Editorial Note
“If not for this woman and her band, I wouldn’t have dreamed the things I dreamed and I wouldn’t be standing on this stage today”.
During her 1989 World Tour, Taylor Swift made this statement about her idol Natalie Maines from The Chicks, the groundbreaking country-music trio formerly known as the Dixie Chicks. A major influence in her life, The Chicks modelled the kind of spirit and career Swift – the multi-Grammy award-winning US country-turned-pop superstar – aspired to.
Speaking their minds and channelling their anger and frustrations into their music, The Chicks paved the way with unapologetic boldness, performing outspoken songs, and playing to hundreds of thousands at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, earning universal recognition as the biggest-selling US female band of all time.
Music lovers will see these global superstars when they return to Australia this October for the first time since their sold-out 2017 tour. In a win for the region, they’ll also make their A Day on the Green debut at Mt Duneed Estate in Geelong, adding to the impressive collection of musical acts we’ve been privileged to see on local soil. For our cover story, our writer Tammy dives into the history of this inspiring power trio ahead of the show.
Like a blanket on a wintery eve, this month our curated content will keep you toasty with interviews with feverish punk rockers The Hard-Ons, gold-suited Melbourne cosmic-country-rocker Ben Mastwyk, local favourites Bones and Jones, and the genre-defying force of award-winning opera singer, composer and songwriter Jess Hitchcock.
As usual, we’ve also got a bunch of gigs, exhibitions, stage shows, and unforgettable events to get to, some top-tier foodie spots you’ve just got to try, and some ripper new albums if you’re looking for a musical treat.
Buckle up because things are about to get interesting.
