Live In The Vines is coming to the Yarra Valley in 2023 with a lineup of Aussie favourites

From the festival organisers at By The C Festival, Live In The Vines will take over the vineyards at Rochford Estate in February next year, a few days after the Torquay iteration.

It will showcase some of the best Aussie favourites featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Wolfmother, Noiseworks, Baby Animals & Thirsty Merc for what will be Live In The Vines’ first ever east coast shows, promising a spectacular day out among lush vineyards, rolling lawns, and world-class wines at Rochford Estate.

This sunny festival event is the perfect place to kick back or dance the day & night away as it delivers hand-picked legends of Aussie music with era-defining and iconic tracks.

The best bits

Live In The Vines 2023 Festival
Saturday 11 February, 2023
Rochford Estate, Yarra Valley

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Barnes has 19 #1 Australian albums, more than The Beatles, and he has sold more records in Australia than any other local artist.

“We’re only doing a handful of shows this summer, so we intend to make each and every one of them count. They’re a full-tilt line-up of great rock bands and I can’t wait to get back out there,” Jimmy Barnes says of the festival.

The Living End are an Australian punk rock institution formed in 1994. Since 2002 the line-up consists of Chris Cheney, Scott Owen and Andy Strachan. The band rose to fame in 1997 after the release of their double A-sided single, ‘Second Solution’ / ‘Prisoner of Society’.

Noiseworks, Baby Animals and Thirsty Merc – the only difference to Torquay’s iteration featuring Dallas Crane – round out the lineup.

Tickets on sale Saturday 22 October at 10.00am AEDT, grab them here.

Traditional Santa photos return to the Geelong CBD this November

With the iconic Floating Christmas tree on its way, Christmas in Geelong will be complete this year with the annual Santa photography returning to Westfield, restriction-free for the first time in three years.

The man himself will arrive in Australian Westfield Living Centres, including Geelong, from the 12th of November 2022, with early Santa Photography bookings now open for Westfield Plus members (all you need to do is download the app).

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Westfield Australia (@westfieldau)

Returning to the shopping centre for all your Christmassy needs, the full suite of Christmas photography options will be on offer, including Sensitive Santa and Pet Photography, and the option for customers to choose to sit with Santa or slightly apart.

“Our customers know that when the decorations go up at Westfield, the festive season is on its way. It really is the most magical time of the year at our centres. We’re delighted to welcome Santa back this Christmas and after two years with restrictions in place, Santa Photography will be restriction-free, with the option to once again sit with Santa,” says Scentre Group General Manager of Brand Activation and Community, Jacqui Waine.

“We know our customers are looking forward to celebrating Christmas at Westfield, so we’re planning unmissable festivities across our entire centre network. There will be something for everyone, including live entertainment, gift wrapping, pop-up bars, holiday workshops and more. We can’t wait to get into the holiday spirit and our expert team of Santa’s helpers are busy behind the scenes to make sure that this Christmas is better than ever.”

Sensitive Santa photography sessions are tailored to children with sensory processing challenges, ideal for families who would like to meet Santa for a photo in a relaxed and sensory-friendly environment.

Pet photography also returns, inviting customers to sit next to Santa and hold your darling furry friend to help bring some festive cheer into your life. It’s not just for dogs either – you can bring your cats, rabbits, guinea pigs… pretty much any small pet is welcome.

Santa photos will run from 12 November (may vary by centre) until 24 December 2022.

Bookings for Santa Photography are now open for Westfield Plus members and can be made online by visiting their local centre website at westfield.com.au and following the prompts. Alternatively, bookings for the general public will be open on Thursday 20 October.

By The C: Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Wolfmother and more are coming to Torquay in 2023

Courtesy of Zaccaria Concerts & Touring, By The C – the travelling music festival renowned for featuring an array of enduring Australian bands – is back this summer to deliver another season of live music in some of the most scenic locations in the country!

Taking to the Torquay Common on Saturday, February 4 2023, the coastal venue promises to deliver a picturesque backdrop for a music-drenched soiree with some of the best Aussie favourites featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Wolfmother, Noiseworks, Baby Animals and Dallas Crane.

The key takeaways

By The C is bringing an outdoor live event to Torquay in February
The festival will be headed by Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Wolfmother and more.
Tickets on sale Saturday, October 22 2022.

Keep up with the latest music tours and festival news here.

The touring festival will also visit Thomas Dalton Park in Wollongong, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart and Park Beach Reserve in Coffs Harbour, bringing slightly altered lineups to each location, with the addition of The Screaming Jets and Thirsty Merc who won’t be appearing at Torquay.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by By The C (@bythecaustralia)

The crash of a drumkit, the thunder of a bass guitar, and waves of roaring music rolling over the crowd. This is real music. This is By The C. The shows will bring a tidal wave of epic live music with the most stacked lineup yet! This beachside festival event is the perfect place to kick back or dance the day and night away with these era-defining and iconic tracks, topped up with food trucks and a pop-up bar for the ultimate beachside experience.

“We’re only doing a handful of shows this summer, so we intend to make each and every one of them count. They’re a full tilt line-up of great rock bands and I can’t wait to get back out there,” Jimmy Barnes says of the festival.

Jimmy Barnes, is the heart and soul of Australian rock and roll. He has nineteen #1 albums, more than The Beatles, and he has sold more records in Australia than any other local artist. For over 40 years he has delivered some of our most intense and iconic live performances both as a solo performer and as front man for the legendary Cold Chisel, leading him to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of fame … twice. He is truly in a league of his own.

In addition to his phenomenal music career, Jimmy has also written three #1 bestselling books, with his acclaimed memoirs Working Class Boy and Working Class Man winning back to back ABIA Awards in 2017 and 2018. Never one to slow down, Jimmy released two new titles in 2021 – a 2nd children’s book, Rosie the Rhinoceros and a cookbook with his wife Jane titled Where the River Bends. He and Jane also lifted Australian spirits throughout the Covid pandemic with their daily ‘at home’ performances attracting over 100 million views on social media.

The Living End are an Australian punk rock band formed in 1994. Since 2002 the line-up consists of Chris Cheney, Scott Owen and Andy Strachan. The band rose to fame in 1997 after the release of their double A-sided single, “Second Solution” / “Prisoner of Society”. They have released eight studio albums and have had two No. 1 debuts on the Australian Albums Aria Chart. They have also gained chart success in the United States and United Kingdom. The Living End are one of Australia’s most ferocious live acts, consistently headlining festivals around the country. Their blistering live performances have earned the band an enviable position of one of Australia’s greatest live bands.

Led by vocalist/guitarist Andrew Stockdale, Wolfmother has amassed a global fanbase, played to packed-house crowds around the world and delivered showstealing sets at star-studded festivals like Coachella, Isle of Wight, Lollapalooza, Splendour in the Grass, Rock en Seine and Fuji Rock to name a few. They have been invited to share stages with rock icons AC/DC, Guns’n’Roses and for Led Zeppelin’s induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, Wolfmother was personally invited as their guest performers.

After the colossal success of their debut record, Stockdale wrote and released another four records under the moniker of Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg, New Crown, Victorious and more recently Rock’n’Roll Baby, as well as two solo records Keep Moving and Slipstream. Stockdale has also collaborated on Slash’s first solo effort, ‘By The Sword’ and last year with Chris Cester of Jet on ‘Chase The Feeling’.

Noiseworks provided the soundtrack to every big night in the 1980’s, with rock anthems No Lies, Take Me Back, Hot Chilli Woman, Touch, and countless others. Get ready to rock as the original members reform to honour the memory of their co-founder and guitarist, the late, great, Stuart ‘Chet’ Fraser. Jon Stevens, Steve Balbi, Kevin Nicol and Justin Stanley will be joined by very special guest, Jack Jones on guitar and vocals. With the release of their new 2022 album along with all their legendary hits, Noiseworks will reignite a passion for rock n roll!

It has been 30 years since one of Australia’s most revered rock bands, Baby Animals, burst onto the scene with the release of their 8x Platinum, ARIA Award winning, self-titled debut album, featuring iconic hits ‘Rush You’, ‘Early Warning’, ‘Painless’ and ‘One Word’. The band was touring with Van Halen in the US when they heard the album had topped the charts, ‘Baby Animals’ spending six weeks at number one in Australia and keeping Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ out of top spot. The album went eight times platinum and won three ARIA Awards – Best Album, Best Debut Album and Best Debut Single. It was also declared one of the Top 25 albums of 1992 in UK rock bible Kerrang!, and Baby Animals performed ‘Painless’ on Late Night With David Letterman. They later appeared in The 100 Best Australian Albums, and Suze DeMarchi was also featured in the book Rock Chicks, The Hottest Female Rockers from the 1960s to Now.

Dallas Crane are a triple ARIA Award nominated Australian alternative rock band from Melbourne. Their self-titled third album was released on 10 July 2004, which peaked in the ARIA Albums Chart top 50. Its nominations at the ARIA Music Awards of 2004, included Best Rock Album. Its lead single, “Dirty Hearts” (June 2004), debuted in the related ARIA Singles Chart top 50. Dallas Crane’s fourth album, Factory Girls (16 September 2006), peaked in the top 30. Their highest charting single, “Sit on My Knee” – a duet with Jimmy Barnes – reached No. 14 in July 2005. In 2009 they featured as a support act for The Who on a national stadium tour. After re-grouping following a short hiatus in 2012 Dallas Crane’s began work on their 5th studio album “Scoundrels” featuring Chris Brodie on bass guitar, Dave Larkin on vocals and guitar, Steve Pinkerton on drums and Pete Satchell on guitar and vocals.

BY THE C TOUR DATES 2023

Sunday 29th January – Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong NSW

Featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Noiseworks, Baby Animals, The Screaming Jets & Thirsty Merc

Saturday, 4th February – Torquay Common, Torquay VIC

Featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Wolfmother, Noiseworks, Baby Animals & Dallas Crane

Sunday 5th February – Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart TAS

Featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Noiseworks, Baby Animals & Dallas Crane

Saturday 18th February – Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour NSW

Featuring Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Noiseworks, Baby Animals, The Screaming Jets & Thirsty Merc

Tickets on sale Saturday 22nd October at 10.00am AEDT via Ticketmaster.

Dylan Moran announces 2023 Australian Tour

Legendary Irish BAFTA and Perrier Award-winning comedian Dylan Moran is returning to Australia in 2023 with his brand new show, We Got This – his first full stand-up show since 2019’s acclaimed Dr. Cosmos.

Kicking off in Hobart on April 19, Moran will take to Launceston on April 20, Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on April 21, Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre on April 25, Canberra Theatre on April 27, Newcastle’s Civic Theatre on April 29, HOTA on the Gold Coast on May 2, Brisbane’s QPAC concert hall on May 4, Perth Concert Hall on May 8 and Sydney State Theatre on May 11 before finishing at Wollongong Town Hall on May 13.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

Moran has been called the Oscar Wilde of comedy and is renowned for his famed style – deadpan, witty and crackpot lyricism.

We Got This is Moran’s latest sideways glance at the folly of modern-day life from the Irish comedian, fuelled by the past two years that we’ve all been living. Moran is keen to get back out in front of an audience, to take the temperature of the nation, and unpack what just happened

“We are bruised. We are fucked up. We are all sore,” he says. “It’s not just the pandemic. It’s the times and how we’ve got through it.

“Everybody’s very angry at politicians and they always are. But I’m angry at us, the way we’ve decided to live or what we’ve decided to put up with.” In particular, the multi-billion dollar tech corporations – the Facebooks and the Googles of this world – will be taking the brunt of his ire.

“I have to talk about it because it’s so enmeshed in the fabric of everything, now that we’re all having this major reaction,” he says. “Look at the way we’ve been living. Effectively, we’ve been in a miked prison cell, all sort of communicating on Zoom or whatever… I can’t believe how docile and bovine whole populations are being with these tech realities that we’ve just accepted wholesale.”

Dylan Moran brings his deadpan, witty and crackpot lyricism to Geelong

Since his early days in comedy, Moran’s reputation has grown exponentially, spreading across the globe. He was even the first English-speaking comic to play St. Petersburg in Russia, with translators on hand to interpret for those who didn’t speak English. He’s since played in Estonia and Kazakhstan – “a really fascinating” experience, he adds, and one that “makes you very appreciative of having a government that functions [by] not leaning quite so heavily on fear”.

Away from stand-up, Moran’s comedy cult status has been assured for life after co-writing and starring in Black Books, the Channel 4 show that ran for three seasons between 2000 and 2004 and won him two BAFTA awards. Playing Bernard Black, the misanthropic, frequently inebriated owner of the eponymous second-hand bookstore, the show has gained a new following of late since appearing on streaming platform Netflix.

He calls it, with typical modesty, “part of the space junk orbiting the consciousness that’s out there”, though that’s not to sound dismissive. He’s deeply appreciative of the affection held for the show. “On some level, I’m pleased to have a satellite up there. But I’m really focused on what I’m doing here. And the work that’s going on right now, obviously. Listen, if anybody enjoyed anything, I’m thrilled. Always. I really am. I mean that because that’s the whole point of it.”

Moran, who counts painting and writing poetry among his many artistic disciplines, also has a book underway, which he’s had to put aside while preparing for the tour. “I mean, I just want to carry on working to be honest with you.” For the moment, though, Moran needs to concentrate on putting the finishing touches to We Got This. And that requires some energy from the crowds too. “It’s not an object that I haul there like it’s a grand piano. It’s a thing that’s made when the audience arrive as well.” Everyone, it seems, has their part to play.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 18 at 9am from here.

Vibes and Vino Festival

Set in Heathcote, which is fast becoming one of Australia’s most loved wine regions, the Vibes and Vino Festival returns at the end of this month. Known for its shiraz grape, the best of Heathcote’s vineyards will have their fermented grape juice flowing while a line-up of five independent and diverse Australian artists will provide the soundtrack to a fabulous day out.

On Saturday 29 October, Vibes and Vino kicks off at 1pm with the first chords being struck at 2pm, with opening acts Chris Cavill, Bella Deer, Gabriella Cohen, Benny Walker and then headliners Emma Donovan & The Putbacks who will begin performing at 7pm.

It’s all happening at Barrack Reserve Oval, so guests are encouraged to bring a picnic rug to really settle in and enjoy the al fresco vibes. For the vino side of things, there’ll be local winery Sanguine Estate, off-grid winery Silver Spoon Estate, and Shiraz Republic in attendance.

There’ll also be Humis Vineyard, Domaine Asmara, Wren Estate, Munari Wines and Three Dams Estate, who although best known for their award-winning Shiraz also have started making cider as well. Strictly speaking, it’s not all vino, in case that’s not your poison. For a more spirited drop, Heathcote Gin will be in attendance, as will Envy Distilling and for craft beer, Cornella Brewery have you covered.

To sample them all, Vibes and Vino provide each adult ticket with their own glass. Taking a sustainable approach, its a premium 600ml PLUMM polycarbonate glass to take around during the festival, and even take it home as a souvenir. If for some reason one goes astray, additional glasses can also be bought at the event.

While the vino is what has put Heathcote on the map – if we ignore the rich gold rush history of the region, the associated architecture and picturesque landscapes that beckon – the day is intended for families to enjoy, with face painting and lawn games to entertain the kids while adults talk grape varieties and vintages.

Of course, no music and wine festival is complete without an array of local foodies offering the best of their bites as well. Located in the heart of Central Victoria, Heathcote is only a 90 minute drive from Melbourne (or VLine coaches run from Southern Cross), Heathcote so it makes for an ideal day trip.

However if you’re wanting to make a weekend of it, there’s plenty of boutique accommodation within the area to host you, although you are best advised to book early so as not to miss out.

If you do opt to stay, you’ll also be rewarded with more live music the following day. On Sunday 30 October, renowned Australian singer-songwriter, musician and producer Ross Wilson will be bringing his innovative green and sustainable ‘Cool World’ Tour to Heathcote’s Sanguine Estate for an exclusive performance.

Known for his classics Eagle Rock, Come Said the Boy, Chemistry, Come Back Again and Cool World to name a few, the ‘Cool World’ tour show will kick off at midday and will consist of three popular Australian bands – The Badloves, King Canyon featuring Jimmy Cupples and then Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks close the show.

So grab your favourite people and head to Heathcote, to enjoy a perfect getaway weekend of music, wine and food.

Tickets for Vibes and Vino Festival are $54 each for adults and $15 for children under 16 years old, family tickets are also available. Tickets for ‘Cool World’ Tour are $85 per person. Grab them by heading here.

Karen From Finance’s Fabulously Frugal Tips on How to Live a Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

Budget and frugal are often considered ‘dirty’ words. But in this day and age, it’s smart to be sensible – without compromising on the things you love, like delicious food.

One of the biggest cost of living pressures currently facing Aussies is the weekly supermarket shop. New research from HelloFresh reveals 78 percent of Aussies want their grocery shop to be cheaper, without compromising on quality.

Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.

Australia’s favourite fabulously frugal corporate drag queen and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under S1 Finalist, Karen From Finance, is giving readers the leg up with her brilliant tips and tricks to saving, without compromising on what you love.

Get frugal with your face

If anyone knows how exxy it can be to put on your face – it’s me. But looking this fabulous doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, if you’re savvy with your beauty routine. Wear a primer so you can use less foundation, try making your own face masks, and pop any broken palettes into an empty container instead of binning them. Plus, lots of cosmetic brands offer a cheeky discount if you swap in recycled makeup packaging. A win for your wallet, and the planet!

Find those fabulous food bargains

Blowing a week’s wages on iceberg lettuce? No thank you. Stressing about whether you can swap out of stock coriander for parsley? Absolutely not. Life is for living, not for aimlessly wandering the supermarket aisles and watching your bank balance disappear. Ditch the trolley for a meal-kit service like HelloFresh, which delivers everything you need for a fabulous dinner at home. The best part is it can save you up to 24% on dinner, compared to shopping at the supermarket. You’ll eat fabulously for less, save on food waste, and have more time, money and energy for the things you love – like sipping a cosmo on the couch.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Karen From Finance (@karenfromfinance)

Go off grid with your hobbies

As the cost of living increases and bills continue to rise, make an extra effort to switch off the lights and make like our ancestors. Give the TV the flick and pick up a book. Enjoy the ambience of a candlelit night in for one. Get your green thumbs out and plant a veggie garden. Switching off the tech isn’t just good for the purse strings, but does wonders for both the planet and your mind.

Get physical in your backyard

We all love to feel fab and healthy, but gym memberships and all those supplements can cost a fortune, and tie you up in contracts with no way out. Instead of letting your pennies run away on the treadmill, make the most of nature’s workout, while cutting back on the pricey gym shakes. Save even more by cooking up a healthy, nutritious meal at home. Then, get your sweat on outside. No dumbbells? No problem. Pick up a rock! No bench-press? No bother! Dust off those cookbooks and put them to good use!

Holiday at home

Sure, a shopping spree in Paris sounds nice, and a summer vacation in Barcelona might be calling, but why waste all that time and money (and not to mention the emissions!) when you can holiday at home. Pitch a tent in the living room. Sing kumbaya with Alexa. Cook up a different cuisine with the help of HelloFresh’s Taste Tour recipes which transport your taste buds all over the world. Wherever you choose to go (or stay), make savvy choices when planning your trip so you can enjoy the vacay (or staycay) you deserve.

Keep up with the latest from Karen From Finance here.

A massive two-day Christmas Gift Market is happening next month with 100+ local makers

Christmas is coming and with it comes along a lengthy list of presents and Kris Kringle gifts, festive treats and glistening Xmas decorations.

Enter, the Christmas Market.

As well as being the perfect place to tick off your entire shopping list, a lot of the time these specially curated markets offer one-of-a-kind experiences that are sure to put you in a festive spirit. And after the year we’ve all had, what’s not to love about that?

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

While it’s still early days, The Makers and Shakers Market is making sure you’re Christmas-ready this year with a huge two-day Christmas Gift Market!

Running from Saturday, November 5 to Sunday, November 6, the upcoming market will feature a curated lineup of 100 handmade stalls including homewares (makers like Laura Blythman, Thistle Be Nice, Tiny Pots Melbourne), sustainable fashion (including Argent Silversmith, Retrobub + Form By T) tasty food (including Neapolitan pizza by Porcupine Eatery, Hamas Hommus Bar and Billy Van Creamy) and drinks (including a licensed outdoor bar featuring locals: Imbue Distillery, Otways Distillery). The Makers & Shakers Market is a mixed indoor and outdoor event. Peep the full lineup here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Makers & Shakers Market (@themakersandshakers)

While the shopping is fun, you’ll also be able to get a fun Christmas snap from Awkward Portraits (from $20 and no bookings required) and enjoy live music from Pitchface, a community choir made up of women and non-binary peeps from Melbourne’s inner west. In their signature double-denim and red lippy, the choir is bringing pure Christmas cheer to the market on Saturday 5 November 12pm thoughtfully programmed DJ sets from Emma Peel and DJ Manchild.

This special event will be a joint market with The Slow Fashion Market (a dedicated event for new ethically and sustainably made clothing).

Post market shopping, you can take in the bay and Melbourne skyline view while sipping on a locally made gin, and listen to some sweet tunes. There’s also creative workshops, product tastings, crafty installations to enjoy.

The event is an official partner of the Australia Made Campaign to help support the local handmade economy to get back on its feet after the disruptions over the last two years. It also means customers can be confident that the things for sale are genuinely locally made.

Entry is just $4 for adults and $2 for children.

It all takes place at Seaworks Maritime Precinct, 82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown on Saturday 5 + Sunday 6 November 2022. For more information on (and to pre-purchase tickets), head here.

Frankie: The alluring restaurant bringing Asian-inspired feasting to one of Geelong’s most beautiful venues

For years now, this elegant restaurant has been all about sleek lines and a trendy vibe. With wooden floors, intricate high ceilings, large windows, all polished leather, beige leather couches, and soft rose-gold accents, matched with comfy plush chairs, a neutral bar, and stunning art, Frankie. boasts an ambient setting for lingering over Saturday night drinks or romantic evening dining.

Keep up with the latest local food and booze news here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by frankie. Bar & Eatery (@frankie._geelong)

Emanating a rich and welcoming ambience suited to smart casual dining, Frankie is elevated further by the exceptional menu on offer. Spanning all parts of Asia, the result is a stunning feast that will transport your tastebuds to cloud nine, welcoming the summer season in the very best way.

The ever-evolving menu features fresh local and seasonal produce, such as housemade dim sims, Korean fried cauliflower, crispy pulled pork spring rolls, Japanese-style crispy popcorn chicken and flash-fried local squid to keep the hunger levels at bay. We recommend ordering the steamed prawn dumplings and the pan-fried pork and chive gyoza, both served with delicious accompanying dipping sauces.

For something more hearty, try the slow-cooked beef cheek curry, Bang Bang chicken fried rice and vegetable yellow curry. Add rice, Asian greens and a selection of bao buns and you’ll be reminiscing about this place for years to come.

Best of all, Frankie’s drinks menu brings the heat all year round, featuring wines from local and national wineries, and gorgeously garnished exotic cocktails, courtesy of the award-winning staff. Crafted on-site and featuring a mix of traditional cocktail classics and Frankie’s own concoctions, there are 30 delicious cocktails to choose from. Opt for the Espresso Martini, or try the Clover Club if you’re into gin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by frankie. Bar & Eatery (@frankie._geelong)

The perfect pastel diner, if you’ve got a classy black dress hanging in your closet or a suave suit looking for a night out, this is the place to show it off.

Frankie. is located at 9-11 Malop Street, Geelong. They’re open Tuesday to Sunday. Find out more here.

Vibes and Vino Festival brings live music, Victoria’s best wines and craft beer to Heathcote

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vibes & Vino Festival (@vibesandvinoheathcote)

However if you’re wanting to make a weekend of it, there’s plenty of boutique accommodation within the area to host you, although you are best advised to book early so as not to miss out.

So grab your favourite people and head to Heathcote, to enjoy a perfect getaway weekend of music, wine and food.

New music and arts festival Backyard Fest brings Babe Rainbow, Alice Skye and more to Castlemaine

Becoming one of the most anticipated festivals on the regional Victorian circuit, music festival Backyard Fest (BYF) will be making its debut in Castlemaine this November, channelling some serious house party energy into a weekend of fun, camaraderie and ease.

Taking over Lot 19, Castlemaine’s most loved outdoor arts precinct, from Friday, November 11 until Saturday, November 12, there’s no irony in the festival’s name, with smaller Backyard Fests taking place as house parties in years gone by.

The best bits

Regional Victoria’s new music festival, Backyard Fest (BYF), arrives in Castlemaine this November.
Babe Rainbow, Alice Skye, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, MOD CON, The Stroppies and more lead the lineup.
With limited capacity for the event, Backyard Fest is really trying to champion that intimate house party vibe.
Tickets are on sale now.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Backyard Fest (@backyardfestaus)

Starting off in suburban backyards in 2017 in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne by three Camberwell housemates, BYF was all about bringing in bands and DJs for house parties worth remembering. Wanting to bring the good times to more friends and new faces, the little backyard festival is coming to life with its first large-scale public event.

Despite facing a few postponements and a raft of challenges over the last couple of years, the intimate festival is finally set to welcome punters to enjoy the best bits of backyard shenanigans on the cosy Lot 19 site in Castlemaine – boasting good music, good people, good food and good cheer.

“Starting off in backyards a few years ago, BYF brought in bands and DJs for a house party worth remembering. Wanting to bring the good times to more friends and new faces, the little backyard festival is coming to life this November,” the festival said in a statement.

Coming out swinging for their first event, BYF has curated a lineup that packs a serious punch, boasting a stellar mix of bands and artists from all corners of the music spectrum.

Headlining the homegrown event is Byron Bay’s psychedelic rockers Babe Rainbow, singer-songwriter, Wergaia woman and universal little sister Alice Skye, Melbourne indie rockers Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, and three-piece indie powerhouse MOD CON.

The list of homegrown heroes doesn’t stop there. The festival will also see energetic sets from the likes of The Stroppies, Andras, WHARVES, The Maes, Ausecuma Beats and Bones and Jones, also appearing.

Capping off the lineup come The Groove Dudes, Moody Beaches, Sunfruits, Delivery, Dorsal Fins, Folk Bitch Trio, The Slingers, Our Carlson, Aplegate, Donald’s House and Barefoot Bowls Club. You’ll see all these acts perform back to back across two main stages.

Complementing live music and DJs, punters can also expect art installations, local food trucks, licensed bars, a Welcome to Country ceremony. Alongside the food trucks, the kitchen at Lot 19 will also be pumping out BBQ goods and vegan curries while at the bar you can expect to find Shedshaker pouring beer straight from the taps, Cloud Cuckoo cocktails, Bodriggy cans, Grainshaker vodkas, Neds Whisky and Picklebacks!

With limited capacity for the event, Backyard Fest is really trying to champion that intimate house party vibe (despite the enormity of the lineup and festival level productions). Festival goers will be able to make the most of the weekend with festival camping (with showers!) available at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve. Dubbed ‘Camp Cambo’ for the weekend, Backyard Fest has organised free shuttle buses every 20-30 minutes to get campers to and from the festival site (all within 5-10 minutes), making the whole experience a breeze.

To camp, you will need to purchase a camping ticket for Camp Cambo. If you have already purchased a car pass, this will cover you for camping. If camping ain’t your vibe, book an Airbnb or stay in a cabin at Castlemaine Central Cabin & Van park.

There will also be a free shuttle to and from Castlemaine station to Lot 19 every 20-30 minutes, for a five minute ride.

The festival site opens from 4pm on Friday, music stops when the clock strikes midnight, while Saturday will kick off from 12:30pm with the music stopping when the clock strikes midnight.

Backyard Fest 2022 Lineup

Babe Rainbow
Alice Skye
Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird
MOD CON
The Stroppies
Andras
WHARVES
The Maes
Ausecuma Beats
Bones and Jones
The Groove Dudes
Sunfruits
Aplegate
Donald’s House
Barefoot Bowls Club
Delivery
Dorsal Fins
Folk Bitch Trio
Moody Beaches
Our Carlson
The Slingers

Backyard Fest hits Lot 19 at McShanag Rd in Castlemaine from Friday November 11 until Saturday November 12. More info here. Keep up to date with the Facebook event here.

North Bellarine Film Festival returns, celebrating great independent film this November

Returning to the beautiful Bellarine region for its sixth iteration, North Bellarine Film Festival is a two-day celebration of all there is to love about independent film.

Giving local cinephiles something to truly sink their teeth into, the festival has been bringing great cinema to the Geelong region since 2017, regularly hosts film nights and events at various times and venues throughout the year and culminating in the main showcase in November each year, providing a full-fledged entertainment experience. That time has now come and the NBFF has put together another powerhouse program for 2022.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

Set to the stunning backdrop of Drysdale, on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong, film lovers, filmmakers and entertainment-loving locals alike will immerse themselves in the magnificent program once more on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 at The Potato Shed.

Delivering a mixed bag of Australian and international films across features and shorts releases to entice audiences to the cinema, the North Bellarine Film Festival is committed to curating a brilliant program that doubles as a force of creativity and diversity, in a time when the arts communities are fighting strong in the aftermath of a couple of difficult years for the industry.

Boasting innovative storytelling and unique voices, the festival’s opening night feature film for 2022 is High Ground, directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson and starring Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Simon Baker, Caren Pistorius, Jack Thompson and Sean Mununggurr, taking to the venue on Friday, November 18.

Set against the stunning landscapes of 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground chronicles young Aboriginal man Gutjuk, who in a bid to save the last of his family, teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara – the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other’s trust, but when the truths of Travis’ past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.

High Ground was nominated for numerous awards including the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Best Film and was the Adelaide Film Festival Best Feature Film. Check out the trailer below.

For opening night, doors open at 6:30 PM with finger foods by Pier Street Café in Portarlington and a cash bar.

From 12:30pm, the festival continues its focus on short films for the second day of the festival by screening the work of some of the best independent local, Australian and international filmmakers in its Saturday afternoon short film session. Some (or most) of these films will be ones you’ve never heard of – and that’s part of the remit of this festival. The program will feature locally produced Barwon Mansion and a Q&A session with its director, Mia de Rauch while local singer/songwriter Andrea Robertson will perform in the Potato Shed courtyard from 5:30pm.

The finalists in the 2022 Emerging Filmmaker Award will be screened on Saturday evening. Established in 2019, the Emerging Filmmaker Award recognises Victorian filmmakers twenty-five years of age or younger who demonstrates exceptional talent and commitment to their craft. The ceremony will include the winning and finalist’s films and is your chance to see some of the country’s most promising young filmmakers at the start of their careers. Doors open at 6:30pm with finger foods by Pier Street Café in Portarlington and a cash bar.

Whether you consider yourself a movie buff, or just like to immerse yourself into arts and culture set against the incredible backdrop of the Bellarine region, or both, this one’s for you.

The North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) will be held on 18-19 November at the Potato Shed at 29-41 Peninsula Drive in Drysdale. Tickets are available online at the Potato Shed website, City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres or by telephone at 03 5251 1998.

Brad Cox is playing a headline show with his full band in Torquay next month

Off the back of his huge regional tour earlier this year – his first tour in over two years – Brad Cox and his band of brothers are hitting the road again across November and December.

This tour will mark Brad’s biggest headline shows to date, and the first capital city headline shows (and very first visit to Torquay) since the release of his ARIA and Golden Guitar nominated sophomore record My Mind’s Projection. He’ll hit up the stage at the Torquay Hotel on Thursday, November 24 2022.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

The tour will be in support of brand new track, ‘Single Life’, which follows recent single ‘What Brought You Back’ and Brad’s hugely successful regional tour in May and June. This will be the first time Brad and the band will be touring My Mind’s Projection to fans in these cities, and with more new music on the horizon, these shows are not to be missed.

Originally from the country town of Jindabyne, Brad Cox has worked quickly to make a name for himself in the Australian country music scene. In a short time, Brad went from opening slots for Brett Eldredge, Jon Pardi, Randy Houser, Adam Eckersley and Brooke McClymont to selling out his own headline shows nationwide, to now becoming a regular mainstage country music festival headline act for events such as Gympie Music Muster, CMC Rocks, Goulburn Valley Country Music Festival, Gippsland Country Music Festival and many more.

Brad earned wide-scale recognition back in 2018 with his self-titled debut album that yielded the singles, ‘Red Light,’ ‘Too Drunk to Drive’ and ‘Lake House’; as well as the anthemic crowd favourite ‘Water On The Ground’ which has notched up over 580,000 Facebook views and growing. The album earned the Jindabyne native two Golden Guitar nominations for Contemporary Album of the Year and New Talent of the Year. In 2020, Brad earned two further Golden Guitar nominations for his single ‘Rusty Strings’ (Apra Amcos Song Of The Year And Apple Music Single Of The Year). His previous release ‘Give Me Tonight’ gained widespread recognition with adds to Spotify playlists and Apple Playlists and Triple M (Metro, Regional, Country). To date, the track has amassed over 7.5 million global streams.

Brad’s sophomore album My Mind’s Projection (Sony Music Australia) was released in November 2020. The album included the hit singles ‘Give Me Tonight’, ‘Drinking Season’ and ‘Short Lived Love’. Described as a snapshot of Brad’s life over the last three years, the album has been Brad’s most successful to date, debuting at #1 ARIA Australian Country Album Charts, and #12 ARIA Album Chart, the album was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Country Album, and the Golden Guitars Contemporary Country Album of the Year.

Witness it in the flesh at the Torquay Hotel on Thursday, November 24 from 7:30pm. Tickets here.

‘Education & Recreation’: Surprise Chef’s most ambitious and delicately curated piece of work to date

Starting in an esoteric market, the last few years have seen the alt-jazz outfit cut their teeth amongst Australia’s boutique festival scene, transcending the niche aspects of the emerging nü jazz scene to win over a wide array of adorning fans.

In more recent months, the Melbourne/Naarm-based group have taken it to the next step, tackling their first-ever European tour and impressively earning themselves a string of notable festival slots and an appearance on the esteemed BBC Radio show “Live at Maida Vale” as a result. It makes for the perfect time for the group to drop their highly sought-after third release Education & Recreation, with a coinciding Australian tour in support.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Maintaining the jazz and funk vibes that helped the group initially garner attention, Education & Recreation finds its sound somewhere in between the realm of jazz elements, providing an immersive combination of contemporary, traditional and avant-garde soundscapes that only further carve out the group’s distinctive sound.

Pushing the boundaries of instrumental soul and funk, Education & Recreation see Surprise Chef dazzle through their signature use of syncopated rhythms; staccato picking and mesmerizingly meandering key arrangements; incorporating the free-flowing nature of jazz whilst maintaining clear-cut song structures.

Whilst these are aspects prominent throughout the entirety of the release, ‘Grinners Circle’ stands out due to its impressive tempo changes and dissonant key patterns. The angular nature of the rhythms in ‘Suburban Breeze’ does the same, perfectly encapsulating the irregular time signatures and erratic reprises that the group have honed as their own.

With modern jazz/neo-soul contemporaries such as BADBADNOTGOOD being an obvious point of reference to the band’s sound, Surprise Chef’s output has an accessibility that differentiates itself by leaning more into the realm of 90’s hip-hop. Many of the group’s instrumentals feel reminiscent of the work of jazz-inspired producers like J Dilla, Q-Tip or Prince Paul (De La Soul). This makes aspects like the jangly keys and melodic inclusion of flute in ‘Conversation Piece’, or the attention-grabbing bassline of ‘Money Music’ prime to be cut, sampled and reused by producers for years to come.

With a sound that blends elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop and an evocative sensibility that pulls influences from the work of film scorers such as Jean Michel-Jarre and Amon Düül II, Education & Recreation stands up as Surprise Chef’s most ambitious and delicately curated piece of work to date, proving yet again why the group are one of Australia’s most exciting alternative acts.

Turn on the record and enjoy the ride, wherever it may take you.

Surprise Chef Education & Recreation Australian tour 2022

Listen to Education & Recreation here. Purchase tickets to the Torquay show here, and Castlemaine here.

Artists across the world come together for Australia’s Musicians Making A Difference Day

Australian youth charity Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) is calling on artists and music fans to dedicate a song and positive message on social media.

With suicide still the leading cause of death for young people, over 26,400 reports of child abuse & neglect every year, 27,680 young people homeless on any given night, and 1 in 10 young people disengaged from employment or education, the charity is hoping to connect young people through the power of music by getting the Australian community to dedicate a song on social media with #ThisSongIsForYou and tag @mmadaustralia, or to dedicate a music-themed event in support of the cause.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

By helping to raise awareness for the charity, thousands of young people across the country will be connected to the charity’s support including a free national creative youth wellbeing platform, street support groups, crisis casework, expressive therapy programs and a music soup kitchen.

Spearheading dedications are local and global stars YUNGBLUD, Jessia, Ryan Tedder, Lewis Capaldi, Bliss N Eso, Tove Lo, Vera Blue, L-FRESH The LION, Thandi Phoenix, KYE, Melanie Dyer, Hau, Robinson, Tom Grennan, Jimmie Allen, Avneesha, Benny Blanco, Fletcher Pilon & CXLOE.

To bolster song dedications, industry heavyweights Universal Music Australia, ARN, iHeart, CADA, UnLtd, Pedestrian, Yahoo, Paramount, MTV, Sony Music, Sony Foundation, Rock Posters, Twitter, Spotify, Bravado, Kaimera, Nine Entertainment Co, Seven West Media, Val Morgan, Southern Cross Austereo, oOh!, SCA, Kargo, JCDecaux, Gumtree Media, Motio, News Corp, QMS and more have thrown their support behind the campaign.

Australia wide MMAD Day pop-ups, a curated pop-up station on iHeart, music features on MMAD Day on all ARN stations nationally, MTV Hits programming takeover and a series of inspirational live music interviews hosted by Danny Clayton on @mmadaustralia IGTV will also help to bring the power of music & community to life across the day.

Chairperson of Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) Geraint Davies is encouraging everyone to consider young people most vulnerable in our community, and to use their sphere of influence, and music, to help make a difference.

“Last year, MMAD Day reached an outstanding 13 million people nationally and connected 13,000 people to the charity as a direct result of this campaign, and this year we hope to do it all again! MMAD makes such a critical impact in young people’s lives and the community through music every day, but this day is an absolute highlight of our year – everyone involved can experience the positive impact that MMAD makes. We’re thankful for those who get behind the cause and take the time to support the campaign online, in their place of work, school or homes. Every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential. We look forward to your support again for MMAD Day on October 14″.

Released this week and setting off a chain of song dedications is a track written with graduates of the charity’s youth mentoring programs including emerging talent Libby Ingels. Ingels says the song is dedicated to anyone in the world feeling powerless.

“I came across MMAD when I was at a really difficult place in my life. A pivotal time in my life, you know, where I did feel a bit lost. MMAD helped me to believe in myself and grab hold of the opportunities in front of me. Whether it be listening to music or getting to write a song. I think just being able to express yourself, and feel seen in that moment, wherever you are, is such a powerful thing and, has definitely impacted my life. It is because of MMAD that I can get up after falling down. And even in my lowest of low places, there is always hope. And there is always music.”

‘Taking Back My Life’ was written to a beat donated by ARIA-nominated electronic producer Alice Ivy and recorded at the iconic The Grove Studios near the charity’s creative youth safe haven on the NSW Central Coast.

For more information about MMAD or MMAD Day, visit mmad.org.au.

If you need emergency support, please contact 000.

The Maldon Folk Festival returns with a huge 2022 lineup

Currently in its 47th iteration, the Maldon Folk Festival will bring an abundance of music and dance to Maldon and its surrounds from October 28 until October 31.

Taking place across 16 incredible venues all across the town of Maldon, you can catch the likes of beloved Kiwi band Albi and the Wolves, the extraordinary songwriting of Michael Waugh, the poetic lyricism of Khristian Mizzi and many, many more this year.

Maldon Folk Festival information

The famous Maldon Folk Festival is on this month
Celebrating its 47th year as a premiere destination of all things folk, it takes place across 16 venues in the town of Maldon
It runs for three and a half days over the weekend of October 28 to 31, from Friday at 6pm until Monday at 11:45

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

The most unique venue of the festival this year is the Folkie Steam Train – which you can ride in as you listen to music performed live. Catch artists Darling Buds of Maldon and The Weeping Willows as well as Whimsical Tricycle and Matt Glass on a return trip to Muckleford.

As well as providing a huge weekend jam-packed with nothing but the best folk, bluegrass, a little jazz and a little blues – they’ve also got interactive dance workshops all for free. Fun and accessible for the whole family, all children under 12 years of age can attend the festival for free.

The Maldon Folk Festival has a rich history as one of the first folk festivals situated in regional Victoria. Starting off as just a stage on a football oval to just under 200 guests, it’s evolved over almost five decades to an event that ignites the entire town.

Maldon is accessible by V-Line from Melbourne’s CBD, or its a 90 minute drive if you want to take your car. All venues are walking distance from the centre of town and accessible for people living with disability.

Early bird tickets are available to purchase until October 27. Book now and check out the huge lineup of performers by heading here.

A pop-up European-inspired Christmas Village is coming to Geelong

Carolers, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, holiday decorations, dustings of snow and twinkling lights… celebrating Christmas is an art form, and across the world small towns have perfected it, turning storybook Christmases straight out of a Dickens novel into reality.

Channelling these European Christmas villages with old-fashioned charm, Geelong’s forthcoming Christmas Village is guaranteed to make you feel like you’re stepping inside your favourite holiday flick, or more specifically, a literal Hallmark movie.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

Taking over the Mittagong Girl Guides Campsite in Lara from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4, the three-day Christmas experience is a carefully curated miniature village, designed, built and decorated in the elaborate style of an old European town at Christmas – doing so through the use of preloved products, with the family renovating and creating and spending nearly every waking hour on creating The Christmas Village.

Reflecting that of the pages of a children’s storybook, here guests will be able to explore the Elf town, sit in a traditional hand-built sleigh, see the reindeer stables, have a delicious hot chocolate in Mrs Claus’ kitchen, check out the workshop, marvel at a snow show and so much more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Christmas Village (@thechristmasvillageaus)

Inspired by a long love of Christmas, the glitter, the sparkle, tinsel shining in the sun, the joy on kids’ faces and the time spent with loved ones, the Christmas Village journey has been a long time coming for the creators, beginning back in 2012 after spending Christmas in New York and being in awe of how well they do Christmas in America.

“Their Christmas markets were all coordinated with matching red and white gazebos or little glass huts for vendors, with the whole space the market occupied decked out in lights and garlands. They were so different to any Christmas markets we had seen here at home in Australia, we were completely inspired and wished we didn’t have to travel quite so far to see more of that kind of festive event,” the organisers reveal.

In the years that followed, the local family hosted a Christmas market and open air cinema night as a fundraiser for the local soccer club and then went on to visit Manchester Christmas markets, Christmas market in Bruges, a little village called Grindelwald in Tasmania, and in 2019, just before the world was hit with Covid, they went to Iceland and visited a little Christmas Village just outside the town of Akureyi.

“It was the cutest little village, literally consisting of a few buildings and a Christmas decoration shop. There was not an awful lot to see but there were little ‘elf homes’ and Santa’s house, and a hot chocolate stall and once again, all super cute and very inspiring to us, given we had now been thinking about doing something along the same lines for six or seven years.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Christmas Village (@thechristmasvillageaus)

And so that’s exactly what they’ve done – they’ve created a miniature Christmas village, providing a walk-through experience with lots of brightly coloured little houses, Christmas trees and lots of Christmas things to see. With hopes the Christmas Village will one day be a permanent destination, the organisers are spreading the Christmas cheer to Geelong and surrounds with their inaugural Christmas village event.

Oh and the best part? Children under four are free.

This is what Christmas magic looks like. You can purchase tickets to The Christmas Village here.

Follow the creative journey to the Village here.

Holy Water: The new boutique distillery festival (with unlimited samples) happening this weekend

Head north-east this month and dive into the best of the local booze scene with Melbourne’s new craft distillery festival: Holy Water Festival.

More than a standard food and drink festival, Holy Water exhibitors will serve up speciality cocktails, tasting sessions and masterclasses from award-winning and emerging Victorian mixologists and chefs, alongside the 30+ distilleries presenting their wares.

Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melbourne craft distillery festival (@holywaterfest)

Taking place at Seaworks in Williamstown on Saturday, October 15 – originally scheduled for back in August – Holy Water Craft Distillery Festival is tuning into the rising popularity of boutique booze, bringing together Australia’s best-established and emerging distilleries, hospitality veterans, chefs, visionaries and entrepreneurs to showcase their craft in a progressive and interactive environment.

The brainchild of Rachelle Watson and Zoe Beyer, who have more than 15 years’ experience running large-scale festivals, with support from acclaimed cocktail producer and ‘The Book of Vermouth & All Day Cocktails,’ author Shaun Byrne, Seaworks huge shed will be filled with some of Victoria’s best distillers. They’ll be providing free samples. You can taste a whisky, gin, rum and have it with a mixer or straight up. There’s DJs, oyster and charcuterie bars and food trucks.

“Our approach is to move away from a typical trade-show environment and leverage our collective experience in arts and entertainment to create an artisan journey with premium beverage at its core,” says Zoe Beyer, Festival Co-Director.

Tickets are just $65, and that gets you entry, a branded tasting glass, unlimited tastings, live music and an opportunity to sit by the fire and enjoy a cocktail with friends.

The true value of this unique event is in the unrivalled programme and free masterclass series, which include History of Booze in Australia with Drinks Writer Max Allen, Boozy Sweats with chef and botanist Jude Mayall and No-Lo Cocktails led by the newly crowned 2022 World Class Australian Bartender, Nick Tesar and more.

Friendly faces from the likes of Grainshaker Vodka, East Pole Gin, NED Whisky, JimmyRum and others will be serving up a bunch of specialty cocktails and tasting notes on each flavour. If you taste something you love; buy a bottle and take it home with you.

Classics including beer and mulled wine, low and no alcohol options will also be served at the festival’s main bars.

Holy Water Craft Distillery Festival goes down Saturday, October 15 at Seaworks, 82 Nelson Pl, Williamstown. Find out more here.

Flynn Gurry soars on his warm, captivating debut EP ‘Weather & Dogs ?’

You don’t often come across a local unsigned artist with a sound that is not only comparable to but on par with some of the world’s biggest pop stars. Flynn Gurry is that anomaly. With a voice that matches up to Ed Sheeran and the songwriting to back it, Warrnambool-born, Melbourne-based Gurry may well be one of Australia’s biggest undiscovered talents.

Marking his first release, the Weather & Dogs? EP (released independently on September 23 and produced, mixed and mastered by Aria award-winning producer Jan Skubiszewski) highlights an accessible style that’ll undoubtedly and very quickly find a home on commercial radio stations around the country.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

‘Sunrise To Sunset’, Gurry’s debut single already sitting on a cool 21,000 Spotify streams, is dominated by punchy beats and melodic guitar leads alongside Gurry’s resonating, warm vocals that guide the listener into the “sunset driving”. The chorus is radiant with euphoric imagery, with the instrumentalisation fittingly illustrates the “sunrise to sunset”.

‘Don’t Know Love’ displays subtle trip-hop picks and a raspy vocal cadence reminiscent of James Bay. This was the first song that Flynn wrote from the perspective of someone else, and in this case, the entirety of the track is written from the view of a woman whose husband went to war and never came home. Flynn says: “I remember at the time of writing this thinking pretty deeply about love in general and how powerful it can be and that maybe we don’t fully understand it until we loose it”.

‘Running’ presents an exciting contrast due to its combination of vibrant surf folk rhythms and profoundly darker lyrics than its predecessors, with the inclusion of female backing vocals only further adding to the song’s vulnerability.

In a style changeup that lends from Harry Styles’ ‘Kiwi’, the closing track ‘TopDog’ comes as quite a surprise. Gurry ups the ante significantly through the inclusion of heavy electric guitars and catchy rock ‘n roll hooks; a welcomed change-up that only further highlights the immediacy for Gurry to be seen in massive stadiums. If Weather & Dogs ? is anything to go by, that’s only a matter of time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Flynn Gurry (@flynngurry)

Sonically Gurry resides in an indie- roots-pop world, but at his core, he is a storyteller, using music to appreciate the positive experiences of life’s journey. After having performed at a variety of events and festivals such as the Queenscliff Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Loch Hart Music Festival and recently being announced as a support for Goanna, Gurry will officially launch his EP at The Space, Warrnambool on November 5. Gurry will be joined by special guests with Evie Mae opening the night. Find out more here.

Keep your eyes peeled with more to come from Flynn Gurry! Check out his music on Spotify or YouTube, and suss his Instagram for any and all updates.