesting ways of performing, writing and recording, with The Go Set finding that the extended self-sequestration allowed them to spend more time on their music.
“If you’re an independent act, you don’t have the benefit of money to make highly produced records and you don’t have the benefit of time to sit around and make five different versions in five different keys and time signatures of a song that you’ve got.
“One of the things about this making this album was that we benefited greatly by having time to be able to determine what version of a song we wanted, and we could tweak it for two weeks. You can’t do that in the studio on an indie band budget.”
“If you lock everyone down and there’s nothing else to do, it’s like, hey, we’ve probably got the same time luxury that The Rolling Stones have got now and then when it comes to production.
“Certain technologies that would have cost thousands of dollars and half a day to get on your records, those things are now all programmed. You can get computer programs that can replicate particular drum sounds, so you can really make the album sound the way you want it to sound with less money as well.
“It really closes the gap between a band like us who have to go and spend our time doing all kinds of other shitty jobs rather than doing what we want to do and that’s making music and also having to spend every cent we make on a studio to try and get a very average record.
“Now, we’ve got great quality production and we’ve got time on our side. But COVID has definitely helped us to make records with those advantages that we didn’t have before.”
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Now multiple albums into their illustrious career, The Go Set’s music is jam-packed with sophisticated lyrics that take you on a journey. This continues with The Warriors Beneath Us.
“I think this album is a little bit different; in the past, I wrote the words and then came up with a song or a melody and gave it to the band fairly complete,” Keenan says of the lyric writing process.
“This time around, I would come up with the theme and the majority of the words and then give it to Joel [Colliver], the guitarist who was also our producer, and say ‘I think the song kind of should go like this’ and ‘I think it’s in this key’ and ‘I think this is kind of how the chorus goes’.”
The Warriors Beneath Us features several tracks full of personal stories and moments, with the track ‘Opportunity’ focusing on a chat between members of Keenan’s family.
“That was actually a conversation with my dad, my son and myself that brought that about. And it’s a little bit tongue in cheek as well; I guess all three generations in my family, we’ve all gone through being kind of lefty socialist, protest system type people.
“I know I see my son going through it now and just talking about, ‘I should have done this, I could have done that, I would have done this. This could have been different if I’d done that. Or you should do this’. You always hear that you should do this.”
“Generally, those comments are born out of someone else’s life experience, not yours. You should definitely change the way you do this, or you should break up with that person, or you should do this for a job. And I think that it’s largely about the idealism of youth and then the reality of adult life.”
To mark the release of the album, the band have been travelling across the country for the first time in three years. Having already hit up multiple stages throughout April, the band will be heading to Volta in Ballarat on Friday 5 May and The Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong on Saturday 6 May.
“It’s exciting to be reconnecting with people and getting out on the road. We’ve had limited opportunities over the last couple of years and we’re really excited about sharing the new material at these shows.
“It was something I think we may have taken for granted a while back, but a couple of years of lockdowns and unprecedented difficulty has actually made us realise how much we truly appreciate each other, playing live, and sharing our music with people around the world.”
The Warriors Beneath Us is out now. More info can be found here.
Little Creatures is hosting a special Mother’s Day market devoted entirely to dogs and dog mummas
Being a dog mum isn’t easy. From playtime to training, from cuddles to vet visits, it’s a full-time job!
With Mother’s Day just around the corner (14 May for those that need a reminder!), it’s time to celebrate the dog mums in your life and what better way than with a stop by Geelong’s very own dog lovers market?
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
Giving you an excuse to get out and treat yourself, your loyal and fluffy, four-legged best friend or all the fur baby’s human mums out there, Little Creatures has teamed up with Newtown’s dog bakery Pure Paws Dog Bakery for a glorious event this weekend, celebrating some of the best things in life.
Titled ‘Geelong Dog Lovers Market Furmummas Day Edition’ the event is bringing together some of Geelong’s best doggy suppliers.
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A favourite market on the region’s circuit, here you’ll find new and returning market stalls selling treats, walking accessories, bandanas, caricature drawing, dog training, doggy painting, pet-themed gifts for humans, grooming products and more!
You’ll even be able to get your own caricature of you and your pooch drawn, or join a doggy painting class.
Market-goers are welcome to stay for lunch with pooch-friendly outdoor seating available at the Brewery.
This is a FREE community event so come on down and support some awesome businesses, selling lots of great products. Friendly dogs on leash are welcomed of course.
You couldn’t have asked for a better day out.
The Fur Mumma’s Geelong Dog Lovers market will be taking over Little Creatures Brewery in Geelong on Sunday, 7 May from 11am – 3pm. Free entry.
The 046 are heading to Geelong on their first national headline tour
Brash and brazen, The 046 are West Sydney’s most exciting rap powerhouse and they are embarking on their first-ever national tour to celebrate the release of their new album, Rhythm & Gutta.
With several viral releases starting with the street classics ‘Runnin’ Game’ and ‘Run Run’, to the latest anthems ‘Still G’s’ and ‘Keep It Different’, The 046 are cementing their position as one of the hottest rap groups in the country. They’ll kick off the tour in Frankston on 10 August, and head to stages in Melbourne, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Maroochydore, Hobart, Adelaide and Bunbury before finishing up in Perth on 16 September.
Locally you can catch them at the Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong on Saturday, 12 August 2023.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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A breath of fresh air in a crowded local scene the heralded return of ET, Kymza, Ronza and their best mate Jizza are ready to take on the world with their unique take on G-funk infused Hip Hop. A voice for the public housing suburb of Claymore, The 046 have amassed tens of millions of streams and views in the last 12 months alone. Their following is strong, loyal and widespread having sold out their first ever headline show in Sydney in 2022 in less than two weeks.
In the group’s own words: “Our new album ‘Rhythm & Gutta’ represents a new chapter for us all. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this project and we’re excited to share it with our fans around the world. It’s a reflection of our experiences, our struggles, and our vision for the future. We hope our fans can join us on our tour and celebrate the album.”
With strong ties to their Western Sydney community, the impressive progress the group has made in the past 12 months demonstrates that independent artists can indeed thrive in a saturated market through genuine fan engagement and authentic connections.
Tickets are on sale now here.
NGV Friday Nights returns this winter with vibrant lineup for the world-premiere Pierre Bonnard exhibition
Worthy of heading out on a cold winter’s night, the immersive NGV Friday Nights returns to the The National Gallery of Victoria this Winter, bringing along a huge lineup of incredible performers, including ARIA award winner Adrian Eagle.
The 19-week season from 9 June to 7 October brings a kaleidoscope of colour and soulful sounds to Melbourne’s winter nights in celebration of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® exhibition Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Joining Adrian Eagle, who will kick off the series on 9 June with his melodic fusion of gospel and hip-hop in the Great Hall, the live music series will traverse disco, jazz, and soul with performances by R&B singer-songwriter Ashwarya, the enigmatic Melbourne-based Glass Beams, and Noongar soul singer Bumpy, with live DJ sets from the likes of C000kie, Zepherin Saint, and Chris Gill.
A beloved program over the last few years, NGV Friday Nights will offer late-night access to Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi, a major world-premiere exhibition delivered in partnership with the Musee d’Orsay, Paris.
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The exhibition presents more than 100 works by the leading French painter Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) and brings late 19th and early 20th century France to life through paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs. The exhibition presents Bonnard’s works within a bold and captivating scenography from international design icon, India Mahdavi who will employ her designs with Bonnard’s distinct use of colour and texture.
Visitors can also enjoy an interactive pop-up experience from MIMCO, fusing art and design across the NGV Friday Nights series in Federation Court.
The Yering Station Wine Bar offers a selection of Yarra Valley wines and a wine tasting experience featuring a menu of Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. The Pommery Champagne Bar in the Gallery Kitchen will serve Champagne and a menu of share plates and meals inspired by regional French cuisin including Gruyère croquettes, cheese boards, cassoulet, and sweet profiteroles.
NGV Friday Nights line-up
9 Jun: Adrian Eagle | CaucasianOpportunities
16 Jun: Nikodimos | Chris Gill
23 Jun: Ashwarya | C000kie
30 Jun: Tiana Khasi | JPS
7 Jul: Joshua Moshe (JK Group) | Nak
14 Jul: Kuzich | Billos + Klomp
21 Jul: Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Tim Shiel | Shio
28 Jul: Swooping (Haitus Kaiyote) | Miki
4 Aug: Bumpy | priya
11 Aug: Jade Imagine | MOTS
18 Aug: Evening News | Hawkrada
25 Aug: Asha Trips | Mike Gurrieri
1 Sep: Pookie | General Vibes
8 Sep: Rara Zulu | Surana
15 Sep: Finn Irregular | Dan Rock
22 Sep: Plastiq | JXNIOR
29 Sep: Glass Beams | Henry Guala
6 Oct: Polito | Moses Carr
7 Oct: Thndo | Zepherin Saint
NGV Friday Nights takes place 9 June – 6 October 2023 at NGV International, St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. Further information and tickets are available via the NGV website.
Image caption: NGV Friday Nights at NGV International. Photo: Michael Pham; Singers Ashwarya and Bumpy with Taree MacKenzie’s work Pepper’s ghost effect, circles, 4 variations, 2023. Photo: Eugene Hyland; NGV Friday Nights at NGV International. Photo: Michael Pham
Teenage Joans, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and DICE lead SXSW Sydney homegrown artist lineup
Arriving in Australia for its debut outside Austin, Texas, South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney has revealed the first round of local artists who will perform at the cultural festival, alongside a growing list of international talent.
Announced last year, Sydney will become the gathering place for the world’s most inspired thinkers, creators and innovators in the Southern Hemisphere. From Sunday, October 15 to Sunday, October 22, 2023, SXSW Sydney will see the world’s pre-eminent creative industries come together across content pillars of Tech and Innovation, Gaming, Music, Screen and Culture within a stacked week-long program.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Come October, SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival will take over dozens of live music venues in the SXSW Sydney event precinct, where official showcasing artists will perform in front of industry reps, media and thousands of fans and fellow musicians from across the globe.
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From regional and major corners of the country and spanning genres from hip-hop and dream-pop to indie-house and alt-punk, SXSW Sydney will play host to rapidly-rising stars populating the inaugural Music Festival program, with many more to be announced across the year. Heading up the homegrown announcement includes the likes of Alt-pop collective Alter Boy, Seven-piece Yolngu Funk act Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Western Sydney via New Jersey’s Ashli, Brisbane-born singer and songwriter Dean Brady, Perth four-piece DICE, and Tokyo-born and Melbourne-based, Elle Shimada.
They’ll be joined by other acts including PANIA, Mali Jo$e, GO-JO, Mi-Kaisha, Mikayla Pasterfield, Rum Jungle, Phoebe Go, 1tbsp, Teenage Joans and Vv Pete.
The music program will also feature a bunch of internationals, including Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie (Japan), Hanbee, Hans and Soaked Oats (NZ); Hypnosis Therapy (South Korea); Nuha Ruby Ra (U.K.) and Wallice (U.S.), who just supported the 1975 on their huge tour.
“We are also excited to announce the second round of artists playing at the inaugural event. The line-up features an essential array of styles, ranging from post-punk, jazz, and experimental pop to club-tinged hip-hop, R&B, and indie folk,” says Claire Collins, Head of Music, SXSW Sydney.
“It is a vibrant snapshot of the undeniably exciting next wave of talent from across the globe, from Western Sydney to the Top End, South Korea to the UK and beyond. We can’t wait to reveal more in the coming weeks and months.”
We’re still not done.
The event has also unveiled its newest Featured Speaker as Chris Lee, a.k.a. Sung-su Lee, Chief A&R Officer and former CEO of one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies, SM Entertainment, and new SXSW Sydney 2023 music partners, Dr Martens and Vans (renowned for throwing legendary parties at SXSW in Austin, with past line-ups including the likes of Denzel Curry, The Stooges, Alex G, ODESZA, Wolf Alice and many others).
To access what SXSW Sydney has to offer, a SXSW Sydney 2023 badge provides access to the week-long conference, expo, festivals and networking sessions, with each badge type granting varying levels of access. Platinum and Industry badges provide core access to more than 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions with some of the world’s leading thinkers, performers and industry professionals, and are available for Early Bird purchase now.
Find out more here.
Warm up with bottomless whisky cocktails at Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters new Winter Saturday Sessions
As the winter chill begins to ramp up, Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters has teamed up with World’s Most Awarded Distillery, Starward Australian Whisky, to launch a bespoke bottomless brunch offering this May with Winter Saturday Sessions.
Following the success of the venue’s Summer Sunday Sessions, the new seasonal take will run every Saturday from 13 May until 29 July across 2 sittings, 11:30am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 4:30pm. The Winter Saturday Sessions to be held in the main dining room, will feature bottomless Starward whisky cocktails alongside a seasonal sharing menu of Autumn and Winter warmers of hearty food curated by Executive Chef Alejandro Saravia and his team.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
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In keeping with Victoria’s philosophy, the menu will feature unique regional producers from across Victoria.
Dishes on offer will change with seasonal availability, but guests can expect to enjoy dishes such as Mount Zero grain arancini; House crudité with chickpea vinaigrette; BBQ free range Barangarook pork belly; Roasted root vegetable pie; Artisan cured meats; Victorian farmhouse cheeses; Spud Sisters’ potato fries and finishing off with a Cuvée white chocolate doughnut. Of course, if you’re vegetarian, a special menu can also be made available.
As for the drinks, Local Victorian favourite Starward, is taking over the bar each Saturday and bringing in a vibrant assortment of bottomless cocktails. Guests can enjoy a twist on classics including; a Whisky Dark and Stormy, a Smoked Whisky and Coke and a Lemon and Cherry Old Fashioned. Guests will also enjoy a selection of bottomless Victorian wines and beers. Based only a stone’s throw away from Melbourne’s CBD in Port Melbourne, is known for their approachable and versatile whiskies that are fully matured in Australian red wine barrels, making them the perfect choice for cocktail mixing and spritzing
Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters is located Ground Floor, Yarra Building at Fed Square, Melbourne. Winter Saturday Sessions are now available to book. Bookings can be made via the website.
Geelong Women’s Business Club announce hometown event, bringing like-minded women together in June
Driven by the belief that every woman is capable of achieving amazing things in business and life, the wildly successful Victorian-based women’s networking event Geelong Women’s Business Club is back with its latest hometown event.
Taking to the beautiful Bellevue Receptions on Friday, 2 June, Geelong Women’s Business Club will once again bring together like-minded speakers to both inspire and empower guests across life, business and career topics.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
“We are so excited to bring GWBC back to Geelong. We’ve got a huge international rollout this year of our events, with New Zealand also happening in September, so to start the year with the first event in our hometown of Geelong just makes sense,” says founder Merrin Schnabel.
Leading the guest panel and speaker lineup this year includes social media star and model Tess Shanahan, Tully Humphrey from Tully Lou, former MAFS alum Nadia Stamp, GT Magazine’s Fashion editor Emelia Morris and GWBC founder and local influencer Merrin Schnabel, all promising inspiring night full of gold nuggets of knowledge that you can apply to career, life and business.
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Alongside the keynote speeches, panellists and the gold nuggets of knowledge and wisdom they will share, the event will also feature canapes and champagne on arrival followed by a sit-down dinner, and dessert, all served with a side of amazing networking.
Since Merrin Schnabel launched Geelong Women’s Business Club back in 2019, the event has gone from strength to strength, with a boom in women starting their small businesses and the demand for empowering networking opportunities.
In just four years, Merrin has seen a huge growth in her events, with a national rollout last year and now internationally. The inaugural Melbourne event last year garnered national media coverage with high profile guests including Sophie Cachia, MAFS alum Davina Rankin, Model Olivia Molly Rogers, swimming champion and OAM recipient Keiran Perkins, human rights lawyer and OAM recipient Nyadol Nyuon, Former Harper’s Bazaar editor Kellie Hush and MC Helen Kapalos.
“Our events have just boomed. It is beyond exciting that it’s gone from Geelong to Australia-wide and now internationally with hundreds of attendees, and getting such high calibre speakers it truly is a testament to what the event stands for,” says Merrin.
An experienced businesswoman herself, Merrin is a master networker who has been able to bring in an impressive list of speakers to the events, with charity being a key part of what GWBC stands for.
“Not only are our events a way to network with like-minded individuals, gain knowledge and wisdom within that you can then implement into your daily life and business. We also align with charitable organisations to give back to communities most in need.”
The Geelong June event will be donating to the Sharing Tulli’s Smile Fund to support their invaluable work, and to bring smiles back on children’s faces in hospital with music therapy.
Geelong Women’s Business Club Geelong event is on Friday 2 June from 6 pm at Bellevue Receptions. Tickets are on sale here.
Ed Sheeran will host a free pop-up shop in Melbourne this weekend
If there’s one thing we know about Ed Sheeran, it’s that he likes naming his albums after mathematical symbols.
This Friday, his fifth studio album, titled – (Subtract), will hit the shelves and the airways. To celebrate, he’s holding three pop-up shops across Australia.
The free, one-day-only event will take place on Saturday, May 6 in Sydney and Melbourne and on May 7 in Brisbane. Alongside the brand-new album, the pop-ups will feature exclusive merchandise as well as other Ed-themed activities.
Ed Sheeran Pop-Up Shops
- May 6 – Warner Music Office, 60 Union Street, Pyrmont, Sydney
- May 6 – Oshi Gallery, 386 Smith Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
- May 7 – Newstead Studios, 22 Ross Street, Newstead, Brisbane
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The shops will be opening at 10am and running until 4pm. If the artist’s massive MCG sell-out last month (AKA the all-time biggest show in Australian history) is anything to go by, the event will be super popular, so we recommend lining up early as not to be disappointed.
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The new album, featuring the singles Boat and Eyes Closed, has been long-awaited by Ed-heads everywhere.
After a tumultuous year filled with illness, grief and a widely-watched copyright trial that just wrapped up in New York, the artist has turned to songwriting to help him heal.
In his latest album, he wears his heart off his sleeve – more so than ever before.
“As an artist, I didn’t feel like I could credibly put a body of work into the world that didn’t accurately represent where I am and how I need to express myself at this point in my life. This album is purely that,” he said in a statement.
“It’s opening the trapdoor into my soul. For the first time, I’m not trying to craft an album people will like; I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life.”
For more on the Ed Sheeran Pop-up on May 6 in Collingwood, head here.
PSA: The Australian Defence Force will be training in Geelong this month
The Australian Army has issued a warning to the community with military training commencing across the region this month.
Australian Defence Force personnel will conduct military training from 1 to 19 May in the greater Geelong region and on the Bellarine Peninsula, with Blank ammunition, pyrotechnics and military vehicles all being used.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
A statement from the Defence Force has revealed that the “public should not be alarmed if they see or hear military vehicles, watercraft, unmanned aerial systems and military personnel carrying weapons.”
“Blank ammunition and pyrotechnics will be used during some aspects of the training.”
The training will be conducted during the day and night so residents and people around the area who see or hear the training should not be concerned.
This essential training is vital to maintain Australia’s world-class military capability. The training adheres to COVID-19 restrictions and incorporates good health management processes.
The Army could not provide any additional details including specific timings, regarding this training in order to protect operational tactics, techniques and procedures.
Should residents become concerned about any activity observed during this training exercise, they may contact the Defence Joint Operations Support Services – Victoria team via email at [email protected].
‘Nothing could keep us away’: Oscar Dawson on Holy Holy’s return to the Torquay Hotel and new danceable music
Celebrating the release of their latest single ‘Messed Up’ (feat. Kwame), indie rockers Holy Holy are currently travelling across the nation on an 11-stop headline tour featuring special guests Kwame, CLEWS and Medhanit.
A song unlike anything they have released before, ‘Messed Up’ is a daring move by the group. An arpeggiated synth floats under Sydney-based rapper Kwame’s confessional lyrics before the rapper throws the shackles off and purges the line “Being with you feels so damn messed up!”, launching the track into a drum ‘n’ bass beast at 180 beats per minute.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
With their four full-length albums to date, over 100 million streams across their body of work and multiple gold and platinum singles hanging on their walls, the famed duo has already hit up stages in Wollongong, Newcastle, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, and will be taking to the Torquay Hotel stage on Victoria’s surf coast on Thursday, 4 May.
With a reputation as one of Australia’s best live acts, we sat down with Oscar Dawson ahead of the gig in Torquay on Thursday, where fans can expect to hear new material alongside favourites from their top 5 ARIA Album Hello My Beautiful World and their growing catalogue of hits including ‘True Lovers’, ‘Maybe You Know’, ‘Teach Me About Dying’ and ‘Sentimental and Monday’.
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You’re nearly halfway through your latest national tour. How’s the tour going so far?
The tour’s been great so far. Never gets old travelling around this country. Brisbane was a sell-out at a beautiful theatre up there called The Princess; this weekend we’re in Victoria, my home state.
You’re performing in Torquay this week, making a return after a huge show about this time last year. What keeps bringing you back to this destination?
Nothing could keep us away. Love the surf coast; I grew up coming down this way. Something about the air, I guess! I’m a shit surfer, so it definitely wasn’t that. The water’s cold and I’m scared. In truth the crowds down this way are always a delight, I love Torquay
We’ve heard the last show was a raucous affair with a bunch of frenzied fans and music lovers. What’s the wildest or most surprising thing that’s happened at a gig in recent years?
The most surprising thing was playing two shows a night to a seated and masked audience. That wasn’t wild, though. The opposite. The wildest thing must’ve been selling out our shows at capital cities last year… it never ceases to amaze me that people buy tickets to our shows. It’s a thing of wonder.
What have you noticed about shows following a few years without live music? Is there a different energy in the crowd?
Lots has changed. About the world but also us. I think there is a strong energy and people are so willing to turn up and enjoy the show – nothing is taken for granted. If there’s one thing the pandemic was good for, it was that – helping us feel gratitude for what we have here.
Talk to us about your latest single and the forthcoming album, how do you feel you’ve evolved from previous releases?
Hard to say, because we’re in it. I’d like to hear from other people as to how we’ve evolved. In any case… I think a lot of things have happened. We are making music that’s more danceable. We want people to be able to move at the shows. We are open to collaboration, we want to collaborate with others, hear other voices on our songs, and hear other production ideas. I’d say overall we’re more open-minded than ever before.
Messed Up certainly represents a sonic shift, with the appearance of Kwame. What was the creative process like?
Once Kwame came on board, it was easy – because he lifted the song so much. We had worked on this song for ages but hadn’t found a way to finish it. Kwame came on board, wrote and recorded his vocal, and the song just unfurled from there. We spent some time with him in the studio working on the production – he was important to that also – and then, somehow it came together. An ideal collaboration.
Is this the sort of direction we can expect from the forthcoming album?
Yes it is – a lot of collaborations on the record, lots of guests. Can’t wait for ppl to hear it.
Will you be previewing any new tracks at the shows?
We just might. If Torquay remains on its best behaviour.
Purchase tickets to the Torquay show here.
Arlo Parks and slowthai announce Splendour in the Grass sideshows
Arlo Parks and slowthai are heading to Australia this July for the 21st edition of Splendour In The Grass and now they’ve announced their highly anticipated sideshow details with dates in Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Adelaide and Perth.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
One of the singular voices of a generation, Arlo Parks will make her return to Australia and New Zealand this winter, with a bunch of headline shows to coincide with her Splendour appearance.
This time is a victory lap, the singer / songwriter returning with two Grammy nominations under her belt, as well as a Mercury Prize and BRIT Award. Parks’ ability to soundtrack and contextualise the labyrinthine emotions associated with her generation is her calling card, navigating queerness, COVID, trauma, climate anxiety, all at their complex intersection while navigating hers as well. On her new record My Soft Machine, out on 26 May, a problem shared is a problem halved.
Despite her brief touring hiatus, Arlo is back on the road and ready to share My Soft Machine with those who understand it. A beautiful and intentional merging of soundscape and songwriting, Arlo Parks is not to be missed this July.
Arlo Parks Tour Dates
Friday Jul 14, 2023 – New Plymouth, Night Light Festival
Monday Jul 17, 2023 – Melbourne, Forum
Thursday Jul 20, 2023 – Sydney, Sydney Opera House
Saturday Jul 22, 2023 – Byron Bay, Splendour In The Grass
Sunday Jul 23, 2023 – Adelaide, The Gov
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023 – Perth, Astor Theatre
Alongside Arlo Parks, slowthai has also dropped a round of headline dates.
No strangers to our shores, slowthai has unfinished business here. His live shows are a patient balance of tension and release that create moshes of uncompromising energy, with introspective and thoughtful moments as moving as the bangers slowthai has made his name for. A crowd control maverick, slowthai knows how to take on audiences and win, every movement intentional and mechanical.
His live experience paired with the intensity of UGLY is ready to raise roofs, shows designed to bring everyone into the fold creating a community under one banner: slowthai’s. His biggest shows in the country to date, slowthai is ramping up the momentum so hold on tight…
slowthai Tour Dates
Friday Jul 14, 2023 – Auckland, Powerstation
Saturday Jul 15, 2023 – New Plymouth, Night Light Festival
Monday Jul 17, 2023 – Perth, The Rechabite
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023 – Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Thursday Jul 20, 2023 – Adelaide, Hindley Street Music Hall
Friday Jul 21, 2023 – Byron Bay, Splendour In The Grass
Saturday Jul 22, 2023 – Melbourne, Forum
Tickets to all shows go on sale here Thursday, 4 May, 10am local time.
Just in: Tasmania will officially enter the AFL with 19th club in 2028
With the AFL club presidents have voted unanimously to grant Tasmania the game’s 19th licence earlier this week, league chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed that Tasmania has indeed been granted the 19th license.
Speaking in Tasmania on Wednesday, McLachlan announced the League’s 19th club will be based in Tasmania in 2028 after the AFL signed binding agreements with the Tasmanian Government this morning.
“”It’s been a journey, but I am so happy to say we have reached the summit. I’m proud and excited to announce the awarding of the 19th license to play in the AFL and AFLW to Tasmania, a 19th club in Tasmania for Tasmania, uniting Tasmania.”
“Today is the result of nearly 150 years of football passion… and frankly decades of football advocacy,” says McLachlan.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
It’s official.
Tasmania will enter the AFL in 2028. pic.twitter.com/2Mj3gZI5Wl
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 3, 2023
“There are big days and there are really big days. For our national game of Australian rules football and for the state of Tasmania this feels really big. Historic. Big for football, big for Tasmanians, big for all AFL supporters,” Mr McLachlan said.
“Today is an important and historic day, for football in Tasmania, for football in Australia, for footy supporters all around the country.
“Today we are here to ensure a foundation football state, filled with believers, supporters and gravel rash grit, get the opportunity to unite their state and unite behind a single cause.”
The AFL men’s team is expected to enter the competition in the 2028 Toyota Premiership Season, with a proposed timeline for a women’s team entry into the NAB AFLW Competition to be worked through shortly.
The new club in Tasmania will be the first expansion AFL team since Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney joined the League in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
The announcement arrives this week after the Federal Government announced on Saturday it would contribute $240 million to the redevelopment of the Macquarie Point precinct in Hobart, including the construction of a new multi-purpose stadium that will host the bulk of the new team’s games.
The Tasmanian Government will contribute $375 million to the project, while the AFL will add $15 million.
The League has already committed $360 million of funding to a Tasmanian team over 10 years, including $90 million in game development and $33 million for player talent academies. It is expected the side would play at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena and the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston before the new stadium is finished in 2028-29. The team would play four matches a season at UTAS Stadium, which will be upgraded.
With the new Hobart stadium to be the expansion club’s home, attention will now revolve around the logistics of the team entering the league, along with its proposed name and colours. The name choice will come down to Tasmanians, however, controversy arose earlier this week around the name Devils (a pretty fitting name), with suggestions that the AFL would have to negotiate with Warner Bros which owns a trademark over its Looney Tunes character.
It’s been a long time coming for Tasmania, who has pushed for many years to enter the nation competition, producing AFL Hall of Fame legends in Darrel Baldock, Peter Hudson, Ian Stewart and Royce Hart, as well as more recent stars including Matthew Richardson and Jack Riewoldt.
Let’s see what happens from here!
You can read today’s announcement here.
Comedy Republic are bringing a bunch of Melbourne’s favourite comedians to Hepburn Springs in June
After a wildly successful first show back in February this year, esteemed Melbourne comedy venue Comedy Republic are heading back to Hepburn Springs for another great night of comedy with a heap of Comedy Festival favourites this June.
Renowned as the lively hub of Melbourne’s comedy scene, presenting Australia’s best comedic talent all year round, Comedy Republic will be bringing four of the best in comedy to the Palais-Hepburn, combining fantastic entertainment with exquisite dining options in the theatre’s salon.
Taking place on 23 June, comedians Daniel Connell, Lizzy Hoo, Bronwyn Kuss and Bron Lewis will be performing at the heritage-listed venue, all hot off the back of successful runs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Headlining stand-up comic Daniel Connell is one of Melbourne’s most loveable, hilarious, and hard-working comedians. A testament to his trademark dry, laidback humour, Connell has toured shows nationally for the past twelve years and has four Comedy Festival gala appearances under his belt.
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He’ll be joined by Lizzy Hoo, a rapidly rising star who has recently been seen on Have You Been Paying Attention?, The Hundred with Andy Lee, Celebrity Letters & Numbers, and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. Her infectious excitable energy has lit up the stage on the past three consecutive Comedy Festival galas.
2022 Director’s Choice Award winner Bronwyn Kuss will be taking to the stage too, making the crowd howl with laughter with her wry anecdotes.
And to top it off, 2023 Best Newcomer Award nominee and 2022 RAW Comedy co-winner Bron Lewis will telling her best jokes. As well as spending her days writing for The Project, her new show “Probably” was directed by comedy royalty, Claire Hooper.
While general admission tickets are on sale, audiences also have the option of indulging with delicious dining options and world-class cocktails, with Charcuterie and 3 Course Dinner ticket packages available. Talk about the most perfect night!
Doors open at 6:30pm on Friday 23 June, show starts 7:30pm. General Admission $29 + BF, Door sales $32 + BF.
Tickets are on sale now here.
Vape ban: Australian Government bans non-prescription flavoured vapes in major crackdown
Vaping laws are in for a big shake-up. In an effort to curb youth nicotine addiction, the Australian government has decided to ban the importation of all non-prescription vape products – even those without nicotine.
The vapes that are still available will be a lot less fruity and fun. There will be new restrictions introduced regarding the colour, flavours and ingredients that are allowed in the products in an effort to make them less appealing. All disposable vapes and e-cigarette will also be banned.
Vape Ban
- The Australian government will ban the importation of non-medicinal vapes
- Only pharmacies will be able to sell vapes and the buyer will need a valid prescription
- Vape flavours, colours, and packages will also be limited
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
In 2021, the government imposed a rule that nicotine vape products would only be able to be sold at pharmacies.
Despite this, illegal nicotine vapes were still readily available at smoke shops and convenience stores. Peddlers have been able to get around the laws by mislabeling imported products as ‘nicotine-free’.
The government has now committed to a country-wide crackdown on these types of outlets. They are hoping the new importation laws also help to slow the black market sale of vapes.
Luckily for some, e-cigarette prescriptions will be easier to get for nicotine addicts and smokers who are making an effort to quit, although these products will have to be sold in pharmaceutical-style packaging (so say goodbye to that beloved rockabilly graphic).
Introduced in the mid-2000s, the vape was marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco products. But the devices quickly took the country by storm, prompting the first government restrictions to be imposed in 2009.
Today, teenagers and young adults use vapes more often than all other demographics. As public safety concerns regarding heart health and popcorn lung have grown, the government has decided to take the biggest step in smoking reforms in over a decade.
Australia’s Health Minister, Mark Butler, addressed the National Press Club in a speech on Tuesday.
“It was not sold as a recreational product – especially not one for our kids. But that is what it has become: the biggest loophole in Australian history.”
For more on the vape ban in Melbourne and Australia, head here.
Harvest Rock festival announces return to Adelaide in October
Off the back of a huge inaugural edition featuring the likes of Jack White, Crowded House, The Black Crowes, Sam Fender and more, Harvest Rock returns to Adelaide in October 2023 for another huge two days of sound and taste.
This year taking place across Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October, Harvest Rock will be bringing an A team of international and Australian artists to Adelaide’s Rymill / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney / Ityamai-itpina Parks for two days of live music alongside South Australia’s best food offerings, delicious drops and innovative bars.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Including all the best parts of the 2022 event, punters can expect another stellar lineup of music across the Harvest and Vines stages, alongside an indulgent feast of culinary offerings, including everything from top-tier dining options to food trucks and curated spaces where you can enjoy the usual festival fare, amongst many other feasting flavours.
There will also be a range of destination bars on site, where festival goers can taste test South Australia’s finest drops at the cellar door pop-up and send home a bottle or twelve while you’re there. Enjoy bubbles at the Champagne Bar and sample a fresh frothy one at the Harvest beer garden.
And if you like to do your festivals in style, Harvest Rock has you sorted there too. All the premium ticket offerings that were so popular last year will again be available including the VIP Village, Harvest Lounge, Suites and the super exclusive Platinum Lounge.
“The inaugural Harvest Rock exceeded all our expectations. The vibes were certainly high and we’re so grateful to Adelaide’s music lovers along with music lovers from across the country for embracing the event,” says Secret Sounds Co-CEO and HARVEST ROCK Producer, Jessica Ducrou.
“We’re excited to follow up with Harvest Rock 2023 in October, bringing more great music to Adelaide and highlighting all that South Australia has to offer.”
Book in your annual leave, a trip to Adelaide is on the cards for October, with the lineup dropping in June.
Keep up with the latest updates via the festival website.
Not That Kinda Viral: Jimmy Rees is heading on a national tour
Jimmy Rees – Australian entertainer, comedian, TV personality, host, author, dad to 3 boys and all-round funny guy has just announced announces Not That Kinda Viral national theatre tour for August though to November this year. He’ll be heading to Melbourne for a show at The Palms at Crown on August 30 and returning for a show at the Palais Theatre on November 2
Jimmy Rees Not That Kinda Viral tour
- August 30 – The Palms at Crown, Melbourne
- September 9 – Royal Theatre, Canberra
- September 15 – Wollongong Town Hall, Wollongong
- September 16 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
- September 17 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
- September 21 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
- September 23 – Riverside Theatre, Perth
- September 29 – Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane
- October 1 – The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast
- October 14 – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
- October 21 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
- November 2 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
Beginning his career as the legendary Jimmy Giggle on the award-winning ABC Kid’s TV series, Giggle & Hoot, Jimmy spent a decade as the face of the iconic series, airing seven days a week on the national broadcaster, where it still airs daily on repeat across the ABC!
During this time he toured with Giggle & Hoot playing to more than 500,000 people live and releasing several albums including an iTunes #1 Christmas album, Jimmy Giggle’s Christmas Party featuring duets with Tina Arena, Fifi Box, Justine Clarke, David Campbell, Deb Mailman and more.
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It wasn’t until the pandemic that Jimmy really solidified his personal reinvention, leaving Jimmy Giggle in the rear-view mirror.
Now, in 2023, following his successful stint on TEN’s Taskmaster earlier this year and his Meanwhile In Australia 2022 tour, truly cementing himself as a staple Aussie comedian, Jimmy Rees is back to entertain the nation once again, with Not That Kinda Viral tour – a show full of laughs, relatability and fun.
With his affable charm and quick wit, don’t miss Jimmy Rees as he hits the road again this August, September, October and November.
It all goes down at Melbourne’s own Palais Theatre on August 30 and at the Palais Theatre on November 2. Grab tickets by heading here.