Tag: Newcastle

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Come From Away @ Civic Theatre, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 4 March 2023

My husband and I watched the pro-shot of Come From Away when it dropped on Apple+ in September 2021, 20 years since terrorists drove their planes into the Twin Towers and other aeroplanes en route to the United States were diverted to the small Newfoundland town of Gander. We instantly fell in love with this musical that managed to somehow find the balance between comedy and tragedy. It was so truly heartwarming that when it travelled to Mulubinba/Newcastle, we couldn’t wait to introduce my mother to it.

I must admit, I had my reservations though. The Apple+ pro-shot featured the original Broadway cast. Jenn Colella won Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her role, and arguably should have taken home the Tony. Could this Aussie cast possibly measure up? How could they convincingly bring us this American story that still resonates so deeply with the people of that country? As with Hamilton, I needn’t have worried. There was not one person in this production that wasn’t at the very least the equal of the Broadway cast. From the soul-stirring opening “Welcome to The Rock,” I found myself swept away again.

In fact, I think this time I was even more invested. While I knew the outcome, I found myself wiping away tears at a poignant moment that hadn’t made me weepy the first time around. While pro-shots are fabulous at drawing your attention to small details, seeing the show from the dress circle I could take it all in.

If like me, you’ve enjoyed the pro-shot of Come From Away, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’ve already seen the show. You need to see this musical in person. And if you’re yet to discover Come From Away, there’s a reason why so many people rave about it. Do yourself a favour and check it out. Come From Away finishes its Mulubinba/Newcastle season today but will soon open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Tartanya/Adelaide. It’ll then head to Boorloo/Perth’s Crown Theatre in May and Ngunnawal Country/Canberra in June.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Marx @ NEX, Mulubinba/Newcastle – 1 March 2023

It’s very rare that I drag myself out to two midweek gigs. But when Richard Marx announced he was playing NEX in Mulubinba/Newcastle, I knew I had to get myself there. I’ve been seeing bands at the site once known as Newcastle Workies (and if you’re a local, forever known as the Workies) since my teenage years. They hosted Teenage Rampages when I was growing up, headlined by acts like Peter Andre and Teen Queens. There were standalone gigs from EYC and Goo Goo Dolls. Of course a lot has changed, and not just the acts. I haven’t been since the rebranding and refurbishment. It’s definitely more sophisticated these days, but it still seemed like an odd choice for the man who’s written more number one songs than anyone else.

Richard’s guitarist, who goes by the moniker Dandelion Head, opened up for him. Looking at a picture of Dandelion Head, you can probably imagine what he sounds like. Looking like he’s just finished teaching yoga classes at Byron Bay and probably smelling like patchouli, he admits that his songs are a bit “hippy-dippy.” It was a strange choice of opener, but Dandelion Head is undeniably talented. After a busy work day, I quite enjoyed chilling out and embracing his relaxed vibe.

You don’t chill out to Richard Marx. You cheer loudly. You sing along. You do whatever you want, according to Richard, because this is your show. He encourages photos and videos, insisting that he didn’t spend time putting product in his hair for people not to look at him. He even obliged a quick selfie with an opportunistic fan before insisting he had to get back to the show everyone had paid money for.

While Richard opened with a track from his new album Songwriter, he didn’t stray too far from the hits. Songs like “Take This Heart”, “Endless Summer Nights,” and “Angelia” came out early, delivered with the kind of passion that makes you forget he’s sung them for decades. If he’s becoming tired of them, it doesn’t show. A talented songwriter, “This I Promise You,” made famous by NSYNC and “Long Hot Summer”, cowritten with our own Keith Urban, also made the set.

In between songs, Richard chatted easily, cracking jokes and making us feel like we were just catching up with a friend. He’s such a generous performer who isn’t afraid to let his audience in. He introduces us to his sons during “When You Loved Me,” playing along with a video featuring their accompanying instrumentation and vocals. We get a further glimpse into his world when he plays “Front Row” in front of video featuring him relaxing with his dog and wife Daisy Fuentes.

It seemed like we’d already heard so many hits by the time the encore rolled around, but except for “Front Row,” this portion of the show was all about those massive numbers. “Hazard,” “Satisfied,” “Should’ve Known Better,” and the beautiful piano ballad “Right Here Waiting.” We sang along in raptures, so appreciative to share space with this talent. I’ve seen Richard Marx four times now, and I’ll probably go again, because it’s always a good time. Like a fine wine, he only seems to get better with age. He continues his Australian tour tonight in Eora/Sydney:

5 March 2023 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney
7 March 2023 – Anita’s Theatre, Thurrural Country/Thirroul
8 March 2023 – Panthers World of Entertainment, Darug Country/Penrith
10 March 2023 – The Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sting @ Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley – 18 February 2023

By now you might realise that this won’t be a standard concert review. However, while Saturday’s Sting concert wasn’t what any of us wanted and expected, we still received an afternoon filled with great music so I decided it was important to write about what I did experience.

When you buy tickets to an outdoor show, you never know quite what you’re going to get. The weather in late summer can be fickle. While I was in pants earlier in the week, the mercury hovered somewhere around 40 degrees in the Hunter Valley on Saturday. Shout-out to my dad, the real MVP, who drove Mum and I to the Hunter for a nice lunch, then some wine-tasting in air-conditioned cellars until the show was nearly about to begin. With our AAMI Lucky Club membership we were ushered through our special line without queuing and quickly found our seats. No lines at the exclusive AAMI Lucky Club bar either. No, this isn’t a paid promotion, but those perks make sticking with my insurance provider so worthwhile. Mum told me the seats were much better than they were last time she saw Sting, even though we didn’t splurge on close to the top tier.

I didn’t have high expectations for Joe Sumner, assuming he just got the gig because his dad was the headliner, but I really enjoyed his set. He reminded me a lot of his father vocally, although his top register was a little weaker. But he has some really solid pop-rock songs. He’s definitely got the goods as a singer-songwriter, and he’s super charismatic. One of the things I really love about these Day on the Green shows is you can often be pleasantly surprised by an artist who you wouldn’t ordinarily have seen. Rest assured, I’ll be checking out his back catalogue.

Unlike Joe, I knew exactly what I was getting with James Reyne. He’s one of Australia’s most dependable musicians, with one of the country’s most impressive back catalogues. When you can throw “Reckless” into the middle of your set, because you know there is plenty more people want to hear, you know you’ve got the goods. He has us all singing along, even if we were probably wrong with most of the words. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen James, but it’s always a thrill.

Sting is another one of those artists who has so many hits that he doesn’t need to save them for an encore. He walked out without fanfare, just a man with his guitar ready to put on a great show. “Message in a Bottle,” bam, “Englishman in New York,” bam, “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” bam. Sounding just as good as he ever has, with so much charm. With a triple-treat of hits so early, we didn’t even mind when he apologised for playing a couple of new songs. They were less familiar but still superb songs, and they gave us all a chance to catch our breath and take our seats for a bit. We were back to the hits for “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” a song made a bit more pleasant as the breeze picked up. We had been so hot that the wind was a welcome relief. I was honestly shocked when security ushered Sting off the stage. He said he’d be back if he could, and we were sure he would be. I called my dad, who was already on the way to pick us up, and told him the show might take a little longer as we were on a break waiting for the high winds to pass. He turned around to go home, and almost got there when I called him back to say we were being evacuated. We were a bit shocked really. It wasn’t raining, and I’ve been in some pretty heavy rain for Day on the Green shows, but I guess the wind and forecast lightning was the deciding factor.

I’ve attended countless Day on the Green shows and never had an experience like that. So perhaps it’s not a surprise that I felt the venue staff were ill-prepared for the turn of events. My mum and I were told to leave our seats, but we had no where to go, with my Dad around 50 minutes away. And then the rain started. Another shout-out to the amazing couple who let us take shelter in their car, insisting that they wouldn’t be moving for ages (they were right). Would we have been waiting in the conditions that were deemed too unsafe for a concert if they weren’t willing to help?

Now we’re left wondering what happens next. The team behind A Day on the Green say they’ll be in touch in the next day or so, suggesting there’ll be some kind of compensation. A reschedule seems unlikely given Sting’s busy schedule. Some people online have suggested we don’t deserve any sort of compensation, because we saw all three acts we paid for. However, if you’d asked me to pay $200 to see Sting sing seven songs, I’d have told you where to go. It’s the sort of experience that makes you wonder whether you should buy tickets to the shows at the safe, if somewhat sterile, indoor venues instead of the wineries. So I’m glad to hear A Day on the Green are looking to make up for our disappointment. It certainly wasn’t the show we hoped for, even if there was plenty to smile about early on.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chess @ Civic Theatre, Newcastle – 27 February 2021

Last weekend marked one year since my pre-pandemic concerts. I stayed over in Sydney and caught Conchita Wurst and Jonathan Van Ness’s shows without a care in the world. Coronavirus must have been bubbling overseas, but we were oblivious to it as we filed into packed inner-city venues. Last weekend marked the first time I really felt like the world was returning to that level of normal, for most people anyway. If not for the QR codes checking in to the Civic Theatre and an announcement that masks were recommended, we might have forgotten the pandemic existed. Outside my party, I didn’t spot anyone heeding the Civic’s suggestions, even while crowding into the theatre. While the Art House left vacant rows down the front when I saw Rent, it seemed like a full house. Certainly, people weren’t afraid to whoop and cheer loudly when the curtain went up for this production of Chess.

I went into Chess blindly, tagging along with my eager parents simply because I didn’t want to be left out. However, I was quickly swept up in this story of international chess rivals and the woman they both loved. Silvie Paladino was a revelation for me. I knew she had vocal chops through her annual performances at carols, but I wasn’t prepared for her charisma and command of the role. I didn’t know much about David Harris, who local talent who splits his time between Sydney and New York, but he can see why he’s in demand on Broadway. What a voice. Australian Idol alum Marty Worrall definitely held his own playing opposite the people with their faces on the poster. He’s so captivating and cool, the perfect Freddie Trumper.

This was the biggest production I’ve seen since the pandemic hit. While Rent’s major characters are supported by a relatively small ensemble, Chess’s cast was backed by a massive choir. An orchestra on stage was inspired. I’ve never seen that before, but I’d love to see more of it. What the band does is so crucial to a musical, the players deserve better than being hidden away. But it did make for a lot of bodies on stage, another hint that Australia is feeling more relaxed.

This production was originally scheduled for late March 2020, so it was a long time coming. I won’t say Chess was my favourite musical, but for a couple of hours, it let me forget what the world had gone through in the last 12 months. International travel is off the table until who knows when, but this production transported me to Italy, to the Soviet Union … we even got a night in Bangkok. It was colourful, romantic, and above all entertaining.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Karise Eden @ Wests Leagues Club, Newcastle – 6 March 2019

Karise Eden enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame when she took home The Voice crown in 2012. She was just 19 then, although I imagine such exposure would be difficult at any age. She released the obligatory winner’s journey album, which went straight to number one, but then she seemed to disappear from the spotlight. There was little fanfare on the release of her first album of originals Things I’ve Done two years later. It peaked at number 65. It’s taken five more years for Karise to release another album. She was in Newcastle last week to promote that release, Born to Fight.

Local singer-songwriter Megan Core warmed up the crowd, gushing to us how she’d admired Karise since she was a teen and was so thrilled to support her. If she had any nerves surrounding the honour, they didn’t show. It’s brave to play so many originals as a newcomer, but Megan seized the opportunity to introduce us to her songs. Personally I loved her folky ditties. With just an acoustic guitar as accompaniment, I found myself really taking in her lyrics. I’ll jump at the chance to see her again. What a talent.

Karise’s set was a similarly low-key affair. Her band was small, just a keyboardist and a guitarist, but she’s not one who needs a lot of support. The stripped back instrumentation put her voice front and centre. And what a voice it is. It’s what got me and so many other Australians excited when Karise was on The Voice. After recent weight loss, Karise thinks its stronger than ever. Having witnessed it myself, I’m not about to argue with her. Countless times I found myself with goosebumps. It’s just that good.

This concert was really a showcase of the work from her new album Born to Fight. I’m such a fan of that release that I was thrilled to hear so many of my favourite new songs. My parents hadn’t heard the new album, but they didn’t feel slighted by her song selections in the least. In fact, Mum has asked me to pick her up a copy next time I’m shopping! When you can not just get people interested in your new material, but make them want to spend money on it, you know you’re on the right track. There was the occasional track from the first album and some choice covers. “Landslide” was just as beautiful as it was on The Voice. She’s long been compared to Amy Winehouse, and her cover of one of the late British singer’s tracks shows she’s every bit as good. Her take on “Hallelujah” was a breathtaking closer.

The songs only tell half the story of any concert experience though. When we first met Karise she seemed uncomfortable with the glare of the spotlight, a nervous teenager. The years have seen Karise blossom into a confident woman. She was relaxed, funny, and open. There was a great natural charm about her that brought the audience on side instantly.

It’s just a shame there wasn’t more of us. My mum remarked that she should have sold out the venue, because she’s every bit as good as singers she’s compared to like Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin. In fact, mum said she should be playing much bigger venues. I don’t disagree. However, I love an intimate gig. What a thrill to witness a world-class performer in a place so small. If there’s any justice, Australia will remember why they fell in love with Karise and start turning up in their droves to see her. Until then, I’ll enjoy the intimacy that comes with small gigs like this.

There are a couple of dates left on Karise’s Born to Fight tour. If you can, make sure you go see her. She’s incredible.

23 March 2019 – York Theatre @ Seymour Centre, Sydney
24 March 2019 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
31 March 2019 – The Gov, Adelaide

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Scene & Heard Bring 90s and 00s Greats to Newcastle This November

We’re so connected to our phones and the internet these days that it’s a strange thing to go off the grid as I do on a cruise ship. We get a little news of the outside world in a one-page paper, but essentially we’re in a bubble. One thing we miss is the concert announcements. Good for my budget, bad for my blog. So just in case you missed it too, I wanted to put Scene & Heard on your radar.

This is a brand new music festival making me all nostalgic. For starters, it’s got a dream line-up of local late nineties and early naughties favourites including The Living End, Spiderbait, Killing Heidi, Something for Kate, and Sneaky Sound System. Then there’s the venue, Wickham Park, an old stomping ground for this blogger. I might live on the Central Coast now, but as anyone who grew up in Newie knows, once you’re a Novocastrian you’re always a Novocastrian.

A classic car display and vintage vinyl fair will ramp up the nostalgia on the day. Enjoy these and the music while you’re knocking back craft beers, bespoke cocktails, and delicious food truck fare.

Scene & Heard hits Newcastle’s Wickham Park on November 4. Tickets are on sale now. Get yours soon, because with a line-up this good it’s bound to sell out.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Best Music Festivals in Newcastle and the Hunter, NSW

For decades Newcastle’s seemed like Sydney’s poor cousin, a city overshadowed by the big smoke a couple of hours down the Pacific Highway. However, in recent years I’ve seen my hometown and the nearby Hunter region experience a real renaissance thanks to festivals which as impressive as any you’d find in the New South Wales capital. Events like these make Newcastle and the Hunter much more than Sydney’s lesser relative.

Fat as Butter

Fat as Butter is one of Newcastle’s leading music festivals, with an eclectic line-up of retro acts and up-and-comers taking over the Newcastle Foreshore around September or October since 2007. Where else would you see acts like Wheatus, Naughty by Nature, and Eiffel 65 sharing a stage with our own Living End, Calling All Cars, and The Jezebels? Sadly the 2014 event didn’t go ahead after organisers failed to secure a worthy line-up, but they promise they’ll “definitely be back in 2015 with a smashing show.”

Jazz in the Vines

Image via Sounds of Oz

Jazz in the Vines is one of my favorite festivals for its chilled-out atmosphere and consistently stellar line-up. I hated missing this year’s event; my parents travelled abroad and I didn’t think it’d be the same without sipping Semillon with mum while we sang along to artists like Joe Camilleri, Leo Sayer, and Tom Burlinson. Add in some of the Hunter’s best food and I’ll definitely be grabbing early bird tickets next year.

Newcastle Jazz Festival

It doesn’t have the wine, but it’s still worth checking out the Newcastle Jazz Festival, held at the Newcastle Jockey Club on the last full weekend of August. The line-up’s always eclectic with traditional jazz artists and big bands performing alongside modern masters who fuse jazz with funk and soul, like Psycho Zydeco, Fish Fry, and the Funky Do Das. This premier festival, which has run for 27 years, is considered one of the best in its genre in the nation.

Wollombi Music Festival

Image via Sounds of Oz

When I took my sister to Wollombi a few years ago, she fell instantly in love. As a single mum, she loved that there was a music festival where we could enjoy awesome new blues and roots acts while her young daughter played happily in the Kidsfest zone. I was out the moment she mentioned camping the next year, but she’s been attending ever since. I might be too much of a princess to embrace the overnight accommodation, but I could definitely appreciate the quality line-up, which this year featured King Tide, The Peep Tempel, and Holly Who, as well as the family-friendly atmosphere.

The Newcastle Weekender Festival

This year saw the launch of a new kid on the block, The Newcastle Weekender Festival run in conjunction with the This is Not Art event. A massive crowdfunding campaign saw up-and-coming and experimental acts like Horse Macgyver, Philippa Omega, Hedonist, and King playing intimate shows across four days at the Terrace Bar and the Croatian Club. Its commitment to celebrating the talents of left-of-centre acts make it one to watch.

Have I missed any Novacastrians? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the music festivals that make Newcastle and the Hunter great.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melanie Safka @ Lizotte’s Newcastle, 22 June 2014

When I was a kid, we didn’t have massive children’s acts like The Wiggles and Hi-5. Children’s entertainment wasn’t really a thing, so we sought out our own songs that resonated. For me it was “Butterfly Ball” by Roger Glover, “House on Pooh Corner” by Loggins and Messina, and perhaps most importantly, “Alexander Beetle” by Melanie Safka. There were no convenient CDs or digital version in those days either. Playing it was a bit of a production. We’d beg Dad to bring out his copy of Candles in the Rain and he’d remind us that we had to stand still so the stylus didn’t jump. So we’d keep our feet planted while we made those little beetle noises and sang along to the beautiful tale of a runaway bug. As I grew older I discovered more Melanie music, but that song was always one I held a little bit closer to the rest. And it was that song that took me to Lizotte’s, Newcastle, on 22 June.

I’d told myself that “Alexander Beetle” was such a small song really that I wasn’t going to hear it. I was going to be happy with the big hits and whatever else she decided to play. And I probably would have been. There’s a wonderful aura about Melanie. She’s so warm and giving, and her voice has lost little over the years. Her band is stellar, especially her son Beau. His incredible guitar talents might only be matched by how sweet he is looking out for his mother.

I was so happy just soaking it all up in the intimacy of Lizotte’s, and then she asked us what we’d like to hear. “Alexander Beetle!” yelled out a voice from a few tables away, and a few other voices joined the chorus. It seems I wasn’t the only one so touched by that little song. A hand flew to my mouth in surprise, and my heart soared as I realised it was going to happen. I was going to hear that song live that had meant so much to me. Do you know what that feeling’s like? I sang along as I fought back happy tears and decided it didn’t matter what else happened; this was already an incredible show.

I told myself I didn’t care what else happened, but I guess there was a part of me that would have been disappointed had I not heard the hits. They were all there, “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma,” the delightful “Brand New Key,” her incredible cover of “Ruby Tuesday,” and the jubilant “Candles in the Rain,” sounding so perfect. I gained a new appreciation for these songs as Melanie told us tales of their history.

Melanie plays those songs because she knows we want to hear them. She’s such a generous, giving performer. But she’s also quick to tell you that she hasn’t been idle over the last few decades. Her set included a smattering of new songs too, with lyrics so thick with wisdom. She lamented the way radio is only interesting in playing young shit, and listening to her new material I had to agree with her. She’s an artist that still has so much to give to anyone willing to listen. Who needs radio though? Hearing her incredible songs, new and old, come alive in such a small venue was so much sweeter.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 2 June 2013

There are certain performers that keep you coming back year after year. They always sing the songs you want to hear, sound sublime while doing it, and give so much of themselves to their fans. For my family, Richard Clapton is one such performer.

I first saw Richard Clapton performing a free show with Mental as Anything at the Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum decades ago. I didn’t really know I was a Richard Clapton fan back then. The show was something my parents took me to at an age when I didn’t control such things. But I was definitely a fan by the time I left. I was stunned by how many of his songs I knew, and how effortlessly he performed them.

So many years have passed, and I have lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Richard since. We’ve all grown, but the consistency of his concerts remains. So when my parents won a free dinner and show at Lizotte’s Newcastle, we knew we’d have to see Richard again.

What a shame we had to suffer through Hats Bennett before we did. I rarely make comments so harsh, but there really wasn’t a lot to like about Hats. His hat was cool, and he was a really solid guitarist. It’s just a shame that he didn’t stop there. His songwriting was really underdeveloped (a song about introducing a new cat to another? Really?) and his voice had serious limitations. I don’t need a perfect voice, but if yours isn’t strong you probably shouldn’t aim for a falsetto. It seems I wasn’t the only one, as the crowd’s reactions ranged from bored to bemused.

All was forgiven once Richard stepped on stage though. What a talent he is. It might seem clichéd to insist that he only gets better with age, but the addition of Jak Housden to his band ensures his music is certainly sounding better than ever. Hit after hit washed over us, punctuated by Richard’s witty banter and insights into that brilliant back catalogue. Richard doesn’t seem to mind staying with those time-honoured songs. He knows why people see him play, and he’s only too happy to oblige. He treated us to just one song from his new album Harlequin Nights, ensuring he didn’t push the patience of a crowd that clearly wanted to just sing along.

An encore seemed like a mere formality. We all knew he’d never leave us before singing “The Best Years of Our Lives” and “Girls on the Avenue.” Even when his trademark sunglasses snapped in two before that last track, he knew he had to soldier on. He did only half joke that he’d do away with anyone who snapped a photograph though, and when someone cheekily did with a smartphone, I thought he might follow through on that threat! But it was all in good fun, and the perfect end to another great night with Aussie rock royalty.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

David Campbell @ Civic Theatre, Newcastle – 21 April 2012

Last week David Campbell took me back to my childhood when his Let’s Go tour touched down in Newcastle. I expected big things from the show. I knew I’d be treated to songs from my favourite decade of music, and I’ve never left a DC show without a big smile on my face. Predictably he didn’t let me down.

As the lights came up we were instantly transported back to the 80s. The band wore more neon than I’ve seen for years, and the lights were straight out of the period. It was perfect. He opened with the title track, “Let’s Go” and barely took his foot from the throttle as he treated us to songs from the album and other 80s favourites. As a child of the 80s those unexpected gems were some of the night’s highlights for me. His stripped back version of “Every Time You Go Away,” beginning with an a capella section, was breathtaking. His take on “Knew You Were Waiting,” with back-up singer Josie Lane stepping into Aretha Franklin’s shoes was so much fun. And his version of “Power of Love” was even more awesome after hearing his story of performing it as a teen beginning his journey as a musician. Those tales really made the night for me, the reminiscing about buying Smash Hits magazine and recording songs from the radio using the old two-fingered method. They were probably lost on certain sections of the audience, but as a 30-something I was right there with him.

I’ve always loved seeing shows at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. It’s such a beautiful venue, so intimate and so well appointed. But it may not have been the best place to see David Campbell. I spent so much of the night dancing in my chair, dying to do more. As he started “Goody Two Shoes” it all got too much and Mum and I jumped out and found a quiet corner to dance. The theatre’s not really the place to do that, but who can sit down with that sort of music?

The show was brilliant but it probably wasn’t the right venue. Thankfully David’s announced some more dates later this year. I think I might have to go back for a second helping!

Image source: own photos