Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Illy’s Ready for Swear Jar Tour

Illy may have to make use of his own virtual swear jar following the release of his new single of the same name. I wouldn’t advise listening to “Swear Jar” while you’re at work or around the oldies, but if you’ve got some time to yourself this tongue-in-cheek track which hits back at some people we’ve all come across in our time.

“Swear Jar is a light hearted take on two very serious issues: that rare breed of dickhead artist who thinks they’re God’s gift to the world, and the far more common breed of dickhead that you find dwelling online, hurling abuse at others. They both suck. I wanted to write a song for them, and here it is. I hope they don’t like it. ” Illy said in the press release.

To coincide with the release, Illy’s encouraging all of his fellow potty mouths to dig deep and donate to his virtual swear jar. The online initiative is raising money for the vital work of beyondblue.

Illy’s also preparing to hit the road to promote the single. Good pals Dylan Joel and Citizen Kay will appear at all but the Darwin gig.

12 February 2016 – Discovery, Darwin
13 February 2016 – Capitol, Perth
19 February 2016 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
20 February 2016 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
26 February 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
27 February 2016 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
4 March 2016 – Academy, Canberra
12 March 2016 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gurrumul Takes New Music Direction

Gurrumul is expanding his musical horizons, creating new music that combines Yolngu songs with electro-dance beats. Gurrumul calls the fusion Electro Trad Music, and he’s bringing it to music lovers with his TRIBE2tribe electro tour next year.

I must admit based on the snippet of the new single “Warrk” I’m not sure I like this stuff as much as Gurrumul’s more acoustic, Gospel material, but it’s probably unfair to judge on just a minute of music. I also appreciate an artist who wants to keep in exploring music and seeing what else is out there.

Gurrumul will bring his new sounds to music lovers on the East Coast with the following shows.

15 February 2016 – Max Watts, Melbourne
19 February 2016 – Max Watts, Sydney
21 February 2016 – Max Watts, Brisbane

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eager Hearts” – Hollywood Heartache

It might come as a surprise considering that I run a music blog, but I believe music doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. Of course I love music that gets you in the gut and really moves you to the core. But I can also appreciate music that just feels good to listen to. It might be dismissed as lightweight and overly commercial by other music blogs, but I think there’s certainly a place for music that’s nothing but fun. So while an overly critical music blogger might scoff at the pop-rock stuff Hollywood Heartache has put together for their debut EP Eager Hearts, I can get on board.

With song titles like “High School Sweetheart” and the single “Summer Romance,” you kind of know what you’re getting here. The songs are aimed squarely at a tween to teen audience, predominantly female, who’ll happily sing along to all those “woah ho hos” and “yeah yeahs.” They plumb familiar ground of falling in love and getting your heart broken. These aren’t the kind of songs that are going to change the world. But they’re bound to worm themselves into the hearts of the listening public who can hear their own stories in the tracks.

I think what I love most about Hollywood Heartache is the truth that comes through what they do. On the surface the music they’re making might not seem too dissimilar from what One Direction have been doing, and what the Jonas Brothers did before them, and what countless other groups of cute young things did before that. But this Gold Coast four-piece have written these songs, played their own instruments, and laid it all down in a home studio. Engineering, mixing, and mastering; again it was all them. This is a band not put together and moulded by a corporate music giant, but just a group of guys creating music for the love of it.

Hollywood Heartache might just look back at Eager Hearts and cringe at its sentimentality, but I think it perfectly captures a moment in time that even older cynics can remember. It’s not earth-shattering music, but it shows the bare bones of a band that have the talent to evolve into true musical forces.

Eager Hearts is out now. Hollywood Heartache is supporting its release with the following all ages shows.

12 December 2015 – The Lab, Brisbane
19 December 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
20 December 2015 – The Bluebee Room, Adelaide
22 December 2015 – The Bald Faced Stagg, Sydney

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get On Your Feet for Harts


You know you’re doing something right when the likes of Prince sing your praises. But that’s just the position that Melbourne funk-rock act Harts finds himself in thanks to killer cuts like his latest single “All Rise (Play it Cool).” If this song doesn’t get your toes tapping then nothing will.

“I really wanted to write an up-tempo classic rock and roll tune,” explained Harts. “With whatever we may be going on in life, just a little reminder for us to turn off our minds for a moment and have a good time while we’re here.”

And doesn’t it deliver. “All Rise (Play it Cool)” is our first taste of Harts’ sophomore album, which is scheduled for a March 2016 release.

Harts will launch the single with intimate shows in the East Coast capitals. Mark them in your calendars music lovers because you won’t want to miss them.

14 January 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
15 January 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
16 January 2016 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Image used with permission from A&R Records

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Reece Mastin Announces Acoustic Shows

Reece Mastin sent a clear message that his days of throwaway pop are far behind him with the release of Change Colours earlier this year. So it’s only fitting that he’s doing what all serious musicians do and playing acoustic on his next tour. The Down to Earth tour will take in coastal New South Wales towns over the festive season.

Reece will be joined by Nashville-based, Sunshine Coast-born singer-songwriter Alys Ffion. The pair met earlier this year for a songwriting session, which actually produced the ballad “Down to Earth” featured on Change Colours. They’ve performed the song together at instores around the country, so hopefully we’ll see them playing it together again the following intimate and acoustic shows. All gigs are all ages, although people under 18 must be with a parent at all times.

27 December 2015 – Ballina RSL Club, Ballina
28 December 2015 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
29 December 2015 – Club Forster, Forster
30 December 2015 – Laurieton United Services Club, Laurieton
3 January 2016 – Batemans Bay Soldier’s Club, Batemans Bay
8 January 2016 – Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail
9 January 2016 – Toukley RSL Club, Toukley
10 January 2016 – Ettalong Digger’s Club, Ettalong Beach

Image used with permission from Ferris Davis PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Wheatley Back Home for Single Tour

It hasn’t been too long since Los Angeles-based Aussie Tim Wheatley was on home soil, but he’s back again for a New South Wales tour to support his bluesy new single “The Heathen,” the latest release from one of my favourite albums of the year, Cast of Yesterday.

The track draws on Tim’s early days in LA and the seedy characters he met during this time. The video has garnered some massive attention, scoring more than 26,000 views via Facebook in just a week.

If you’re in New South Wales, here are all the places you can catch Tim in the coming weeks.

28 November 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford
2 December 2015 – Panthers, Penrith
3 December 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
4 December 2015 – Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
5 December 2015 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi Heading Our Way

Ordinarily when someone announces a greatest hits tour, I’m well across their music. However, I must admit the music of Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi has passed me by even though the Zimbabwean singer has been in the business since 1975.

Since that time he’s cut an impressive 61 albums that speak out against violence and hatred and celebrate self-discipline and peace. He’s all about changing hearts and minds, which sounds like just what we all need after the recent events in Paris.

This week he’ll kick off his Australian tour with six-piece band The Black Spirits. If you like what you hear in this NPR Radio video, tickets are still available for the following shows.

26 November 2015 – Max Watts, Sydney
27 November 2015 – Max Watts, Melbourne
28 November 2015 – Charles Hotel, Perth

Image used with permission from Shows in Space

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Swim Season Hit Another Home Run with “Soldiers”

Swim Season bowled me over in February with their single “Hide and Seek.” Now they’ve done it again with their latest cut, “Soldiers.”

This track is so accessible that I can easily see it earning a place on commercial radio, and that’s no criticism. It’s wonderful to hear a song that you can immediately connect with. It has such a great feel to it, it reminds me of summer barbeques and beers.

“Soldiers” is the latest track lifted from Swim Season’s debut EP Cascades. They’re currently celebrating its release with some launch parties. Catch them at The Roxbury in Sydney on November 28 or the Workers Club in Geelong on December 11.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Pyke Tours Latest Album

The always reliable Josh Pyke is hitting the road this summer to promote his excellent fifth album But For All These Shrinking Hearts.

Unless you were one of the lucky fans at Josh’s Fans First shows, this will be your first chance to hear the new material up close and personal. A couple of zoo shows and beautiful theatre dates will ensure these will be some very special concerts.

“I’m extremely excited to share this tour news with you!,” Josh said in a press release. “It’s been ages since I’ve done a full band tour, but it’s all happening next year, and I’ve tried to make as many shows ‘All Ages’ as possible.”

Tickets are on sale now for the following shows.

29 January 2016 – Twilight at Taronga, Sydney (ALL AGES)
30 January 2016 – Canberra Theatre Playhouse, Canberra (ALL AGES)
4 February 2016 – Studio 56 @ Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
5 February 2016 – The Triffid, Brisbane
6 February 2016 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore (ALL AGES)
12 February 2016 – Melbourne Zoo Twilights, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
13 February 2016 – The Wool Exchange, Geelong
19 February 2016 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
20 February 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (Under 18s permitted with parent or guardian)

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shelley Segal Tours “Background Noises”

After playing 40 dates in the United States, Melbourne songstress Shelley Segal is back home playing concerts and showing off her softer side with her new single “Background Noises.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been let down by a Shelley Segal song, and she keeps her record intact with this one. It’s an insightful track reflecting on the breakdown of her friends’ marriage and how she might fare in the same circumstances.

“The chorus seems to mean something different to me each time I sing it. Sometimes a shock, a deep loss, a painful reminder, an acceptance, a coming to terms with, a finality, a longing, an assertiveness, a future, a determinedness. As such a change would at different times of reflection,” she explained in the press release. “It’s not just a love or relationship lost but a physical place – a space and time that was all encompassing and is now gone.”

After all those US dates, she’s bound to be in fine form. Here are all the remaining shows of her Aussie tour.

21 November 2015 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (18+ FREE)
22 November 2015 – Hickenbotham of Dromana, Dromana (ALL AGES FREE)
26 November 2015 – Bennetts Lane, Melbourne (18+)
27 November 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (ALL AGES FREE)
28 November 2015 – Paynesville Wine Bar, Paynesville (18+)
29 November 2015 – The Milk Factory, South Brisbane (Under 18s permitted after contacting venue)
9 December 2015 – Albion Hotel, Albury (18+ FREE)
13 December 2015 – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide (18+ FREE)
18 December 2015 – Collins Square, Docklands (ALL AGES FREE)