Month: November 2009

George Michael is one of those reclusive artists we rarely see on a stage. So it’s thrilling to see him winging his way Down Under next year.

This will be George’s first visit to Oz since 1988. George has put out so much amazing music since then, and he’s sure to play as much of it as he can in these 25 Live greatest hits shows.

“It is thrilling to bring George Michael to Australia again, he toured here on the Faith tour in 1988. He is a consummate performer and will deliver a stunning show to his fans who have waited 22 years to see him perform in Australia,” said promoter Paul Dainty.

George Michael will play Perth’s Members Equity Stadium on February 20 and Sydney’s Football Stadium on February 26. Apparently Melbourne misses out as Etihad Stadium was unavailable. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 8 December.

I only wish the venues were better. I know the demand is huge, but seeing him perform somewhere as soulless as the Football Stadium just doesn’t have a lot of appeal. I’ve been waiting my entire life for this show, but I’m going to have to think long and hard before spending the insane amount of money he’s sure to command.

Image source: Newscom

Ella and Jesse Hooper are back with their brand new outfit The Verses. Their self-titled debut EP shows that this reemergence is much more than simply Killing Heidi Part Two.

The earnest teenage angst and straight up rock of their former incarnation is gone. Ella Hooper’s vocal still have that edge, but they’re utilized for more mature yearnings this time around. The duo always had a pop sensibility, but it seems they’re less ashamed of it. This isn’t about trying to be cool. It’s about embracing classic influences like Fleetwood Mac and The Pretenders, taking their lead and knowing it’s OK to show that softer side.

All the tracks on this EP are potential singles. The pop core is tempered by a dash of country and a hint of rock. The blend is instantly accessible and radio friendly, but there’s no shame in that. I don’t think The Verses are trying to be commercial or please the masses. Instead it seems that the years of musical experience have paid off; The Verses know how to write a damn good song.

Bring on the full-length album; four songs has me wanting more.

Image source: The Verses MySpace

As the mercury soars it was inevitable that we’d see another WILD dance compilation. Wild Summer 2010 looks to be your summer soundtrack with mixes from DJ Gemstar and MC Lady Lauryn.

The Aussie girls put their golden touch to club anthems from the usual suspects including Dizzee Rascal, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull. The value-packed album includes two mixed CDs, a new and exclusive minimix from Klaas, a bonus DVD featuring an exclusive Cascada video mash up, and all the biggest music videos from the two discs.

The album hits stores this Friday, November 27. To coincide with the release, the girls will travel to nightclubs all around the country for launch parties. We can only assume they’re going to be wild!

28 November 2009 – Port Macquarie Hotel
30 November 2009 – Bedroom Nightclub, Gold Coast
4 December 2009 – Swell Nightclub, Gold Coast
5 December 2009 – Gladstone Hotel
23 December 2009 – Rise, Perth
27 December 2009 –Platinum Lounge, Mackay
9 January 2010 – Oceans Nightclub, Port Lincoln
16 January 2010 – Fanny’s, Newcastle
23 January 2010 – Area Hotel, Griffith
25 January 2010 – Eden Nightclub, Melbourne
29 January 2010 – Dirty Secrets, Penrith
30 January 2010 – One Nightclub, Albury
6 February 2010 – HQ, Adelaide
13 February 2010 – Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
20 February 2010 – Academy, Canberra
6 February 2010 – Planet, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Finely Tuned

Sony seems keen to capitalise on Stan Walker mania with news the record company will release his first album next month.

Introducing … Stan Walker, like The Winner’s Journey albums we saw from Damien Leith and Natalie Gauci (whatever is she doing nowadays?), features his best performances from the show.

“2009 has been another big year for Australian music and this year’s Australian Idol has been no exception,” announced Sony head Denis Handlin . “Stan is a remarkable and gifted young performer who has shown great spirit not only throughout his life, but during the show to win this year’s series.”

The album will hit stores on December 12. Here’s the track list, which other than that lacklustre “Black Box” song is pretty brilliant!

1. Purple Rain
2. The Climb
3. Man’s World
4. Ordinary People
5. Let’s Stay Together
6. Hallelujah
7. Superstar
8. We Will Rock You
9. Think Of Me
10. Black Box

Powderfinger have clocked up their fifth consecutive number one album. Their newie Golden Rule has debuted at the top spot. Powderfinger are holding down the fort as the only Aussie act in the top 10 albums charts this week.

Vanessa Amorosi is also flying the Aussie flag on the singles charts as the lone Australian. Her monster smash “This Is Who I Am” sits at number 5, just one spot lower than it was last week.

Click below to see all the top 10 chart action.
Continue reading “Powderfinger Debut at Number One” →

He frequently flies solo, so it’s no real surprise to hear Tim Freedman will go it alone for his next album. The Whitlams frontman, who has just inked a deal with Sony, is currently penning his first solo release.

But Tim assures us The Whitlams will still play “when we’re asked and bribed accordingly.” That includes a very special show at the Opera House on December 5. The band will team up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to perform Eternal Nightcap from start to finish. The band will do the same thing again with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart next February.

Since it seems some new material is some time coming, the band are offering a free download to their fans. In keeping with the orchestra vibe, the MP3 is a previously unreleased live version of “Buy Now Pay Later” backed by the Sydney Symphony.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Guitar legend Zakk Wylde is winging his way to Sydney, and he wants to meet his fans.

Thanks to Gibson, Zakk will appear at Allans Music store in Pitt Street on December 3. Be there from 4 pm to have all your Black Label Society merch signed. Zakk’s appearance will coincide with the launch of three new guitar models: Les Paul BFG Bullseye, Buzzsaw, and the Graveyard Disciple.

Zakk won’t be performing, but the afternoon is promising to be pretty special anyway. To attend, pre-register your interest online at the Allans Music website.

Image used with permission from Thrillhill Entertainment

We’re just one day away from the Australian Idol grand final, so it’s exciting to look back and see the success of past contestants. Jacob Butler’s track “Coma” has just been nominated for the prestigious International Independent Singer Songwriter Association Song Contest.

“Coma” received a nod in the Adult Contemporary category. This comes after the song debuted at number nine on the AIR Independent chart earlier this year. The most exciting thing is that there’s more where that came from. “Coma” is the first single lifted from Jacob’s debut album Reason, which is set to hit record stores in 2010.

You might remember that the music video for “Coma” featured ex-Neighbours star Pippa Black. It seems she might have put in a good word for Jacob before leaving Ramsey Street, because he’ll play “Coma” on the show. Jacob will hit Charlie’s Bar in an episode airing on January 20. It looks like he went down a treat with Dr Karl, Susan, and Toadie!

Image used with permission from Repertoire Publicity

It’s been one hell of a week for Amy Meredith. The Sydney quintet performed an energetic set at the Day in the Park festival, and a special secret show for their home-town fans at Cronulla Beach.

The band has worked hard to build up a strong fanbase online, so it seemed right to announce details of their special guerilla gig on the web. It took just two days for the news to go viral across MySpace, Tiwtter, and Facebook. Fans packed out a tiny café on the beach to see the boys strip back their songs with an acoustic set.

Amy Meredith are no strangers to guerilla gigs. They also recently played a show on a crowded train! There are more guerilla gigs planned over summer, so many sure you follow @amymeredithband on Twitter to get all the details.

Amy Meredith’s recent gigging blitz was in efforts to promote their new single “Pornstar,” which is released today.
The song comes from the band’s forthcoming debut album, which will hit stores early next year.

Image source: The Harbour Agency