RÜFÜS Album Tour Approaching

We’re only four months in, but already 2016 is shaping up to a be a big year for RÜFÜS. Bloom topped the ARIA charts in January, kicking Adele off her perch, the singles “You Were Right” and “Like an Animal” were both in the top third of the triple j Hottest 100, and they’ve been selling out shows across Europe, the UK, and North America.

But it’s all been building to this, the start of their national Bloom tour.

“When we approach the live show I think a really exciting thing for us is to re-imagine the songs and try to bring a new dimension and new journey to our music. A big part of what we do whether it be writing a record or performing it live, is that sense of progression and that sense of tension and release,” drummer James Hunt explained. “We’ve been absorbing so much live music lately so there are a million little things we want to try.”

Some shows are sold out, but if you’re quick you should be able to get yourself to one of these gigs.

29 April 2016 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
30 April 2016 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
4 May 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
5 May 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
6 May 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2016 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart (SOLD OUT)
12 May 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
14 May 2016 – River Stage, Brisbane

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Molly, Flume Top the Charts

For the first time in a long time, local releases are sitting at the top of the albums and singles charts. As I predicted, the screening of Molly gave the soundtrack a big boost. In its eleventh week in the top 50, the biopic’s soundtrack has jumped from number nine to the top spot. No doubt we’ll see a similarly strong result next week since the show just wrapped up.

Meanwhile on the singles chart, Flume has clawed his way to the top with “Never Be Like You.” The track featuring Kai is Flume’s first number one single.

Molly’s success has pushed Sia’s latest album This is Acting from number one down to number five this week. Another recent number one, Bloom by RÜFÜS, sits at number nine.

Here’s a full run-down of this week’s top tens.

Top 10 Albums
1. MollySoundtrack
2. 25Adele
3. Nothing Has Changed (The Best of David Bowie) – David Bowie
4. PurposeJustin Bieber
5. This is ActingSia
6. A Head Full of DreamsColdplay
7. Blackstar – David Bowie
8. Anti – Rihanna
9. BloomRÜFÜS
10. Nine Track Mind – Charlie Puth

Top 10 Singles
1. “Never be Like You” – Flume feat. Kai
2. “Pillowtalk” – Zayne
3. “Stressed Out” – Twenty One Pilots
4. “One Call Away” – Charlie Puth
5. “Gold” – Kiiara
6. “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber
7. “Fast Car” – Jonas Blue feat. Dakota
8. “Lush Life” – Zara Larsson
9. “All My Friends” – Snakehips feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper
10. “Roses” – The Chainsmokers feat. Rozes

RÜFÜS Tops Albums Charts

After the chart dominance of Adele, Justin Bieber, and the incomparable David Bowie, there hasn’t been a lot of reasons for this Aussie music blog to celebrate local chart acton. However, finally a local act has managed to shift Adele from the top of the albums charts. RÜFÜS has scored a second number one album in as many releases with Bloom.

The soundtrack from the upcoming miniseries “Molly” is the only other local release in the top 10 albums. No doubt we’ll see it improving on its number seven spot when it actually screens.

As far as the singles go Flume is challenging the number one spot with “Never Be Like You.” Can the track featuring Kai, currently at number two, knock that god awful version of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” off the number one spot? I can only hope so!

“Hoops” has benefited from its recent Hottest 100 win. The Rubens song is this week’s highest chart re-entry. It sits at number 10 this week; it peaked at number 25 last October.

Here are the other songs and albums selling well this week.

Top 10 Albums
1. Bloom – RÜFÜS
2. 25Adele
3. Blackstar – David Bowie
4. Nothing Has Changed (The Best of David Bowie) – David Bowie
5. PurposeJustin Bieber
6. DystopiaMegadeth
7. Molly – Soundtrack
8. X – Ed Sheeran
9. 1989Taylor Swift
10. The Complete Greatest Hits – The Eagles

Top 10 Singles
1. “Fast Car” – Jonas Blue feat. Dakota
2. “Never be Like You” – Flume feat. Kai
3. “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber
4. “One Call Away” – Charlie Puth
5. “All My Friends” – Snakehips feat. Tinashe & Chance the Rapper
6. “Lush Life” – Zara Larsson
7. “Ex’s and Oh’s” – Elle King
8. “Sorry” – Justin Bieber
9. “Middle” – DJ Snake feat. Bipolar Sunshine
10. “Hoops” – The Rubens

Justice Crew Achieve Personal Chart Best with “Que Sera”

Justice Crew have achieved their best chart success to date this week, after “Que Sera” clocked up a third consecutive week at number one.

As I predicted, Sia reaped the benefits of her conversation-starting performance on Ellen. Her current smash “Chandelier” jumped five places, from number ten to number five this week.

Sheppard’s “Geronimo” flagged a little this week, dropping three places to land at number six. Iggy Azalea was back in the top ten this week with “Fancy.” The song climbed two positions to sit at number nine.

In the albums charts our local talents were clustered down the bottom of the top ten. Chet Faker’s Built on Glass climbed three to be our best Aussie performer at number seven. This week’s most improved must go to Rufus though, who climbed from number 50 to number eight with Atlas. INXS have fallen four places, but 41 weeks after its release they won’t complain about sitting at number nine with The Very Best.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Justice Crew Achieve Personal Chart Best with “Que Sera””

RÜFÜS Get American Name Change

RÜFÜS fans in North America take note. In order to avoid a copyright lawsuit, the Aussie band will change their name for North American audiences to RÜFÜS DU SOL. They’ll still be known as RÜFÜS in Oz, but the North American name change will allow them to tour the US and release their album ATLAS there without infringing an existing copyright.

RÜFÜS DU SOL have also recently been signed up to Columbia Records, making them just the third Aussie act to join the legendary label after Men at Work and The Temper Trap. To celebrate, RÜFÜS DU SOL will play a string of shows including appearances at SXSW this March. Note the name change so you don’t miss their US and Canadian gigs!

7 March 2014 – Popscene @ Rickshaw, San Francisco
8 March 2014 – CYP2 @ Echoplex, Los Angeles
11 March 2014 – Bang Bang, San Diego
12-15 March 2014 – SXSW Austin
19 March 2014 – Commonwealth Bar, Calgary
20 March 2014 – Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver
21 March 2014 – Neumo’s, Seattle
22 March 2014 – Holocene, Portland
26 March 2014 – Highline Ballroom, New York
27 March 2014 – U Street Music Hall, Washington
28 March 2014 – Winter Music Conference, Miami
4 April 2014 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago
6 April 2014 – Venue TBA, Denver

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream

Boy and Bear’s Harlequin Dream has become the tenth local title to hit the top of the ARIA Charts this year. The Sydney folksters have gone one better with their sophomore album; Moonfire hit second spot two years ago.

Last week’s number one, Atlas, dropped down to number four this week, with Rufus unable to compete with international giants P!nk and Fleetwood Mac. Dead Letter Circus, last week’s number two act, have also fallen this week. Their newie The Catalyst Fire sits at number nine.

Adam Harvey and Troy Cassar-Daley have no doubt enjoyed a boost from Father’s Day sales. Their Great Country Songbook has risen to number six this week, and impressive 10 weeks after its release.

Sadly there are no local singles in the ARIA top 10 after Vance Joy’s Riptide fell to number 12.

Click below for this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Boy and Bear Top ARIA Charts with Harlequin Dream”

Rufus Tops ARIA Charts

Sydney indie-dance trio Rufus have topped the ARIA albums chart this week on debut with Atlas. It’s the ninth Australian album to top the ARIA albums chart this year. The feat’s even more impressive when you consider their highest charting single was “Sundream” which only reached number 65.

Rufus edged out Dead Letter Circus, who debuted at number two with The Catalyst Fire. Their sophomore release is their second to debut at number two.

Cloud Control also cracked the top ten with their second album Dream Cave. It sits at number nine on debut.

Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey have also reentered the top 10 with their country tribute album, The Great Country Songbook.

Vance Joy is the lone Aussie act represented in the singles top 10. “Riptide” sits at number 10 this week.

Continue reading “Rufus Tops ARIA Charts”