Do you ever hear songs that make you want to know more about their artist? “Keep My Fire Lit” from Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast artist Billy Howler is one of those songs for me. It’s the only song Billy has on Spotify, but surely it can’t be a debut single. His voice has too much story and soul in it for that. The press release gives me no clues. All I know is that this is really good.
Billy said “It is a blending of all the healing elements of music that have aided me on my journey: primal drums, soulful guitar, and storytelling. It encompasses everything musically that has supported me in my journey, bridging the gap between contemporary music and primal rhythm.”
The free gigs keep coming in Eora/Sydney thanks to the Metro Artists in Residence (A.i.R) program at the Metro Social. Here are some of the exciting shows Metro Social will host in the coming months:
April – 2SER Presents • 9 April 2025 – Dream State with Beryl, Sarah Levins, and Georgia Mulligan • 16 April 2025 – Mighty Reel 10th Birthday Party with Alexander Flood (live band), ‘Artificial Rhythm’ album launch and DJs Sharif Galal, Reenie, and Hober Mallow • 23 April 2025 – Heavy Demo with Tee Vee Repairman, G2G, and Station Model Violence.
April/May – Porcelain Alice’s Pet Palace (A neo-burlesque variety show) • 30 April 2025 • 7 May 2025 • 14 May 2025 • 21 May 2025
May/June – Vivid Sydney presents • 28 May 2025 – Sidney Phillips • 4 June 2025 – Solsa • 11 June 2025 – Divide and Dissolve
So head along to Metro Social every Wednesday night from 7 pm for your free music fix! Just make sure you register online so the team knows you’re coming.
I love discovering fabulous new music right in my own backyard. The latest Darkinjung Country/Central Coast act to make my ears prick up are The Ritzy Kids, who’ve knocked it out of the park with their latest single “Lately.” If you’re into ultra-catchy pop-punk tunes as much as me, this will be right up your alley. The track gives us a taste of The Ritzy Kids’ debut album High Side of Town, which drops on April 18.
“Our debut album really is a mixed bag,” singer Sean Frazer said. “There are songs about mates who’ve passed away, mental struggles, relationships, moving away, and getting older. I guess it’s a snapshot of the things we all face growing up—and a reflection of overcoming it all. This is our best music to date. It’s a true reflection of us as a band right now—it feels like the start of something really special.”
The Ritzy Kids recorded High Side of Town at Ignite Studios in Eora/Sydney and their own recording space on Darkinjung Country/Central Coast. They produced it themselves but enlisted the talents of Luca Incerti, of Italian pop-punk band WEL, for mixing and mastering duties.
High Side of Town will be all over the streaming services, but if you’re old school you can pre-order a vinyl copy here.
One of Australia’s hardest working bands, Kingswood, are bringing their record-setting Hometowns tour to the big screen. Their new documentary CLAPTRAP charts the 2024 tour, which saw them play for more than 60,000 fans during 112 shows over six months.
“When Kingswood asked me, a 23 year old filmmaker, to document Australia’s longest ever tour, I knew that if I actually managed to make it home, the film would be very unique and strange,” said CLAPTRAP’s director, Darcy Newton. “I wanted to create an unreplicable, charming and honest glimpse into the extraordinary world of touring musicians, and this became CLAPTRAP.”
“The documentary process was unusual and fantastical,” added Kingswood’s guitarist and songwriter Alexander Laska. “The most compelling aspect was being aware of, and willfully subjecting to the experience of one’s life being documented in the pursuit of artistic expression.”
CLAPTRAP premieres in Naarm/Melbourne before selected screenings in the Eastern states.
One of One, a not-for profit organisation that supports and empowers female and gender non-conforming (GNC) people in the music industry, is celebrating 10 years with a series of breakfast events this month.
“We cannot believe it’s been 10 years of One of One!” said a One of One spokesperson. “We’ve grown from our humble beginnings with the help and support of our community, and the music industry. We still love what we do, and it’s as important now as it ever was. We have a team of incredible women and GNC people across the country who work with us, and we are so proud of being here for a decade and all of the people we’ve spotlighted through our events and interviews (over 400!). So many memories! And so much more to come.”
One of One’s 10th-anniversary events will feature keynote speeches, performances, and networking opportunities with some of Australia’s leading names in music. Keynote speakers include manager and promoter Kelsie Miller, former Albert Music head Fifa Riccobono AM, Indigenous musician and storyteller Dr Shellie Morris AO, and the one and only Tina Arena. One of One will also name the recipients of awards, grants, and scholarships worth $24,000 at every event.
Limited tickets are available for all the One of One 10th-anniversary events:
Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH concert series has unearthed some massive talent including Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Halsey, and local Sounds of Oz favourites like Ishan, Carla Webhe, and Sophisticated Dingo. And it’s back for 2025! The first show kicks off tonight at the Gasometer in Naarm/Melbourne.
Sadly it’s an invite-only showcase for industry types so I can’t help you get tickets, but I can put the new artists on your radar. Fletcher Kent, Salty, and Lotte Gallagher will all share the spotlight tonight. So look them up and get across their music, because they’re definitely going places.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be joining Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH Backed by Vodafone!” Fletcher said. “Making the trip down to Melbourne to join Salty and Lotte Gallagher at The Gaso is going to be so fun. It’s an honour to be included in this discovery series and join a fantastic list of artists who have played it in the past.”
Fletcher, Salty, and Lotte have got plenty of fantastic music on the streaming services, so get amongst it. The exposure they receive from Live Nation might just be the boost that takes their careers to the next level.
The Melbourne Guitar Show is back for 2025 with a brand new venue and massive line-up featuring Dallas Frasca, Paul Dempsey, Gretta Ziller, and heaps more. You can see all two days of action at the Victoria Pavilion at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Expect performances from guitarists of all genres and plenty of opportunities to buy from global brands and local luthiers. For the first time the show features a special Fender room and showcase of Aussie guitar brands. You can also improve your skills at the playing and songwriting workshops. With a licensed bar and plenty of food vendors, you can really make a day or two of this event.
“This will be an unmissable event for guitar fans,” assured the event’s product, Alex Masso. “You will just have to be there to see our new home and what we have planned for this year. We have picked up new ideas from our audience, brands, musicians and other events. Fans of the Melbourne Guitar Show will recognise it but we’re making the show even better for more people to enjoy.”
Check our the Melbourne Guitar Show at Melbourne Showgrounds on March 1 and 2. Tickets are on sale now from the event’s website. Get in quick, as discounted early bird tickets are available until February 12.
By now you’re probably back at work after the festive period and slogging through the daily grind. The weekends, and the promise of live gigs, likely feel far too far away. But if you live around Eora/Sydney, they don’t have to be. Every Wednesday night, Metro Social hosts its new residency program, Metro A.i.R (Artists in Residence).
This month, Metro Social is celebrating Country’s Always Been Cool with exciting country stars Raechel Whitchurch tomorrow night, Denvah next Wednesday, and Kiwi artist Jenny Mitchell the Wednesday after that. In February the vibe switches with BNDT MNTN. Timothy Powles, AKA The Bandit, will play shows every week with special guests including the Beauty Queens,
It’s that time again when we get ready to pop the champagne and say goodbye to the year that was. I hope however you’re doing it, you have a wonderful new year. Before I draw a line under 2024, I wanted to take a look back at all of the concerts and albums that made this year so special. Here are my highlights for 2024. If I’ve missed any of your favourites, please let me know about them in the comments.
I just wanted to let my readers know I was involved in a fairly serious car accident on Tuesday night which has left me nursing a broken collarbone and many bumps and bruises. So as much as I hate to do it, I’m going to have to step aside from the computer for a while and let my body heal. I’ll be back with all the Aussie music news and views you love as soon as possible.
