Tag: acoustic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Zoo Celebrates Earth Hour with Aussie Acoustic Show

Earth Hour Unplugged is back for another year at Melbourne Zoo. Instead of sitting home in the dark, why not head out to this year’s eco-friendly acoustic concert featuring Tim Rogers and local acts Wagons and Blackchords?

While food and beverages will be on sale on site you’re free to BYO, so load up your picnic basket with gourmet treats and a few bottles of bubbles and prepare to soak up the good vibes. It all happens on March 27, with lights out from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.

Tickets are on sale now through Melbourne Zoo’s website and 1300 ZOOS VIC. Limited tickets will be available at the gate, but I recommend getting them early to avoid missing out. Gates open at 5:30 pm, which will give you a little time to meet the animals before the show starts at 6:30 pm.

Image used with permission from Chrissie Vincent Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Josh Pyke @ Lizotte’s, Kincumber – 27 February 2010

This weekend was busier than most for me; I saw George Michael live on Friday and on Saturday I caught Josh Pyke wrapping up his acoustic tour. While George Michael is at home entertaining the masses in a stadium, Josh Pyke seems made for intimate gigs like that I witnessed at Lizotte’s in Kincumber.

Before Josh even graced the stage I was in a good mood. While the busy restaurants at Sydney’s Fox Studios saw me grabbing a lukewarm pie at the football stadium on Friday, Lizotte’s treated us to a feast. Good wine was paired with delicious dishes like prawn and lobster tail ravioli and chicken breast supreme. I was already grinning from ear to ear when support act Russell Crawford began his set. I liked him instantly, a quirky singer songwriter delivering tunes on keyboards. Think Ben Folds without the angst. His music wasn’t especially challenging, but it was easy on the ear.

But Josh Pyke was the real attraction. When he stepped up the quiet chatter stopped and the room was transfixed. It’s always a treat to see a performer at Lizotte’s, a venue which holds no more than 100 lucky music fans. It takes intimacy to a new level, feeling more like a jam session amongst friends than a concert. Seeing Josh Pyke live makes you realise just how many hits he’s had. While he was still spruiking his latest disc Chimney’s Afire, his set also drew heavily from his breakthrough debut LP Memories & Dust. There were a couple of new tracks too, a hint at what’s next to come. He chatted easily with the crowd, joking with the girls singing along enthusiastically down the front and explaining the inspiration behind many of his songs.

I could not have asked to attend more different concerts this weekend; one a superstar performing on a grand scale, the other a more modest show in a stunning location. Just as I was glad to see George doing his thing on Friday, I am thrilled to have experienced Josh Pyke up close and acoustic at my favourite venue.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boom Crash Opera Dancing in the Storm Again

Boom Crash Opera is the latest band to give their hits the acoustic treatment with a Liberation Blue album.

The stripped-bare Dancing in the Storm will feature the title track, “Onion Skin,” “The Best Thing” and plenty more smash hits from the 80s and 90s. It comes 12 years after the release of their last studio album, Gizmo Mantra.

Dancing in the Storm is due for release on May 1. There’s also playing some acoustic shows with Taxiride and Sean Kelly to celebrate the album’s launch. Here are all the dates!

14 May 2009 – Conrad Treasury Casino “Live Wire Bar,” Brisbane
15 May 2009 – Victoria Point Sharks Club, Brisbane
16 May 2009 – Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast
21 May 2009 – The Basement, Sydney
22 May 2009 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong
29 May 2009 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
30 May 2009 – Barwon Heads Hotel
7 June 2009 – Rutherglen Winery, Victoria
12 Jun 2009 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant – Various

The Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s Restaurant CD has been permanently lodged in my stereo since I picked it up at the Rick Price/Jackie Bristow show a few weeks ago. The disc features an all-Australian cast, with big names like Daryl Braithwaite, Christine Anu, Rick Price, and Richard Clapton appearing alongside Central Coast locals Mike McCarthy and Sarah Humphries.

The songs are stripped back and raw. We all know the words to just about every track, but their acoustic treatments breathe new life into these songs, giving the familiar tunes new meaning. To hear Diesel and Jon Stevens jamming on “Dock of the Bay” is truly something special.

I’ve often gushed about my time at Lizotte’s. I feel so blessed to live on the Central Coast, where we have such an intimate venue serving the simple pleasures of good food, good wine, and good music. We aren’t all so lucky. But this album allows all of us to experience a little bit of Lizotte’s. The CD slick even features some recipes so we can recreate the experience at home.

Just like a night out at my favourite venue, Live & Cookin’ @ Lizotte’s is a satisfying and indulgent experience to be enjoyed again and again.

Image source: Lizotte’s website