Carl Barron announces fourth ‘Skating Rink for Flies’ show in Geelong due to overwhelming demand
Hailed as one of Australia’s most popular comedians, Carl Barron will be bringing his Skating Rink for Flies show to Geelong this May and June, adding two final performances to his run of local shows.
The comedian will now take to Costa Hall on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 8pm, following two previously announced back-to-back nights on Tuesday 30 May and Wednesday 31 May at 8pm.
With all performances close to selling out, you can get your tickets here.
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
His newest show sees the comedian (voted number one two years running), ponder things we all think about but never mention.
The show was spawned from when Carl was a small boy at school, he asked the teacher how ants feel. He never got an answer all those years ago, but he still wants to know. You’ll hear musing from the comedian about things like plastic bags, peanut butter and the possible emotions of an ant. There is no point to this show other than to make you laugh as much as possible.
Funny stories from a bloke with a funny head. What more could you ask for? (Bit of wee guarantee)
Five of Carl Barron’s best YouTube clips from back in the day
Tickets for all shows are on sale now here.
Mild Minds announces debut Australian headline tour
Acclaimed electronic producer Mild Minds has announced a debut national headline tour this coming June/July, with support from edapollo.
The Melbourne-born, LA-based producer will be bringing his authentic and unrestricted experimental show live to dance floors across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Mild Minds Australian Tour 2023
30th June, Brightside Indoors, Brisbane QLD
1st July 2023, Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
8th July, Howler Melbourne VIC
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The tour comes off the back of a successful sold-out headline tour in the United States for the artist who has been celebrated around the world for carving his own lane in the electronic space. His debut album ‘MOOD’ (2020) was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize boasting over 100 million album streams, building a body of work that pushes boundaries working with fluttering synths, swirling melodies and melting vocals to get lost in.
From the beginning of his artistic journey Mild Minds was immediately signed with ODESZA’s label Foreign Family Collective alongside RÜFÜS DU SOL, as well as Inertia in Australia/New Zealand, joining the likes of Bicep, Bonobo, and Leon Vynehal.
During this time the official remix of Mild Mind’s debut single ‘SWIM’ was nominated for a Grammy Award, has remixed and been remixed by other acclaimed artists such as DJ Boring, Tycho, and ODESZA while receiving consistent praise from Giles Peterson, Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 and album of the week honour on Double J.
Since then, Mild Minds has toured his music around the world with Tycho, Bob Moses and Big Wild as well as playing at major festivals such as Coachella, Outside Lands, Life Is Beautiful and the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Tickets are on sale now here.
Culture Club are heading to Australia with a greatest hits tour with Berlin
The Culture Club Greatest Hits Tour kicks off at Perth’s RAC Arena on 5 September, then heads to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on 8 September, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on 9 September, Adelaide Entertainment Centre on 11 September and concludes at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 14 September. Telstra Presale commencing at 10am (local time) on Monday 17 April with the general public on-sale at 10am (local time) on Friday 21 April.
Multiple past sell out tours cemented Australia’s love affair with the celebrated 80’s pop band. They’re led by superstar frontman, Boy George, who endeared himself to new Australian audiences as coach on The Voice in 2017.
Culture Club Australian tour
- Tuesday 5th September: RAC Arena, Perth
- Friday 8th September: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
- Saturday 9th September: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
- Monday 11th September: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
- Thursday 14th September: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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Culture Club has been selling out arenas since the 1980s, with their debut album Kissing To Be Clever selling over 50 million copies worldwide, including Top 10 hits Karma Chameleon, Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, and Time (Clock of the Heart). Their second album Colour By Numbers sold over 10 million albums and shot to triple platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US. It currently sits at number 96 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the 80s. The adulation from around the world and soaring record sales saw Culture Club explode on a global level.
Fast forward to the 2020s and they’re joined by a bigger lineup, which has added another element of sound to their live shows.
Meanwhile, Berlin are recognised as an American progenitor of electro-pop. The Los Angeles-based band made its first national impression with the provocative single Sex (I’m A…) from the platinum-selling debut EP Pleasure Victim in 1982. The Metro and No More Words were also chart toppers, but it was Take My Breath Away that took the band to another level. The ballad’s defining role in the Tom Cruise film, Top Gun, helped solidify Berlin’s everlasting place in pop culture. The song was a #1 international hit and received both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1986.
Says Terri Nunn, “We are OVER THE MOON to be joining Culture Club on this tour! We absolutely love Australia and its amazing people. Can’t wait to see you!”
Tickets on sale through Ticketek for all shows on Friday 21st April at 10.00am (local time) here.
Interactive lightshows, powerful performances and a whole bunch of comedy: South Side Festival is set to illuminate Frankston
Frankston boasts a distinctive combination of modern urban amenities and vibrant arts precinct and is set to host the dazzling South Side Festival this May. Featuring a stellar lineup of art exhibitions, First Nations Dance, torch lit street art tours, light and sound installations and live music, South Side Festivals will take over the city from May 5 to 14.
South Side Festival
- South Side Festival will return to Frankston
- It spans over 10 days of festivities, from May 5 to 14
- 60+ artists, 30+ events and experiences
- A combo of free and ticketed, family-friendly and diverse programming
- Highlights include Mandylights: Plexus, a Shaun Tan exhibition and Ten Minute Dance Parties
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
From the immersive, underground and all-encompassing digital monolith of Mandylights: PLEXUS, to the thought-provoking and inspiring exhibition Shaun Tan: The Rules of Summer, there’s plenty to see and experience at South Side Festival. Returning home to Frankston fresh from four-star reviews at both Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe’s Scratch Arts will take us on a futuristic journey in Liminal Treats and actor/comedian, Damien Warren-Smith, and director Cal McCrystal (The Mighty Boosh, Paddington 1 & 2) prove one man truly can rule the stage in Garry Starr Performs Everything.
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Fresh off the stage of Sydney WorldPride 2023, Mama Alto, the gender transcendent diva, jazz singer, and cabaret artiste, is set to unveil her latest production titled That Song Changed My Life and Karul Projects and choreographer Thomas E. S. Kelly will present their powerful First Nations dance performance, SILENCE.
In addition, Big Bao, an arts collective with a mission to showcase Asian-Australian artists and artists of colour, is presenting MELD – a captivating performance that seamlessly blends live music, dance, movement, and lighting to create an immersive experience.
But South Side Festival isn’t just about the events themselves – it’s also a chance to experience the unique blend of contemporary urban experiences, stunning coastal scenery, and hidden bushland gems that make Frankston such a special place. “We are driven to stimulate imaginations, transform perceptions, excite and entice and South Side Festival’s dynamic programming delivers on all counts,” says Mayor Conroy.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this arts festival promises something for everyone, with a fantastic line-up of events that will leave you mesmerised.
It all goes down from May 5 to 14. Find out more by heading here.
This article was made in partnership with Frankston City Council
Watty Thompson is living his dream with affirming, joyous and inspiring debut album
When reviewing an album, the first listen is normally quite a manic process. Half the time your mind’s racing with thoughts, comparisons and critiques; the other half, you’re rewinding songs because note-taking has diverted your attention from what’s unfolding in front of you. It’s quite a stop-start process.
Now and again though, you come across an artist whose songwriting is so immersive, that upon completion of their album you look at your notes and think, ‘Ah shit, I didn’t write anything’.
Watty Thompson has that ability.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Regardless of what your day has offered up, Thompson provides the remedy. Whether you’re pining over lost love; lusting for a new one; or just embracing the simplicity of day-to-day life, the Otways-based artist will make you tune in and switch off for a moment. And with his straight-to-the-point style of lyricism; gravelly, cigarette-stained vocals and heavy Antipodean drawl cutting through your speakers like an ocker therapist telling you to ‘man up and get more sensitive’, he’ll make you think.
Refreshingly, his ability to do so is never in a subversive way, with Thompson’s songwriting largely finding its profundity through its observational and earnest relatability. From the socially aloof characteristics examined in ‘Jenny’, to ‘A Revolving Lament’s thoughtful considerations of wanting to quit drinking, but still really liking it; Thompson’s home truths are one’s that many will easily resonate with.
Many already have, with his 10-piece backing band, The Total Fire Band, boasting an illustrious list of collaborators helping to bring Thompson’s individualistic vision to life. The opening track ‘By Your Side’ balances delicate string arrangements behind Thompson’s brash, slurred vocals. ‘City To Run’ adds the dazzle of country-pop backing vocals to help boost its jovial nature and ‘Mountain Sage’ brings it all together, feeling like a backyard symphony as each of the 11 members effortlessly intertwines.
In another particularly standout moment, ‘On Your Shoulder’ sees Thompson marry an enigmatic flute melody with a flurry of electric guitars; powerful brass arrangements and harmonious backing vocals. Considering its triumphant form as a song, and the fact that it was born out of a flute riff that he’d been sitting on for 13 years, it seems fitting that the song’s chorus sees Thompson reflect on not giving up on your dreams.
And that is really what Watty Thompson’s self-titled debut comes across as; a man living his dream. He’s already cut his teeth amongst the local rock ‘n’ roll bands of the 2010s (Sheriff, Jumpin’ Jack Williams, Bitter Sweet Kicks, The Neptune Power Federation) and now he’s returning to his roots to write the music that he’s always wanted to write.
As a result, it’s delivered with an authenticity that can’t be faked.
Watty Thompson the debut LP is out through Cheatin’ Hearts on April 14th, 2023.
The Southern River Band announce national tour for May and June
The Southern River Band have well-earned their reputation as the future of modern Australian Rock ‘n’ Roll. Between electrifying passion in their nationally touring live show, a 2022 W.A.M. Rock Band of the Year award, loveable larrikin personalities and perfectly crafted songs, they never falter. This reputation has culminated in the release of their latest single ‘The Streets Don’t Lie’ today accompanied by a music video and national touring details.
Kicking off in May they’ll be touring through WA before venturing over east to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in June.
The Southern River Band Australian Tour
Sunday, 7th May High Voltage Fremantle, WA
Friday, 19th May Indian Ocean Hotel Scarborough, WA
Saturday, 20th May Albies Busselton, WA
Saturday 27th May Gosnells Hotel Gosnells, WA
Thursday 8th June The Vanguard Sydney, NSW
Friday 9th June Brunswick Ballroom Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 10th June The Zoo Brisbane, QLD
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The new song, ‘The Streets Don’t Lie, is about the unraveling futures of old school mate rascals, with the band’s signature sound into a riffed-out, diesel-soaked single. Featuring strutting guitar riffs and vocals that ooze swagger, this latest single serves everything that fans have come to expect.
“Do you ever wonder what happened to the people you went to school with that were, ah… ‘disciplinarily challenged’? Well this song takes a deeper look at how it may or may not have panned out for them, with the names removed to protect the guilty. Why? Cos The Streets Don’t Lie.” The Southern River Band.
‘The Streets Don’t Lie’ was recorded in their hometown at RADA Studios. The track was mixed by Dan Carroll (Carla Geneve, Spacey Jane, Grievous Bodily Calm) & mastered by Grammy Award-winning Australian sound engineer William Bowden (Gotye, Spacey Jane, Kylie Minogue) at King Willy Sound.
One thing can be counted on at The Southern River Band’s show – loud, raucous, sweaty crowds crackling with an electrifying energy. Unmatched in passion and energy, they’ve built a well-earned reputation for delivering a hard hitting performance garnering high praise such as “Cal Kramer is possibly the best front man in Australia” (X-press Magazine).
Over previous summers, while the blistering sun beat down and the tinnies stayed cold, The Southern River Band toured nationally with Jebediah, Birds of Tokyo, Spacey Jane, Wolfmother, Grinspoon, Amyl and the Sniffers and then most recently with UK powerhouses The Darkness.
With power coursing through every chord, energy crackling with every chorus their live set has been continually refined on festival stages of Groovin the Moo, Splendour XR, 2021 AFL Brownlow Medal Broadcast, Boogie Festival, By the Pier Festival, Dashville Gumball, Sugarloaf Rock, Cherry Rock and Highway to Hell. Quickly gaining attention at a National level from both festivals and touring, the band from Thornlie, WA have expanded their horizons and launched into a broader stage growing their fan base with their infectious energy.
In the past year The Southern River band released a live studio album ‘Live from Rada Studios’ bookended by single releases for ‘Modern Romance’ and most recently ‘Watch Yourself (You’re Gonna Hurt Somebody)’. The latter of which saw the band embark on a sold-out national tour.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now.
Catch some of the best live, local artists around Geelong with free street gig series Music in the City
Local bands, singer-songwriters and street performers will continue to captivate audiences across the regional city for an Autumn edition of the City’s Music in the City series until the end of May.
Running all through March, April and May, the series of live gigs by local Geelong artists is predominantly focused in the Little Malop Central precinct from 12-2pm each weekday.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The incredible local lineup includes the likes of pop classics duo The Gems, songwriter and guitarist Eden Ariston and fiddle and guitar duo String Theory, as well as local heroes Rach Brennan, Levi Anderson and Andrea Robertson.
Musicians cover a diverse range of genres such as jazz, indie, gypsy folk, blues, roots, reggae and rock, including original compositions, with some performances will share exclusive songs and stories to our region.
“The program is just one of the ways Council is supporting the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan by attracting increased investment to the area,” says Councillor Eddy Kontelj – Brownbill Ward.
“We’re always looking at ways to promote social connection and support our local musicians who are incredibly talented and unique.
“There are plans to add to Music in the City to the May’d Festival that Creative Geelong are delivering in Little Malop Central and Centrepoint Arcade on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May 2023.”
The perfect way to catch some live music at lunch, or take the kids for some midweek entertainment, Geelong’s Autumn edition of street entertainment has something for everyone.
There’s no tickets or bookings required to catch these free gigs, just suss the locations online and show up! Please note performances are weather dependant and subject to change.
Gigs coming up in April
- Thursday 13 April
Rach, Liam & Lachy – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Friday 14 April
Will & Liam – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Monday 17 April
Georgie & Lachie – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Tuesday 18 April
Christine & Tim – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Wednesday 19 April
The Gems – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Thursday 20 April
Los Locos Trio – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Friday 21 April
Levi Anderson & friends – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Monday 24 April
Bethany Lyall – Green in Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Tuesday 25 April (ANZAC Day)
No performance – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Wednesday 26 April
Andrea Robertson – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Thursday 27 April
SpiderJazz Trio – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm - Friday 28 April
Marcus Hayden & Matt Baird – Little Malop Central | 12pm – 2pm
May dates and performers will be added soon.
For more info, head here.
WIN! We’re giving away a $50 SHEIN gift voucher and a double pass to Ultra Australia festival
We’re celebrating SHEIN Australia’s new partnership with one of the world’s largest electronic festivals, Ultra, by giving away a double pass and gift voucher packages worth a whopping $400.
Last week SHEIN announced a co-branded merch drop, fusing the vibrant energy of the music festival with innovative designs and affordability synonymous with the SHEIN brand. The SHEIN X ULTRA AUSTRALIA collection features an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories catering to both men and women. Each piece exudes the boldness and excitement that embody the spirit of Ultra Music Festival. The range includes statement-making festival outfits, such as graphic tees, neon bodysuits, holographic separates, reflective jackets, and unique accessories like fanny packs, sunglasses, and face masks. It showcases a colourful palette of neon hues, bold patterns, and futuristic elements, ensuring the festival-goers express their personal style.
Catch up on the latest music interviews, news and reviews here.
As part of the new collab, the partnership includes a festival pop-up activation in Melbourne and festival ticket giveaways. The world-leading clothing brand will be hosting an immersive Glam Station pop-up at Ultra Music Festival on Saturday, April 15 at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
In addition to seeing Hardwell, DJs Sub Zero Project and Darren Styles, DJ Deborah De Luca and Timmy Trumpet among others, festival-goers can test Shein’s cosmetic brand SHEGLAM, and receive complimentary consultations and touch-ups with professional make-up artists.
With this new partnership and Australia’s biggest electronic music festival happening this weekend, we’re giving away a $50 SHEIN gift voucher and a double pass to Ultra Australia festival Melbourne.
All you have to do to enter is chuck in your details below. The competition closes at 9am April 14, when the winner will be drawn and notified. By entering, you agree to receive marketing collateral from Forte and competition partners. For more info, check out our privacy policy.
SHEIN Australia is also giving away tons of additional tickets to the Ultra Music Festival festival; visit their IG @shein_au for details.
Connor Morel’s gig-turned-musical-turned-existential-crisis ‘A Lovely Day To Be Online’ heads to Comedy Fest
Fresh from an impressive run at Adelaide Fringe Festival earlier this year, Geelong and Melbourne based actor, singer, writer and musician Connor Morel is bringing his gig-turned-musical-turned-existential-crisis theatre show ‘A Lovely Day To Be Online’ to Melbourne International Comedy Festival this week.
Taking over the Brunswick Ballroom for two special shows, on 13 and 14 April, singer-songwriter and self-obsessed internet addict Connor fronts a live band in this original gig-theatre show that asks: are we doing the internet right? Is the first video of a cat playing the piano as good as the 80th? Is the convenience of being able to talk to anyone worth the inconvenience of everyone being able to talk? And would life just be easier without it all?
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
From the fake Instagram influencers to the radical keyboard warriors; the scamming crypto hackers to the obsessive YouTube addicts: we’re all in the sauce. But is it all going too far? And what would it take for us to realise it is?
Full of original soul-pop tunes, stories, memes and a whole lot of heart, this show delves into the humanity of how we use the internet, and how it preys on us when we’re at our worst.
Debuting at Melbourne Fringe last year to rave reviews, Connor (frontman of Geelong’s nostalgic pop rock band The Run and who is already being referred to as ‘an Australian answer to Bo Burnham) wrote the 50-minute show as a reflection on his own obsession with his smartphone and what it was doing to him.
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Addressing how social media affects his relationships, his local community, and his broader understanding of how the world functions, the show was initially inspired by Connor’s own frustrating habit for his smartphone pre-pandemic, and escalating mid-pandemic with an increase in screen time prompting the rise in conversations surrounding politics and social media in popular culture (think the documentary The Social Dilemma and podcast Your Undivided Attention).
Featuring musical director and arranger William Conway (who plays for rising Melbourne acts Seb Szabo, Maz Green and Hassall), A Lovely Day To Be Online is a hilarious look into internet culture, and a glaring critique into who we become when we leave the real world.
A Lovely Day To Be Online will head to Melbourne on April 13 and April 14 as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Purchase tickets here.
UK’s New Order comedy trio hits the Comedy Festival this month
Experience the best of fresh comedy from the United Kingdom with New Order! Featuring a trio of mini-shows from Chloe Petts, Huge Davies and Rob Auton, New Order is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the brightest in British hilarity.
New Order
- Performing at Melbourne Town Hall
- Featuring three separate 20-minute performances from Chloe Petts, Huge Davies and Rob Auton
- Tickets on sale now
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
Hailed as one of the most exciting up-and-coming comics in the UK scene, Chloe Petts has been making waves. Having her debut show Transience sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival pushed her into the limelight, and she has gained acclaim across her country.
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Petts “tackles hot topics like gender and toxic masculinity in a calm, and crucially, hilarious way” states I Magazine in their five-star review.
Dark comedy, strange music and a keyboard strapped to his body are just a few things Huge Davies offers MICF punters this year. With a smash hit at Edinburgh Fringe just like show-mate Chloe, Davies has been described as “A brilliant aloof injection of excellence” by UK magazine, The List.
Award-winning ‘stand up poet’ Rob Auton brings his charm and philosophy to his debut down under. Having performed with Rob Delaney, and working with Netflix, Auton is more than another charm to be caught at this year’s MICF.
The Guardian calls Auton “A genuine original Poetical, philosophical, humane and funny to boot”.
Performing back-to-back sets, the New Order is performing April 6-23, at Melbourne Town Hall for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Find tickets and more information here.
Sample the next generation of stand-up wildcards with Comedy Zone
Celebrating and platforming comedians from all walks of life throughout our country, Comedy Zone highlights comedy’s wildcards and gives us a taste of a few different voices in one special event.
Comedy Zone
- Comedy Zone will be held at Trades Hall – Common Rooms Bar
- Featuring five individual shows fresh Aussie comedians around the nation
- Tickets on sale now
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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Alexandra Hudson (NSW) took the top spot at RAW Comedy’s National Grand Final last year, and has been taking the scene by storm with her keen observational comedy, built from her experiences as a disabled woman in the world today. Dubbed as one to watch, her punchy style keeps every audience in stiches.
Ben Hunter (QLD) is a filmmaker, comedian and artist. Delving into absurdity and awkwardness, Ben is a standout across venues in Queensland, and is keen to spread his wings across the country.
AJ Lamarque (NSW) is a queer, mixed race comedian. With a finger on the pulse, AJ tackles tough and interesting topics with his skilled performances and keen writing. Winning awards in comedy and community work, AJ is just as funny as he is accurate.
Samuel Gebreselassie (VIC) was born in Ethiopia, lived in New Zealand and is now based in Footscray. Taking a fresh view to Melbourne’s comedy scene, Sam’s bold style makes him unafraid to take on uncomfortable topics and still keep the audience laughing.
Annie Boyle (NSW) gives her audiences deadpan, dry comedy with killer timing. Selling out in Sydney and Adelaide, Annie is a small town woman who delights her audiences.
A perfect opportunity to witness the up and comers before they’re harder to see, Comedy Zone has yet another amazing lineup for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Don’t miss out on this killer lineup, make sure to grab your tickets here.
The unstoppable ’80s new wave band Pseudo Echo are coming to Geelong
After a three-year hiatus, Pseudo Echo return with an epic national tour to coincide with the release of the Ultimate double album & DVD, chronicling their expansive forty-year music career.
Performing sell-out shows across the country for the last four decades, Pseudo Echo will be taking to The Story House at the Geelong Art Centre on Friday, 22 September 2023.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Pseudo Echo pioneered the eighties with their avant-garde look and electro sound, introducing audiences to a new sound in an era of pub rock. Making history along the way, Pseudo Echo became the first unrecorded band to appear on the legendary Australian music show “Countdown”.
Following the release of gold and platinum albums “Autumnal Park” and “Love An Adventure”, the band achieved world-wide success with the release of their international hit “Funky Town”, establishing themselves as one of the most iconic, multi-award winning bands in the country.
The “Ultimate” tour features a six-piece line-up, performing a hit-filled two hour set, including Funky Town, Listening, A Beat For You, Don’t Go, Living In A Dream, Love an Adventure and more, faithful to the original sound.
Also, for the first time since the eighties, the band will be performing feature tracks from the much-loved stadium rock “Race” album.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Geelong Pride Film Festival: The annual award-winning celebration of LGBTQIA+ cinema returns
Spread over two weeks from 20 – 30 April, the festival will present a series of cinema screenings at the Pivotonian Cinema, Village Cinemas Geelong and Platform Arts. The expansive program boasts over 50 short films and 10 feature films from around the globe, including a number of Australian premiere screenings.
With an aim to bring more diversity to the region’s screens following a recent win at the Victorian Pride Awards (taking out Most Outstanding Contribution to the Arts) the Geelong Pride Film Festival has curated an impressively broad program this year, spotlighting several fantastic queer-proud movies that are confidently pushing their way out of genre-niche territory and commanding worldwide attention.
Stay up to date with what’s happening within the region’s art scene here.
“We are celebrating diversity with this year’s program with the very best films from around the world and Australian films that are winning acclaim internationally,” festival president, Stephen Ryan said.
The program is jam-packed and presents a diverse range of stories, genres and LGBTQIA+ experiences.
Here’s what you need to see at the Geelong Pride Film Festival:
Best In Show (PG)
Fri 21 April, 8pm
Village Cinemas Geelong
Hailed by Rolling Stone as the greatest comedy of the 21st century, the GPFF brings Christopher Guest’s (Spinal Tap) 2000 cult classic mockumentary back to the cinema. Starring Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Jane Lynch, Parker Posey and a classic performance from Jennifer Coolidge, (White Lotus, Legally Blonde) Best In Show introduces the unforgettable and hilarious camp characters of the competitive and cut-throat world of dog shows.
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Esther Newton Made Me Gay (15+)
Sat 22 April, 5:30pm
Village Cinemas Geelong
Directed by Jean Carlomusto, Esther Newton Made Me Gay explores the life and times of ground-breaking scholar and cultural anthropologist Esther Newton. Agility, persistence and passionate inquiry have driven Esther Newton’s survival as a butch lesbian, octogenarian athlete, and pioneering scholar whose life’s work has influenced generations of LGBTQ activists and researchers. This documentary tells her story of awakening to gay life in the 1950s, the women’s liberation movement and lesbian feminism, drag culture and forging a butch identity which for her is now in conversation with trans-masculinity.
Manscaping (15+)
Sun 23 April, 3pm
The Pivotonian Cinema
Manscaping is an extraordinary documentary that provides an intimate glimpse into the lives and work of three queer men who are reimagining the traditional barbershop as a more inclusive space, styling new conceptions of masculinity along the way. From filmmaker Broderick Fox, the stories, artistry and activism of Black American visual artist Devan Shimoyama, Australian fetish barber/porn producer Richard Savvy, and transgender Canadian barber Jessie Anderson model ways we can cut through the toxicity of male fragility in favor of social inclusion and personal freedom.
In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction (15+)
Fri 28 April, 8:30pm
The Pivotonian Cinema
In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction documents the history and impact of lesbian fiction from the 1920s through the 1990s. Narrator Lillian Faderman recounts the impact key world events had on LGBTQ history throughout the decades. With remarkable archival footage and a host of interviews from numerous trailblazing lesbian authors, including Ann Bannon, Rita Mae Brown, Jewel Gomez and Sarah Waters, we learn how these world events helped shape their stories and their place in the world.
Will-o’-the-Wisp (18+)
Sun 30 April, 2pm
The Pivotonian Cinema
Described by attendees at Cannes as ‘berserk, irreverent and darkly humorous’, the surreal Portuguese musical comedy Will-o’-the-Wisp is a must-see at the festival. On his deathbed, his royal highness Alfredo, king without a crown, is taken back to distant youth memories and the time he dreamt of becoming a fireman. The encounter with instructor Afonso from the fire brigade, who teaches all there is to know, from holding a hose to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, opens a new chapter in the life of the two young men immersed in love and desire, and the will to change the status quo.
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This year GPFF is bookending the festival with its signature collections of Rainbow Shorts from around the world on opening night and finale of Happy Endings, featuring comedy short films and films with positive and uplifting outcomes for characters.
Ran by a group of brilliant volunteers, the Geelong Pride Film Festival aims to contribute to the development of a thriving and vibrant community in Geelong for those who identify as LGBTQIA+. It’s also perfect for film lovers who are yearning to see a movie on a big screen in a room filled with fellow cinephiles, bringing people together to witness the latest and greatest in LGBTQIA+ in our local cinemas.
View the full program and purchase tickets at gpff.org.au
A French raclette melted cheese Igloo experience is coming to Melbourne this winter
Say cheese to an unforgettable French culinary experience this winter as The Raclette Igloo experience arrives in Melbourne, bringing along a Winter Wonderland of French cheese and culture.
Prepare to gather your friends and family in your private igloo, feast on raclette cheese, sip on mulled wine, and enjoy your very own fire pit with marshmallows. For three weeks, from Thursday 18th of May to Sunday 11th of June, the Raclette Igloo Experience will take over the rooftop of Fed Square, offering you the chance to enjoy a traditional French dish while surrounded by a cozy, mountain-style atmosphere.
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
The wonderland will have 14 igloos on site, each named after a famous French ski resort. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by French-speaking staff who will enhance the cultural experience. Your “raclette guide” will then take you through how to eat raclette and will immerse you into this unique dining experience.
As you walk through the entrance, snow falling gently around you, you’ll be greeted with the spiced warmth of mulled wine, surrounded by pine trees and twinkling fairy lights that set the stage for a magical moment. The premium experience continues inside different igloos, where you can reunite with your loved ones and indulge in one of the most popular dishes from France – Raclette.
“Raclette isn’t just a meal – it’s a French tradition of sharing, laughter, and indulgence. Some of my best memories are gathering around the Raclette grill with my friends and family, savouring the delicious flavours and enjoying each other’s company,” says Vincent Hernandez – event director.
“At the Igloo Raclette experience, we bring that same warmth and joy to Melbourne, allowing people to create unforgettable memories together while indulging in lots of cheese.”
On the table, there will be up to two kilos of raclette cheese (direct from France) and a selection of four exquisite, cured meats. But that’s not all! The experience will also be serving boiled potatoes, pickled onions, and cornichons, all served family-style.
To complement your meal, it’s all served with a glass of mulled wine, a match made in heaven to fully enjoy a raclette dish.
Inside your igloo, you’ll also enjoy your own mini bar with a selection of French wines (for an additional cost) that pair perfectly with the dish. If you prefer something lighter, you will find a selection of soft drinks, including still and sparkling water, and sodas.
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Indulge in the perfect ending to a scrumptious dining experience by gathering around a fire pit with your loved ones and roasting giant marshmallows to perfection. The crackling warmth of the fire creates the perfect backdrop for sharing stories and laughter while enjoying this classic treat.
Last year, in Canberra where the experience first launched, tickets sold out in only a couple of weeks.
To celebrate the debut of the Raclette Igloo Australian Tour in Melbourne, for a limited time only, (until Sunday 16th of April) guests can secure their igloo reservation with deposit of just $99. This exclusive offer not only gives customers ample time to organize their party, but also guarantees priority access to the best available booking times and dates before the release of the tickets on Monday 17th of April.
You can book an igloo for a party of 6 or 8 people.
DETAILS
What? (Quoi?) – Raclette Igloo Experience.
When? (Quand?) – Thursday 18th of May to Sunday 11th of June.
Where? (Ou?) – Federation Square Skyline, Melbourne.
Find out more and pre-book here.
Immerse yourself in a dreamy tranquil wonderland with Coda Chroma’s third album ‘Dream-self’
There’s just something so magical about Coda Chroma. From the breathtaking vocals of Kate Lucas to the swirling layers of synths provided by Natalie Lewis, the Ballarat-based indie-folk outfit possess a dreamlike quality like no other.
Their aptly named third album, Dream-self, continues to showcase a natural knack for creating atmospheric landscapes, with the group bolstering their enigmatic sound through a wealth of synth-driven cinematic soundscapes and awe-inspiring jangle-pop melodies.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
‘I’m Not Fighting It’ sets the tone well, providing contrasts between synth-heavy dream-pop sensibilities and wistful Spaghetti Western guitar licks. ‘If I Imagined’ adds vibrancy through its up-tempo snare patterns and surf-rock guitar riffs, whilst ‘Back In The Theatrette’ sees dual vocal harmonies and rattled percussive elements shine through in its stripped-back approach.
‘Castle’ further highlights the group’s conceptual nature, utilising mystifying string arrangements and melancholic reverbed vocals to enhance its austere atmosphere. The Weyes Blood-inspired ‘Attic’ echoes this, with subdued guitars, dissonant key patterns and soaring vocals used to shift back and forth between the songs’ simmering rhythms and visceral crescendos.
Matched with the immaculate work of producer Damien Charles, ‘Frankenstein’, on the other hand, ambitiously leans into industrial-tinged symphonic soundscapes.
Of the album Lucas reflects, “Most of these songs were bursting to get out, requiring very little encouragement – the lyrics build scenes mainly through abstraction and metaphor, with some direct hits here and there. Production concepts were guided by the songs’ storytelling not by genre. It was really hard to choose which songs should be on this album, and we made changes right up to the eleventh hour, but I think Dream-self flows really well now.”
It really is a ride. At times dark and brooding, other times uplifting and inspiring; it’s an album that will tell you how to feel. Evocative in its nature and true to its title, Dream-self will have you feeling like you’re inside a dreamy tranquil wonderland.
Label: Echo Foxtrot
Release date: 31/03/23
‘Still stuff for the diehards’: Mudhoney return for their first pub shows in the country since 2014
For the better part of 25 years, Mudhoney have honed in on a tried and tested formula. Distorted garage rock guitar tones, brazen punk ferocity, and the signature muffle of the esteemed Big Muff pedal are all sounds synonymous with the Seattle proto-grunge outfit, who are largely credited as innovators of the grunge movement.
So at this point, if the underground grunge icons were to release an album that was a rehash of their seminal 1988 breakthrough release Superfuzz Bigmuff, fans wouldn’t just be content, they’d be stoked.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
That said, it should be relatively easy for the well-oiled rockers to get into the studio and bust out an album at any point – especially when the group’s bassist confirms that the band can record an album in a timespan just shy of a fortnight.
“I’ve been in the band for the last 21 years, and the six studio albums that I’ve made with them have always been recorded in a period of 10 to 14 days,” laughs the group’s Australian-born and based bassist Guy Maddison.
“And that’s usually with breaks in there as well,” he adds.
Expanding on the group’s quick turnaround times with recording sessions Maddison noted, “We try to hone in all of the songs before we go in the studio.
“I think a lot of bands that spend longer in the studio are perhaps more experimental with their writing process and don’t have things entirely mapped out, whereas we rehearse stuff a lot, and then go in and lay it down pretty quickly.
“I guess we’re well-practised at this point because we normally get through recording pretty quickly.
“Plus, we’ve got a raw sound, which is sometimes easy to recreate in the studio.”
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While Maddison states that, the group’s most recent effort Plastic Eternity begs to differ, with the group’s twelfth full-length release highlighting quite a significant changeup for the band’s sound. Sure, it’s still Mudhoney through and through, but with singles like the quasi-psychedelic ‘Almost Everything’ channelling elements akin to the overlapping krautrock rhythms of Can, and the Latin-inspired neo-psych/Afrobeat fusion of ex-label mates GOAT, it’s undoubtedly packing a different flavour than the group’s iconic back catalogue.
“It’s interesting that you picked up on that,” remarks Maddison. “GOAT released two fantastic records on Sub Pop probably about ten years ago now. They are an amazing band.
“And interestingly enough, when it comes to rhythmic aspects of ‘Almost Everything’, Dan actually does play hand drums on it, which is a little bit unusual for us.
“The way we normally write is, we come up with riffs, we record them in our practice studio and then Mark goes back and sees how he can fit in the lyrics,” he explains.
“But that specific song was one that sat for a while in its unfinished form. It was originally called ‘Gopal’ after the Sam Gopal group from the late ’60s. If you’re unfamiliar with them, Sam Gopal was a British-Indian tabla player and percussionist, who made a fantastic record called Escalator. And interestingly enough, one of the main writing musicians on that record was Lemmy, pre-Hawkwind time, and you can actually hear some of the songs off Escalator on later Hawkwind and Mötörhead songs like ‘The Watcher’.”
“We love that sort of stuff, so I think the rhythms of that song were made to sound a bit like the Sam Gopal Band, who are very driven by hand percussion.”
When asked if the group’s newly adopted psychedelic soundscapes remain a prominent influence amid the entirety of Plastic Eternity, Maddison briefly paused to contemplate; “I think there’s a couple of tracks in there that people won’t be expecting from us.”
“But there’s also still stuff for the diehards. Most songs still use a lot of pedals and carry the garage punk sound that people generally associate with Mudhoney. But I think that over the years, we have evolved and are now able to stretch our wings into different types of music while still sounding like Mudhoney.”
And he couldn’t be more right, with the group consistently humbling themselves by returning to their roots and playing intimate club shows. It’s an ethos adopted for the group’s 2023 National tour run, which marks the group’s first Australian appearance since the final Big Day Out in 2014.
“It’ll be great fun”, exclaims Maddison, “I believe there is one festival, Gumball in New South Wales, and the rest are all intimate club shows, which are pretty much the best environment to see Mudhoney in.
“We’re super excited. We’d hoped to come out earlier, but the pandemic shut everything down and pushed back our tour schedule, so it’s a great feeling to be able to bring the band back to Australia.”
Catch Mudhoney at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine on 28 April and the Torquay Hotel on 29 April. You can purchase tickets and find out more here.
Mudhoney’s Plastic Eternity is out on 7 April 2023.
Laufey announces Australian headline tour dates for June
LA-based, singer, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) will make her Australian debut this June with shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Her latest project, A Night at the Symphony (2023), is out now and was recorded live with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
Laufey Australian tour dates
THURSDAY 8 JUNE
Oxford Art Factory | Sydney, NSW
FRIDAY 9 JUNE
Howler | Melbourne, VIC
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
The Icelandic-Chinese artist with a penchant for jazz has achieved huge success, regularly selling out shows around the world, including concert halls that have previously hosted the likes of Björk and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
Laufey’s debut studio album, Everything I Know About Love (2022), peaked at #14 on the US Heatseekers albums chart, with track ‘Valentine’ peaking at #1 on the Spotify Jazz Chart, alongside another Laufey hit ‘Let You Break My Heart Again’. In the same year, Laufey appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and was the most streamed jazz artist on Spotify.
Her debut single ‘Street by Street’ (2020) – written while she attended the Berklee College of Music – reached the top of the Icelandic radio charts and caught the eyes of contemporaries like Billie Eilish, Willow Smith, V of BTS and dodie. Following the release of her Typical of Me EP (2021), Laufey was named Best New Artist in Jazz and Blues at the Icelandic Music Awards and hosted her own show on BBC Radio 3/BBC Sounds.
Laufey’s music continues to receive critical praise both stateside and abroad; Rolling Stone proclaims, “[Laufey’s] fluid guitar playing pushes the track [‘I Wish You Love’] towards bossa nova, while she buttresses her tender lead with long lines of sighing backing vocals that bring to mind the Jordanaires, who sang on hits for Patsy Cline and Elvis Presley,” while Consequence furthers, “Laufey deftly melds new elements of modern music with more traditional sounds of classic jazz, articulating the push and pull of love and loss with distinct eloquence.”
Drawing in fans of multiple generations, Laufey’s live shows showcase the full extent of her musical prowess.
General public tickets go on sale Friday 14 April (10am AEST) via Moshtix.
John Farnham documentary film ‘Finding The Voice’ coming to cinemas this May
John Farnham: Finding the Voice tells the untold story of an Australian music icon.
In this first authorised biopic, the film follows Farnham’s life from the quiet suburbs of Melbourne to ‘60s pop fame, through incredible highs and lows, and ultimately to record-breaking success as ‘Australia’s Voice’.
Keep up with the latest in local news and entertainment here.
John Farnham was 38 years old when Whispering Jack was released. Nobody ever questioned that Farnham could sing — but the challenge to find his artistic voice and become Australia’s most trusted and beloved performer took half a lifetime. Whispering Jack is still the highest-selling Australian album of all time, and this powerful documentary tracks the personal and public journey that has made Farnham Australia’s greatest and most beloved musical artist.
Directed by Poppy Stockell, and featuring commentary by Olivia Newton-John, Jimmy Barnes, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, Robbie Williams, Darryl Braithwaite, Glenn and Gaynor Wheatley, James and Robert Farnham plus many more, John Farnham: Finding the Voice paints a vivid picture of his personal and professional life.
Along the way, the film shows how Farnham’s perseverance and dedication helped him overcome obstacles and cement his status as a beloved and enduring figure in Australian music history.
This is the must-see movie event in cinemas from May 18.
JOHN FARNHAM: FINDING THE VOICE Music From The Feature Documentary available May 19 through Wheatley Records / Sony Music Australia. Pre-order here.