32 Victorian festivals happening in November
It is a fine season for festivals, folks. Some of you may be making your first festival appearance, while others may be cool-hand festivalists. According to Etymology Corner (blog.collinsdictionary.com), the word festival can be traced to the Latin ‘festa’, meaning a religious holiday. Festa is connected to ‘festivalis’, a word that came into English via French.
Festa can be found through the French fête, which we’ve come to know as a large outdoor gathering. There is also the Spanish ‘fiesta’, which is familiar as a carnival, and the Italian festone, a word used to describe garlands of flowers used in religious holidays. Festone has come into English as festoon. And festoon is a fun word to say.
We sure hope you have fun at these festivals…
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
British Film Festival
The Astor Theatre, St Kilda – until November 16
A festival for the greater good
The Cunard British Film Festival returns for its tenth year, once again celebrating Britain’s finest filmmakers and actors. November screenings include double-billings of 007 with You Only Live Twice and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, GoldenEye and The World is Not Enough, Casino Royale and Skyfall and The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. You can also enjoy screenings of Emily, Living, Fisherman’s Friends 2: One and All, What’s Love Got to Do with It? and centrepiece premiere, Empire of Light.
More through britishfilmfestival.com.au
Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival
Bendigo and surrounds – November 3-6
Blues that won’t get you down
It’s blues and roots heaven in Bendigo with a four-day program of performances, open mic opportunities, jam sessions and workshops. One of the festival’s highlights is the family-friendly concert held on Saturday, November 5 that features more than a dozen acts performing across two stages. Events will be held in the heart of Bendigo, White Hills, Golden Square, Quarry Hill, Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat, Ravenswood, Chewton, Cornella and Maldon.
Performers include Adelle Davis, Leslie D. King & the Trembling Shakes, Grim Fawkner, Charlie Bedford, Mariah McCarthy, Steph Bitter, Kerryn Fields, Don Morrison, Andy Garlick, Geoffrey Williams, Hannah Acfield, Fiona Boyes, Piano Wizard Andrew Farrell, Rory Phillips, Sherri Parry, Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood, Rambal and many more.
More through bendigobluesandroots.com.au
Mountain Writers Festival
Macedon – November 4-6
Place. Story. Nature
The inaugural Mountain Writers Festival is keen to make a great first impression by being the first Australian writers’ festival to focus exclusively on the environment. Guests include Peter Garrett, Tim Flannery, Sarah Wilson, Evelyn Araluen, Scott Pape, Costa Georgiadis, Dr Joëlle Gergis, Tom Gleeson and Aaron Fa’aoso. A highlight is the Saturday night of the festival which features a play-reading reimagining the night of Ash Wednesday when 300 locals and their animals sheltered in the Macedon Railway Hotel.
More through mountainwritersfestival.com.au
Summerwave
Atkinson Park, Kerang – November 5
Ride the wave
The all-ages Summerwave is waving you in through the gates for a line-up featuring Reece Mastin, One More Weekend, Blck Vibe, Seven Car Pileup, Ivy Black, Grace Frost, Elias Lanyon, Tom Harrington, Amy Tie, Daniel Aaron, The Known and Dillmac.
More through allfestivals.com.au
Flow
Footscray Community Arts, Footscray – November 5
Be the flow
Flow is a one-day festival exchanging aural and kinetic energy that is part of ALWAYS LIVE, a state-wide celebration of music supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria. The line-up is DancingWater, Elsy Wameyo, Emelyne, Kamaal Williams, The Far Side (FKA The Pharcyde), THNDO, The Tony Allen Experience and Wayne Snow.
More through alwayslive.com.au
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Buddhist Spring Festival
Peaceful Land of Joy Meditation Centre, Yuroke – November 5
May all beings have happy minds
For the first time in almost three years, the Buddhist Spring Festival returns on-site. Running under the theme ‘Still Mind, Warm Heart: The Path to Happiness’, attendees will be able to enjoy ten acres of gardens, a temple viewing and quiet reflection with the 12-foot statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. The festival also includes the Ceremony for World Peace with keynote speaker Ms Jennifer Greenham, as well as light vegetarian refreshments.
More through tibetanbuddhistsociety.org
Luliepalooza
Lulie Street, Abbotsford – November 5
Taking it to the streets
Abbotsford is rolling out the sticky carpet for the best rock and rock street party in town. The line-up is RVG, Pist Idiots, Children Collide, Grace Cummings, Mini Skirt, Caitlin Harnett & the Pony Boys, Smooch, Rot TV, Alex Hamilton, Eaglemont, Queenie, Spunk and Copper Feel, along with DJs Georgia Maq and JD.
More through lulietavern.com
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Latin American Film Festival
Melbourne School of Architecture & Design, Melbourne – November 10-20
The power of Latin American film
The Latin American Film Festival is an initiative between the Australian Government and fifteen Latin American Embassies including Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia. Films to be screened include El Empleado y El Patron (Uruguay), Mangoré (Paraguay), Martin & Margot (Guatemala), Inocencia (Cuba), Tropical Iron (Costa Rica), Algo Azul (Panama) and Hoy se arregla el mundo (Argentina).
More through laffunimelb2022.com
Backyard Fest
Lot 19, Castlemaine – November 11 & 12
The fest with the best
Bringing together good music and good people is the simple philosophy of the team behind Backyard Fest, originally held when three housemates decided to throw a shindig in their backyard. This year’s event features Alice Skye, Babe Rainbow, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, Andras, Aplegate, Ausecuma Beats, Barefoot Bowls Club, Bones and Jones, Delivery, Donald’s House, Dorsal Fins, Folk Bitch Trio, The Groove Dudes, The Maes, MAMI, MOD CON, Moody Beaches, Our Carlson, The Slingers, The Stroppies, Sunfruits, Tiff Cornish and WHARVES.
More through backyardfest.com.au
New music and arts festival Backyard Fest brings Babe Rainbow, Alice Skye and more to Castlemaine
Ballarat Spring Show
Ballarat – November 11-13
It will put a spring in your step
Presented by the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the Ballarat Spring Show is three days of joy. Enjoy your favourite ride and pick up a showbag or two as you wander around and take in performances, animal farms and show dogs, competitions, face painting and balloon artists – not to mention members of the Western Bulldogs. The local services will also be out in force to say g’day to, including the SES, Ballarat Fire and Rescue, The Royal Flying Doctors and the Ballarat Local Police.
More through ballaratshow.org.au
Birregurra Art Show
Birregurra – November 11-13
Their art becomes your art
What began as a fundraising initiative by a group of primary school parents (with the encouragement of the teacher) in 1992 has become an integral part of the region. Old-hands and emerging talents are welcome to display their works, with a cool $2000 awarded to the ‘Best in Show’ artwork.
More through birregurraartshow.com.au
River Rocks
Barwon Club, Geelong – November 12
If the River is rockin’, please come knockin’
Others have tried, but no one rocks quite like River Rocks. The line-up is The Mark of Cain, Hard-Ons, HITS, The Casanovas, Fridge, Rocket Science, Blacklist, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Jackson Firebird, The Glycereens, Split System, Digger & the Pussycats, Babymachine, Blowers, Emu, The Stripp and Grytt. Note that each ticket purchase puts you in the draw to win a Popcultcha pack.
River Rocks Rehab follows on November 13. Your line-up is Beastwars, Fridge, Drunk Mums, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Blowers, The Unknowns, The Glycereens, Glitoris, Thee Cha Cha Chas, Emu Persecution Blues, Eyeroll, Smoke Witch and DJ Chunky Love.
More through barwonclub.com.au
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Alpine Valley Vibes
Pioneer Park, Bright – November 12
Good vibes everywhere
ALWAYS LIVE, Live Nation Special Events and Alpine Shire Council have come together for Alpine Valley Vibes, a celebration of home-grown talent that doubles as a way to revitalise a community hit by the 2019/20 bushfires and the compounding effects of COVID-19. The line-up includes Jessica Mauboy, Illy, Gretta Ray and The Buoys.
More through moshtix.com.au
Bendigo Swap Meet
Bendigo Showgrounds, Bendigo – November 12 & 13
No trash, all treasure
Held since 1975, the Bendigo Swap Meet is one of the largest swap meets in the country. From small back-yarders to commercial sites, the Bendigo Swap Meet is your chance to pick up a hard-to-find part for your car, something for the shed or a special Christmas present for those who otherwise prove difficult to purchase for. You never know what you’ll find.
More through bendigoswap.com.au
Festival of the Cows
Hare Krishna Valley, Bambra – November 13
For all the cows
The Festival of the Cows celebrates the significance of the cow and bull in traditional and modern culture. With origins 5000 years old, the festival will be honoured by the Hare Krishna community of Victoria. Beginning with a blessing ceremony, attendees are encouraged to walk with the cows accompanied by singing and musical instruments. This is then followed by gifting the cows garlands and treats. Finally, a vegan/vegetarian feast will take place as everyone mingles as family.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Ballan Autumn Festival
Ballan – November 13
It’s blooming lovely
At more than four-decades old, the Ballan Autumn Festival is one of the oldest regional country festivals in the Moorabool Shire. This year they are ‘Spring-ing’ back into action with a feast of live music, roaming acts, tasty grub, market stalls, pony rides and the popular Grand Street Parade. Enjoy plenty of colour and flower power.
More through ballanautumnfestival.com.au
Circus Mania
Castlemaine – November 17-20
Step right up, step right up
Big Tops & Tiny Tots is aimed for littles ones aged between three and six and combines entertainment and education through plate-spinning, hula-hooping and unicycling. Suitcase Circus is for the whole family, complete with acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancers. Rogue is a circus for grown-ups, an 18+ visual spectacle of circus and cabaret.
More through circusmania.com.au
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Loch Hart Music Festival
Great Ocean Road, Princetown – November 18-20
Taking place from Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20, the grassroots BYO event will be bringing more than 20 world-class acts over one November weekend to one stage in a natural amphitheatre at Kangaroobie Camp, situated a stone’s throw from The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road. Harvey Sutherland, Peter Bibby, Kylie Auldist, Gordon Koang and Party Dozen lead the lineup, with the grassroots BYO event also featuring comedy, glamping, morning yoga sessions, giant games and an outdoor cinema
More at www.lochhart.com
Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch – Bendigo
Red Energy Arena, Bendigo – November 18
Share a bite and a story
The Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch hits Bendigo this month. Unable to be staged for the past couple of years due to COVID-19, the Lunch aims to raise funds and awareness of prostate cancer in order to help ease the impact on Australian men, their partners and their families. Lunch, drinks, entertainment, raffles and auctions are all part of the day. Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton and Des Dowling are among the guests.
More through ticketek.com.au
Ballarat Cabaret Festival
Ballarat – November 18 & 19
Life is a cabaret, old chum
In the times of Ballarat’s Gold Rush, their halls were filled with cabaret. Now, thanks to Issie Hart, cabaret is back on the menu. Shows include Ballarat’s Rising Stars, Vivian Fonteyn’s Born in a Trunk, Miss Frisby’s Mile High, LGBTQIA+ event Brunch Darling!, Glee Club, Trevor Jones by Request, Family Show featuring Dandyman, Glamour Pussy and Club Cabaret with Issie Hart.
More through ballaratcabaretfestival.com
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Jazz in a Hat Spring Fest
The Heights Heritage House and Garden, Newton – November 19
We’re talking all that jazz
So, you select a bunch of local musicians and get them to throw their name in a hat. From there, names are plucked out to form a band to play a live improv set. The Jazz in a Hat Spring Fest features JIAH alumni and their bands for performances across four stages. Bring the family and enjoy a picnic.
More through geelongaustralia.com.au
Crowded House – A Day on the Green
Mt Duneed Estate, Waurn Ponds – November 19
This is something so strong
Crowded House is one of the most beloved Australian bands of all time, and following a COVID-related delay they’re ready for A Day on the Green. They will be supported by Angus & Julia Stone and The Waifs.
More through mtduneedestate.com.au
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Daylesford Collectables Fair
Victoria Park & Daylesford Town Hall, Daylesford – November 19 & 20
Spruce up the place
Entering its second year, the region’s best dealers will display prized antiques, collectables, vintage and retro. Get something to tie the room together.
More through heydayeventsaustralia.com
Traditional Arts Fair
Buda, Castlemaine – November 20
Old skills in a modern world
For more than 100 years, the Leviny family lived at Castlemaine’s historic Buda. Matriarch Bertha and her daughters Gertrude, Hilda, Mary, Dorothy and Kate were all creative spirits and it was Hilda who had the foresight to preserve Buda as a house and garden museum. The Traditional Arts Fair honours the sisters through displays of patchwork, weaving, knitting, printmaking, painting, metalwork, pickling, cooking, handmade body products, macramé and more. You can also enjoy hand-crafted ice cream, coffee, gourmet BBQ and Devonshire tea, as well as demos, activities for the kids and music.
More through budacastlemaine.org
Geelong Revival Motoring Festival
Geelong Waterfront – November 25-27
Hear the purr of 800 engines
More than 800 competition and motorshow cars and bikes will decorate Geelong’s waterfront this November as the Geelong Revival Motoring Show gets your motor running. For the speedsters, Ritchie Boulevard will host some 300 classic and exotic cars as they test out their goods on a quarter-mile. The Vintage Caravan Display and National Vintage Fashion Awards are festival favourites, while live music, displays, trade stalls and good eats make for a festival with the lot.
More through geelongrevival.com.au
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Queenscliff Music Festival
Queenscliff – November 25-27
Small town, big festival
First held in 1997, the Queenscliff Music Festival remains as loved as ever. Friday’s line-up includes Ben Mastwyk & His Millions, Bones and Jones, Steph Strings, Daddy Long Legs, Folk Bitch Trio, Inn Echo, John Butler and Mark Seymour & the Undertow. Saturday’s line-up includes Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Sam Teskey, The Beanies, William Crighton, The Bamboos, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham and Georgia Rodgers. And Sunday’s line-up includes Kee’ahn, Vika & Linda, The Bad Dad Orchestra, Nathan Seeckts, Mia Dyson, The Mojo Corner and Watty Thompson.
More through qmf.net.au
Queenscliff Music Festival unveils final lineup for sold-out November event
Bones Fest
Secret Warehouse Location, Melbourne – November 26
Feel it in your bones
A bone-crunching show hosted by I.E and featuring Boo Seeka, Eliza & The Delusionals, Jordan Burns, Dear Sunday, Pvcker Up, Ned Kelly, Butters, Mikalah Watego, Elijah Edwards and 5AM, plus a special guest. There will also be a photoshoot, vinyl releases, unreleased merchandise and more.
More through tickets.oztix.com.au
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Annual SoupBus Ball
Mercure, Ballarat – November 26
Keep the wheels turning
Staffed by volunteers, The SoupBus aims to create dignified and respectful interactions with those in need. Each evening, a local restaurant cooks up a fresh batch of soup to provide an after-dark meal of soup and bread to Ballarat’s homeless and less fortunate. This is their largest fundraiser of the year.
More through facebook.com/pg/TheSoupBus
Ballarat Rock N Roll Festival
Ballarat Showgrounds, Ballarat – November 26
Put your glad rags on
The Ballarat Rock N Roll Festival kicks off with a family-friendly day event from 10am to 4pm. Enjoy dancing, live entertainment, activities for the kids, stalls, food trucks and a ‘show and shine’ car display. Following that will be a ticketed dance night featuring Itchy Fingers and The Fender Benders from 6-11pm. $30pp. BYO alcohol and nibbles. See if Lady Luck is on your side with door prizes and a raffle. No lifts or jumps are permitted.
More through trybooking.com
Make-Shift Picnic in the Park
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, Castlemaine – November 26
Life is a picnic
As the birds chirp, the ducks waddle by and the breeze rustles the leaves, Castlemaine ensemble Make-Shift will provide a hypnotic soundtrack. So pack up a picnic rug and an Esky full of nibbles, and enjoy a (hopefully) sunny day of sweet eats and musical treats.
More through allevents.in
First & Forever
The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock, Macedon Ranges – November 27
A celebration of Blak excellence
First & Forever is a new, day-long festival that celebrates contemporary First Nations culture and music. Hand-picked by Briggs, the line-up is Baker Boy, Budjerah, Jess Mauboy, King Stingray, Sycco, Thelma Plum, Alice Skye, Busby Marou, Christine Anu, Dan Sultan, Electric Fields, Emma Donovan, Tasman Keith, Ziggy Ramo, Barkaa, dameeeela, Jess Hitchcock, JK-47, Kardajala Kirridarra and Kobie Dee.
More through firstandforever.com.au
First & Forever is the new festival bringing a huge First Nations lineup to Hanging Rock
Japanese Film Festival
Palace Kino Cinemas, Melbourne – November 30-December 4
The power of imagination
Presented by The Japan Foundation, Sydney, the Japanese Film Festival made its debut in 1997. Today, it is one of the largest screenings of Japanese films in the world. Films include And So the Baton is Passed, Blue, Baby Assassins, The Pursuit of Perfection, Lesson in Murder, In the Wake and Floating Clouds.
More through japanesefilmfestival.net
Gig Guide: The best gigs happening in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and more in November
Where do you stand on giving pets people names? Is it okay to call your cat Darren, or your dog Greg? How about Pauline or Janet? In an article published by Country Living Magazine in 2020, data on more than 100,000 cats and dogs in the UK revealed nine out of the top ten names given to our little pals were shared by Britain’s newborn babies. However, it remains to be seen whether Mittens, Tinkerbell or Jelly Bean will be accepted as mainstream baby names. Lord Barkley is fine, though.
Leave your furball home for a night and enjoy one of these gigs…
Just remember to check band or venue socials to keep up with the latest updates.
The Red Hill – throughout November
The Red Hill Hotel, Chewton plays host to Matty Chaps on November 4, Charlie Bedford on November 11 and Brodie Glen on November 25.
The Taproom – throughout November
The Taproom, Castlemaine plays host to High Ace on November 5, Dan Challis and Stephen Grady on November 13 and Sherri Parry Duo on November 25.
Barry Morgan’s World of Organs – Ballarat Trades Hall, Ballarat on November 4; and The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 26
No one plays an organ quite like Barry Morgan. Loved instantly when he first appeared on Spicks & Specks, Barry has shared his love of organs far and wide.
Ron Snarski & friends – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 4
You have Blackeyed Susans’ Rob Snarski, Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison, The Triffids’ Graham Lee and Shane O’Mara all under one roof? Not too shabby.
Bob Log III – The Eastern, Ballarat on November 4
Once a year, Bob Log III brings his party to town. It’s a party few forget, and one you will tell your grandchildren about one day.
Damon Smith – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on November 4
Damon Smith is a singer-songwriter who uses his experience with mental illness to create a thought-provoking show with good doses of humour.
CITY – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 4
Whether you’re a city slicker or country dweller, Geelong alt-rockers CITY has the goods for you as they return home for the first time in more than a year.
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Confetti Western – Volta, Ballarat on November 4
Dance, hedonism and pleasure are the sounds of electro-western act Confetti Western. Grab your six-shooter and enjoy the single, ‘Once Upon a Western’.
Rhyley McGrath – Valhalla Brewing, Geelong on November 4
Specialising in finger-pickin’ blues and folk, songman Rhyley McGrath is hitting the road with his partner Maddie and their dog Bella.
Brett Franke – Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford on November 4
Armed with his trusty 12-string guitar, Brett Franke shakes it up with a combination of foot-stompin’ blues-roots, funk and progressive rock.
Eric Bogle – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 4 & Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat on November 11
While forever known for ‘No Man’s Land’ and ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’, the career of Eric Bogle has four decades worth of material.
Surprise Chef – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 4 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 18
When you set out to create instrumental jazz/soul/funk, you are doing so not knowing how well you will be received. But Surprise Chef has indeed been received well.
DEAD – Trash Cult, Bendigo on November 5
DEAD are taking The Laughing Shadow for a spin in Bendigo, an album dedicated to the friends the band has lost along the way. Support is Mark’s Paranormal Dysneyland.
Laurel & the Painkillers – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on November 5
English-born, Melbourne-based Laurel leads the Painkillers, an original and covers outfit deeply rooted in blues but with elements of rock, pop and groove.
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Dane Blacklock & the Preacher’s Daughter – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 5
Part satanic gospel, part rock opera, Dane Blackcock & the Preacher’s Daughter protest the influence of the church while spreading the word of Satan.
Crooked Colours (DJ set) – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 5
Having recently enjoyed time in the US, Crooked Colours are back on local soil and are eager to spin a few tunes for your listening and dancing pleasure.
Ella Hooper – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 5
Since scoring her first #1 with ‘Mascara’ as a seventeen-year-old, Ella Hooper has continued to rock new hearts far and wide. ‘Achilles Heel’ is her new single.
Flynn Gurry – The Space Studio, Warrnambool on November 5
It seems only appropriate that Warrnambool singer-songwriter Flynn Gurry launches his debut EP at home. And that EP is Weather & Dogs.
Brayden O’Hanlon – The Pier, Geelong on November 5
Geelong native Brayden O’Hanlon is launching his brand new album Hopeless Rogue Antics with a handful of bands, DJs and good vibes.
Distorta & friends – The Eastern, Ballarat on November 5
Hearing loss may occur when heavy-hitters Distorta take to the stage with new singer Dmitry Keremetsjiy. They will be joined by Bush Wizard, Yeah Sick and Cosmonaut.
Goanna – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo – November 5 & Costa Hall, Geelong on November 18
After forming a few years prior, Goanna released their debut album, Spirit of Place, in 1982. Four decades on, their spirit is as strong as ever.
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Katchafire – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 6
Visiting from across the ditch, roots-reggae rockers Katchafire are coming fully prepared with their new single, ‘Always with You’.
Nigel Wearne – Hotel Warrnambool, Warrnambool on November 6
While his music contains elements of blues, swing and bluegrass, in his heart of hearts Nigel Wearne categorises his music as country/folk – two of his great loves.
The Sockettes – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 6
It is three-part harmonies galore with The Sockettes as Alice, Méabh and Leah share their learnings of love through folk music.
Danika – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on November 11
Turning her back on a record deal as a teenager, singer-songwriter Danika would find her own way. Her soulful-folk groove can be discovered on her EP, When Love Comes.
Rum Jungle – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 11
Newcastle trio Rum Jungle are about as chill as gently swinging in a hammock with a cool drink in hand. Everything is Easy is their latest reggae-rock release.
Matt Glass – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 11
Writer, performer and multi-instrumentalist Matt Glass will serve up his traditional folk hooks and contemporary beats as part of a SupperClub Friday show.
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Diminished Reason – Volta, Ballarat on November 11
Founded by childhood friends, Ballarat’s Diminished Reason will be hitting their local in support of EP Eternity. Joining them will be Fall and Resist, Spacegoat and more.
Juan Alban – The Eastern, Ballarat on November 11
With his band The Resentments in tow, Juan Alban will revisit Epicure’s back catalogue as well as songs from 2022’s Resentments Central.
These Immortal Souls Tribute – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 11
Harry Howard, Genevieve McGuckin and friends pay tribute to their former band These Immortal Souls in honour of the vinyl re-release of their two albums.
Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission – Bennetts on Bellarine on November 11. Also Ararat Live on November 9.
Mick Thomas and The Roving Commission are hitting the Peninsula for his annual Christmas tour, with support from Kerryn Fields.
Casey Donovan – The Capital, Bendigo on November 11 & Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on November 18
No more shouting out requests is needed as Casey Donovan takes her BluesDay Tuesday sessions on tour, playing the fans’ most requested tracks.
Mia Dyson – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 11 & Odessa Bar, Creswick on November 18
ARIA and APRA-winning artist Mia Dyson recently toured the anniversary of Parking Lots, but here she ventures out in support of new album, Tender Heart.
Tom Harrington – Handle Bar, Bendigo on November 11; Bomboras Beach Bar, Torquay on November 17; and Bells Beach Brewery, Torquay on November 18
Indie-folk singer-songwriter Tom Harrington may have grown up in regional Victoria, but he has always been drawn to the coastlines. His debut EP is Be There Soon.
Chris Cavill – Saints and Sailors, Portarlington – November 12
One year ago, Chris Cavill honoured his late father with the album Lionheart. Entering a new phase, his latest single is ‘A Little Longer’. Support is Pat Tierney.
Watty Thompson – The Eastern, Ballarat on November 12
Watty Thompson is a little bit folk and a little bit country. More so, he is a whole lot of heart. ‘City to Run’ is the latest single from his forthcoming album.
Kid Sam – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 12
Making a splash with their debut self-titled album, Kid Sam disappeared soon after. In fact, they haven’t played a gig since 2015 – until now.
River Rocks – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 12
Rock until you drop with the likes of The Mark of Cain, Hard-Ons, HITS, The Casanovas, Fridge, Rocket Science, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs and many more.
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Taylor Sheridan – Gateway Hotel, Corio on November 12
With influences from Stevie Wonder to James Taylor, Taylor Sheridan describes his music as “soulfully acoustic”. His 2022 has included new music.
River Rocks Rehab – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 13
Still alive and kicking following River Rocks? Enjoy a little more with Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, The Unknowns, Fridge, Drunk Mums, Smoke Witch and more.
Pub Choir – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 13
For every soul out there with a rocker in their heart, there is Pub Choir. Led by Astrid Jorgensen, this is all about stepping out of the shower and singing with like-minded folk.
JB Paterson – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 13
Songwriter, guitarist and pianist JB Paterson is a roving blue-collar musician steeped in traditional folk and blues. He releases the album Springtime is Coming later this month.
Anh Do – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on November 15
Anh Do remains The Happiest Refugee. Stand-up, stories, photos and filmed pieces help bring his beloved book to life.
Tim Freedman – Piano Bar, Ballarat on November 15; Piano Bar, Bendigo on November 16; and Piano Bar, Geelong on November 17
From The Whitlams’ favourites to material from his latest album, Tim Freedman is doing a solo tour of Piano Bars following sold-out shows earlier in the year.
Void of Vision – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 17
Inspired by their newfound sense of direction and purpose, Chronicles II: Heaven is the next chapter in Void of Vision’s Chronicles saga.
The Waifs – The Capital, Bendigo on November 17 & The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 18
What started out as friends travelling in a van playing gigs anywhere that would have them is now a three-decade career for this much-loved outfit.
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Ruby Gill – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 18
Ruby Gill is a classically trained pianist born in Johannesburg and currently calling Melbourne home. Her debut album is I’m Gonna Die with This Frown of My Face.
Aberration – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 18
Back in the days when Sydney’s punk rock raged, Aberration powered through hard-hitting sets until they disbanded in 1986. Now, they’re back.
The Hornets – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on November 18
For a quarter of a century, The Hornets have been a fixture of Australia’s blues and roots scene. Lowdown in Lockdown is their latest release.
Tripod – Sphinx Hotel, Geelong on November 18
To put it simply, Tripod are three men who do songs and make funnies. And they have been doing songs and making funnies since 1996.
Illy – Torquay Hotel, Torquay on November 18 & Volta, Ballarat on November 19
It seems like yesterday that Illy was announcing his arrival, but Alasdair Murray released his sixth album last year as he continues to shine in both hip hop and pop circles.
Trouble Peach – Major Tom’s, Kyneton on November 19
The story of Trouble Peach is a story of a Neutral Milk Hotel tragic who conned four mates into making music. Down & Out is their new EP. Support is Kino Motel.
My Disco – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 19
Next year will mark twenty years since My Disco first started performing. They’re getting celebrations started early with a show in Castlemaine.
Manifold Resolution – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 19
It’s time to take a swig of eClectronic, a “polychromatic synthesis of beats, vox and horns, painting with wavelengths and sculpting with frequencies”.
Fortay at Large – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 19
His real name may be pretty closely guarded, but hip hop MC’s Fortay at Large’s music is known by many. His new album is Entertainer.
Blues Guitar Roadshow – Macedon Railway Hotel, Macedon on November 19
Lining up for this all-star blues cast will be Geoff Achison, Phil Manning, Brett Garsed, Joe Creighton, The McNaMarr Project, Simon Kinny Lewis, Anita Scionti and more.
Things of Stone and Wood – The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove on November 19 & Hotel Warrnambool, Warrnambool on November 20
Released in 1993, the debut album from Things of Stone and Wood, The Yearning, has a special place in the big Australian songbook. Hear it in full.
Georgia Fields – Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford on November 20
Set for release later this month, Hiraeth (pronounced hee-raith) is the third release from Georgia Fields. In the meantime, you have single ‘Tigress’.
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Gocsy – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 30
Performing a greatest hits show, Aaron ‘Gocsy’ Gocs is returning to Geelong stages for the first time in a few years. He will be joined by Jonathan Schuster.
Songs from Mermaid Avenue – The Bridge, Castlemaine on November 20
In 1998, Billy Bragg and Wilco set new music to unheard lyrics by Woody Guthrie and dubbed the album Mermaid Avenue. Enjoy its tribute here.
Guy Sebastian – Costa Hall, Geelong on November 20; WPAC, Ballarat on November 21; and Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on November 23-24
After taking his T.R.U.T.H. tour on a national arena run, Guy Sebastian is turning his attention to the regional market. You can expect all his hits.
Carla dal Forno – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 25
Following a decade of touring out of Berlin and London, Carla dal Forno returned to her hometown of Castlemaine to record her latest album, Come Around.
TTTDC – The Eastern, Ballarat on November 25
It’s been a couple of tough years in the making, but TTTDC are celebrating their third album. In support will be Gareth Skinner, Spacejunk and Swedish Magazines.
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Hanging Rock Reserve on November 25 & 26
While they are no strangers to each other, this will be the first time Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have toured Australia as a duo.
Adam Hattaway & the Haunters – Red Hill Hotel, Chewton on November 26
It has taken five albums (their latest being Bug Eyes), but finally New Zealand outfit Adam Hattaway & the Haunters are making their Australian debut.
Lazy Eye – Pistol Pete’s, Geelong on November 26
You can try sharing a scotch with Booker T and B.B. King at the Crossroads after midnight, or you can give Lazy Eye a try instead.
Beccy Cole – The Palais, Hepburn Springs on November 27
Performing for more than 30 years, Beccy Cole’s musical impact was recognised when she was inducted into the prestigious Roll of Renown at the 50th Golden Guitar Awards.
Violet – Barwon Club, Geelong on November 27
They have wall-shaking bass riffs. They have thumping drums that will rattle your teeth. They have distorted guitars that will cure your ails. They are Violet.
Seeker Lover Keeper – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine on November 27
A conversation in a pub led Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann to form Seeker Lover Keeper. They released the album Wild Seeds in 2019.
Amyl and the Sniffers lead Chopped Festival, Victoria’s one-of-a-kind cult hot rod, motorcycle and music festival
Rain, hail or shine, the drag races of the 1950s and 60s went off regardless. Tearing up the dirt and mud, flicking it up into the wheel trims and panels of the hundreds of cars and bikes that took its path. Regional Victoria’s Chopped festival is homage to this time and returning for 2022 with more than 25 powerhouse bands performing, it’s an event that’s for the rockers, the petrol heads, hipsters and greasers.
Hailed a hybrid hot rod, motorcycle and music camping festival that embraces the path less trodden by mainstream society, Chopped is making a triumphant return for its 11th year, taking over Carisbrook with a wild three-day event (from December 2 to December 4 2022) headlined by Melbourne’s explosive retro-punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, presented by Always Live.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
CHOPPED 2022 // DEC 2-3-4 from Chopped Rod & Custom on Vimeo.
Since 2016 Amyl and the sniffers have been a snarling, dirt-covered gem of the Melbourne punk-rock scene. They sport a raw, 70’s style in sound, dress, and attitude, and their records demand being played at max volume, which barely compares to their blistering live performance, which sees Amy consistently delivers maniacal, lewd energy as she careens around the stage between her mulleted companions. Renowned for their ball-tearing live show, Amyl and The Sniffers – rounded out by guitarist Dec Martens, bassist Gus Romer and drummer Bryce Wilson – has gone from strength to strength in recent years, going from Melbourne dive bars to US television screens, bringing along their raw self-expression, defiant energy, and unapologetic vulnerability.
You couldn’t find a band more fitting to headline the return of this Victorian favourite festival.
Alongside The Sniffers, Chopped have managed to lock in the best Australia’s got in punk, rock, garage, psych and country who will take to the the Main Stage & Wolfman’s Rambling Truck including the likes of Andy Golledge, C.O.F.F.I.N, Grindhouse, Smoke Witch, Parsnip and Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents, among many others who will keep you pumping throughout all the action of the cars and bikes in the smoke and dust. You can peep the full lineup below.
These acts will perform across the iconic ‘Wolfman’s Rambling Truck’ which will roll through the festival by day moving the music to the people through the campgrounds, arenas and displays, as well as the favourite ‘Main Stage’ by night, belting it out in the middle of all the action at the Entertainment Arena.
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The music is merely one part of this rip-roaring event. Chopped will also feature noisy, smokey and powerful Asphalt Drag Racing presented by ‘HARD METAL’; the tradition of live ‘Dirt Drag’ racing; and Chopp’A’rammA, an indoor Chopper Motorcycle Show presented by ‘Thanks Tattoo Sydney’. The curative vision of Mitch Bailey, one of Australia’s lead painters within the traditional custom chopper scene, here you’ll find 30 of the best Choppers from across the nation on display. You can also get some fresh ink from the Thanks Tattoo crew who will have their mobile studio on site.
Over in the vehicle arena, punters can get around pre 1966 Traditional Rods and Customs from every corner of Australia mixed with Traditional Style Bobbers and Choppers. Driven and ridden from all corners of Australia these bikes and cars are tribute to the scene, hours of devotion and love are poured into the creation of the vehicles, they are artworks of their own.
Within the Entertainment Area, there’s a truly excellent ‘Young Henrys’ Tiki Tavern and Tiki Isle ‘Cocktail Cave’ where a range of Young Henrys will be flowing among the palm and the coconuts, with cocktails shaking in the island sounds and vibes. Drop in a Saturday night Toga Party and this island will get loose with the late night DJ’s taking over when the Main Stage wraps.
As with every quality multi-day festival, there will also be an awesome range of vendors and food fitting for the scene, no nonsense in here, all are hand picked and really have something to offer.
This is also a camping festival, so get your shit in order because you’ll be pitching a tent. Camping is included in the Chopped Full Festival Pass, and if you have a Camper, Bus, Caravan, 4WD with roof tent there will be a dedicated campground for you all.
Chopped Music Lineup 2022
Amyl & The Sniffers
Andy Golledge
C.O.F.F.I.N
Grindhouse
Smoke Witch
Parsnip
Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents
Last Quokka
Downgirl
Battlesnake
Papa Pilko & The Binrats
Smooch
Levitating Churches
Needle Injection
Blonde Revolver
Sketch Method
Split System
Hot Tubs Time Machine
The Blamers
Frontside Backsides
In Transit
Prayer Group
Silver Tongue
Dead Flowers
+ DJ’s
Tickets are on sale now, with the option of a full festival pass for the duration of the event or a day pass available on all three days.
Chopped will take over Carisbrook Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, Carisbrook, Victoria from December 2 to December 4 2022. Purchase tickets here.
Nigerian afrobeat singer-songwriter D.Matthews inspires with unapologetically body-moving single ‘Be Somebody’
Championing his own brand of motivational and energetic calm Afrobeat and Afropop driven by the beats of Africa, Australian-based Nigerian-born singer-songwriter D.Matthews has been thoroughly embossing his name in the industry over the past few years.
With a string of releases to his name and countless nightclub performances and festivals, there’s no doubt that this artist has the drive, not to mention the talent, to capture people’s attention. With a penchant for creating contemporary and progressive afropop throughout each and every one of his songs, D.Matthews’ music is a true reflection of the foundational flavours of the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti, showcasing his considered character and undeniable songwriting.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Inspiring, upbeat and unapologetically body-moving, D.Matthews’ newest single ‘Be Somebody’ finds the up-and-coming Afrofusion artist and producer spellbinding in a song full of heart, soul, cool courage, and unrelenting drive.
Released independently on November 4 and featuring loads of feel-good energy, Afrobeats/Afropop, stylistic jazzy rhythms, and body-moving melodies, ‘Be Somebody’ is a brightly-lit and poetically piercing track, serving as an awakening to live your best life and to keep pushing onwards to get to where you want to go or to be who you want to be: it’s an energizing reminder that the fight is most worth it in the times that are the most difficult.
“It’s a motivational track,” D.Matthews explains. “For whoever wants to be somebody in life, you have to press forward, apply pressure and rough things out a bit before you get to the success/winning stage.
“Not most want to go through this at most times, but obviously, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Everyone runs a thousand miles, it comes down to how well you can utilise those miles to get/attain what you want for your future.”
Spanning just over three entirely infectious minutes, ‘Be Somebody’ is full of heart and rhythmic passion, taking cues from the likes of Afrobeat singer Burna Boy and Nigerian vocalist/producer Davido, who blends traditional African elements with global mainstream pop. Filled with vibrant positivity and limitless energy, the single offers a more direct emotional impact than some of his earlier work.
Grounded and goal-oriented, a strong, dazzling beat forms the backdrop, bolstered with vibrant horns, African percussion and stimulating lyrics, offering a seductive rhythm that captures you right from the start.
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Intimate and universally accessible, the charged anthem reveals yet another side to D.Matthews’s burgeoning, multifaceted artistry, teaming up with UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) based Nigerian artist, producer, content creator and educator Mazbou Q to further bring the track to life with his intoxicating flow and particular brand of hiphop, stemming from his background in classical, heavy metal and West African Highlife.
Having solidified himself as both a musical powerhouse and effective communicator, Mazbou Q continues to challenge and inspire his audiences through the various channels of his creativity, making a collaboration high on D.Matthews’ bucket list.
Of the tracks creation D.Matthews explains, “It’s been in my books to work with Mazbou Q in a min. So had to make the legendary call via message out to one of the legendary artists in New Zealand mid 2021 for him to get prepared for a collaborative work early 2022. It had been a long time coming. I’m glad it happened.”
Further drawing influences from fellow Nigerian singer-songwriter WizKid, and alternative neo-soul songstresses Kehlani and Tinashe, D.Matthews’ work comes bolstered with talent, enlisting Aericsn on production and New Zealand’s Edyonthebeat to mix and master the track, adding another layer to the detail and quality that he has maintained for most of his releases.
While his unique brand of energic calm Afrobeat/Afropop already making for a listen full of thrills and delights, what really D.Matthews’ art apart is his personal songwriting. He tells intimate, meaningful stories of discovery in his songs – and he injects deep passion into every line.
We first saw this in his 2020 single and video clip ‘Sunrise’, which seeked to embrace the New Zealand’s (Aotearoa) serenity, peacefulness and stunning landscape, exploring the beauty of the country and its culture.
Staying true to his musical identity and artistry, D.Matthews captivates people’s mind and soul again with the video clip which will soon arrive alongside ‘Be Somebody’.
Captured in Ghana, the accompanying video is a powerful and inspiring depiction of the track’s core theme, featuring bustling scenes of street hawking and art galleries, alongside scenes of D.Matthews and Mazbou Q in the studio writing lyrics and recording, and celebrating achievements in a limo.
“Basically, [the clip shows] the whole process of what it truly takes to be great in life.”
Arriving on the back of his captivating new afrobeat summer single ‘No Frontin’’ back in July and ahead his highly anticipated sophomore EP that will be arriving early next year, ‘Be Somebody’ sees D.Matthews emerge as a voice of passion and purpose. His performance is free and full of passion as he continues to spread the gospel of afrobeat music down under, always promising to energize and enchant, no matter who you are or where you are.
If his recent releases is anything to go by, 2023 is shaping up to be a promising year for D.Matthews, especially with a debut tour firmly in his sights.
Listen to ‘Be Somebody’ here and keep up with the latest news D.Matthews on Instagram.
Spring Fiesta is the new one-day wine festival taking over Bendigo’s Gardens this November
Clear your calendar for November 26, because the highly-anticipated Spring Fiesta is back with a new event date and honestly, our wine-loving selves couldn’t be more hyped.
Originally slated for October, the Bendigo Winegrowers Association have announced Saturday, November 26 as their new Spring Fiesta event date, after the region’s flooding disaster forced them to postpone the original date.
Keep up with the latest local food and booze news here.
In addition to the extreme volume of water impacting the venue at Bendigo’s Garden For The Future in White Hills, the extreme flooding around Bridgewater saw several winemakers unable to leave their properties to participate in the event. Luckily, there was no substantial damage to their vineyards or future vintages (which means lots more good wine for years to come).
“The postponement has placed an incredible amount of stress on our association, as we have had to almost start over to find a new date, new food vendors and suppliers as our original providers have other bookings and are unavailable,” explains Spring Fiesta committee Chair, Ken Gilchrist.
“The support of our sponsor Ray White Bendigo and key suppliers to do their best to work with us has been extremely positive, and we appreciate their understanding that as a not-for-profit organisation, the delivery of our events and festivals are essential to the Bendigo Winegrowers Association’s financial health.”
With a strong focus on celebrating the local winemakers of the region, Spring Fiesta takes the place of the annual iconic wine event ‘Bendigo Heritage Uncorked’, gifting the region a refreshed, refocused and revitalised headline event.
Kicking off from 11am, Spring Fiesta will showcase the region’s new Spring wine releases, with 18 local wineries presenting more than 20 grape varietals grown in the Bendigo region – with 80 wines available for tasting. Promising to be Bendigo’s ultimate one-day wine festival, Spring Fiesta will see attendees enjoying a sunny day (more likely now with a late-November date) on the lawn tasting the region’s wine, surrounded by local food trucks and live music from the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival team.
There will also be a free shuttle bus running every hour from 11am from the Bendigo Train Station delivering patrons straight to the Garden for the Future.
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“We are really hopeful that wine and festival enthusiasts will be able to come and support the winemakers on November 26, and enjoy the latest vintages that they’ve worked so hard to create,” says Association President Wes Vine.
“There is a broad range of varietals to try, including sparkling and blended styles, new Italian varieties, and course our region’s bold shiraz and cabernet blends”.
“We are also very excited to showcase some new food vendors as well as old favourites who we’re excited to have come on board.”
Bendigo Winegrowers Spring Wine Fiesta will now be held on Saturday 26 November at Bendigo’s Gardens for the Future in White Hills.
Tickets are $65 each or $35 for a designated driver ticket, with free entry for under 18’s, tickets can be pre purchased online at here to fast track gate entry, or on the day at the gate.
Blues legend Eric Bibb on the importance of historical truths and continuing the civil rights movement
One was meeting Bob Dylan at the age of 11 and the second was witnessing his father stand beside Martin Luther King Jr. at the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.
“My dad had one of those showbiz parties where he invited a lot of his contemporaries and friends to our big house in the suburbs in Queens,” relates Bibb, who has won multiple Blues Music Awards.
“On a snowy December night, after everybody thought he wouldn’t show up because it was late – Bob Dylan showed up and I came downstairs in my bathrobe and pyjamas and went straight to him and said: ‘hi, I’m Eric – I play guitar too and I like your music’. He told me: ‘keep it simple – forget all the fancy stuff’. His credo was the Woodie Guthrie kind of way – he wanted to keep it real and simple.”
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Bibb grew up surrounded by an inspiring collection of musicians and artists. His father Leon Bibb was a prominent folk singer, musical theatre performer and host of NBC talent show Someone New, which included a brilliant house band – featuring Miles Davis’ bassist Ron Carter – that Bibbs also played in as a 16-year-old. Bibb’s uncle was jazz pianist and composer John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet; his godfather was Paul Robeson and Pete Seeger was a family friend.
As Bibb’s parents were active in the Civil Rights Movement, the experience of growing up during that time makes him an important observer of the civil rights movements of today. In his home, there is a framed photo of his father standing on the podium in Selma alongside Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez.
“That involvement in the civil rights movement from the late 50s and 60s that I experienced in my formative years was something so central,” says Bibb. “My dad knew Martin Luther King Jr. and stood beside him in Selma on the podium with other performers Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez, so it was pretty heavy for me to realise I was somehow connected to something that was the centre of what was going on in the country at that time.
“The songs from that era, which were often sacred folk songs that got turned into political rallying cries, were also a big part of my daily life. That really impacted me in a powerful way, which is why at the age of 71, I’m still carrying on the ideology that fuelled that movement. The movement contained a kind of idealism and the hope for a new world that I feel is necessary.”
The moving song ‘Emmett’s Ghost’ was inspired by the true story of a 14-year-old African American boy from Chicago who was visiting relatives in Mississippi in the summer of 1955. Young Emmett was brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with Carolyn Bryant – a young white woman who owned the local grocery store. On March 29 of this year, President Joe Biden signed into law the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which makes lynching a federal hate crime.
“I’m adding my voice to what I consider is a vital conversation,” Bibb muses. “If we don’t face these uncomfortable subjects and really come to some deeper awareness of why we are where we’re at society-wise and unless we talk about tribalism and all the things that divide us and make us take sides and create conflict, we are going to irretrievably lose the gift of being able to survive and flourish on earth. At the end of the day it’s only that energy that I feel is going to unite people and help to get past these very glaring problems that make something like January 6 happen or the George Floyd murder.
“I think it’s important to understand how we got to where we are. And that’s why I love writing songs that have a true historical narrative like ‘Emmett’s Ghost’. Unfortunately, there are movements to delete from the historical record true stories that will really let you know why we are where we’re at and if you delete these from the historical record, if you tell children ‘oh, you don’t need to know this because this is too uncomfortable’, they’re not going to have an understanding of what they’re experiencing in the present.
“So as a way of countering that movement to censor the historical record, I love to write historical songs. When Barack Obama was elected President twice, people started saying things like post-racial America and I was alarmed because I was thinking ‘really? It’s not that simple’. I’m glad a whole wave of new young people and not just African-Americans are really concerned with all these issues and willing to take a stand and speak out.”
The Sweden-based singer-songwriter believes that these issues extend to various countries and wants Sweden to be more empathetic towards immigrants. The life story of the bluesman is an awe-inspiring tale that was translated into a theatre show named ‘Tales From A Blues Brother’. While teaching music in a Stockholm school in the 1990s, Bibbs created a children’s choir comprised of numerous ethnicities that performed for Nelson Mandela in the Swedish Parliament.
The album title of Bibb’s forthcoming album Ridin’ was inspired by an evocative painting called ‘A Ride for Liberty’ (1862), which depicts an African American family fleeing slavery on horseback. The album title also comes from a song that he wrote about riding on the freedom train and a continuation of the civil rights thread from his previous album, Dear America.
Featuring jazz guitarist Russell Malone on two tracks and blues legend Taj Mahal as a special guest on one, Ridin’ explores historical truths and our humanity. Bibb hopes to have the album available on CD and vinyl during his Australian tour with a global release shortly afterwards.
“The material is really the second chapter of this Dear America tale,” says Bibb. “I talk about an event that happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 100 years ago, which still reverberates. There are also some love songs. It’s an album I can’t wait to share. It’s one of the grooviest albums I’ve ever produced with the wonderful producer Glenn Scott. He’s a fabulous musician, engineer and producer. What I love about this album is for all the seriousness of some of the songs, it’s really a toe-tapper. You can really move to this record. It’s the most dance-oriented … it’s not a dance record by any means, but it’s really groovy.
“I’m anchored in the music called the blues. It’s not the only music that influences me by a long shot, but I’ve been able to make a name for myself on blues stages, particularly the acoustic blues world. I’m so happy for that – I’m basically a singer-songwriter bluesy troubadour with some stories to tell.”
Eric Bibb will perform at Northern Republic in Euroa (solo) on February 3, Meeniyan Town Hall (with band) on March 4, as special guest at the Melbourne Guitar Show on March 4, Caravan Club at Archies Creek Hotel in Gippsland (with band) on March 5, Queenscliff Town Hall (solo) on March 10, Port Fairy Folk Festival on March 11, Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts Centre (with band) on March 16, and Capital Theatre in Bendigo (with band) on March 17.
Eric Bibb will also perform at Thornbury Theatre (with band + Lloyd Spiegel as support) on March 3 and Memo Music Hall in St Kilda (with band + Lloyd Spiegel as support) on March 9.
For tickets and information, visit Eric Bibb – Ridin’ Tour 2023 Australia | Eric Bibb – Official website
Katie Noonan is bringing Joni Mitchell’s landmark album ‘Blue’ to Geelong in 2023
If you grew up in Geelong, you’ve heard of the Palais. Just up the hill from the stadium, this heart and soul of Geelong culture has been a world-class dance hall, a cinema, a bingo centre, and a music venue for iconic Australian artists such as INXS, Cold Chisel and John Farnham.
Now, Palais Geelong welcomes audiences from Geelong, Surf Coast, Bellarine and beyond to experience once again the best that the Australian and international music scene has to offer.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
2022 saw sensational sell-out shows from classic rock legends Goanna, country royalty Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole, the best of world music from Sudan’s “King of Music” Gordon Koang, and Australia’s most popular independent artist Lior. Palais Geelong smashes the beginning of its 2023 calendar out of the park with an intimate performance by one of the greatest Australian singers of all time, Katie Noonan.
Over the past 20 years, five-time ARIA award-winning artist Katie Noonan has proven herself one of Australia’s most hardworking, versatile and prolific artists. Accompanied by guitar virtuoso Ben Hauptmann, Katie will be presenting Joni Mitchell’s Blue this January.
“Blue is an album that unequivocally changed my life. From a compositional, lyrical and vocal performance point of view it has inspired me deeply,” says Katie Noonan.
“I love that the album was gifted to me from another female artist, and it is an album I regularly recommend to up-and-coming female artists also. Joni’s artistry and music genius is unparalleled, and I absolutely love singing her songs,” says Katie Noonan.
Sure to please not only Joni Mitchell fans but lovers of music and poetry alike, this concert will be a spine-tingling evening you won’t want to miss. Watch this space – Palais Geelong is back, bigger and brighter than ever!
See Katie Noonan at The Palais Geelong on Saturday, January 7 2023. Purchase tickets here.
‘We’ve had lots of wild sh*t happen’: Peking Duk launch their very own podcast sharing wild stories and artist faves
ARIA Award-winning Aussie music powerhouse Peking Duk are taking their remarkable stories and artist faves to the LiSTNR studio as the duo launches their very own podcast, Peking Duk Podcast today, Friday November 4.
The podcast, which is the first of its kind for an Australian music band, will see the duo of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles talk through their and their guests’ hits and misses, the greatest successes and most embarrassing fails plus a whole lot more.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Joined by some of their favourite musicians, artists and creatives, the podcast comes with original music overlays and immersive sound effects where the boys and their guests recount crazy career moments.
Listeners can expect The Duk to chat with some of their best mates in the music and media industry including The Inspired Unemployed, The Kooks, Brooke Boney, Tony Armstrong, Flex Mami, Alex Dyson, Jack River, Muselk, Alex Lahey and more.
Peking Duk are one of Australia’s most successful music acts and since their start in 2010 the Canberra born duo continue to rise through the charts. With triple platinum certification for some of their biggest hits, the duo have won several industry awards from the ARIA Awards, AIR Awards, APRA Awards, National Live Music Awards and received nominations for the MTV Europe Music Awards.
“From playing at cocktail bars in Canberra to playing Coachella, we’ve had lots of wild sh*t happen. We love sharing stories. We also love banter and conversations. We are recording it all and conning all our fave mates like The Inspired Unemployed and Brooke Boney to join in!” said Adam and Reuben.
Head of Entertainment & Culture – LiSTNR Original Podcasts, Sam Cavanagh, said: “In my 20 years producing radio and podcasts, I booked Peking Duk as guests any chance I got! Adam and Rueben always delivered the best stories and hilarious banter. So, when the opportunity came up to create a podcast with them, it was an easy ‘YES!’”
In addition to the two new episodes released today, Peking Duk has also released their festival-ready single ‘Spend It’ ft. Circa Waves. This track follows the ARIA Award-winning duo’s club-banger ‘Honest’ ft. US Hyperpop singer Slayyyter and follows a string of live shows, most recently headlining Grapevine Gathering across regional Australia.
Listen to ‘Spend It’ ft. Circa Waves now and catch the Peking Duk Podcast on LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hayden Quinn joins the new two-day Sip and Savour Festival lineup
The countdown is on until a summer of festivals and famed food adventurer Hayden Quinn is set to journey to Albury for a new two-day festival, Sip and Savour, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 February 2023.
With a host of TV credits to his name including Taste of Australia, Family Food Fight, Surfing the Menu – Next Generation and, of course, MasterChef Australia, Hayden will bring his infectious passion and inspiration to the festival, which is all about celebrating the very best of regional food, wine, beer, spirits and culture.
Across two days, Quinn will deliver masterclasses and demonstrations showcasing the very best of Albury/Wodonga produce.
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
Josh Pyke, Kate Miller-Heidke lead new two-day Sip and Savour Festival
Hayden says, “As a lover of everything regional Australia has to offer, Sip and Savour really called to me. Food and drink always tastes best close to the source. I can’t wait to celebrate and share what the mighty Murray region has to offer.”
Supported by Bridge Road Brewers, Albury City Tourism and Destination NSW, the multi-sensory event will feature major musical talents Kate Miller-Heidke, Josh Pyke, Lisa Mitchell and Telenova.
The curated selection of wine, spirits, beer and food purveyors from the Albury, Wodonga, Murray and surrounding areas will offer complimentary tastings for the first few hours of each day, along with a menu of local delights available to enjoy on-site or to take home. Highlight producers include Bridge Road Brewers, Bright Brewery, Brown Brothers, Michelini Wines, Billsons Brewery and Distillery, and Black Barrel Barbeque.
Presented by the food and beverage event specialists behind BeerFest Australia and Great Australian Beer Festival, this experienced team knows what it takes to host a memorable event that people will cross state lines to attend. Festival co-founder James Harding says, “After a tumultuous few years in tourism and events, we are so excited to be launching Sip and Savour and bringing these brilliant Aussie acts to Albury alongside a bunch of talented regional producers and creators.”
Tickets are on sale now from sipandsavour.com.au. Further program details to be released.
Beloved Izakaya and bar Tomodachi opens impressive new venue on the Geelong waterfront
Over the last couple of years, Tomodachi Izakaya has been teaching Geelong about the Izakaya style of dining with a warm environment with their cosy little space on Little Malop St. Known as a style that revolves around eating, drinking and sharing in a casual environment with good people, this little hot spot is a favourite when it comes to immersing yourself in Japanese cuisine.
Now, the beloved business has expanded its offerings further into the Geelong community with a brand-new reimagined venue on Geelong’s iconic waterfront.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
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Titled ‘Tomodachi 2.0’, the small local business has taken over the bustling space at Shop 3, 6-8 Eastern Beach Road in Geelong, in one half of where Town and Country used to be.
The result is a bright and beautiful intimate modern space, gifting locals and tourists alike an exciting new dining destination. Inside, the venue features a combination of bar seating, restaurant seating and window seating for those who prefer to people watch while nursing their ramen. The fit out is minimal but beautiful with blond timber, black accents and slim pendant lighting, with polished floors, a stacked bar and hidden kitchen, perfect for those who want to settle in and stay awhile.
If you prefer to sit outside and bask in the beauty of the waterfront, the venue offers family-size picnic bench seating, ideal for ordering lots of food and whiling away the afternoon.
As for the menu, diners can expect a similar menu to the Little Malop Street venue, where owner Michael Bong has created a place that focuses on the charcoal grill and the skewered mates that come off it. Here you’ll find succulent meats like pork belly, beef, chicken; to fresh seafood and sashimi; plus, plenty of vegetarian options too. Aside from the grill, you’ll also find all the classic Japanese options available, like mouth-watering takoyaki, tempura, karaage, unagi, and okonomiyaki, as well as octopus pancake balls and salt and pepper squid.
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A number of more unique dishes are on offer to try as well, such as renkon chips (made from sliced lotus root), kani korokke, and chicken curry udon, alongside a tonne of dessert options.
Alongside all the Tomodachi favourite, you can also expect to find some exciting new additions like fresh king Yuzu oysters, salmon carpaccio, bento, and more.
A tribute to the corner bars of Tokyo and centres around sharing, owner Michael Bong has created a place that focuses on the charcoal grill and the skewered mates that come off it. Here you’ll find succulent meats like pork belly, beef, chicken; to fresh seafood and sashimi; plus, plenty of vegetarian options too.
Having promised to bring something entirely unique to their loyal followers, Tomodachi 2.0 certainly does just that, now serving brunch alongside its regular Izakaya Bar offering. Available from 9:30am to 2pm (perfect for those that like a sleep in), the brunch menu include Katsu Egg Sandwich, Mashed Avocado Mushroom Toast, a Kani Korokke Salad (creamy crab mashed potato korokke, poached egg, coleslaw, tomato and onion), and our pick, the chilli prawn scrambled egg toast. Of course, they also offer coffee, tea and cold press fresh juice to wash it all down.
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You’ll also find a perfectly curated cocktail menu, and a slew of sake, beer, and wine that befits all the best, boozy backstreet izakaya joints in Japan.
Tomodachi 2.0 is located at Shop 3, 6-8 Eastern Beach Road in Geelong. It’s original venue remains at 85A Little Malop Street. Keep up with the latest here.
Norway’s experiential dining phenomenon Oche is coming to Victoria this November
Globally recognised immersive culinary experience, Oche (oc-key), is set to revolutionise the face of Melbourne dining and gameplay when it opens its doors Friday, November 18.
Housed in the CBD’s iconic former Michael’s Building, Oche offers an unparalleled electronic darts experience alongside superlative cuisine and signature cocktails. Having debuted in Oslo in 2018, the unique eatery has taken the globe by storm, with venues in Amsterdam, Brisbane, Göteborg, London’s The Strand and now, the culture capital of Australia: Melbourne.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
Step into Oche and experience 22 state-of-the-art, semi-private dart booths, each manned by a dedicated host. Each Oche can house up to 12 players, and every game features real dart boards, steel tip darts, and cutting-edge technology that keeps score for you (read: novices welcome!).
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Designed by Executive Chef Anthony Charman, Oche’s elevated culinary offering caters for fine-dining enthusiasts and requires no cutlery at all, meaning guests can sample morsels in one hand while holding a dart in the other.
The innovative menu is crafted using local produce and features soon-to-be-favourites like Cloche Smoked Salmon Cones with Gin-Cured Salmon, Kohlrabi and Liquorice Remoulade, with Pomegranate Pearls; Crispy Fried Kataifi Duck with Goats Cheese, Sautéed Asparagus and Blueberry Jus; a dizzying array of inventive pizzas; and – because there’s always room for dessert – Creamy Vanilla and Raspberry Swirl Parfait with a Dark Chocolate Drizzle.
Oche’s modern menu is matched only by its conceptual drinks list, curated by Veteran ‘World Bartender of the Year’ mixologist, Adam MacDonald. Like everything at Oche, the cocktail selection is unforgettable. Meet the Thin Red Line, a MacDonald-pioneered bourbon cocktail with a red wine float that doubles as an in-built palate cleanser. Boldly clashing the old with the new, MacDonald takes the Pornstar Martini back to its roots by serving the prosecco shot separately, as it was once intended.
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Spread across two floors, the stunning heritage-listed venue boasts luxe touches like Tasmanian Oak wood furnishings, stone tabletops, brushed brass fittings, lush greenery, high ceilings and emerald green accents. For the perfect shareable moment, Oche’s “O” swing is custom-built to be selfie-friendly.
Oche has landed on Australian shores thanks to DASK Entertainment Group, the leaders in social gaming innovation. DASK Co-Founder and Oche Australia Managing Director, Dafydd Evans, is thrilled that the culture-reviving Oche is meeting its soulmate in Melbourne, the culture hub of Australia.
“At DASK, we’re invested in delivering exceptional experiences that truly bring people together. Oche’s immersive, tech-driven modern darts is the magic ingredient for your best night out in years,” said Evans.
Hit the bullseye and book your booth at Oche here.
Tracks Festival is the new open-air music festival hitting Victoria’s south west this summer
Victorians have a new festival to look forward to in early 2023, as new event Tracks Festival has announced its first-ever run in Warrnambool this summer.
The one-day event is set to delight music fans as it transforms Warrnambool Train Station into an immersive open-air dance music event, featuring both live bands and DJs to have punters (18+ only) dancing well into the night.
The best bits
- A new festival is coming to Warrnambool this summer
- Tracks Festival is set for January featuring local and international acts
- The festival has been created by the organiser behind the popular Warrnambool Laneway Bar
Keep up with the latest festival news via our website.
Slated for January 14 2023, Tracks Festival is courtesy of organiser Patrick O’Brien, the brains behind the Food Truck Festival and the popular Warrnambool Laneway Bar, a pop-up venue that provides locals quality nights of beers, good tunes and means to celebrate with friends.
Dubbed a day and night party, Tracks 2023 will be headed up by the likes of Melbourne’s discofied house producer Francis Inferno Orchestra; Melbourne producer, bandleader and synthesist Harvey Sutherland (live); UK music producer and DJ Hidden Spheres; and South Australian DJ and electronic music producer, best known for his disco re-edits, Late Night Tuff Guy, as well as supports from Carly Davidson, Elke A, Mothafunk, Raglan DJs and Tids. Drinks will be supplied from Laneway Bar and a slew of tasty food trucks will be on site.
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O’Brien originally announced Tracks Festival back in 2021, but the event was forced to cancel just days out as the New Year’s COVID wave swept the state. But it’s take two for the festival, and things are looking good for the upcoming summer.
As reported by The Warrnambool Standard, O’Brien has been crafting the event for the better part of three years, looking to fill the gap in Warrnambool’s entertainment market, especially following the closure of iconic music venues like The Loft, Your Break, Lucy, and The Gallery, to name a few.
This is going to be a serious vibe for summer, especially with legends behind the Laneway Bar curating it.
Pre-sale tickets are on sale Wednesday, November 9 with general public tickets going on sale Thursday, November 10. Register for pre-sale here.
Tracks Festival is set to go down on January 14 2023 in Warrnambool. Keep up with the latest festival updates via socials here.
One to watch: Geelong’s Oscar Rose has exploded in 2022 with electrifying charisma and an undeniably fresh, irresistible sound
There is no denying the sincere TLC emanating out of Oscar Rose’s latest single, a pristine piece of contemporary R&B swelling with inner turmoil and ambition. Tender and groovy, ‘Flight Risk’ aches with emotionally-charged energy, polished licks, and smooth vocals that will move our feet and tug at our heartstrings in just the right way.
Released independently back in September, ‘Flight Risk’ arrives as Rose’s third offering of the year and the latest in an exhilarating string of irresistible releases that showcase his electrifying presence and singular artistry.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Building on his skills for effortlessly partnering a melting pot of suave jazz, punchy trap/RnB and new-age ballads with his effortless and ever-changing flow and lyricism, ‘Flight Risk’ finds Oscar Rose dwelling in the depths of musical and emotional possibility.
Initially coming together in a Jacob Collier-esque fashion, ‘Flight Risk’ builds on the foundation set with Rose’s debut album back in February, beginning via sampling objects in his room, and blossoming into a full-length project from there.
“‘Flight Risk’ began in a pretty unorthodox manner, I started producing this by sampling random objects around my room for percussion and atmosphere, etc. As the majority of my content is self-produced, I’ve experimented with a lot of different ways to create a song,” he explains.
“Occasionally the lyrics will come first, other times I’ll find myself creating a melody or producing the beat first. No real rhyme or reason to it.”
Sounding more self-assured than ever, Rose melds smooth R&B and velvety grooves with fierce, energetic bars that detail past missteps, future desires and the ever-present dissension within his mind:
I feel it all the time / That pushing, pulling in my head / I dance with fire and ice / I need to blur them lines / I rest from four till five / Need not justify my high
“The song depicts the plight of living with mental health issues and relating said issues to a past flame of mine, conveyed with finesse using sexy, underwater synths, smooth vocals, and silky live strings to boot,” Rose explains.
“I began writing the lyrics around the end of the last lockdown here in Victoria. Mans was dealing with some stuff (like a lot of other people throughout the pandemic), and I was facing the demise of a relationship that meant a lot to me.
“I created ‘Flight Risk’ to speak on the way that I was feeling at the time, in hope that it would find its way to listeners that could relate.”
With his skills for songwriting and production placed front and centre (being written, produced and mixed at his own hands), Oscar Rose taps into a hearty sweet spot that helps ‘Flight Risk’ soar. With lush mid-tempo production, swirling synths and smooth, honeyed vocals, the personally-driven track is just slow enough to feel brooding and just quick enough to inspire: bringing themes of mental health to the fore. In essence, ‘Flight Risk’ is a body-moving and intriguing assertion of self-awareness. It’s all about Rose owning his internal battle, and taking it in his stride.
Born and bred in Geelong, Rose has been actively pursuing music for years now, performing with Geelong’s prestigious and beloved Piano Bar Group (check out the bar on weekend for a taste of his roots) – but it’s through his latest incarnation as Oscar Rose, that the musician has found himself on the precipice of something special, unequivocal, and unique to himself.
With his infectious personality and skill for confessional songwriting, Rose’s art transcends genre, blending worlds of sound to create a distinctive palette where Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Trap, Alternative Pop and more coalesce to vivid effect.
“I love the lack of boundaries. With music, you’re free to create whatever your mind desires, there are literally limitless sounds to be created.”
Affirming the artist’s continued rise in 2022, ‘Flight Risk’ comes off the back of his debut album ‘Saigon, Signing Off’, released in February this year. Full of genre-bending, sonic surprises, thoughtful lyricism and melancholy narratives, the debut truly showed us the deepest depths of his mind and creativity, offering a futuristic record with virtually flawless production that lingers on the mind long after the final track.
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‘Flight Risk’ also follows ‘Moonlight Tan’, a beautiful addition to Rose’s discography that sees him returning to his piano roots, created from over 100 hours of in-studio time – recording, engineering and mixing.
“‘Moonlight Tan’ is a track dedicated to a part-time lover and an absence of stress. Featuring a variety of talented musicians (including a string quartet from the MSO), it was such a mental feeling to watch this come together.
“I wrote the chords, string parts and lyrics myself but I couldn’t have produced this without the musical mastery of Jaron Jay – a very prominent Geelong musician who took this project under his wing. I highly encourage any fans of funky, vibrant music to check him out on Spotify.”
Tender, stirring, and stunningly soulful, ‘Moonlight Tan’ is just another example of Rose’s versatile skill for creating enchanting dreamy, smouldering serenades that light a fire deep inside.
His approach to music is innovative and certainly commendable. He refuses to be hemmed in by the limits of genre and sets a high bar musically and lyrically, and as a consequence manages to craft detailed and unique soundscapes, cementing his position as one of the most important musicians today.
“I never know what type of music imma create next. I like to keep my audience on their toes. However, I can promise that I’ll always continue to work with live instruments and quality musicians, as I reckon there are certain characteristics of analogue instruments that will never be replicated by synths and plugins.”
‘Flight Risk’ is personal and heavy, but it’s also a well-produced, RnB-infused slow jam that will evoke a sway out of even the least rhythmically inclined, and is just a mere taste of what else he has for us in the next couple of months.
“I’ve got some prime rib currently char-grillin, ready to serve up to the masses in November. The next release will be a self-produced, dual-sided single. Experimental RnB is the closest genre I can nail the project down to. Super unique, very catchy and vibey – hopefully y’all will get around it when it drops. Will have some other music dropping via SoundCloud before the end of the year, too.
“With a bit of luck, I will have closed out my first year of releasing music with 20 official self-produced releases.”
Oscar Rose has exploded in 2022 with electrifying charisma and an undeniably fresh, irresistible sound, going on to perform live almost every weekend and collaborate with like-minded artists in the Geelong music scene. Consistently slick in all areas of his aesthetic, his new music affirms his status as an artist-to-watch, and with that many high-quality self-produced releases already to his name, we cannot wait to see what comes next.
‘Looking Across The Bay’: The free new exhibition coming to Geelong celebrating the Goanna archives
Forty years on, and with their messages of positive engagement in Indigenous rights and environmental protection more relevant than ever, Australia’s most iconic band Goanna will bring their extensive national tour home to Geelong on Friday 18 November.
To coincide with the event, Goanna have dived deep into their incredible archives drawing out posters, memorabilia and nostalgic artefacts for Looking Across the Bay, a nostalgic exhibition to be held at THE PROJECT SPACE at Deakin Waterfront Campus.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
‘It’s our heartland’: Goanna on coming home to Geelong to celebrate 40 Years of Spirit Of Place
On display from 14 to 20 November 2022, Looking Across the Bay will celebrate 40 years of Goanna’s game-changing 1982 debut album, Spirit of Place, sparking memories, stories and moments led by Goanna and their songs of social protest.
In 1982, Goanna helped forge a new Australian identity with Solid Rock lighting a fire for the rights of Aboriginal people. This was the first commercial song to use a didgeridoo and its powerful lyrics denounced the injustice Aboriginal Australia had endured. Let The Franklin Flow was a call to arms for the emerging environmental movement, becoming an anthem which is just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.
Goanna singer-songwriter and guitarist, Shane Howard, has preserved hand-drawn posters, designs, original prints and pressings and photographs which will be shown in this exhibition.
“Be prepared to go down memory lane with this collection,” said Shane.
“From our first hand-painted poster design, to album cover art and some classic pub posters, we’ve kept it all. It’s been a fascinating journey to go through our archives and relive this artwork, some of which I haven’t seen for 40 years!”
Original Artwork: Neil Curti
Looking Across the Bay is a free exhibition on display from 14 – 20 November 2022 at THE PROJECT SPACE Deakin Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria.
Goanna celebrate 40 years of Spirit of Place at Costa Hall, Geelong, Friday 18 November featuring special guests Luke Biscan and Mick Ryan. Tickets to witness their tour and homecoming can be purchased here.
Beck joins the Bluesfest 2023 lineup
Musical genius Beck is set to grace the stage for the first time next year at Bluesfest 2023, making him the 50th artist to be announced for the festival, held over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay.
Beck will play an intimate and unique acoustic show, which has earned rave reviews from key publications around the world.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Since Beck emerged as a reluctant generational spokesperson when “Loser” exploded from a rejected 1992 demo into a ubiquitous 1994 smash, his career has explored all genres and eras of music, blurred boundaries and blazed a path into the future while foraging through the past.
“We are hugely excited to be presenting BECK, making his Bluesfest debut with a unique acoustic performance,” says Bluesfest director Peter Noble OAM.
“We have already announced 49 artists for our 34th Bluesfest, and BECK makes it 50! His acoustic set will certainly provide an avant-garde element to our already amazing lineup.
“For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is free and unencumbered to showcase the finest genres of music from all over the globe, and BECK is the true personification of this.”
Beck join a massive 49 acts already announced for the 2023 lineup, including the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, GZA, Lucinda Williams, Counting Crows, The Doobie Brothers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Gang of Youths, Marcus King, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Joe Bonamassa and more.
Since last year, Bluesfest has invested over $500k upgrading and waterproofing the Bluesfest site, with upgrades to the VIP area to raise the experience to new heights.
Ticket pricing for general admin have been kept at the same price as the 2022 run of the event for the time being.
“A five-day season ticket at Bluesfest can be a life changing experience, and with our site improvements, stunning line up and improved food and beverage suppliers, five days is the way to go.”
Bluesfest will take place over 5 days from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th April 2023 at the Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah, NSW. All 5-Day Season tickets, including festival entry, camping & add-ons, parking and VIP are on sale now via the Bluesfest website.
Nashville Honky-Tonk legend Joshua Hedley is heading to Australia this month
The much-beloved Joshua Hedley is heading to Australia for a series of shows in November this year. He’ll be supported by Emily Nenni on her debut Australian tour.
Joshua Hedley Australia 2023 Tour
- November 23 – Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
- November 24 – Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
- November 25 – Hotel Westwood, Melbourne
- November 27 – Archie’s Creek Hotel
- November 29 – Eltham Hotel
- November 30 – The Zoo, Brisbane
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
It only seems like yesterday that Joshua Hedley, in Australia playing fiddle for Justin Townes Earle, was dragged to the mic on the main stage at the first ever Out On The Weekend Festival in Melbourne. Everyone involved in Justin’s band had told promoter BT of Love Police what an incredible singer Joshua was, and BT wanted to hear it for himself.
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The next year, 2016, Joshua was back in Australia on his first solo tour anywhere ever. A deal with Jack White’s Third Man Records was just around the corner, followed by his brilliant debut, Mr Jukebox.
Joshua Hedley’s touring partner Emily Nenni also knows Robert’s Western World well, having spent years sharpening her chops there and at the smoky double wide trailer Santa’s Pub. And like Joshua, Emily has a unique approach.
“What I love about country is the songs can be very honest and vulnerable, yet they’re beautiful enough to make you cry,” Nenni notes. “My music is sweet and sad, but I don’t take myself too seriously. It’s old school honky-tonk with a slightly different flavour.”
Tickets are on sale now. More info here.
Soccer Mommy returns to Australia in February 2023
After first touring Australia in 2019 with headline shows and travelling the country as part of the Falls Festival lineup, Soccer Mommy – one of the most gifted songwriters making rock music right now – has announced a return to Australia.
Having toured alongside the likes of Paramore, Vampire Weekend, Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers and more, Sophie Allison (a.k.a. Soccer Mommy) will perform for fans in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in February 2023. While in the country, Sophie will also perform for West Coast fans as part of the recently announced Perth Festival line-up.
Soccer Mommy Australian Tour
Friday 17 February
The Triffid | Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 18 February
The Croxton Bandroom | Melbourne, VIC
Tuesday 21 February
The Factory Theatre | Sydney, NSW
Wednesday 22 February
Fat Controller | Adelaide, SA
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“So excited to be returning to Australia! It’s been a while, but we’ve got lots of new songs to play for you guys. See u soon!” says Soccer Mommy
In the four years since Soccer Mommy last toured Australia, she continued to create emotionally generous music, culminating in her most sophisticated songwriting to date on two new studio albums: color theory (2020) and Sometimes, Forever (2022). She also last week debuted a special Halloween take on her song ‘Darkness Forever (Sophie’s Version)’.
Released in June 2022, Sometimes, Forever – produced by Daniel Lopatin/Oneohtrix Point Never [The Weeknd, FKA Twigs, Charli XCX] – topped the US Heatseekers Albums Chart and peaked at #7 on the Australia Hitseekers Albums Chart (ARIA). Packed with clever nods to synth-filled subgenres like new wave and goth, the ultra-catchy love song ‘Shotgun’ rubs up against much gloomier fare, like the Sylvia Plath-referencing ‘Darkness Forever’. The weightless ‘newdemo’ spins delicately layered harmonies and mystical synths into an end-of-the-world reverie; the impending apocalypse has never sounded so jaw-droppingly beautiful.
The album color theory also took out the #1 spot on the US Heatseekers Albums Chart, featuring acclaimed singles ‘bloodstream’, ‘circle the drain’ and ‘yellow is the color of her eyes’. The LP served as a bigger-sounding follow up to her 2018 breakthrough record Clean, continuing to win her fans far outside of the lo-fi bedroom pop scene she cut her teeth playing in.
Frontier Member pre-sale from Monday 7 November (12noon local time) with general public sale from Wednesday 9 November (12noon local time). Find out more here.
Loch Hart Music Festival: The BYO camping festival is back on the Great Ocean Road this 18-20 November
Created as an opportunity to showcase local up-and-coming Australian talent and the very aesthetically pleasing Great Ocean Road (and all its treasures), launching with just 500 guests back in 2018, Loch Hart Music Festival has quickly become one of Victoria’s best boutique festivals over the last couple of years. Creating a festival with all the elements that punters desire and a unique ability to build a community over three days, the festival has continuously managed to find the perfect blend of acts to please a large crowd while maintaining an intimate, grassroots feel.
Having delivered a magical first edition in two years back in January with 1500 of the best people in the world, the beloved festival is grasping 2022 with two hands and hosting its fourth iteration (and second festival of the year) with three utterly magical days of music, arts, comedy and more this November.
The best bits
- Regional Victoria’s favourite boutique camping festival Loch Hart Music Festival returns this November.
- Harvey Sutherland, Peter Bibby, Kylie Auldist, Gordon Koang and Party Dozen lead the lineup
- The grassroots BYO event will also feature comedy, glamping, morning yoga sessions, giant games and an outdoor cinema
- Tickets are on sale now here.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Taking place from Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20, the grassroots BYO event will be bringing more than 20 world-class acts over one November weekend to one stage in a natural amphitheatre at Kangaroobie Camp, situated a stone’s throw from The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road.
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Heading up the music lineup for the November edition is producer, bandleader and synthesist Harvey Sutherland who will turn the farm into a pulsating dancefloor, noted Australian treasure Peter Bibby, Australia’s queen of soul Kylie Auldist, South Sudanese legend Gordon Koang and Party Dozen, a sonic partnering of saxophonist Kirsty Tickle and percussionist Jonathan Boulet.
The rest of the lineup is just as impressive, featuring a diverse crop of artists including the local supergroup Galah; Jarrah Ma – the solo project of Sandy Dish’s guitarist; Lightbulb (aka Mikey Cahill); DJ extraordinaire La Porgretta; Melbourne’s ageless boy wonder Milo Eastwood; Fashion icons meet pop sensations WIIGZ; half country, half folk, full-time storyteller Watty Thompson with a 10-piece band; neo-soul, alternative-pop and jazz-rock music project Velvet Bloom; Melbourne-based disco jazz collective Squid Nebula; singer-songwriter Harmony Byrne; and DJ and live choir Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir.
There’s also the enchanting Roy Blues; Melbourne folk musician Leah Senior; UFO of the Australian scene Alien Nosejob; two-piece electronic act Digital Afrika; Melbourne electric collective Empress; garage punk rock duo Good Sniff; Melbourne locals Hobsons Bay Coast Guard; and Nurse Punk Band Wurst Nurse.
Alongside the music, Loch Hart also promises three days of region-first focused entertainment this November, with the likes of Aaron Gocs, Blake Freeman, Emma Holland, Sonia Di Iorio and Tim Hewitt leading the comedy lineup. Plus morning yoga sessions, giant games and an outdoor cinema to keep everyone entertained while local food trucks, market stalls and an on-site bar will be there so punters can pick up some gourmet eats or buy some fresh festival attire between trips to the bar and festival stage.
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In an exciting addition to the festival, following the success of the January festival, Loch Hart is also now a family friendly event, giving the future generations something to reminisce about for years to come! Children aged 12 and under are free while children aged 13-17 must have their own ticket. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and have a signed Guardian Consent Form to experience the sheer bliss, joy and wonder of this intimate gathering.
Championing an escape to one of the most beautiful and diverse areas in the country, the festival offers free camping as part of its ticket pricing, with punters setting up tents, swags or caravans on a spectacular hilltop camping area boasting 180 degrees oceans views. For those camping with children, there’s a family camping area to set yourself up in for the weekend. If glamping is more your vibe, Loch Hart has you covered with premium bell tent options, starting at just over $50 per person a night, which is an absolute steal if you’re a festival newbie or you don’t own your own camping equipment. A little luxury never hurts when it comes to a multi-day music fest either though.
As if we needed more reason to adore this local festival, sustainability is also at its core. Building on from previous years, all the food and drink offerings will be served in reusable cups, plates and bowls with the utensils to match. Replacing single-use plastic, while the BYO policy (no glass) means people could pull up an esky and enjoy incredible homegrown Australian acts without queuing hours for overpriced drinks and food. The BYO policy also extends to couches along with your beers so you can lounge around the amphitheatre in the sunny afternoons. Just remember to take it home with you when you leave.
Loch Hart Music Festival 2022: Creating magic to be bottled and taken back out into the world
With three days of body-moving music, in addition to comedy, free camping, BYO, food trucks, ocean views, yoga, cinema, arts, giant games and more in the laid-back surrounds of Loch Hart Music Festival 2022, you’d be mad to miss it.
Loch it in music lovers.
Loch Hart Music Festival Lineup 2022
Alien Nosejob
Digital Afrika
Empress
Galah
Good Sniff
Gordon Koang
Harmony Byrne
Harvey Sutherland
Hobsons Bay Coast Guard
Jarrah Ma
Joey Lightbulb
Kylie Auldist
La Porgretta
Leah Senior
Milo Eastwood
Party Dozen
Peter Bibby
Roy Blues
Squid Nebula
Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir
Velvet Bloom
Watty Thompson
WIIG
Wurst Nurse.
Aaron Gocs
Blake Freeman
Emma Holland
Sonia Di Iorio
Tim Hewitt
Loch Hart Music Festival returns from 18-20 November 2022 at Great Ocean Road, Princetown, Kirrae Whurrong Country. Final tickets are on sale now.