Interested in a career in screen? There’s a new training program coming to Geelong
A new training program bound for Geelong will invite hundreds of locals to kick-start a career in screen, thanks to a new initiative aiming to supply crucial workers for Victoria’s booming screen industry.
Set Educated is a brand new program to help aspiring screen workers break into the industry while also showing professionals from a range of industries – including accountants, electricians and designers – how they can transfer their skills to the sector.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
Through VicScreen, the Labor Government has partnered with mentoring organisation Media Mentors Australia and Victorian crewing agency Freelancer Promotions for the program which was created to meet the growing demand for skilled workers across the screen industry.
Kicking off with sessions in Geelong and Melbourne, the program will provide comprehensive introductions to the screen industry before launching into skills development sessions and talks from industry experts.
Based on their skills and areas of interest, participants will undertake sessions to learn how screen content is made before launching into workshops in areas such as camera operating, lighting and sound.
“We recognise that there’s a huge pool of people who would love to work in screen but may not know about jobs beyond producers, directors and writers,” says Media Mentors Australia co-founder Denise Eriksen.
“There are jobs are out there for people currently working in allied industries and we’ll be introducing participants to a world of possibilities and providing them the knowledge they need to take their places on productions.”
The program will also offer tailored workshops on specific roles which are currently in high demand, including crew roles such as production office, location managers, grips and gaffers, production accountants, electricians, carpenters, hospitality workers and designers.
Set Educated sessions will be held in Geelong on 14 May and in Melbourne on 20 May. Registrations are $25. For more information visit mediamentors.com.au.
The new world-class Queenscliff ferry terminal officially opens
A stunning addition to the Bellarine, the new Queenscliff Ferry Terminal building is officially opening its doors this week, celebrating with a wondrous open day event on Saturday 22 April.
Running from 10am to 2pm, there will be a range of activities on offer to welcome the public to this stunning new facility, gifting adoring locals the chance to explore the impressive new building and celebrate as Searoad Ferries embarks on a new era of ferry travel.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
In the forecourt, there will be live music, roving entertainers and activities for the kids including a puppet show, balloon artist and face painting. Attendees can grab a cup of coffee and a sweet treat from the coffee station and immerse themselves in the festivities at the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal Community Open Day.
Inside the building, the soaring ceilings are dominated by jellyfish-like lights and two-story glass windows with full bay views. On the ground floor, there is the casual dining café and gift store. Upstairs is the passenger lounge and café. Local gin, beer and wine producers will be on hand to make sure the top floor really comes to life! Plus, Captain Jack’s Pirate Show is sure to keep everyone entertained as ferry passengers use the new gangway to access the ferry.
From 11.30am – 12.15pm enjoy ‘Savor the Flavors’, an exclusive cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Michael Demagistris in the beautiful function space offering a taste of the exciting new restaurant offering, due to open this winter. Here you’ll see Chef Michael Demagistris in action as he expertly showcases a tantalising sneak peek of the new food offering he’ll be launching at TARRA. This is your chance to discover the inspiration behind his exquisite dishes and be among the first to taste his innovative creations.
This unique event offers a rare opportunity to meet Chef Michael Demagistris in person, listen to captivating stories from his illustrious career, and learn about his culinary philosophy. Known for his passion for seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Michael’s commitment to sustainability and exceptional quality is evident in every dish he creates.
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Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the celebrations. Come down to the new Queenscliff Ferry Terminal this Saturday from 10am – 2pm and join in the fun with the whole community.
For more information about the new Queenscliff Terminal, or to purchase tickets visit – searoad.com.au
Australia’s most stunning running event Great Ocean Road Running Festival returns this May
Lace up your runners, the 2023 RACV Solar Great Ocean Road Running Festival returns to Victoria’s idyllic southwest coast, taking place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May and attracting runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels.
From 1.5km to 60km, punters from across the globe will tackle nine distances, including two trail runs for adventure-seekers, and soak up panoramic seaside views on one of the world’s most scenic stretches of road.
2023 RACV Solar Great Ocean Road Running Festival
- The two-day Great Ocean Road Running Festival returns May 20 & 21 2023
- There are nine different distances to choose from, ranging from 60km to 1.5km, and panoramic sea-side views
- There’s also glamping, yoga, live music, kite flying, and much more to experience.
- Registrations are now open
For more things to do along the Great Ocean Road, visit our travel section.
Kicking off in Apollo Bay on Saturday, eager athletes can take part in the Cocobella 14km Paradise Run, Sri Lankan Airlines 6km Run and 1.5km Great Ocean Road Real Estate Holiday Kids Gallop. Distances on Sunday include the Ultra Marathon (60km), RACV Solar Marathon (44km), 12km & 6.5km Trail Runs and the 5-10km Great Ocean Road Walk, commencing in Lorne. Those taking part in the Brooks Half Marathon (23km) will get their start from Kennett River on Sunday.
Alongside an inspirational two-days of running, festival goers will be able to lap up dulcet tones from local musicians, immerse themselves in a ticketed ‘glamping’ experience, and witness local wait staff battle it out in the hilarious Pub to Pub Waiter’s Race on Saturday. Whether participants are running their first marathon, warming up with a CorePlus beach yoga session, or get creative at the Kite Festival post-race – the RACV Solar Great Ocean Road Running Festival has it all.
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This year, the festival has joined forces with RACV Solar – one of Australia’s leading solar installers. Making this year’s event one of the most sustainable in the event’s 18-year history, elements of the festival will be powered by RACV Solar, elevating the festival’s existing environmental road map produced in collaboration with local waste management groups.
“The RACV Solar Great Ocean Road Running Festival is one of the most unique and special running events in the country. For almost two decades, hundreds of thousands of people have travelled from around the world to take part in the festival and experience some of Victoria’s greatest natural wonders,” says event director Brad King.
“This year, we are incredibly proud to partner with RACV Solar and amplify our commitment to protect cherished local landscapes and communities by implementing cleaner energy solutions. We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of new and familiar faces to the running event of the season this May and leading the way for more sustainable sporting experiences in future.”
Providing vital care for communities located along the race route, the event encourages participants to raise funds for the Apollo Bay and District Health Foundation. Since becoming the festival’s official charity partner in 2015, more than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised by entrants to support important local health services.
For registrations and more info, head to their website here.
Lime Cordiale just announced a third headline show in Torquay this month
Having just announced two huge local dates as part of their Fantastical Country Club Experience, Lime Cordiale has gone ahead and added a third show in Torquay after the first two shows sold out due to overwhelming demand!
They’ll now perform on Monday, 24 April (public holiday eve) at Torquay Hotel in Torquay alongside Sunday 23 April and Saturday 22 April (both sold-out), in what is one of the few chances for you to see them in a headline appearance in Australia in 2023, and perhaps the only chance you will ever see them in such an intimate venue.
Tickets to the new show are on sale now here.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Lime Cordiale announce second headline show in Torquay due to overwhelming demand
The show will feature all their hits, new songs, and a few surprises and coming along for the ride are a rotation of the finest new talent that the Country Club officials could muster in Bella Amor, Aleksiah plus special guests New Zealand’s Coterie.
The band had a stacked 2022 with an ARIA nomination for Best Video for their single ‘Apple Crumble’, headline Australian tours which saw them perform to 34,000 Australian fans on the 14 Steps to A Better You and Facts of Life tours, alongside festival sets at Groovin’ The Moo, NYE in the Park and more.
2022 also saw the release of a trio of singles ‘Colin’, ‘Country Club’ and ‘Facts Of Life’ which will all feature on the bands upcoming third studio album.
In January 2022 Lime Cordiale released Cordi Elba, their acclaimed collaboration with actor/musician/DJ and record label boss Idris Elba. The mini album debuted at #9 on the ARIA album chart and spawned the hit singles Apple Crumble and What’s Not To Like, which landed at #14 and #41 on the triple j hottest 100 respectively. The track ‘Holiday’ on this album was later remixed by the legendary Fatboy Slim.
Lime Cordiale has amassed over 350 million streams on Spotify, 29 million Apple Music streams, with YouTube views exceeding 20 million. Their infectious performances and genuine, generous interactions with their fans have made them one of Australia’s most in demand acts, playing to wildly enthusiastic crowds across Australia and overseas.
Tickets can be purchased here.
The Smith Street Band are heading on an Australian East Coast tour
Off the back of wrapping up their Life After Football Australian album tour earlier this month, selling out shows in capital cities all across the country, The Smith Street Band have announced another run of shows for June and July.
Kicking off with three shows in North Queensland the run of dates will take The Smith Street Band down the east coast playing smaller regional cities across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, with local shows on Friday July 28 at All Seasons, Bendigo and on Saturday July 29 at Barwon Club, Geelong.
The Smith Street Band East Coast Tour
Thursday June 15 – Edge Hill Tavern, Cairns, QLD
Friday June 16 – Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville, QLD
Saturday June 17 – Magnums, Airlie Beach, QLD
Friday June 23 – Label, Brookvale, NSW
Saturday June 24 – Drifters Wharf, Central Coast, NSW
Sunday June 25 – Cambridge Hotel Farewell Festival, Newcastle, NSW
Thursday June 29 – Miranda Hotel, Miranda, NSW
Friday June 30 – Wollongong Uni Bar, Wollongong, NSW
Saturday July 1 – Marlin Hotel, Ulladulla, NSW
Friday July 7 – Sooki, Belgrave, VIC
Saturday July 8 – Westernport, San Remo, VIC
Sunday July 23 – Splendour In The Grass, North Byron Parklands, NSW
Friday July 28 – All Seasons, Bendigo, VIC
Saturday July 29 – Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Having also just been announced for this year’s Splendour in the Grass, which will be the band’s third time at the festival, the upcoming run also includes an appearance at the now sold out Cambridge Farewell Festival in Newcastle.
Their sixth studio album, Life After Football, was well received, landing Album of the Week at triple j and seeing the band return to the Like A Version studio to take on Alanis Morissette’s ‘Hand in my Pocket’.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday April 19th via www.thesmithstreetband.com
Teddy Swims announces return to Australia for a national tour in August
The Atlanta-born musician gained immense popularity after his YouTube covers amassed millions of views, leading to a record deal with Warner Records in 2019. Swims’ live shows are known for their electric energy, where he is backed by his band, Freak Freely.
Teddy Swims Australia and New Zealand tour
- August 18 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
- August 19 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
- August 22 – Astor Theatre, Perth
- August 24 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide
- August 25 – The Forum, Melbourne
- August 28 – Town Hall, Auckland
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The Forum show is part of Swims’ Summer 2023 International Tour, which will take him across the globe to the UK, Ireland, Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Swims will perform in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne before wrapping up his tour in Auckland.
Known for his captivating voice, Swims’ music spans across several genres, including soul, funk, gospel, country, R&B, and pop. He writes most of his songs about love and heartbreak, which have struck a chord with audiences worldwide. With over 800 million global streams and a social media following exceeding 10 million, Swims has become a sensation in the music industry.
In the US, Swims has appeared on several popular shows like The Kelly Clarkson Show, Today, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Ellen, The Late Late Show With James Corden, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He has also collaborated with renowned artists such as Meghan Trainor, ILLENIUM, MK, and BURNS.
In 2022, Swims’ cover of Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin’” went viral, earning him over 80 million views and an appearance with Journey founder Neal Schon on America’s Got Talent.
For Swims, performing live is an opportunity to connect with his fans on a personal level, and he’s excited to meet new people and share his music with them. With his unique voice and energetic performances, the Melbourne show is sure to be an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.
Tickets for Teddy Swims’ Melbourne show go on sale Monday, and fans are advised to book early as his shows are a must-see.
It all goes down on August 25 at Melbourne’s own Forum, grab tickets by heading here.
Melbourne population overtakes Sydney to become Australia’s biggest city
Melbourne might have just scored a few more points up on the board in the longstanding competition against Sydney.
A subtle change in zoning has made it so Melbourne is technically now the biggest city in Australia, with Melbourne’s population officially overtaking Sydney.
Melbourne population overtakes Sydney
- Melbourne has been pronounced as the biggest city in Australia after rezoning includes Melton in parameters
- Sydney has been the country’s biggest city for over a century
- Aside from the redrawing of borders, the population of Melbourne is also growing faster than Sydney
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has made an update so the district of Melton, to the northwest of Melbourne, is now included in the city’s Significant Urban Area. The change reflects rapidly growing populations in the area – the population of the City of Melton grew 4.61 per cent between 2020 and 2021.
This bumps the population up by roughly 181,223, bringing our population up to 4,875,400 in June 2021, while Sydney hangs out at a cool 4,856,700. Thanks Melton!
Our New South Wales neighbour has held the top spot in the country for over 100 years, so it’s likely they won’t be too happy about losing the title. However they still have one up on us: the size of Greater Sydney is still larger than Greater Melbourne – although this too is predicted to change in the coming years as Melbourne’s population is growing more rapidly.
While COVID-19 disruptions saw many moving out of large city centres, Melbourne’s population has continued to grow as it has become the most popular destination for local and international migrants who seek job opportunities and more affordable housing, as reported by the Guardian.
To take a look at the Australian Bureau of Statistics population data, head here.
You Am I are bringing The Who’s ‘Tommy’ to Geelong with special guests Hayley Mary and Sarah McLeod
ARIA Award-winning, acclaimed Australian rock band You Am I, will pay homage to one of their greatest influences, The Who, as they play their legendary album Tommy, as well as a set of Who classics, live across the country this July and August.
They will be fronted by two of Australia’s most accomplished female rock voices, Hayley Mary and Sarah McLeod, who will share vocals with Tim Rogers to bring the songs to life.
The extensive tour commences at The Events Centre in Caloundra on July 26, followed by Tweed Heads, Brisbane, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Frankston, Albury, Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide, and concluding in Perth at Astor Theatre on August 18.
You Am I performing The Who’s Tommy 2023
THE EVENTS CENTRE, CALOUNDRA – WEDNESDAY JULY 26
TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS – FRIDAY JULY 28
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE – SATURDAY JULY 29
CIVIC THEATRE, NEWCASTLE – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2
ANITA’S THEATRE, WOLLONGONG – FRIDAY AUGUST 4
ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY – SATURDAY AUGUST 5
ARTS CENTRE, FRANKSTON – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9
ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ALBURY – THURSDAY AUGUST 10
PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE – SATURDAY AUGUST 12
COSTA HALL, GEELONG – SUNDAY AUGUST 13
HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16
ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH – FRIDAY AUGUST 18
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Tommy is the fourth studio longplayer from English rock band The Who, a double album released in May 1969. It was largely composed by the band’s guitarist Pete Townshend, and is presented as a rock opera telling the story of Tommy Walker.
You Am I front man Tim Rogers enthuses, “A preposterous proposition of pomp power n pithiness to be performed by our popgroup with pals. We promise to plunder deep and perform in full plumage with no panache, just passions. Prost!”
Hayley Mary explains, “I’m so excited to perform one of rock’s most influential albums, by one of the world’s most revered bands, with some of Australia’s finest musicians! ‘Tommy’ is like ‘A Clockwork Orange’ meets ‘Almost Famous’ in album form; a dark eccentric and cutting critique of fatherlessness and fame and that rings truer now than ever. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the disturbing themes and help bring some of these colourful characters to life across the country.”
Sarah McLeod is equally excited, saying “I have always loved You Am I, they are a killer band with such swagger , I’ve always wanted to play with them . We’ve talked about all sorts of collaborations for years but playing Tommy in its entirety takes the cake, this is going to be so epic!”
The Live Nation Pre-sale commences Wednesday April 19 at 10am, running for 24 hours. General public tickets go on sale on Thursday April 20, from 11am. All times are local.
Borealis In The Vines: The Northern Lights will illuminate Bowral’s night sky this winter
Following a larger-than-life run in Daylesford with ‘Borealis on the Lake’ last year, the incredible immersive outdoor art installation will continue its tour of the country, this time beaming lasers over Centennial Vineyards in Bowral to recreate the natural phenomenon of the northern lights this winter in a truly unmissable experience.
Created by internationally renowned Switzerland-based artist Dan Archer, the captivating display is set to transport NSW residents and tourists alike to the Arctic Circle in an experience that will be entirely unique to Bowral.
Stay up to date with all the epic events happening in and around the region here.
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‘Borealis In The Vines’ combines technology and art to create unique auroras over the vines. Colour, movement, the density of light beams and changing weather conditions work together to give infinite variations. “Surreal” is the only way to describe how it feels, to watch as the lights dance across the vineyard. The perfect blend of technology and art. Set to a tranquil soundtrack, become truly immersed in the wonder and magic of Borealis.
From Switzerland to Japan and many successful presentations across Australia, Borealis has toured the world. Premiering in 2018 at Adelaide Fringe, people have fallen in love with the breathtaking illusion of Aurora Borealis. Ever since, Borealis has since become an Adelaide Fringe institution, coming back year after year, sharing the magic with thousands.
‘Borealis in the Vines’ arrives as part of Bowral Winterfest. Here guests can wander through charming wooden stalls that transport themselves to a cozy alpine ski hut, offering up delectable winter warmers and mulled wine to keep them toasty.
If you missed the magic of Borealis in Daylesford last year, a trip to Bowral is your best bet on catching the captivating auroras of Borealis, minus the super expensive travel fare.
‘Borealis In The Vines’ runs exclusively from Thu 25 May 2023 to Fri 30 Jun 2023. General public tickets can be purchased via the website.
The free Eynesbury Winter Festival is making its return with ice skating, night markets and a Winter Solstice
Off the back of two wildly successful years, the free Eynesbury Winter Festival is making its glorious return to the region for the winter months.
Perfect for those looking for something fun and outdoorsy to do with the kids or your pals this winter, the winter festival is a two-week winter celebration located just an hour’s drive away from Geelong.
Eynesbury Winter Festival 2023
Opening Day: Friday 23 June
Winter Market: Sunday 25 June
Winter Solstice: Saturday 1 July
Night Market: Friday 7 July
Ice rink hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Running from Friday 23 June to Sunday 9 July, the festival is just the ticket to fight off those winter blues.
Coined a winter wonderland, the event is bringing back all the crowd favourites, with the site being jam-packed with an ice rink, hot cocoa, a winter village square, fire pits, winter markets and winter-themed trivia nights, free kids’ activities like cookie decorating, reptile encounters, and circus entertainers.
You’ll also find delicious winter-warming food and drink specials will be offer at Ms Peacock, Birdy & Co and of course the food trucks. There will also be live music and performers, magic shows, roaming Disney characters, an ice hockey exhibition match, pony rides, and more, in case you needed more convincing.
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A festival highlight will be the Winter Solstice event on Saturday, July 1 from 5pm which will see the entire precinct come alive and the sky lit up with a fireworks display. There will be something for the whole family from African drummers, a bonfire, food trucks, roving fire performers and a marshmallow toasting pit.
Entry is free, however, tickets need to be booked for ice-skating. The ice-skating rink is being specially constructed for the event and will be a centrepiece for locals and visitors alike. You can bring your own skates or hire on the day and sessions start at $13, and up to $26 for adults with cheaper options for those with skates already.
With night markets, ice skating and fit pits, this festival makes for the perfect excuse to pack the car and hit the ice!
The Eynesbury Winter Festival runs from June 23 to July 9. Visit the website for more information.
Atlanta rapper J.I.D announces Australian headline tour
The Forever And A Day tour will kick off in Auckland, NZ on August 23, before heading to Australia for shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and concluding in Sydney on August 29.
Born and raised in East Atlanta, J.I.D grew up on his parents’ collection of classic funk/soul LPs, and broke onto the scene with his 2015 EP, DiCaprio.
J.I.D Australian tour 2023
- Shed 10, Auckland: Wednesday August 23
- The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane: Friday August 25
- Festival Hall, Melbourne: Saturday August 26
- Enmore Theatre, Sydney: Tuesday August 29
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
When J.I.D joined hip hop duo EARTHGANG on tour, he was spotted by J.Cole who promptly signed him to his Interscope Records venture, Dreamville Records. Soon after signing to Dreamville, he made his major-label debut with the widely celebrated The Never Story (2017), followed up quickly by the critically acclaimed album DiCaprio 2 (2018). The sophomore project received major looks from critics and helped induct the rapper to the year’s XXL’s Freshmen class.
In 2019, J.I.D continued his momentum with stellar contributions to Dreamville’s Platinum certified compilation Revenge of the Dreamers III which went on to debut #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and received multiple Grammy nominations including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance.
After a global hit heading into 2022 in Enemy with Imagine Dragons, came J.I.D’s third studio album The Forever Story, featuring a slew of guest artists including Lil Wayne, Yasiin Bey, James Blake, Lil Durk, and more.
Live Nation pre-sale: Thu April 20, 12pm – Fri April 21, 11am. For complete tour, ticket & VIP information, visit: livenation.com.au.
A one-of-a-kind Interactive ‘Jurassic Park’ Experience is heading to Melbourne this weekend
The highest-grossing film of all time when it debuted in 1993, the always epic Jurassic Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
In honour of such a milestone, Jurassic Park fans will be able to experience a one-of-a-kind interactive T. Rex augmented reality experience exclusively at Supanova in Melbourne this weekend, April 22 & 23.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
It’s only the second time in the world that fans will get to experience this first-of-its-kind technology bringing a dinosaur to life, following its debut at London’s Trafalgar Square last year around the release of Jurassic World Dominion, when a life-sized Giganotosaurus wowed audiences.
The experience will see attendees getting up close and personal as T. rex tracks your every move.
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If that wasn’t enough, Supanova are giving guests that chance to win 1 of 5 epic limited-edition collector prize packs, which include:
- Jurassic Park limited gold-plated baby Velociraptors (Toy Monster)
- Jurassic Park ’93 Classic – Electronic Real Feel Tyrannosaurus Rex figure (Mattel)
- Jurassic World Hammond Collection – Robert Muldoon figure (Mattel)
- Jurassic World Hammond Collection – Ray Arnold figure (Mattel)
All you have to do is snap and share your most creative photo on socials using #SupaJP30 #JurassicWorldAU for your chance to win.
Heading to Melbourne, Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is a celebration of pop culture created by the Supanova family, for your family, to “bring out the inner geek” in fans of all ages.
It began in Sydney in 2002 as a completely home-grown Australian production showcasing sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime, manga, games, cosplay and much more. The brainchild of Founder Daniel Zachariou, Supanova is run by a diverse and passionate team of independent professionals with backgrounds in private industry and the creative sector. Supanova takes place in six cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast), and is Australia’s leading and largest event of its kind.
Tickets to Supanova in Melbourne are on sale now via Moshtix.
T-Pain, Ashanti and The Game to headline Juicy Fest Melbourne 2024
Fresh from delivering an all-star lineup of hip hop and R&B legends across Australia and New Zealand stages earlier this year, Juicy Fest has announced its return to Melbourne and a bunch of other cities for 2024, bringing along an impressive lineup of absolute icons.
The event, which attracted over 100,000 attendees in its debut season in January, will be staged across 9 locations in Australia and New Zealand in January 2024. Locally, Juicy Fest will descend on Melbourne Showgrounds on January 12 2024.
Juicy Fest 2024 Tour Dates
Christchurch – Jan 3
Wellington – Jan 5
Tauranga – Jan 6
Auckland – Jan 7
Melbourne – Jan 12
Sydney – Jan 13
Perth – Jan 14
Adelaide – Jan 19
Gold Coast – Jan 20
Juicy Fest Lineup 2024
T-PAIN
T.I
THE GAME
ASHANTI
TREY SONGZ
BONES THUGS N HARMONY
MARIO
FABOLOUS
KERI HILSON
+ 1 more headliner TBA
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Heading up the festival for its second edition is worldwide acts T-Pain, T.I, Ashanti, and The Game.
Well known for his popularisation of Auto-Tune in the 2000s, T-Pain is a trailblazer and R&B icon. Grammy-winning, songwriter and producer with a multitude of number one hits, T-Pain will be in Australia for the first time in over 10 years.
Undeniably one of the biggest Southern American artists of all time, with a list of accolades that boast not only music but acting, producing, tv shows and more – T.I is a certified legend and we expect Australian fans to erupt with excitement at this news.
Grammy winning singer-songwriter Ashanti will be a must-see. She has penned a number of hits, but her song “Foolish” is a worldwide number one smash. Already wooing crowds here in 2022, Ashanti is ready to come back to one of her favourite fan-bases and do it all over again.
Compton rapper the Game emerged in the early 2000s as the next generation super-star rapper from the West Coast scene, combining intense autobiographical narratives, a hunger to assert his lyrical prowess, and a creatively referential approach to hip-hop. Game’s extensive music portfolio consists of The Documentary, a full-length debut that topped the Billboard 200, Doctor’s Advocate in 2006, and The RED Album in 2011 which both also achieved Billboard No.1 status. The Game promises this set at Juicy Fest will be one to call home about, to celebrate his return to Australia after a long hiatus.
Juicy Fest Melbourne 2024 is looking to be huge!
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“Next year’s event will be bigger and better than this year’s debut which showcased global mainstream stars Nelly and Ja-Rule, as well as legendary singer, songwriter and producer Ne-yo,” said Matthew Spratt festival spokesman.
“The 2024 event will build upon the success of our inaugural year to become one of the leading music festivals on the Australian and New Zealand calendar.”
The rest of the lineup features ‘90s and 2000s legends Trey Songz, Fabulous, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Keri Hilson, Mario and one more big name to be announced soon. With combined streaming of over 100m monthly streams on Spotify alone, this 2024 edition of Juicy Fest is looming as being huge.
The festival taps into the sense of nostalgia that has become so popular around the world recently among Gen Xers, millennials and baby boomers with artists across all categories attracting sell-out crowds here in Australia – from Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube to Billy Joel and Elton John.
Juicy Fest 2024 will kick-off in Christchurch on January 3 before heading to Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland and then moving to Australia to play Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
Tickets go on sale April 26th via the Juicy Fest website.
CentreStage brings Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical to Geelong for the first time
Get ready to shake your groove thing as Australia’s most successful homegrown musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert rocks in to Geelong for the very first time, thanks to local theatre company CentreStage.
Building on the success of their iconic production of Les Misérables last year, CentreStage is poised to receive another run of standing ovations and rave reviews with the arrival of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical, showing at The Play House at the Geelong Arts Centre from 8 September through to 23 September for multiple shows.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
The iconic hit musical has more glitter and glamour than ever before, this show-stopping musical will feature a dazzling array of more than 500 costumes, 200 headdresses and a nonstop parade of dance-floor classics including “It’s Raining Men”, “I Will Survive”,“I Love The Nightlife”, “Finally”, and many more. Add in spectacular dance routines and an incredible local cast, and you’ve got pure joy guaranteed!
Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance.
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Staged by the multi-award winning creative team from CentreStage – an ethical community theatre company that embraces new talent by bringing fresh and dynamic theatre to Geelong – the arrival of Priscilla Queen of the Desert was originally slated for July 2020 but was postponed by CentreStage amidst the height of the COVID pandemic.
Now arriving in September, almost three years on, the musical will be produced by the award-winning team of Marnie Parkinson and David Greenwood, dedicated to showcasing local and diverse talent from all backgrounds.
Directed by the talented Dean Robinson, this production promises to be a feast for the senses, featuring stunning Choreography by Madeline Pratt and Musical Direction by Gabriel Taburet. The creative team is rounded out by the award-winning lighting design of Jase Bovaird, as well as an experienced team who are committed to celebrating pride and musical theatre.
Audiences can look forward to seeing the original Broadway costumes featured in this production, along with the high calibre of set design, transporting them into the vibrant and colourful world of Priscilla: The Musical. With a commitment to excellence and attention to detail, the production team promises to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience for all.
Don’t miss your chance to see this beloved musical brought to life on the Geelong Arts Centre stage by a talented and dedicated local team.
For tickets, head here.
Swan Bay Express Train Rides offers a unique scenic adventure through the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula
All aboard the Swan Bay Express Train, gifting locals and tourists alike a ride through the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula and enjoy the stunning scenery and fresh ocean air.
Perfect for families or anyone looking for a unique adventure, the Swan Bay Express Train is a must-do experience, currently running from 5 March 2023 to 30 April 2023.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
A journey you won’t forget, guests can take a scenic train trip along picturesque Swan Bay in carriages that are fully enclosed yet offer the time-honoured option of raising a window to really become part of the passing landscape.
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The volunteer Booking Officers will issue passengers with an Edmondson ticket as a souvenir of the trip and offer a printed Lineside Guide and Spotto Activity Sheet for the kids – so make sure you ‘check in’ at the booking office window before jumping on-board!
Fur passengers are welcome to travel with their families, providing they are friendly with fellow passengers and travel in the carriage allocated by our volunteers. Space may be limited and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Passenger Fares:
$17 adult
$15 concession
$13 Child
$55 Family1 (2 adult/2 children)
$65 Family2 (2 adult/3 children)
The train rides run from Bellarine Railway Queenscliff, Wadawurrung Country, 20 Symonds St, Queenscliff.
One Year of Living The Dream: Gus Unger-Hamilton on alt-J’s fourth album
After a whirlwind of seven years of album releases and what has been labelled an overnight success story, the band were exhausted but only needed a quick year-inhale to jump back into the studio. This time it was a studio of their own.
“It works really well for us that we feel at home when we are recording. I think on the third album [RELAXER] we went to record in this quite swanky studio in Shoreditch London called Strongroom which is a very good studio, but it was very expensive and very much like, a bit of a flex on our part and I think it didn’t work on our part. We agreed to an unrealistic deadline and the album turned out poorer in so doing,” explains keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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“We’ve found a place to write and record in which was really nice because it wasn’t like write, write, write, record, record, record. It was write for a couple of weeks and then record for a couple of weeks, go back to writing. It was a nice way to work. I’d like to continue that in the future.”
Plastered and decorated with alt-J accolades and shining achievements, the London studio shrines their successes, serving as a cocoon to help them build The Dream, sans deadlines.
“[The pandemic] was obviously a big disruption but in the end, I think having these big breaks and lockdowns were a good thing because it meant we didn’t go stir-crazy in the submarine atmosphere of the studio. On the whole, I think it meant we took longer to make the album and write more songs, and the album turned out better than it would have done had we taken less time. Creatively, it was a net gain for us but I don’t want to say that the pandemic was a good thing because it wasn’t,” he comments.
The same year their debut master An Awesome Wave hit the double-digit milestone, The Dream would become the fourth player in alt-J’s album game. That was a year ago but The Dream lives on. Extending their sonic story through songs ‘U&ME’ and ‘Hard Drive Gold’, The Dream both proposed and answered a burning question.
“I think it’s more trying out new things and seeing how far we can go whilst it still being alt-J and I think the answer to that is pretty far. On this album, we’re doing some house music, some barbershop, doing this post-punk fuzzy 80’s rock whilst all the while remaining true to ourselves as alt-J. I think it’s just this perpetual answer as to, “What is an alt-J song?”. Anything can be an alt-J song if alt-J writes it and that’s a really nice feeling,” Unger-Hamilton says.
The Londoners will be heading down under, paddock hopping on the Groovin’ The Moo touring festival. They’ll be joining fellow UK artists Fat Boy Slim, Nothing But Thieves, Laurel, Sophie May and Eliza Rose alongside Ball Park Music, Denzel Curry, Ocean Alley and triple teens; Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Teenage Dads, and Teenage Joans.
“It’s great to know there are going to be other UK artists on the bill. Certainly, when we have done touring festivals like Laneway in the past, it has been really nice to make friends with other bands on the bill and moving around the country together is a nice feeling. I’m looking forward to the backstage atmosphere a lot.”
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Additionally, they will be spilling songs across stages for their own The Dream headline shows across the east coast and west coast with an eager excitement to visit fans across the country.
“It feels like a home away from home for us. We’ve never had quite a response like we’ve had in Australia I would say and New Zealand as well. Back in 2012 when we first came out it was really incredible. It seemed like people had really taken us to their hearts in Australia. Particularly being a country we had never been to before, it was extremely heartwarming really for us.
“It’s something we always want to come back to and I think as a part of the world for us it feels a bit more at home than say America culturally speaking; it feels like you can be yourself a bit more which is great.”
Make them feel at home during their Bendigo for Groovin’ The Moo appearance on Saturday 29 April. Tickets at gtm.net.au
Lachlan Denton unveils third album ‘Furnishings’, documenting the songwriter’s shift from Music to Furniture making
As a songwriter, Lachlan Denton is mid-20 and going on 70.
Poised with wisdom beyond his years, the Naarm-based musician’s newest offering explores a wealth of home truths; retrospectively reflecting on loving relationships taken for granted and prudently documenting the shift of Denton’s life and focus from music to furniture making.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Opener ‘Zac’ explores the linear nature of loss, with Denton powerfully singing to his deceased brother Zac, assuring him that although gone too soon, his legacy and “light still burns bright”.
“My last solo record was all for and about my little brother Zac. After I wrote that record, I decided I wanted to write songs for all the members of my immediate family, to say the things that could easily go unsaid before our time is up. I wanted to pick up where I left off with a song for Zac to open the record. Zac is omnipresent in my life. I think about him every day and I find I’m always re-visiting the moments we spent together. I was thinking about the idea of time not being linear. What if all those moments we spent together were all happening all at once, just as the present,” Denton says of the single.
“As if in this moment we were on the stage again together or on my grandparents farm in the school holidays of our youth. I guess this song is about saying, no one moment has any more meaning than another, and that although Zac isn’t here now, in a tactile sense, those moments from another time, we spent together, can still have the same weight as the present, if we wish to see if that way.”
The commemorative ‘Braeside’ explores Denton’s longing for simple yet unattainable enjoyments such as enjoying “a hot cup of nan’s Milo one last time”, whilst ‘Dad’ talks about maturing as a man, presenting realisations of accountability through a series of conflicts faced with his father growing up.
They are lamentations laid bare, again delineating Denton as a lyricist unafraid to leave himself unguarded. But whilst the lyrics may be vulnerable in nature, Furnishings’ is presented through a mirage of vibrant pop-rock melodies and the upbeat, jangle-pop sensibility of Echo & the Bunnymen.
This gives Furnishings an overall tonal quality that feels too experimental to act as Denton’s musical retirement. And considering the level of depth its lyrical content conveys, it doesn’t seem like he has finished saying everything he has to say yet.
This leaves me with the impression that although Denton may be moving onto furniture making for now, he’s not done with music yet.
Check out the album here.
American rocker Jackson Browne cancels Sydney and Melbourne concerts over the weekend
After initially postponing Thursday night’s Melbourne show due to illness, American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne went on to postpone scheduled performances at Aware Super Theatre, Sydney, on Saturday 14 April and Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, on Sunday 16 April.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne announces Australian tour
In a statement over the weekend, the singer said:
“My Dear Friends,
I’m sorry to have to tell you that I’m still very sick, and have to postpone my concert at the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney. Though I have been taking antibiotics, and have had three days of vocal rest, that has not produced the results I was hoping for. In fact, I don’t actually know what kind of infection I have.
This means that I must postpone the rescheduled Melbourne show also. I’m very disappointed, because our shows have been going so well, and we have all been so excited to play for you. I’m disappointed too, not to get to hear Liz Stringer! I promise to get back here at the first opportunity, and play these two shows.”
Fans are urged to hold onto their tickets, with details of the rescheduled dates to be confirmed in the coming days. Tickets for the original Sydney and Melbourne shows will be valid for the new dates – ticketholders will be contacted directly by Ticketek with details.
Patrons unable to attend the rescheduled dates are able to obtain a full refund. For any further questions, please contact Ticketek via the link here.
Jackson Browne Tour Update
Saturday 15 April
Aware Super Theatre, Sydney, NSW
POSTPONED
Sunday 16 April
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC
POSTPONED
Tuesday 18 April
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, NZ
Wednesday 19 April
Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, NZ
Friday 21 April
Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ