Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ISHAN Releases Tender Track “A Song For My Brother”

ISHAN initially won me over with fun acoustic pop ditties like “My Mouth (la la la)” and “Supernova.” He’s switched gears with his latest single, “A Song For My Brother.” It’s still got the acoustic core I love, but it’s much more sombre than his previous efforts. You might want to reach for the tissues before you press play.

“‘The song is not actually about my brother, but someone else I love very much,” ISHAN explained. “For years I’d watched his sense of self-worth and excitement for life eroded by so-called friends who’d take advantage of his kindness and ability to always see the best in others.”

ISHAN’s been incredibly busy lately playing the All About Music conference in India and showcases at BIGSOUND here at home. But he’s definitely not done gigging this year. Catch him at the following shows in the coming months.

27 September 2024 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting GO-JO)
12 October 2024 – One Tropical Day @ Darwin Ski Club, Larrakia Country/Bundilla Beach
19 October 2024 – Big Pineapple Festival @ Pineapple Fields, Kabi Kabi Country/Woombye
30 December 2024 – 1 January 2025 – NYE on the Hill, Kurnai Country/South Gippsland

Photo credit: Nick McKinlay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Chainsmokers, Alesso, and More Headlining Palm Tree Music Festival

The weather warming up is a good reminder that sunshine’s just around the corner. And you know what that means. It’s time to start thinking about summer festivals. Before your social calendar gets crowded, I suggest locking in the Palm Tree Music Festival, which will make stops in the East Coast capitals this December. This year’s event is going to be epic, with The Chainsmokers, Alesso, Gryffin, Austin Millz, Daya, and Darley headlining. That lineup is already stacked, but there’ll be more announcements before these shows.

Alesso said “Can’t express how excited I am to come back to one of my favorite countries in the world. Every time I get invited back, it’s always a highlight of the year. Aussie crowds are no question one of the best and craziest crowds. I love audiences that aren’t shy to show their enthusiasm and ready to have a good time, plus, one of the funniest people I know is from Australia, and the seafood is awesome!”

“I’m so excited to play the Palm Tree Fest!! It’ll be my first time ever performing in Australia and to do it alongside so many old friends will be a dream,” added Daya. If she doesn’t get up and play “Don’t Let Me Down” during The Chainsmokers set, it’ll be a missed opportunity.

The first Palm Tree Music Festival went off last year, and you can almost guarantee organisers will take things up a notch this year. Get your tickets now before they sell out.

6 December 2024 – Sydney Showground, Eora/Sydney
7 December 2024 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Meeanjin/Brisbane
8 December 2024 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Naarm/Melbourne

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Forest Claudette Gives Me Chills With “Gold”

Fresh from shows abroad for SXSW, Forest Claudette recently dropped their dreamy new single, “Gold.” It’s a cooler-than-cool R&B track with a groove that just won’t quit. If you love Lenny Kravitz and D’Angelo, I know this will be your vibe. It comes from Forest’s soon-to-be-released EP Jupiter, which is slated for release on May 3.

“‘Gold’ is a song that was revealed to me sometime after I wrote it,” Forest explained. “I’m sure I was partly thinking about ‘success’. What it looks like and what sacrifices are made to obtain it and what the ramifications of that are. But in the context of Jupiter I see it so differently. Now the song is about growing, shedding skin and evolving. Letting go of the fear I had of making this project. Paying respect to the weight I have been given, the burdens of life. And the sense that that feeling is invaluable.”

Forest has a few more shows abroad after the EP’s release before they return to home soil.
7 May 2024 – Gold Diggers, Los Angeles
10 May 2024 – Union Pool, Brooklyn
15 May 2024 – Ideal Bar @ Vega, Copenhagen
23 May 2024 – The Grace, London
30 May 2024 – Vivid Sydney @ Tumbalong Park, Eora/Sydney (FREE)
20 June 2024 – What’s Golden, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Photo credit: Lissyelle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Flight Path Theatre Hosts Theatre and Bands for Broke Down Music Box

For nine days this month, the Flight Path Theatre in Bulanaming/Marrickville will host an arts festival with a difference. Each night of Broke Down Music Box, which runs from March 21 to 30, will see a performance of “Cowboy Mouth”, a one-act play from Sam Shepard and punk trailblazer Patti Smith, followed by live music from some of the area’s best independent bands.

“Cowboy Mouth” is an urban fable about a woman who kidnaps a young man at gunpoint to make him a pop prophet, “like a rock-and-roll Jesus with a cowboy mouth.” Critics have described it as “a sizzling, surrealistic 70 minutes”, and “weird, wild, and rather wonderful.” Directed by Anna Houston, Natassa Zoe and Austin Hayden star in the production. Then each show will close out with one of the following acts.
21 March 2024 – Dande and The Lion (Preview)
22 March 2024 – Dande and The Lion (Opening Night)
23 March 2024 – Day Release
24 March 2024 – The Bernies
26 March 2024 – Georgie Jones
27 March 2024 – Locked in Lummo
28 March 2024 – The Polymics
29 March 2024 – Dear Scarlett
30 March 2024 – Elysae

Flight Path Theatre is at Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Bulanaming/Marrickville. Tickets for the Broke Down Music Box events are on sale now from the theatre’s website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Bad Dad Orchestra Rock Out With “Makin’ Me Wild”

The Bad Dad Orchestra have just dropped “Makin’ Me Wild,” the title track from their forthcoming debut studio album, and it’s an absolute banger. Its driving guitars and drums give it a classic rock feel, but then there are those horns and lush backing vocals adding a sprinkling of soul.

Talking about the track, which is a tribute to their late founding member Liam Guthrie Pennicott, frontman Jimi Steele says “A lone wolf’s judgement can be shifted by the pack, sometimes in a good way, but likewise contribute to poor decisions. A sudden whim of wildness and you’ve turned into one of the bunch. We need to sometimes call on our primal instincts, or be tamed. The Wolfpack will undoubtedly decide if it’s let off the leash to run wild.”

You won’t have to wait too long for more new material from these guys, as the Making’ Me Wild album is slated for release later this month. Expect to hear a few more new tracks and old favourite when the Bad Dad Orchestra plays the following shows.

24 February 2024 – Love It Music Festival, Kanamuluka Country/Sassafras
2 March 2024 – Spoke Music Festival, Paredarerme Country/Swansea
3 March 2024 – Shearwater Resort, Tommeginne/Shearwater (supporting Rose Tattoo)
16 March 2024 – Forth Valley Blues Festival, Punnilerpanner Country/Forth
22 March 2024 – Valentino Safe Company, Woiwurrung Country/Lilydale
20 April 2024 – The Vanguard, Eora/Sydney
4 May 2024 – Paragon Theatre, Timkarik/Queenstown
19 May 2024 – Blues On Broadbeach, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast
1 June 2024 – The Pier/Island State Brewing, Punnilerpanner and Pirinilapl Country/Ulverstone
12 July 2024 – Willlie Smith’s Mid-Winter Fest, Melukerdee and Lyluequonny Country/Grove
22-25 August 2024 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Animals Headline Massive Wanstock Festival

If old time rock and roll is the kind of music that soothes your soul, make sure you get out to this year’s Wanstock. The 2024 promises to be the event’s biggest yet, with internationally acclaimed headliners The Animals playing their final show in the city. Dragon, Ted Mulry Gang, Standing Room Only, Strait Shooters, and Day Dreamers will also take the stage.

“I grew up in that awesome Aussie pub rock era of the 1980s and 90s,” explained event organiser Geoff Wansbrough. “Every pub had bands and the cream rose to the top and we gave the world some great acts. As such, I used to see a lot of bands back in the day, and I still do. Wanstock came about when I was having a birthday a few years ago. I thought I would have a favorite band play. Then I thought: why not have a few of my favorite bands. That, plus the fact that I was a big admirer of the original Woodstock Music Festival, is really how it came about. Each year, I try and make it bigger and better. Now, it consists of a few components: to have two or three of the classic acts from back in the day, to give a some of the emerging talent a chance to play, and to have a cover band playing all our favorites to get everyone partying and dancing. Basically, I put it on to support our local music talent and so we can have a bit of fun while we still can. And this year is really something special with the legendary Animals playing their last ever show in Melbourne.”

Wanstock hits Shoppingtown Hotel in Wurundjeri Country/Doncaster on March 2. Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

THE VANNS Announce Mini-Festival As Part of Next Week’s Regional Tour

The VANNS’ regional tour just got even cooler. Fans in Woolyungah/Wollongong have just had their show upgraded to a mini-festival. Curated by The VANNS, the Bring it on Home Festival will feature some of their favourite local acts including Tyne-James Organ, The Moving Stills, Surely Shirly, The Colliflowers, and GOSH. And after all that fun, punters will still get a headlining set by hometown heroes, The VANNS!

“We’ve always wanted to put on a hometown mini-festival show in the Gong and have some of our best mates/favourite artists be apart of it, The VANNS enthused.

Tickets for that event and all the other shows on The VANNS’ upcoming tour are on sale now. This tour marks the first time The VANNS have played in many of these regional centres, so you won’t want to miss it.

22 February 2024 – Commercial Hotel, Wurundjeri Country/South Morang
23 February 2024 – Westernport Hotel, Boonwurrung Country/San Remo
29 February 2024 – Sooki Lounge, Wurundjeri Country/Belgrave
1 March 2024 – Torquay Hotel, Wadawurrung Country/Torquay
2 March 2024 – Mordi Fest, Boonwurrung Country/Mordialloc
3 March 2024 – Volta, Ballaarat/Ballarat
8 March 2024 – The River, Wooditup/Margaret River
9 March 2024 – Indi Bar, Whadjuk Country/Scarborough
10 March 2024 – Indi Bar, Whadjuk Country/Scarborough
15 March 2024 – Drifters Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford
16 March 2024 – Moonshiners Bar, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
17 March 2024 – Finnians, Guruk/Port Macquarie
22 March 2024 – Basement, Ngambri/Canberra
23 March 2024 – Bring it on Home Festival @ Waves, Woolyungah/Wollongong
28 March 2024 – King St Bandroom, Mulubinba/Newcastle
4 April 2024 – Magnums, Ngaro Country/Airlie Beach
5 April 2024 – Dalrymple Hotel, Gurrumbilbarra/Townsville
6 April 2024 – Edgehill Tavern, Gimuy/Cairns
18 April 2024 – Cleveland Sand Hotel, Quandamooka/Redlands
19 April 2024 – Kings Beach Tavern, Kabi Kabi Country/Sunshine Coast
20 April 2024 – Miami Marketta, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast

Photo credit: Jye Talbot

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

FISHER’S OUT 2 LUNCH FESTIVAL Set to Bring the Heat This May

The summer months tend to be stacked with shows, but our calendars look a little bare once the mercury dips. However, Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast-raised international superstar DJ FISHER thinks any time of year is right for a beach party, so he’s launching FISHER’S OUT 2 LUNCH FESTIVAL this May.

Curated and headlined by FISHER, the show will also see Brazil-based DJ Vintage Culture, Flight Facilities, Little Fritter, and Shimmy entertaining the crowds til late.

“Guys, I’m coming down under! Are you kidding? We’re on the beach, we’re going mad, get your tickets and get ready to rock & roll. See you on the dance floor!” FISHER promised.

The party happens on Coolangatta Beach on May 4. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, February 9. All tickets include access to a free shuttle which will take you to and from the event, which access points at Broadbeach Light Rail Station, Varsity Lakes Railway Station, Cavanbah/Byron Bay and Durring/Brunswick Heads.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hello Sunshine Announces Eclectic 2024 Lineup

I’ve seen some eclectic lineups in my time, but the bill for 2024’s Hello Sunshine festival, hitting Naarm/Melbourne in March, might just take the cake. Where else can you rock out to Grinspoon, dance to the pop hits of The Veronicas, and embrace your inner child with a set from The Wiggles? Add indie-rock luminaries The Temper Trap, chill vibes from Pete Murray, the hip hop stylings of Bliss N Eso, country tunes from Brad Cox, and heaps more and you’ve got yourselves a party!

If that’s not enough to tempt you, there’ll be carnival rides, market stalls, food trucks, kids entertainment, and fireworks when the sun goes down.

“Hello Sunshine was such a runaway success in early 2023 – we knew we were on to something special, and couldn’t wait to bring it back bigger and better in 2024,” shared Lucky Group partner Keiran Dole. “We are proud to be putting on a supersized showcase of the best Aussie talent with everyone from Grinspoon to The Wiggles Sound System performing – so there’s certainly something for everyone in the family at Hello Sunshine 2024. We’ll see you at Caribbean Gardens on March 2nd!”

Hello Sunshine tickets are on sale now. Family days out are usually expensive, but you can bring kids under five for free and enjoy discount tickets for anyone under 18. So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now from Oztix.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham Release Title Track From Duets Album “Birdsong”

Country is one of those genres that elicits pretty strong reactions in me. I either love it or hate it: there is no in between. That’s the reason I didn’t review Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham’s collaborative album Birdsong last year. While there were songs I loved, there were plenty that also weren’t my cup of tea. It’s also why I’m excited that they’ve released the title track, one of my favourite cuts from this release. The song was inspired by an ancient Chinese proverb, “Always keep a green branch in your heart so a singing bird may come.”

“It’s easy to die inside and become unwilling to keep your branch outstretched,” Felicity added. “When you’ve suffered it can make you untrusting and protective.”

Speaking of his musical partner, Josh said “I was inspired by her resilience and openness in the wake of recent personal tragedy. When I encountered that proverb, I felt that she was its living embodiment. Not only was her branch green and outstretched – she was the singing bird too! I wrote the song by a river in the golden glow of a late summer evening with a chorus of cicadas swelling and pulsing in harmony.”

Felicity and Josh are bringing the music from Birdsong to the following cities in the coming months.

24 January 2024 – Capitol Theatre, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
22 March 2024 – St. Brigids Church Crossley, Gunditjmara Country/Warrnambool
23 March 2024 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
24 March 2024 – Watchem Church, Watchupga/Watchem
31 March – 1 April 2024 – National Folk Festival, Ngambri/Canberra

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity