Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Gut Health.
A pillar of Melbourne’s music and queer communities, Cash Savage and her colossal band The Last Drinks launch their new album So This Is Love
Savage’s band The Last Drinks are a powerhouse of fierce and brooding energy, every bit as committed to her songs and message. Every performance by this band is as epic as it is honest, raw and human. Yet the theme of fragility runs through this new album like a faultline. Fragile mental health, a fragile economy, the fragility of the environment and our personal relationships, all on the brink of collapse, threatening to crack under pressure; this is the fraught territory So This Is Love inhabits, and fearlessly explores.
The opening three songs of the album flow into each other with increasing urgency, declaring the gravity of the situation. True to the album title, Cash Savage delves deep and with ferocious honesty into what love means to her, as a queer woman coming to terms with a marriage breakup and a mental breakdown. “All love will end, all love will change form”, Cash observes. “If you experience deep love, you don’t judge it as a failure if it doesn’t last. You can love someone after they die, you can love someone in a different way.” Romantic love, family love, the bonds of friendship, self-love and the affectionate intimacy of spending the night with someone are some of the forms that love takes, as the stories of So This Is Love unfold.
The shattering experience of depression is at the raw and tender heart of this album. Cash reflects on the bleak daily battles of mental health, and the struggles of a songwriter to be creative and “productive” amidst a backdrop of turmoil and despair. “I had to come to terms with the reality of mental fragility”, Cash recalls, “feeling the pressure to be there for my family, to create music and exist as I did before, and not coping at all. Depression is a human experience, but having not experienced it before, I had no idea how it infiltrates everything – your relationships, yourself worth, your capacity to work and create. It’s definitely given me a new level of understanding about mental health and compassion for what people go through.”
The album was made in Melbourne with additional recording in a French château, Gîte St Nicolas à Verdelot, where the band bunked down at the end of last year’s European tour. “One of the greatest joys of my life”, Cash avows, “ is taking these songs that are incredibly personal to me and bringing them to The Last Drinks. I am so proud of this collection of creative humans I have brought together, who have so much love and respect for each other.”
Kisschasy – Australian Tour 2023 With Special Guests (SOLD OUT)
KISSCHASY REUNITE FOR AUSTRALIAN TOUR MAY 2023
Alt-pop-rock national treasures, KISSCHASY recently announced they’ll reunite for a special one-off Australian headlining tour in May 2023. This will be the band’s first national tour in eight years, with lead singer Darren Cordeux making a special visit back to Australia after relocating to Los Angeles in 2015.
After an overwhelming response during the band’s presale, a second Melbourne show has been added, along with a Hobart show after seeing fans from Tassie gutted they’d missed out! The national tour begins in Brisbane, before making its way to Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Torquay and Hobart.
Formed in Mornington Peninsula in 2002, Kisschasy released three studio albums, two of which are gold certified, two gold certified singles alongside scooping up multiple ARIA Award nominations. They became festival darlings with performances at some of Australia’s biggest festivals including, Big Day Out, Splendour In The Grass, Groovin’ The Moo & Homebake, alongside countless sold-out headlining tours playing at some of Australia’s most landmark venues.
Don’t miss seeing Kisschasy live, performing all their hit songs including ‘Do-Do’s & Whoa-Oh’s’, ‘Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm at Night’ and ‘Spray on Pants’.
‘Locals Night 3’ ft. The Pretty Littles, Bones and Jones, Blyss, Raging Moby, Libby Steel and more.
Come one, come all. The best night of the year is back. Introducing Locals night 3.
Featuring The Pretty Littles (Single Lanch), Bones and Jones, Libby Steel, Raging Moby, BLYSS and a swag of quality DJ’s (Ollie Holmes, EMMYK X Tilly, Lazy Susan) to ensure you bop till you drop.
Tickets are only 30 bucks inc booking fee.
The Wolfe Brothers announce Australian tour dates with shows in Geelong, Warrnambool and more
Known for their catchy tunes and energetic live shows, Australian country rockers The Wolfe Brothers have just announced their Australian tour dates for 2023, hot on the heels of the release of their 6th studio album ‘Livin’ The Dream’ which entered the ARIA charts at #1 Country album, #1 All Genre Australian Artists chart and #8 on the overall ARIA Chart.
Alongside a bunch of festival dates, the duo will perform shows across the country between May and September, with five exciting Victorian tour dates in August. They’ll be joined on various dates with support from wither Max Jackson or Gord Bamford.
Livin’ The Dream Australian Tour 2023 – Victorian Tour Dates
Friday 11 August – Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, VIC
Saturday 12 August – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool VIC
Wednesday 23 August – Morwell Hotel, VIC
Thursday 24 August – York On Lilydale, Mt. Evelyn VIC
Friday 25 August – The Gateway Hotel, Geelong VIC
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Hailing from Tasmania, the band is made up of brothers Nick and Tom Wolfe, as well as bassist Brodie Rainbird and drummer Casey Kostiuk. With their unique blend of country and rock, the Wolfe Brothers have become a staple of the Australian music scene, winning over fans with their high-energy performances and memorable songs.
Touring their new album, the title track was released in October 2022 and spent 6 weeks in the #1 position, making it the group’s 18th #1 single on the National Airplay Chart. They followed up with the release of their ode to women called “Here’s To The Ones” in February this year.
“This song is dedicated to our mum who passed away last year and also to our wives Ally and Tani. But it is also for all of the incredible women who are as selfless, caring and loving as they are! You all are the greatest. Here’s to the ones!”.
It has been an amazing 10 year ride for The Wolfe Brothers. Four #1 and two #2 ARIA Country Albums up until now. With a tally of six Golden Guitars sitting proudly on the mantelpiece they are now the most awarded country rock duo ever in Australia. They have travelled countless road miles doing shows around Australia, USA and Canada and are excited to announce this first batch of tour dates in support of the new album.
Tom said, “playing live is what matters most to us. We wanted to make a record that would work in a live setting that our fans would embrace . We always hope that they live the songs and make them a part of their life’s soundtrack and then come to a live show and for one night we get to live the dream together. Can’t wait to play these new songs in the flesh.”
Nick added, “after exploring more pop and rock influences on the last album ‘Kids On Cassette’ we made a conscious decision for ‘Livin’ The Dream’ to be a return to our roots. I think it is great that the genre is now so diverse, but for this one we wanted to make a straight ahead country album and add these songs into the live set and hit the road with our best and biggest tour to date.
“We love connecting with our fans and on this tour we are making a point of going to many towns that we have not visited before and we will be announcing a bunch more shows that will take us well into 2024 soon”.
As they move into the 11th year since coming second on Australia’s Got Talent and the release of their first album, ‘It’s On’, the future’s looking bright for the brothers from Tasmania.
Tickets and more info can be found here.
CROSSTRACK ‘Back From The Dead’ With Dirty Dance Machine and The King’s Poet
BACK FROM THE DEAD!
Long ago in a mystical land called Geelong there was a band called Crosstrack, a group that disappeared without a trace….. But in the darkest hour Crosstrack rises from the grave with only one goal in mind……. BARWON CLUB!
Joined by their friends Dirty Dance Machine and The King’s Poet, they ride again on Saturday June 10th!
8:30-9:10PM THE KING’S POET
9:30-10:10PM DIRTY DANCE MACHINE
10:30PM CROSSTRACK
Astrodeath Vol. 2 – Album Launch
Astrodeath are primed, locked and loaded, and firmly in the hot seat after a monstrous few years solidifying themselves as one Australia’s most revered heavy bands.
The monolithic duo will embark on their first full scale headlining national tour in support of the new album “Vol.2” this June.
With release slated for 12.5.23 through Tuff Cuff Records in Australia and Heavy Psych Sounds worldwide, Astrodeath leave no stone unturned on their quest to bring sonic mayhem to audiences all over Australia.
Weaving an otherworldly musical alchemy that belies their earthly origins and underpins the ritualistic hypnosis of Astrodeath’s furious and intimidating sound, a titanic reverberation that far exceeds the sum of its twin parts.
Not only are Astrodeath causing an absolute stir in Australia, their infectious grooves are catching on internationally, with a signing to Europe’s leading boutique stoner label Heavy Psych Sounds, a tour to the continent is slated for the 2nd half 2023. A further journey to the US for more festivals and touring is already being planned for early 2024, with the band signing on with North American touring giants Tone Deaf Touring.
Don’t hesitate, with momentum building for Sydney’s much loved two-piece from hell, Astrodeath tickets are flying out the door, secure yours now before it’s too late!
Appearing at The Barwon Club in Geelong with special guests Smoke Witch, EarthOmen and Life Deprived.
Friday June 09 // $20+BF or $25 on the door // 18+
Sweethearts With Camryn Fitzgerald
Sweethearts are bringing their dynamic stage show to the famous Barwon Club stage. Performing two sets of soul power that is sure to get your toes tapping. With support from Camryn Fitzgerald.
Sweethearts give a refreshing take on modern, classic & neo soul with their trademark Sass. This all-female soul band has won over audiences on the worlds best stages including return appearances at Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne & Porretta Soul Festival!
“Sweethearts will always be welcome at Montreux Jazz Festival.” Claudia Regolatti, Festival Programmer.
Their infectious drawing power has gained the attention of Soul legends including Bernard Purdie, Gil Askey, ‘Pee Wee’ Ellis, Vivian Sessoms & Maceo Parker.
Thornhill ‘Dressed to Kill’ Regional Tour ft. Young Lions, Inertia, Tapestry
In 2023, Melbourne’s Thornhill aren’t merely dressing for sonic success—they’re dressed to kill, and they’ll be travelling in style this May and June for their Dressed To Kill Tour. Armed with their ARIA Award-nominated 2022 album ‘Heroine‘, Thornhill will also be joined by special guests Young Lions, Inertia + Tapestry for this exciting run of 11 shows across Australia.
Recently flexing their significantly polished wares on their sublime sophomore album ‘Heroine‘ last year, Thornhill have continued their burgeoning reign as one of the most innovative and immersive heavy acts in the Australian scene. Simultaneously nodding to the past and a broadened future, ‘Heroine‘ embraced old Hollywood glamour, lush arrangements and a polished blend of shimmering light and blistering shade. Scoring the group a coveted ARIA nomination in 2022, ‘Heroine‘ marks an alluring evolution from the group’s 2019 debut album ‘The Dark Pool‘ without sacrificing the Thornhill trademark grit and glamour. Storming up the charts debuting at #3 on the ARIA Album chart, ‘Heroine’ debuted at #1 on the Australian Album chart, and has had more than 8.5 million streams to date.
Rounding out a huge 2022 appearing at Good Things Festival with headliners Bring Me The Horizon and many more in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Thornhill also ticked off some of their biggest Australian shows to date last year, selling out most of their headline tour, supporting The Butterfly Effect nationally, and performing their first ever US headline shows on the east coast alongside supporting ERRA and Alpha Wolf on a North American run.
Join Thornhill on their East Coast Regional Tour this May/June.
Unscored Presents: ‘AMORPHOUS’
If you have a body, this show is for you. In celebration of their debut album ‘Amorphous’, Unscored are bringing their unique version of weird-rock to Geelong, with support from local legends Mundane Jane and Violet, and Melbourne based rockers Kandalini. Expect songs about nose pirates, big hearts, inflated muscles, and melancholy skeletons.
$10 DOOR TICKETS ONLY!
4PM DOORS OPEN
4:30-5:10PM KANDALINI
5:30-6:10PM VIOLET
6:30-7:10PM MUNDANE JANE
7:30PM UNSCORED
Chris Masuak (ex-Radio Birdman), Dog Soldier, Baby 8, The Fiction.
Six years after his last visit to Australia, former Radio Birdman guitarist Chris “Klondike” Masuak is returning with his hand-picked local band Dog Soldier for a select run of East Coast shows.
He’ll play the Barwon Club Hotel in Geelong on Saturday, May 27 with Baby 8 and The Fiction.
Masuak’s musical history reads like a muscle car ride through the mean streets of Australia’s rock and roll underground. The Canadian-born Masuak achieved teenage notoriety as guitarist for Australia’s legendary Radio Birdman, and then waged a War Against The Jive with the country’s hardest working rock and roll band, The Hitmen. Next came a stint with the original live version of the New Christs followed by international prominence with the chart busting Screaming Tribesmen. A member of the ARIA Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Masuak has an impressive back catalogue of rock, pop and blues releases under his own name and fronting the Viveiro Wave Riders. He is now based in Galicia in northern Spain.
Dog Soldier comprises bassist Tony Bambach (Aberration, Green Spiders, ex-Lime Spiders) and drummer Stu Wilson (Aberration, The Rivers, ex-New Christs). Chris Masuak’s Dog Soldier will re-trace Klondike’s storied career, drawing on material from his key bands – with a few surprises thrown in.
JOTHI X Leilani Le Fleur, Hassall.
Melbourne-based soulful sensations, JOTHI and Leilani Le Fleur, are ready to ignite Victoria with their electrifying performances on their upcoming tour. Hailing from Naarm, these talented artists have been captivating audiences with their sultry voices and contagious energy.
Jothi, fronted by Gloria Ragesh is known for their smooth and soulful vocals, delivering powerful performances that leave audiences spellbound. Leilani Le Fleur, on the other hand, brings an unbridled energy to the stage, captivating audiences with her groovy moves and powerhouse vocals. Together, these artists create a unique and unforgettable musical experience that is guaranteed to get audiences on their feet and dancing.
Their music blends elements of soul, funk, and R&B to create a sound that is both timeless and fresh. With influences ranging from Lianne La Havas to Chaka Khan and Erykah Badu, Leilani and Jothi have honed their skills and developed a sound that is all their own.
Guilty Pleasures
You know those terrible songs that deep down inside you love to your very core? You know those ones – they come on the radio… you have to turn it up and on the inside you’re dancing away like Napoleon Dynamite?
On May 21st the GMCC is coming together to bring you a whole set of those Guilty Pleasures. So let’s revel in shame together as the likes of Nickelback, Maroon 5, Whitesnake, Wham and more get the honour they truly deserve (if we’re being completely honest with ourselves).
Doors at 6.30pm, $10 entry (door tickets only! get down early) and as always all proceeds go directly to Impact through the Dean McInnes Student Award, helping the next generation of mental health treatment researchers.
Kitchen open lunch & dinner.
The Cavemen, Grindhouse, Thee Cha Cha Chas.
From Helsinki to Havana, The Cavemen have a wide-spread reputation in the underground rock ’n’ roll scene as road worn warriors, revelling in booze-soaked, substance fuelled mischief. They’ve weathered 5 years in London, a global pandemic and some of the most demanding tour schedules known to humankind and consistently delivered one of the most wild and ferocious live shows on the planet. Now New Zealand’s most infamous reprobates are planting their flag of degeneracy down-under once again, squarely eying Australia in their sights of rock ’n’ roll apocalypse.
They kick off their conquest this May with three shows around Victoria that are sure to be an unmissable assault of ear-screeching, beer swilling chaos.
So ice up the VBs and grab your ticket now!
With special guests Grindhouse and Thee Cha Cha Chas.
Lionel Baker – ‘Heavy On The Heart’ Single Launch with XYLA and Catie Alison.
To celebrate the launch of his single ‘Heavy on the Heart’, dynamic powerhouse Lionel Baker will take to the stage, backed by a full band outfit.
Showcasing lush, organic street party production and a catchy melody with sentimental lyricism, ‘Heavy on the Heart’ is the first of a string of songs Lionel is set to release throughout 2023.
Meticulously writing and recording music for the last two years, Lionel has finally emerged, fired up and ready to share it all live with an audience.
Joining him on the night is Melbourne-based pop singer-songwriter XYLA, and local alt/indie rock enigma Catie Alison.
This is a show you will not want to miss!
Heath Robertson Band – ‘You Can’t Be Found’ Single Launch
Heath Robertson is gearing up to launch his stellar new single You Can Be Found at the Barwon Club on 14thMay and if the band’s recent performances are anything to go by, this is one gig you do not want to miss.
The award-winning artist will be joined by band newcomers; Fin Strijker on electric guitar (Fenn Wilson) and Alister Hull on bass (Pollyman), with mainstay David Robertson on drums.
You Can Be Found – which is being released on 7” Vinyl with a B side – has notable early Aussie pop-rock influences (think the Easybeats meets Sunnyboys) while Side B wields a bit more grunt and is equally as impressive as Side A.
Heath Robertson & Band will be supported by local rising stars, Paraquay and Carly Jorja (solo), audiences are in for one rocking good time.
El Colosso, Gutterfire, The Glycereens, Planet of the 8s, Lamassu.
El Colosso join GUTTERFIRE! as they hit Victoria as part of the East Coast Still More Chill tour 2023 with their compadres The Glycereens, joined by Planet of the 8’s, and Lamassu.
6PM DOORS OPEN
6:30-7:10PM GUTTERFIRE!
7:30-8:10PM LAMASSU
8:30-9:10PM PLANET OF THE 8’S
9:30-10:10PM THE GLYCEREENS
10:30PM EL COLOSSO
Cull, Poppin’ Mommas, Space Junk, Jodie Flange.
It’s been a hot minute, but those dead-set legends from CULL – THE BAND are headed back to Geelong!
Along with them to party is Poppin’ Mommas, Space Junk and Jodie from the Flangipanis all the way from Brisbane to do a solo set!
Get your party pants ready, this is going to be a night of punk-rock mayhem!
7:30PM DOORS OPEN
8-8:40PM JODIE FLANGE (SOLO)
9-9:40PM SPACE JUNK
10-10:40PM POPPIN MOMMAS
11PM CULL (SA)
The Wiggles just announced a fifth show in Geelong due to popular demand
Following the runaway success of last year winning the converted ARIA for ‘Best Live Act’, the beloved children’s music group The Wiggles are bringing their all-singing, all-dancing stage show hit to stages across Victoria this year with their Hello! We’re The Wiggles show.
With a bunch of dates already announced, The Wiggles have just added a fifth show to Geelong, now also performing on Saturday 8 July at 3:30pm, alongside sold-out shows at 10am and 12:30pm on the same day, and on Sunday, 9 July.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Featuring the band’s current lineup, Anthony, Tsehay, Simon, Lachy, Caterina, Lucia, Evie and John will take to the stage to sing, dance and play music for their fans, bringing along their Wiggly friends too! Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Shirley Shawn the Unicorn and Bok the Hand Puppet are all slated to make an appearance.
Hello! We’re The Wiggles will run from March through to June of this year featuring hit songs ‘Do the Propeller!’, ‘Hot Potato’ and ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Bear’ plus new favourites that will have you up and dancing along such as ‘We’re all Fruit Salad’, ‘Getting Strong!’ with John and get ready to feel the sunflower power with ‘Hey Tsehay!’
There’s never been a better time to see the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group live in concert, but hurry tickets will sell like… Hot Potatoes!
Tickets are on sale right now. For Geelong, you can get your tickets here.