News
GUM BALL SET TIMES RELEASED
The set times for The Gum Ball festival have been announced.
Funk and soul orchestra The Bakery will round out the music on the first night. Headliners Jinja Safari will be the final act to take the stage at the event on the Saturday. The always popular “Silent Disco” will also keep festival goers partying till the early morning on both days.
For the full timetable go to the Gum Ball website
Pictured: Jinja Safari
ST ALBANS FOLK FESTIVAL EARLY BIRD TICKETS
Early bird tickets are now on-sale for the St Albans Folk Festival.
The three day event takes place in April and showcases an array of traditional and contemporary folk artists, as well as workshops, music sessions and poetry.
These special priced tickets are only available until April 9 and can be pruchased at www.stalbansfolkfestival.com.au
Pictured: Performer Fred Smith
GROOVIN THE MOO ADDS MORE LOCAL TALENT
Groovin The Moo have announced a stack of local artist additions to the 2012 festival, including five winners of the triple j Unearthed competition.
The competition winners all hail from one of the Groovin locations, giving them a chance to perform in front of their home crowd, alongside some of music’s biggest names.
Bendigo: Grand Perceptor
Townsville: Kate Martin
Maitland: Boatfriends
Canberra: MC Stateovmind
Bunbury: Stillwater Giants
The festival has also added a number of other Aussie bands to the lineup. At the Bendigo show, Loon Lake, Them 9s and Darts will appear, with Solemn Prophets, The Medics and Frank Turner hitting the stage at Townsville.
At the sold out Maitland show, 1929Indian, The Guppies and We Built Atlantis will take the stage to perform, while Canberra will feature bands Vacant Field, Super Best Friends and I Exist. Rounding out the local artist announcement at the final festival in Bunbury will be Brow Horn Orchestra, Needing Cherie and Rainy Day Women.
In other Groovin news, Channel V have announced they will hold their Presenter Search competition for 2012 at each of the five festivals. For more details, head to the Channel V website.
Pictured: Local band Loon Lake will be groovin in Bendigo
EASTERFEST ENTRY TENT SAVED
The entry tent will be back at this weekend’s Easterfest following last year’s freak storm incident.
The festival made headlines last year when they had to evacuate thousands of attendees, just before the entry tent tore open.
Although no serious injuries occurred from the event, organisers have made sure every detail will be carefully looked after in case of any bad weather.
“The set up is an intricate and involved process.” said Dave Schenk, Festival Director, “We have to be so precise when we mark out the site, because if one line is out – be it just a meter – the massive tents we use simply will not fit.”
Easterfest opens it’s gates Friday 6 April. For more information go to www.agmf.com.au
Pictured: P.O.D
THE SONICS & THE 5.6.7.8's SIDESHOWS SELL OUT
There will be no extra side shows for The Sonics or The 5.6.7.8’s
and all of them have all sold out.
The Hoodoo Gurus Brisbane and Perth shows have also sold out,
so get in quick to avoid disappoint.
Or see all three at Dig it Up!
WEST COAST PLAYING TIMES
The West Coast Blues ‘N Roots Festival has posted playing times for tomorrow’s event (Sunday 1 April).
Times have been announced for both the Park Stage, headlined by John Fogerty, and the Big Top stage, headlined by My Morning Jacket.
Proceedings kick off at 11am with the Breakthrough comp winners The Seals on the Big Top stage.
The Park Stage kicks off at 11.10am with Ruby Boots.
All the playing times can be downloaded here.
Pictured: West Coast headliner John Fogerty
SOUTHERN BLUES FEST MOVE 'DIDN'T WORK'
The Great Southern Blues Festival will return to its original home next year after moving to Batemans Bay proved unsuccessful.
Last year’s event was cancelled, and threw serious doubt over the festival’s future entirely. But an announcement today indicated that the event will return to its original home of Narooma in October 2013.
Former promoter Michael Chugg will be pulling out of his management role with the festival, handing the reins entirely to festival founder Neil Mumme.
Today Chugg said, “Despite best intentions to grow this fabulous festival by moving away from Narooma, it was met with much resistance from loyal punters.”
Mumme agreed that the move had failed.
“For a variety of reasons the move away from Narooma in 2010 never worked,” he said. “Moving forward, we’re not concentrating on what went wrong, but rather working to get the festival up and away for 2013.”
Chugg added, “Neil and his team are taking over the management and running of the event as we move forward. The Great Southern Blues Festival is one with a great history and to restore it to its former glory is very important.”
The announcement said that the festival’s website will be updated with news in the coming weeks regarding the revitalisation of the festival for 2013.
Pictured: The logo from last year’s cancelled event
VUSI MAHLASELA RELEASES AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Vusi Mahlasela will be touring Australia for the first time with his South African band upon the release of his new album Say Africa.
The well-renowned South African artist will be playing at the Melbourne Recital Centre with Angelique Kidjo, along with a Byron Bay Bluesfest appearance on Saturday 7 April – Monday 9 April, before wrapping it up in Sydney with a performance at The Basement.
Dates are outlined below:
Thursday 5 April – Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank, VIC
Wednesday 11 April – The Basement, Sydney, NSW
UTOPIA EARLY BIRD & VIP 'ALMOST SOLD OUT'
Early Bird and VIP Tickets for Utopia 2012 are almost sold out according to organisers, so check out www.utopiamusicfestival.com.au to snatch up your ticket.
The festival takes place on May 5 2012 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
The 2012 lineup features: Brennan Heart, Coone, Gammer, Frequencerz, Ivan Carsten, Art Of Fighters, D-Passion and many more.
Pictured: Brennan Heart
ISLAND VIBE RELEASES EARLY BIRDS TICKETS
A limited run of early bird tickets have been released for the Island Vibe Festival. The reggae, soul and dub festival takes place on October 26-28 at Point Lookout on Stradbroke Island.
If you would like to secure your ticket for this year, visit islandvibe.com.au.
NATIONAL TOUR DATES FOR KIM CHURCHILL
World-renowned guitarist and singer/songwriter, Kim Churchill, is set to release his second album, Detail Of Distance, in April.
Alongside his Byron Bay Bluesfest and The Gum Ball Festival appearances, he will also be kicking off a National Tour in support of the forthcoming release. Microwave Jenny and Benjalu will be supporting.
Below is his full list of tour dates across Australia.
Thursday 19 April – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, Mullumbimby NSW
Friday 20 April – The Soundlounge, Gold Coast QLD
Saturday 21 April – Joe’s Waterhole, Sunshine Coast QLD
Sunday 22 April – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD
Thursday 3 May – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla NSW
Friday 4 May – The Standard, Sydney NSW
Saturday 5 & SUnday 6 May – The Heritage Hotel, Bulli NSW
Thursday 10 May – Transit Bar, Canberra ACT
Friday 11 May – Baha Tacos, Rye VIC
Saturday 12 May – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne VIC
Sunday 13 May – The Grace Emily, Adelaide SA
Wednesday 16 May – Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River WA
Thursday 17 May – The Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough WA
Friday 18 May – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury WA
Saturday 19 May – Norfolk Hotel, Fremantle WA
Sunday 20 May – Indie Bar, Scarborough WA
Friday 25 & Saturday 26 May – Blues on Broadbeach, Gold Coast QLD
Thursday 31 May – Club Sapphire, Merimbula NSW
Friday 1 June – Milton Theatre, Milton NSW
Saturday 2 June – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle NSW
THE BLACK SEEDS ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES
New Zealand reggae/soul outfit, The Black Seeds, will perform a series of Australian dates this June, following the release of their new studio album on Friday 13 April. The album was recorded and produced by the band themselves, and introduces new sounds to the classic Black Seeds recipe.
Following their epic performance at the 2011 edition of Splendour In The Grass, audiences were eager to see the band’s highlight live show. They’ll be playing a string of shows across Australia including an appearance at the Snowy Mountains of Music festival.
Full tour dates for The Black Seeds Dust And Dirt Release Tour are as below.
Thursday 7 June – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay NSW
Friday 8 June – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane QLD
Saturday 9 June – Southport RSL, Southport QLD
Sunday 10 June – Snowy Mountains of Music, Snowy Mountains NSW
Wednesday 13 June – The Gov, Adelaide SA
Thursday 14 June – The Bakery, Perth WA
Friday 15 June – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 16 June – The Metro, Sydney NSW
BLITZEN TRAPPER ANNOUNCE SUPPORTS
Flannel-clad alternate country band, Blitzen Trapper, have confirmed the support acts for their Sydney and Melbourne shows.
The Paper Kites will be opening the show at The Prince Bandroom in Melbourne, whilst in Sydney, rockabilly outfit The Preachers will warm the stage at the Oxford Art Factory. Both shows promise an evening full of energetic rock’n’roll.
Complete tour dates are as below.
Tuesday 3 April – The Prince Bandroom, Melbourne VIC
Thursday 5 April – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney NSW
ISLAND VIBE FESTIVAL CALL OUT
Applications are now open for all artists, performers, marketeers and volunteers for the Island Vibe Fesitval, as it returns for its seventh year.
The reggae, soul and dub festival will take place on Friday 26 – Sunday 28 October, and like every year comes with a strong eco and cultural focus. This year the festival will once again be held at the beachside location of Point Lookout on Stradbroke Island.
If you would like to be a part of the festival, head along to their website www.islandvibe.com.au.
NATIONAL TOUR FOR THE EASTERN
From across the ocean in New Zealand come The Eastern, who will be returning to our shores for a round of shows that will coincide with the Australian launch of their new release, Hope & Wire.
They will bring their sweet folk tunes to shows across Australia along with a couple of festival appearances including the Apollo Bay Music Festival on Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 April and the Karuah River Of Music Festival from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 May.
The full list of tour dates is as below.
Saturday 7 April – Alexandra Hotel, Alexandra VIC
Sunday 8 April – St. Leonard’s Winery, Wahgunyah VIC
Monday 9 April – Bridge Road Brewery, Beechworth VIC
Friday 13 April – Baha Tacos, Rye VIC
Saturday 14 April – The Old Bar, Fitzroy VIC
Sunday 15 April – Post Office Hotel, Coburg VIC
Friday 20 April – Martians Cafe, Deans Marsh VIC
Thursday 24 April – John Curtin Band Room, VIC
Wednesday 25 April – The Loft, Warnambool VIC
Thursday 26 April – Mojo’s Bar, Hamilton VIC
Friday 27 April – Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton SA
Saturday 28 April – The Exeter, Adelaide SA
Sunday 29 April – Glenelg Surf Club, Glenelg SA
Thursday 3 May – The Mustang, Northbridge WA
Friday 4 May – Indie Bar, Scarborough WA
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 May – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle WA
Wednesday 9 May – Ric’s Bar, Brisbane QLD
Thursday 10 May – TBA
Friday 11 May – Valla Beach Tavern, Valla Beach NSW
Saturday 12 May – TBA
Sunday 13 May – Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland NSW
Thursday 17 May – Camelot Lounge, Marrickville NSW
MACEO PARKER: ADDS MIDNIGHT SHOWS IN SYDNEY
Two midnight performances from funk legend Maceo Parker have been announced
for 13 & 14 April at the Basement, Sydney.
A very limited amount of tickets will go on sale Monday 26 March.
WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL CALLS FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Expressions of interest for performers for the Woodford Folk Festival (2012/2013) are now open and close Friday 1 June.
Any artist or presenter wishing to be considered for this year’s event must complete an ‘expression of interest’ form by the due date – fill out form here.
Past performers have included vaudeville circus acts, slam poets, dance acts and even roving giant ‘seagulls’.
There is also their Fire Event, which is claimed to be the biggest of its kinda in the Southern Hemisphere. This traditional Woodford event sees a team of performers build a construction that is ritualistically burnt on New Year’s Day.
Applications for volunteers for the Fire Event 2012/2013 will open August 2011.
Early Bird tickets to the Woodford Folk Festival 2012/13 will be available mid-April.
THE SPECIALS SELL OUT IN SYDNEY
It has just been announced that The Specials Sydney show at the Enmore Theatre has sold out.
Fans can still grab tickets for the legendary UK ska band’s Bluesfest and West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots performances as well as sideshows in Adelaide and Melbourne.
The Specials last toured Australia for their 30th anniversary celebrations in 2009.
WATCH 2011 NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL MINI-DOCUMENTARY
Folk fan, and videographer, Annette Cohen has debuted her National Folk Festival 2011 mini-documentary on Vimeo.
Cohen’s video, A Taste Of Folk, features snippets of artists’ performances as well as National Folk Festival goers discussing why they like the event.
The annual Canberra festival kicks off this year at Exhibition Park on Friday 4 May.
Artists this year include Jeff Lang, Peter Combe, Frank Yamma, Dry Bones and Zulya & The Children Of The Underground.
A Taste Of Folk:
A taste of folk – National Folk Festival 2011 from Annette Cohen on Vimeo.
Pictured: A scene from A Taste Of Folk
FAIRBRIDGE TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Fairbridge Festival organisers last week announced that “standard tickets and camping for the 2012 festival are now on sale”.
The tickets will be available until midnight Thursday 12 April.
After that date, tickets will be available at the festival, at gate prices, when it kicks off Friday 13 April.
This year’s lineup features My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Shane Howard, Shooglenifty, The Stiff Gins, The Woohoo Revue, Fred Smith and many more artists.
Ticket sales are made through Moshtix.
Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1300 GET TIX (438 849).
Pictured: Fairbridge headliner Shane Howard
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